TY - JOUR T1 - Contraception for women with systemic lupus erythematosus JF - Journal of Family Planning and Reproductive Health Care JO - J Fam Plann Reprod Health Care SP - 9 LP - 11 DO - 10.1136/jfprhc-2012-100437 VL - 39 IS - 1 AU - Kelly R Culwell AU - Kathryn M Curtis Y1 - 2013/01/01 UR - http://jfprhc.bmj.com/content/39/1/9.abstract N2 - Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease of uncertain aetiology that can affect multiple organ systems. The disease is more prevalent in women, with a female:male ratio of about 10:1 in most studies. In some populations SLE incidence is highest in women of reproductive age, while in others the highest age-specific incidence rates in women are seen after age 40 years.1 Globally, reported estimated prevalence rates in women range from 35/100 000 in a white subpopulation in the UK2 to 694/100 000 in an African American subpopulation in the USA.3 In general, a higher disease burden is found in non-white subpopulations worldwide. Unfortunately, despite the complications that an unintended pregnancy can cause for a woman with SLE, many women with SLE are not counselled regarding contraceptive use or are counselled against contraceptive use based on concerns that contraceptives will adversely affect their disease. A recent study found that among a cohort of women with SLE and at risk of unintended pregnancy, including many on teratogenic medications, 59% reported no contraceptive counselling within the past year and 53% relied solely on barrier contraceptive methods.4 In the 2009 update of the World Health Organization Medical Eligibility Criteria for Contraceptive Use (WHOMEC),5 SLE was included for the first time as a condition. Recommendations were made by a working group of global family planning experts on the safety of contraceptive method use by women with SLE, based on a systematic review of the evidence (Table 1).6 Each medical condition/contraceptive method combination is classified as … ER -