Sexual Function and Quality of Life in a Cohort of Brazilian Users of Two Kind of Intrauterine Contraceptives

Abstract

Objective To compare sexual function and quality of life (QOL) among intrauterine contraceptive (copper-intrauterine device [Cu-IUD] or the 52-mg 20 µg/day levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system [LNG-IUS]) users.

Methods This was part of a cross-sectional study. Women aged between 18 and 49 years old, in a heterosexual relationship, reporting sexual intercourse in the previous 4 weeks, using Cu-IUD (Group 1) or LNG-IUS (Group 2) responded to a questionnaire with sociodemographic information, to the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), to the World Health Organization QOL Questionnaire Abbreviated Version (WHOQOL-BREF), and to a questionnaire about the contraceptive method used. The Student t-test, the Pearson χ² test or the Fisher exact test, and the Mann-Whitney test were used for the analysis. For the adjusted comparison, we have used the analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). A multiple regression analyzing factors related to FSFI ≤ 26.55 was done. Significance was established at p < 0.05.

Results A total of 347 women in Group 1 (mean age of 32.3 ± 7.5 years old) and of 298 in Group 2 (mean age of 32.7 ± 6.4 years old) completed the questionnaires. Most women had ≥ 8 years of schooling, were in a monogamous relationship, and had had ≤ 2 pregnancies. A total of 122 Cu-IUD and of 87 LNG-IUS users scored ≤ 26.55 on the FSFI. Significant lower scores in physical, environmental, and overall QOL domains in the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire were found in Group 1. More women using the Cu-IUD were not satisfied with the method.

Conclusion We did not find significant differences in sexual function; there was a lower score in some domains of QOL among women who used the Cu-IUD. It was not possible to ensure that those differences were related to the contraceptive method.

Resumo

Objetivo Comparar a função sexual e a qualidade de vida (QV) entre usuárias de contraceptivos intrauterinos (dispositivo intrauterino com cobre [DIU-cobre] ou sistema intrauterino liberador de levonorgestrel [SIU-LNG 52 mg 20 µg/dia].

Métodos O presente estudo foi parte de um estudo de corte transversal. Mulheres com idades entre 18 e 49 anos, em relacionamento heterossexual, relatando relação sexual nas 4 semanas anteriores, utilizando DIU-cobre (Grupo 1) ou SIU-LNG (Grupo 2) responderam ao questionário com informações sociodemográficas, ao Índice de Função Sexual Feminino (IFSF), ao Questionário de QV da Organização Mundial de Saúde, versão abreviada (WHOQOL-BREF, na sigla em inglês), e a um questionário sobre o método contraceptivo utilizado criado para o presente estudo. Os testes t de Student, o teste χ² de Pearson, o teste exato de Fisher e o teste de Mann-Whitney foram utilizados. A análise de covariância (ANCOVA) foi utilizada para a comparação ajustada. Foi realizada a análise de regressão logística multivariada analisando fatores associados ao IFSF ≤ 26.55. O nível de significância foi p < 0.05.

Resultados Um total de 347 mulheres no Grupo 1 (idade média 32,3 ± 7,5 anos) e de 298 no Grupo 2 (idade média 32,7 ± 6,4 anos) completaram os questionários. A maioria das mulheres relatou ≥ 8 anos de escolaridade, estava em relação monogâmica e teve ≤ 2 gestações. Um total de 122 e de 87 usuárias do DIU-cobre e do SIU-LNG, respectivamente, pontuaram ≤ 26,55 no IFSF. Pontuações significativamente menores nos domínios físico, meio-ambiente e QV geral no WHOQOL-BREF foram encontrados no Grupo 1. Mais mulheres do Grupo 1 estavam insatisfeitas com o método.

Conclusão Não encontramos diferenças na função sexual, entretanto havia menores pontuações em certos domínios da QV entre as usuárias do DIU-cobre. Não foi possível afirmar relação dessas diferenças com os métodos.

Keywords

contraception - quality of life - sexuality

Palavras-chave

contracepção - qualidade de vida - sexualidade

Contributors

All of the authors contributed to the conception and design, data collection or analysis and interpretation of the data, as well as to the writing of the article or to the critical review of the intellectual content and to the final approval of the version to be published.

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