Table 3.
Pregnancy risk, contraception and contraceptive counseling among women with SLE under age 45.
| Characteristic | Women <45 years | Women <45, on potentially teratogenic medications |
|---|---|---|
| Pregnancy Risk and Intention | N=206 | n=116 |
| Not at risk for pregnancy | 114 (55%) | 67 (58%) |
| Postmenopausal | 24 (12%) | 14 (12%) |
| No male partner/partner sterilized | 46 (22%) | 29 (25%) |
| Other medical or surgical reason* | 44 (21%) | 24 (21%) |
| At risk for pregnancy | 92 (45%) | 49 (42%) |
| Pregnant | 3 (1%) | 0 (0%) |
| Trying to become pregnant | 3 (1%) | 3 (3%) |
| Not trying to become pregnant† | 86 (42%) | 46 (40%) |
| Contraceptive Use and Counseling Among Women at Risk for Unintended Pregnancy | n=86 | n=46 |
| At risk for unplanned pregnancy | 86 (42%) | 46 (40%) |
| Frequency of contraceptive use in past three months | ||
| Never | 10 (12%) | 6 (13%) |
| Sometimes | 9 (10%) | 6 (13%) |
| Always | 67 (78%) | 34 (74%) |
| Methods of Contraception in past three months | ||
| None | 10 (12%) | 6 (13%) |
| Barrier method only | 46 (53%) | 28 (61%) |
| Hormonal method‡ | 19 (22%) | 9 (20%) |
| IUD | 11 (13%) | 3 (7%) |
| Contraceptive counseling in past year | ||
| No | 51 (59%) | 29 (63%) |
| Yes | 35 (41%) | 17 (37%) |
*
Medical or surgical reasons (including bilateral tubal ligation or hysterectomy).
†
includes 11 women who reported that “they wouldn’t mind” becoming pregnant.
‡
Combined oral contraceptive, mini-pill/progestin only, patch, implant, ring, injection.