Study finds Suboptimal Contraceptive Use among Women with Rheumatic Diseases
A recent study published in the journal of BMC Rheumatology found that effective contraceptive use remains inadequate among women of reproductive age with rheumatic diseases, despite the significant risks associated with unplanned pregnancy in this population
Conditions including systemic lupus, systemic sclerosis, Sharp syndrome, Sjögren’s disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and spondyloarthritis, primarily affect women of childbearing age. Medical experts have long warned that pregnancy in such patients carries increased risks due to both disease activity and the potential effects of certain treatments, some of which can be harmful to a developing fetus.
The cross-sectional study from July 2023 to July 2024 evaluated how effectively women in this high-risk group are using contraception. This research surveyed 143 women aged 18 to 45 through a specially designed questionnaire addressing gynecological follow-up and reproductive health. This data was complemented by clinical information from electronic medical records.
These findings show that among women who were not actively trying to conceive, only 63% reported using effective contraception. This figure falls short of the 72% contraception usage rate observed in the general population in France, based on 2016 data. This research points to this discrepancy is particularly concerning given the elevated risks associated with unintended pregnancies in this group.
Among participants who had previously been pregnant, one in three (around 33%) reported that their pregnancy was unplanned. This points to gaps not only in contraceptive use but also in its effectiveness or consistency.
This study found no significant differences in contraceptive use between women considered at higher risk, like the ones on teratogenic medications or with increased maternal or fetal complications, and the ones in lower-risk categories. This suggests that awareness and preventive strategies may not be adequately customized to individual risk levels.
The findings highlight a systemic issue in the management of reproductive health for women with chronic rheumatic diseases. Despite regular medical follow-ups for their conditions, many patients may not be receiving sufficient counselling on contraception or family planning.
Overall, the findings of this study calls for targeted interventions, including improved patient education and closer collaboration between rheumatologists and gynecologists. This also emphasize that better integration of reproductive health into routine care could help reduce the rate of unplanned pregnancies and improve overall outcomes for both mothers and infants.
Source:
Uthurriague, M., Delattre, C., Barnetche, T., Lazaro, E., Truchetet, M.-E., Hocke, C., Mehsen-Cetre, N., Bernard, V., & Richez, C. (2026). Prevalence of effective contraceptive use among patients with rheumatic diseases: a descriptive study. BMC Rheumatology, 10(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s41927-026-00616-0
