Sexual quality of life in female patients with acne

Combined estrogen-progestin oral contraceptives and female sexuality: an updated review

INTRODUCTION

Sexual side effects of combined oral contraceptives (COCs) have not been fully understood, but increasing evidence prompts broader risk/benefit evaluation and merits inclusion in counseling on contraceptive options.

OBJECTIVES

The study sought to explore the impact of combined estrogens-progestin oral contraceptives on components of female sexuality, including sexual desire, anatomic genitourinary changes, lubrication, orgasm, provoked vestibulodynia, well-being, body image, partner preference, and relationship stability.

METHODS

A literature review was performed between April 2023 and January 2024 exploring the association between combined oral contraceptive pills and sexual health.

RESULTS

Although COCs decrease free testosterone, it is unclear if COCs affect sexual function, including desire. Antiandrogenic COCs do seem to have a negative effect on sexual arousal, lubrication, and orgasm. Provoked vestibulodynia may be related to early onset of COC use, low-estrogen pills, and antiandrogenic progestins. Emotional and sexual side effects are strong predictors of COC discontinuation. Longitudinal data indicate that using COCs when meeting and selecting a partner has implications on sexual satisfaction and relationship length. Analysis of data is complicated by various doses and forms of estrogen and progestin in COCs, which have changed over time.

CONCLUSION

Lack of randomized placebo-controlled studies and heterogenicity in study design hampers generalized statements about the effects of COCs on sexual function. Despite these challenges, consideration of sexual dysfunction when presenting and prescribing hormonal contraception is essential for informed consent, shared decision making, and ensuring reliable contraceptive choices.

Relationship of sexual quality of life and mental well-being in undergraduate women in a Canadian university

As young women transition from adolescence to adulthood, they begin to explore their sexual identities and sexual relationships. The current literature supports the relationship between sexual quality of life (QOL) and mental well-being. However, this relationship has not yet been replicated in undergraduate women. In order to address this gap, the authors assessed the correlation between sexual QOL and mental well-being among a sample of women undergraduate students in Canada. The study design was cross-sectional in nature, and demographic information was collected, along with the completion of validated measures of sexual QOL and mental well-being. A total of 157 individuals participated. After removing those who did not meet inclusion criteria and those with > 90% incomplete responses, 124 valid survey responses remained for analysis. A hierarchical multivariable linear regression was conducted while controlling for age, sexual orientation, exercise, history of nonconsensual sexual contact, household income, and self-perceived health status. Every one-unit increase in sexual QOL was associated with a 0.35 increase in mental well-being (95% CI 0.105–0.428, p = .002). A history of unwanted or nonconsensual sexual activity had a significant negative correlation with mental well-being ( p = .027). The authors’ findings suggest a significant relationship between sexual QOL and mental well-being. There is a strong opportunity for universities to bolster the support services available to students, with a required focus on women with a history of nonconsensual sexual contact.

The effectiveness of reality therapy on sexual satisfaction and marital intimacy of infertile women

BACKGROUND

Infertility is one of the most important challenges in the modern life that can damage the sexual satisfaction and marital intimacy of couples. The present study was aimed to investigate the effectiveness of reality therapy on sexual satisfaction and marital intimacy of infertile women.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This quasi-experimental study was conducted with a pretest-posttest design and follow-up. The statistical population was infertile women who were referred to Imam Sajjad Shahriyar Hospital in 2019-2020. 15 infertile women selected by purposive sampling and underwent reality therapy (8 sessions of 90 min). Data were collected using index sexual satisfaction (ISS) and marital intimacy questionnaire. Data analysis was performed using SPSS-24 software, analysis of variance with repeated measures and post hoc Bonferroni test.

RESULTS

The results of analysis of variance showed that there was a significant difference between the scores of sexual satisfaction and marital intimacy in posttest and follow-up stages compared to pretest (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Based on the results, reality therapy can be used as an effective intervention to improvement sexual satisfaction and marital intimacy of infertile women.

Adaptação transcultural e validade do Questionnaire on Sexual Quality of Life – Female (SQoL-F) para o Brasil

RESUMO Objetivo A qualidade de vida sexual abarca a satisfação sexual e com a parceria, a expressão de desejos e valores sexuais, a boa imagem corporal, além de questões de ordem física, comportamentais, psicológicas e emocionais que afetam a sexualidade. Não há instrumentos confiáveis e válidos para avaliar a qualidade de vida sexual das mulheres brasileiras, portanto este estudo buscou traduzir o Questionnaire on Sexual Quality of Life – Female (SQoL-F) e apresentar evidências de validade do instrumento no contexto brasileiro. Métodos Foram realizados tradução, avaliação da validade de conteúdo, teste da versão pré-final e análise fatorial exploratória do instrumento. Resultados Identificou-se a presença de um único fator que explicou 49% da variância, condizente com o proposto no questionário original. Esse modelo unifatorial apresentou cargas fatoriais adequadas (entre 0,36 e 0,85). Conclusão O questionário apresentou boa consistência interna e foram apresentadas evidências de validade satisfatórias para o uso com mulheres brasileiras.

Dermatology: how to manage acne vulgaris

Background

Acne vulgaris is the most common skin disease that can lead to disfigurement and psychological distress. This article aims to provide a narrative updated review on the management of acne vulgaris.

Methods

A PubMed search was performed with Clinical Queries using the key term “acne”. The search strategy included clinical trials, meta-analyses, randomized controlled trials, observational studies and reviews. The search was restricted to articles published in English.

Results

Treatments of acne include proper skin care, topical medications, oral medications and procedural therapies. Topical agents are the first-line treatment for mild-to-moderate acne and can be used as combination therapy for more severe acne. Systemic therapies are usually prescribed for the initial treatment of moderate-to-severe acne as well as for acne that is refractory to topical therapies.

Conclusion

Topical retinoids are the drugs of choice for the treatment and maintenance therapy of patients with mild-to-moderate acne vulgaris. Depending on the severity of the acne, topical retinoids may be used alone or in combination with benzoyl peroxide and topical or oral antibiotics. Oral antibiotics are an important therapy for inflammatory acne unresponsive to topical therapy. Neither topical nor oral antibiotics should be used as monotherapy. Oral contraceptives and/or spironolactone are useful for many women with acne. Oral isotretinoin is the drug of choice for severe, extensive, nodular acne vulgaris but is also often used in moderate cases where scarring is evident, acne-related psychosocial distress is significant or other treatment modalities have failed.