Improvement of quality of life in women using a low-dose desogestrel-containing contraceptive: results of an observational clinical evaluation

Abstract

Objective: To assess the influence of an oral contraceptive (OC) containing 20 μg ethinylestradiol and 150 μg desogestrel on quality of life and subjective symptoms. Methods: In this multicenter observational evaluation performed in Germany, 3679 first-time OC users were included. They were treated by 623 physicians. The women completed quality of life questionnaires (Q-LES-Q) at baseline and after three treatment cycles. Results: The mean age of users (± SD) was 22.5 ± 7.1 years, with 47% of the women aged between 15 and 20 years. Half of the women reported skin problems at inclusion and, of these, 36% reported disappearance of the problems after three treatment cycles. Most women suffering from subjective symptoms (headache, nausea, nervousness, breast tenderness and depressive moods) at baseline reported improvements (57-71%) in their symptoms after using the OC for three cycles. Adverse events were reported by 4% of users; the most frequently reported were bleeding irregularities (1.7%). The total quality-of-life score and all its 13 individual items improved significantly (p < 0.0001), with the largest improvements in sex life and mood. Almost all (94%) women were either very satisfied or satisfied with the medication. Conclusion: The OC containing ethinylestradiol and desogestrel significantly improved the quality of life and subjective symptoms. The OC was well tolerated by first-time users.

• QUALITY OF LIFE
• ORAL CONTRACEPTION
• DESOGESTREL