PRESS RELEASE FROM
NATURE CLINICAL PRACTICE RHEUMATOLOGY
(http://www.nature.com/ncprheum/)
This press release is copyrighted to Nature Clinical Practice Rheumatology.
PLEASE CITE NATURE CLINICAL PRACTICE RHEUMATOLOGY AS THE SOURCE OF THE FOLLOWING ITEM. IF PUBLISHING ONLINE, PLEASE CARRY A HYPERLINK TO: www.nature.com/ncprheum
Selecting contraception for women with rheumatic diseases
DOI: 10.1038/ncprheum0484
Guidelines for selecting suitable methods of contraception for patients with rheumatic diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus, are presented in a review article online in Nature Clinical Practice Rheumatology this week. Lisa R Sammaritano discusses the risks and benefits of the current contraceptive options, and highlights the specific safety issues relevant to patients with rheumatic diseases.
Physicians have avoided recommending hormonal contraceptives like the ‘pill’ in women with rheumatic diseases because of the related risks of disease exacerbation or thrombosis. This is an important issue, as many women affected by rheumatic diseases are of childbearing age. Sammaritano argues that rheumatologists and gynaecologists should work together to identify suitable forms of contraception for the individual patient from the many methods available. Disease severity, disability, other medications, stage of reproductive life and patient preferences are the key points to consider when choosing contraceptives. This combined effort will enable women with rheumatic diseases to choose a contraceptive method that is both safe and that does not limit their lifestyle.
Author contact:
Lisa R Sammaritano (Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, NY, USA)
Tel: +1 212 606 1978; Email: [email protected]
Editorial contact:
Jasmine Farsarakis (Associate Editor, Nature Clinical Practice Rheumatology, London)
Tel: +44 20 7843 4878; E-mail: [email protected]
Media contacts:
Helen Jamison (Nature London)
Tel: +44 20 7843 4658; E-mail: [email protected]
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