Weight gain, body image and sexual function in young patients treated with contraceptive vaginal ring. A prospective pilot study

Introduction: Oral contraceptives could induce mood changes. As far as our knowledge, there are no studies in literature that have examined the role of vaginal contraception in self-perceived body image. Aim: To evaluate the effects of intravaginal contraception on weight gain and perceived body image in relation with the Beck's Depression Inventory questionnaire (BDI) and the McCoy Female Sexuality Questionnaire (MFSQ). Methods: Twenty-one adult (18-35years old) eumenorrheic (menstrual cycle of 25-35days), lean (body mass index - BMI - of 19-25kg/m(2)) women who were referred for hormonal contraception were administered the Stunkard Figure Rating Scale (FRS), BDI and MFSQ. Subjects were studied in basal condition and after 6months of therapy with vaginal contraception (NuvaRing (R); Organon-Schering-Plough Italia, Milan, Italy). Main outcome measures: BMI, FRS, MFSQ and BDI. Results: After 6months of therapy with NuvaRing (R), both body weight (60.08.3; p=0.050) and BMI (22.13.1; p=0.028) slightly, but statistically, increased. FRS and BDI showed no differences after the vaginal contraception. Hormonal contraception was associated with a significant decrease in the two-factor Italian MFSQ score. Conclusions: Vaginal ring seems a good alternative to other hormonal contraceptive not significantly altering the female sexuality and not influencing the FRS and BDI.