title: Using the electronic medical record to assess contraception usage among women taking category D or X medications.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this study is to investigate contraceptive usage among women prescribed or currently taking a category D or X medication using the electronic medical record.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a retrospective study assessing contraceptive usage among women prescribed category D or X medications. We obtained access to the electronic medical records of women seen in an academic Family Medicine Department between April 2011 and April 2012 who were prescribed a category D or X medication. Information was abstracted regarding the specific category D or X medication, demographics, sexual activity, sexual partner gender, and contraceptive usage.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were a total of 610 women included in this study. Among the 610 women, 72 (11.8%) of women had documentation that they were not asked about their sexual activity. Sexual activity with men was documented in 407 of the 610 women (66.7%). Of these 407 women, 132 (32.4%) had no contraceptive method documented. Among the women using contraception, the most common method used was oral contraception.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  According to data obtained from the electronic medical record, women who are taking a category D or X medication are not always asked about sexual activity. Contraception usage among women taking category D or X medications and who were sexually active with men was similar to the general population. Contraception usage should be better in this population given the risk of an unintended pregnancy includes fetal exposure to a potential teratogen. The electronic medical record creates an opportunity for an intervention to increase contraception utilization in this population.
authors: Department of Reproductive Medicine, University of California, San Diego, California.
authors: Sheila K
authors: SK
authors: Mody
authors: University of California, San Francisco Medical School, San Francisco, California.
authors: John Paul
authors: JP
authors: Farala
authors: Department of Family Medicine, University of California, San Diego, California.
authors: Jennifer
authors: J
authors: Wu
authors: Department of Pediatrics, Division of Dysmorphology and Teratology, University of California, San Diego, California.
authors: Robert
authors: R
authors: Felix
authors: Department of Pediatrics, Division of Dysmorphology and Teratology, University of California, San Diego, California.
authors: Christina
authors: C
authors: Chambers
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000013:Congenital Abnormalities / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003267:Contraception / Q000379:methods*; D003276:Contraceptives, Oral / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016347:Medical Records Systems, Computerized; D011247:Pregnancy; D013723:Teratogens
chemical_list: D003276:Contraceptives, Oral; D013723:Teratogens
keywords: Lacking