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Provision of contraception services and advice for women with cystic fibrosis

Lookup NU author(s): Dr Diana Mansour, Dr Stephen Bourke

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Abstract

Background and methodology As the prognosis of patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) improves, issues of sexual health, fertility, pregnancy and contraception are increasingly important. In order to plan the provision of a contraception and sexual health service for women with CF we studied their sexual and reproductive history, their current usage of contraception, the sources and quality of advice they had received, and their particular needs using a confidential questionnaire sent to all women over 16 years of age attending a regional CF centre. Results Of 55 women (mean age 29.7 years) surveyed, 42 (76%) responded. Thirty-three women (79%) were sexually active and 13 (31%) had experienced 19 pregnancies, five (26%) of which were unplanned. Only half of the women who responded were using contraception. No woman used female sterilisation, the progestogen implant, intrauterine system (IUS) or copper-bearing intrauterine device (IUD) for contraception. Twenty-six (62%) women reported not having received contraceptive advice specific to CF and 24 (57%) said that they had not been warned about the potential interaction between broad-spectrum antibiotics and the combined pill. Discussion Women with CF have a relatively high rate of unplanned pregnancy and do not receive optimal advice or use the full range of contraceptive methods. CF teams lack training in contraception and contraceptive services may not have a detailed knowledge of CF and its complications. New strategies are needed to focus the knowledge and skills of both teams in providing better services for women with CF.


Publication metadata

Author(s): Gatiss S, Mansour D, Doe S, Bourke S

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Journal of Family Planning and Reproductive Health Care

Year: 2009

Volume: 35

Issue: 3

Pages: 157-160

ISSN (print): 1471-1893

ISSN (electronic):

Publisher: Pavilion

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1783/147118909788708075

DOI: 10.1783/147118909788708075


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