CHANGES IN THE MENSTRUAL BLEEDING OF USERS OF A SUBDERMAL CONTRACEPTIVE IMPLANT OF NOMEGESTROL ACETATE (UNIPLANT) DO NOT INFLUENCE SEXUAL FREQUENCY, SEXUAL DESIRE, OR SEXUAL ENJOYMENT

Objective: To evaluate the effect of menstrual changes induced by a no megestrol acetate subdermal contraceptive implant (Uniplant; Thermex, Bahia, Brazil) oh users' sexuality. Design: Prospective observational survey. Setting: San Borja-Arriaran Hospital, University of Chile, Sch ool of Medicine.Patient(s): Normally cycling healthy women and their p artners. Intervention(s): Structured interview before and during use o f the contraceptive. Main Outcomes Measure(s): Sexual frequency, desir e, and enjoyment; perception of health; and contraceptive satisfaction . Result(s): During the use of the implant more women reported irregul ar cycles (32% versus 11%) and vaginal spotting (38% versus 19%). Freq uency of sexual relations was unchanged (2.3 versus 2.5/wk) but the pe rcent of couples engaging in sexual relations during vaginal spotting increased (28% versus 11%). There was no significant difference in the percent of men or women who reported an increase, or decrease, in per ceived sexual desire, sexual enjoyment, or perception of heath during the use of Uniplant. Conclusion(s): Despite the alterations in menstru al cyclicity and the occurrence of spotting, the use of a contraceptiv e subdermal implant of nomegestrol acetate did not effect desire for, enjoyment of, or frequency of sexual relations in users.