The relation of estradiol conditions and usage length to sexual dysfunction in progesterone acetate medroxepo acceptories at Bara-Baraya public health center of Makassar

The effect of breastfeeding on postpartum sexual function: an observational cohort study

PURPOSE

Postpartum women commonly experience sexual dysfunction; however, little is known regarding the effect of breastfeeding on sexual function and postpartum women's interest in treatment. We aimed to evaluate sexual function and genitourinary symptoms based on infant-feeding status and assess desire for treatment.

METHODS

Cross-sectional observational study of women 5-6 months postpartum following singleton delivery was performed. Participants were grouped based on self-reported infant-feeding status: (1) primarily breastfeeding (BF) and (2) primarily formula feeding (FF). Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and Day-to-day Impact on Vaginal Aging (DIVA) questionnaires and interest in treatment were compared.

RESULTS

In total, 125 women were included with 61 (49%) breastfeeding and 64 (51%) formula feeding. Compared to FF women, BF women were less likely to identify as African American (47% vs 79%; SD 0.8) or have Medicaid (28% vs 66%; SD 0.9). No other large differences were noted. BF women had significantly lower FSFI score indicating poorer sexual function (20.8 (IQR 10, 24) BF vs 24.5 (IQR 19.5, 27.8) FF, p = 0.009). Both cohorts reported low bother from vaginal symptoms and low interest in treatment of symptoms with BF cohort reporting higher interest in use of vaginal lubricants (69% BF vs 30% FF, SD 0.8). Factors associated with lower FSFI score were BF, perineal laceration, use of progesterone long-acting reversible contraception, and single relationship status.

CONCLUSION

Both breastfeeding and formula feeding women experienced high rates of sexual dysfunction but low bother from vaginal symptoms and low interest in treatment. Further research is needed to explore these findings and assess postpartum sexual health.

Libido-sexual disorders and abandonment of injectable contraceptives among users of the Ivorian Association for Family Well-Being in Korhogo, Côte d'Ivoire

INTRODUCTION

The recent introduction of modern contraceptive methods in resource-limited countries is confronted with the occurrence of undesirable effects that hinder their use in the long term. This study conducted among the users of the Ivorian Association for Family Well-Being in Korhogo describes the libido-sexual problems associated with the discontinuation of injectable contraceptives in former users. The objective of the study was to identify the factors that led to the abandonment of injectable contraceptives among female users of the Ivorian Association for Family Well-Being in Korhogo between 2018 and 2019.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Qualitative data were collected from 15 former users (24-38 years old) of injectable contraceptives duration of 2-3 months. Additional data were collected from five health workers aged 35-60 years. In-depth interviews were conducted to explore the experience with injectable contraceptives and reasons for discontinuation. Following data collection, audio-recorded data were transcribed, translated, and coded using thematic analysis through an inductive approach.

RESULTS

Side effects identified as associated with injectable contraceptives include libido-sexual disorders, unusual bleeding, and weight gain. The most common reason for discontinuation were libido-sexual disorders, which impacted the households' intimacy and provoked their abandonment or the change of contraceptive methods among injectable contraceptive users.

CONCLUSION

Adverse events were dominated by libido-sexual disorders, unusual bleeding, and weight gain leading to the abandonment or change of the contraceptive. These results suggest points of intervention for increasing continuation among users. This intervention should include training of health workers to investigate and manage adverse events related to the use of injectable contraceptives and the improvement of communication between health workers and users on adverse events of injectable contraceptive use.

Effects of Depot Medroxyprogesterone Acetate Intramuscular Injection, Copper Intrauterine Device and Levonorgestrel Implant Contraception on Estradiol Levels: An Ancillary Study of the ECHO Randomized Trial

Introduction

Hormonal contraception affects endogenous sex steroid levels. Robust evidence from randomized trials of the relative effects of different contraceptive methods is scarce. We compared the effects of three contraceptive methods on serum estradiol levels using data from women (18–35 years) requesting contraception in the Evidence for Contraceptive Options and HIV Outcomes (ECHO) randomized trial.

Methods

Women were randomly allocated to the depot medroxyprogesterone acetate intramuscular (DMPA-IM) injection, copper intrauterine device (IUD) or levonorgestrel (LNG) implant. In this sub-study, stored baseline and 6-month serum samples were analyzed in 401 participants from East London, South Africa (DMPA-IM: 131, IUD: 135 and LNG: 135).

Results

Baseline median (interquartile range, IQR) estradiol levels were similar between the three groups [DMPA-IM 229 (152–455), IUD 235 (168–426) and LNG 216 (153–419 pmol/L)]. At 6-months, median estradiol in the IUD group was unchanged (298 (163–467) pmol/L), whilst levels in the DMPA-IM and implant groups were significantly reduced from baseline. The median estradiol level in the DMPA-IM group [139 (97–193) pmol/L] was significantly lower than in both IUD (p < 0.0001) and implant (p = 0.005) groups; and level in the implant group [156 (112–250) pmol/L] was significantly lower than in the IUD group (p = 0.004).

Conclusions

At 6-months (DMPA-IM nadir), median estradiol with DMPA-IM was 53% lower and with the LNG implant, 48% lower than with the IUD. The greater reduction in estradiol levels with the DMPA-IM injection compared to the LNG implant and IUD has implications for the relative psychological, sexual as well as physiological side-effects of these contraceptive methods.

ECHO Study Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier: NCT02550067.