To describe contraceptive use, preferences, knowledge, barriers, and attitudes among women with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
Key Findings:
74% of surveyed women used some form of contraception.
Most common methods were oral birth control pills (28%) and barrier methods (18%).
20% used long-acting methods, with higher usage among women with active disease (23%) compared to those in remission (17%).
Contraceptive priorities included effectiveness (78%), ease of use (75%), and minimal side effects (68%).
Only 25% had discussed reproductive issues with their IBD clinician, despite 85% being comfortable to do so.
Preferred sources for reproductive counseling included IBD nurses (79%), general practitioners (75%), IBD doctors (68%), and gynecologists (49%).
Interpretation:
Women with IBD prefer effective and easy-to-use contraceptives but lack sufficient knowledge about contraception, highlighting the urgent need for better education and proactive discussions with healthcare providers.
Limitations:
Limited data on healthcare professionals' counseling practices regarding contraception for women with IBD.
The study was conducted in the UK, which may limit generalizability to other populations.
Potential bias in self-reported data from the survey.
Conclusion:
Improving education and communication between healthcare providers and women with IBD could enhance reproductive health outcomes.
by Jimmy K Limdi, Sarah Rhodes, Eleanor Liu, Anish J Kuriakose Kuzhiyanjal, Matthew Brookes, Jennifer Farraye, Rachel Cannon, Elisabeth Woodhams, Francis A Farraye
