Contraception in women with IDDM. An epidemiological study.
OBJECTIVE
To study whether suitable contraceptive methods to women with diabetes mellitus in fact are applied.


METHODS
A questionnaire survey on the use of contraceptives in all 18-to-49-yr-old women (n = 261) with IDDM in Funen County, Denmark, and an age-comparable control group, (n = 287) was performed. Data were collected from 1987 to 1990. Response was achieved from 94% diabetic women and 88% control subjects.


RESULTS
The overall use of contraception in diabetic women (77.1%) was almost identical to that of control subjects (73.6%). Compared with control subjects, significantly fewer diabetic women were using the OCP (P < 0.005) and partner sterilization (P < 0.05), whereas more diabetic women were sterilized (P < 0.0005). Among diabetic contraceptive users, the IUD, female sterilization, condoms, and the OCP each accounted for roughly 20%. Diabetic women using the OCP were predominantly young, and most had never been pregnant; approximately 20% of them used high-dose formulations. Sterilization was frequently used by older diabetic women, and most of these women had 2 or more children; 27% of the diabetic women using an IUD were nulligravidae. Further, 18% used a method with an unsuitable high failure rate.


CONCLUSIONS
Our study demonstrates that diabetic women are not sufficiently advised concerning use of contraception.
Kjaer
K
K
Department of Internal Medicine and Endocrinology, Odense University Hospital, Denmark.
Hagen
C
C
Sandø
S H
SH
Eshøj
O
O
D000328:Adult; D017280:Condoms; D003267:Contraception; D003276:Contraceptives, Oral; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007044:Hysterectomy; D007434:Intrauterine Devices; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011247:Pregnancy; D011254:Pregnancy in Diabetics; D012016:Reference Values; D013245:Sterilization, Reproductive; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D003276:Contraceptives, Oral