What forms of contraception are safe to use for a person with lupus?
Barrier methods of contraception, such as a diaphragm or a condom with spermicidal foam, are considered the safest contraceptive options for people with lupus. Intrauterine devices (IUDs) may increase the risk of infection for women taking immunosuppressive drugs, and the risk of bleeding for women with thrombocytopenia, an abnormally low level of platelets in the blood. Women may use oral contraceptives (birth control pills) containing estrogen as long as their blood is not overly likely to coagulate or thicken into a mass. Other options include birth control pills that contain only the hormone progesterone or injectable progesterone; for example, medroxyprogesterone acetate (Depo-Provera”) given for up to three months at a time.
