The influence of combined oral contraceptives on female sexual desire: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the relationship between the use of combined oral contraceptives (COCs) and sexual desire based on a systematic review of the literature. METHODS: MEDLINE Complete, Google Scholar and the Cochrane Library were searched for articles published between 1975 and 2011, reporting the effects of oral contraceptives on sexual desire. Reports fully meeting all the predefined criteria were analysed and included in a final reference list. In addition, a review of the reference list of selected articles was carried out. RESULTS: We evaluated 36 studies (1978-2011; 13,673 women). Of the COC users (n = 8,422), 85% reported an increase (n = 1,826) or no change (n = 5,358) in libido and 15% reported a decrease (n = 1,238). We found no significant difference in sexual desire in the case of COCs with 20-35 µg ethinylestradiol; libido decreased only with pills containing 15 µg ethinylestradiol. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of COC users report no significant change in libido although in most studies a decline in plasma levels of free testosterone and an increase in those of sex hormone binding globulin were observed.

Abortions and contraception use among Czech and Romanian women: comparison of representative national studies.

INTRODUCTION: This article presents the results of representative national studies comparing the behavior and attitudes of Czech and Romanian women regarding abortion and contraception use. AIM: Describe the attitudes to abortion and incidence of abortion in female population of these countries. METHODS: Independently and anonymously conducted questionnaire with 1,011 Czech and 1,001 Romanian women, with the participants' age from 15 to 50 years. The sample represented both Czech and Romanian female populations with respect to age, education, and the size of their place of residence. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Questionnaire studies awareness, attitudes, and behavior related to the area of sexual life, contraception, and family planning. RESULTS: Based on the acquired information, it can be postulated that Romanian women, despite having a less liberal opinion on abortions than their Czech peers, undergo abortion more often than Czech women (Romanian 28%, Czech 16%), are less informed about potential side effects, and more often use less reliable methods of contraception (the so-called "natural contraception"-vs. hormonal contraception, which is the method of choice of Czech women). CONCLUSION: These results indicate that despite more liberal attitudes toward abortion, Czech women have less frequent incidence of abortion than Romanian women and they have more relevant information about contraception and their sexual behavior is more conscious and responsible.