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Nomegestrol acetate/17beta-estradiol does not negatively alter the vascular resistance of clitoral arteries: a prospective, exploratory study

International Journal of Impotence Research volume 32, pages 239–247 (2020)Cite this article

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Abstract

The effect of nomegestrol acetate/estradiol (NOMAC/E2) on clitoral and uterine vascularization has never been evaluated. We aimed to investigate, in women consulting for contraceptive needs, the possible changes in clitoral and uterine arteries hemodynamic parameters after 6 months treatment with NOMAC/E2 as compared with other hormonal contraceptives (HCs). In this observational, prospective pilot study, ten women were enrolled. Color Doppler ultrasound was performed on the clitoral and uterine arteries at baseline and after 6 months treatment with NOMAC/E2 (n = 5) or other HCs (n = 5). NOMAC/E2 did not exert any significant effect on clitoral vascular resistance expressed by the pulsatility index (PI); conversely, treatment with other HCs significantly increased this parameter (p = 0.04). The change in clitoral PI between the two groups retained a statistically significant difference even after adjusting for age. In the NOMAC/E2 group, at follow-up, uterine artery PI and acceleration were significantly reduced (p = 0.04), whereas no significant differences were observed in the HCs group; however, the change in uterine artery parameters did not differ significantly between the two groups. NOMAC/E2, differently from other COCs, does not negatively alter the vascular resistance of clitoral arteries and appears as a good contraceptive choice to protect both cardiovascular and sexual health.

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Funding

This work was supported by the unrestricted Grant by TEVA Pharmaceuticals.

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Author notes

  1. These authors contributed equally: Irene Scavello, Elisa Maseroli

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Experimental, Clinical, and Biomedical Sciences “Mario Serio”, University of Florence, Florence, Italy

    Irene Scavello, Elisa Maseroli, Vincenza Di Stasi, Sarah Cipriani, Angela Magini, Mario Maggi & Linda Vignozzi

  2. Andrology, Women’s Endocrinology and Gender Inconguence Unit, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Careggi, Florence, Italy

    Irene Scavello, Elisa Maseroli, Vincenza Di Stasi, Sarah Cipriani, Angela Magini & Linda Vignozzi

  3. Medicine and Surgery, Section of Endocrinology, Federico II, University of Naples, Naples, Italy

    Nunzia Verde

  4. Endocrinology Unit, Medical-Geriatric Department, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Careggi, Florence, Italy

    Mario Maggi

  5. Istituto Nazionale Biostrutture e Biosistemi, Rome, Italy

    Mario Maggi & Linda Vignozzi

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Scavello, I., Maseroli, E., Di Stasi, V. et al. Nomegestrol acetate/17beta-estradiol does not negatively alter the vascular resistance of clitoral arteries: a prospective, exploratory study. Int J Impot Res 32, 239–247 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41443-019-0162-7

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