The effects on sexual response and mood after sterilization of women taking long-term oral contraception: results of a double-blind cross-over study.

Twenty women using oral contraception for a minimum of 2 years with no side effects volunteered to take part in this experiment which commenced after they had undergone laparoscopic sterilization. In a double-blind cross-over design, patients were administered either 1.0 mg ethynodiol diacetate + 0.1 mg mestranol ("Ovulen") each day for 21 days or an identical-looking placebo for the same number of days. The following month the alternative (cross-over) tablet was given. On days 12 and 25 of each cycle the women completed a modified form of Pitt's Depression Index and a short Sexual Response Score. The result indicated that the active pill ("Ovulen") was associated with a decreased sexual response, but with no increase in the depression index (relative to placebo). The significance of these findings is discussed in relation to previous work, the methodology of the study and hormone-behaviour experiments.