title: Contraception in Patients with Rheumatic Disease.
abstract: Contraception represents an important area of reproductive health for patients with rheumatic diseases given the potential pregnancy risks associated with active disease, teratogenic medications, and severe disease-related damage. A high proportion of patients with rheumatic disease do not use effective contraception. Long-acting contraceptives are most effective. Antiphospholipid-negative patients with stable systemic lupus erythematosus may use oral combined contraceptives. Antiphospholipid-positive patients, or patients with rheumatic disease with other risk factors for thrombosis, should avoid estrogen-containing contraceptives. Contraceptive methods should be addressed by both the rheumatologist and gynecologist to determine the safest, most effective, and most convenient form for each patient.
authors.affiliation: Division of Rheumatology, Hospital for Special Surgery, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10021, USA. Electronic address: sammaritanol@hss.edu.
authors.forename: Lisa R
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Sammaritano
mesh_terms: D017152:Antibodies, Antiphospholipid; D003267:Contraception; D003277:Contraceptives, Oral, Combined / Q000009:adverse effects; D004343:Drug Implants; D006801:Humans; D007434:Intrauterine Devices; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic; D011372:Progestins / Q000008:administration & dosage; D012216:Rheumatic Diseases; D012307:Risk Factors; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000139:chemically induced
chemical_list: D017152:Antibodies, Antiphospholipid; D003277:Contraceptives, Oral, Combined; D004343:Drug Implants; D011372:Progestins
keywords: Antiphospholipid syndrome; Birth control pill; Contraception; Intrauterine device; Long-acting reversible contraception; Systemic lupus erythematosus