Contraception in patients with medical conditions

Women suffering from underlying congenital or acquired medical or genetic disorders are at an increased risk of maternal morbidity and mortality during pregnancy. This group of women should have access to a reliable method of contraception. The risks associated with prescribing any form of contraception need to be balanced against the inherent risks related to unintended pregnancy and its sequelae for the individual women.It is important to understand the natural history of the disease, its effects on the cardio-vascular and the haematological systems, and impact of current medical treatment on the progression of the disease. All that should be taken into account when considering the interaction of various types of contraception with the patient’s current drug therapy and the disease progression.This article provides a patient focused review of the risk factors which need to be considered when advising patients with underlying medical problems with the most reliable form of contraception.