A woman with an autoimmune disease thoughtfully choosing the right birth control method.

Navigating Autoimmune Diseases and Birth Control: What Women Need to Know

Lena Voss in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 4 min read.

"A comprehensive guide to understanding how autoimmune conditions impact contraceptive choices and overall health."

Autoimmune diseases, characterized by the body's immune system attacking its own tissues, disproportionately affect women, particularly during their reproductive years. This period often coincides with the need for contraception, making the selection of appropriate birth control methods a critical aspect of healthcare.

Choosing the right contraceptive method is not a one-size-fits-all decision. Women with autoimmune diseases require careful consideration of their condition, potential interactions with medications, and the overall impact on their health. Factors such as disease activity, risk of thrombosis (blood clots), and bone density must be evaluated to ensure both effective contraception and safety.

This article explores key considerations for women with autoimmune diseases when selecting birth control. We'll cover specific conditions like lupus, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and thyroiditis, offering insights to help women and their healthcare providers make informed decisions.

Autoimmune Diseases and Contraception: Key Considerations

A woman with an autoimmune disease thoughtfully choosing the right birth control method.

For women with autoimmune diseases, the stakes are higher when it comes to choosing a birth control method. Conditions like systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and antiphospholipid syndrome increase the risk of blood clots, making estrogen-containing contraceptives potentially dangerous. Other autoimmune conditions may require specific monitoring and adjustments to treatment plans when hormonal birth control is used.

When advising women with autoimmune diseases about contraception, healthcare providers must consider several factors:

Disease Activity: Is the autoimmune disease currently active or in remission? Active disease may influence the choice of contraceptive method.
Risk of Thrombosis: Some autoimmune diseases, like SLE, increase the risk of blood clots. Estrogen-containing contraceptives can further elevate this risk.
Medication Interactions: Certain autoimmune medications can interact with hormonal contraceptives, affecting their efficacy or increasing the risk of side effects.
Bone Density: Some autoimmune treatments, such as corticosteroids, can lead to bone loss. Contraceptive methods that impact bone density should be carefully evaluated.

Given these complexities, an interdisciplinary approach involving gynecologists, rheumatologists, and other specialists is often necessary to provide comprehensive care and ensure the best possible outcomes for women with autoimmune diseases.

Making Informed Choices: A Path Forward

The intersection of autoimmune diseases and contraception requires careful navigation. By understanding the specific risks and considerations associated with each condition and contraceptive method, women can make informed choices that prioritize both their reproductive health and overall well-being.

Open communication with healthcare providers is essential. Women with autoimmune diseases should discuss their contraceptive needs and concerns with their doctors to develop a personalized plan that addresses their individual circumstances.

With the right information and guidance, women with autoimmune diseases can confidently manage their reproductive health while effectively managing their underlying conditions. Empowering women with knowledge is key to ensuring positive health outcomes and improving their quality of life.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1007/s10304-017-0148-9, Alternate LINK

Title: Autoimmunerkrankungen Und Orale Kontrazeption

Subject: Obstetrics and Gynecology

Journal: Gynäkologische Endokrinologie

Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC

Authors: B. Böttcher, L. Wildt

Published: 2017-08-09

Everything You Need To Know

What is an autoimmune disease, and why is it relevant to choosing birth control?

An autoimmune disease is a condition where the body's immune system mistakenly attacks its own tissues. This is significant because it can complicate the selection of birth control methods, especially during the reproductive years when contraception is often needed. Examples of such conditions are systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and thyroiditis. The implications are that women with these diseases require careful consideration of their condition, potential interactions with medications, and overall health to ensure both effective contraception and safety.

Why isn't choosing birth control simple for women with autoimmune diseases?

Choosing the right contraceptive method when you have an autoimmune disease is not a straightforward decision. Women must consider their specific condition, potential interactions with medications, and the overall impact on their health. Factors to evaluate include disease activity, risk of thrombosis (blood clots), and bone density. For example, women with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) have an increased risk of blood clots, so estrogen-containing contraceptives might be dangerous. An interdisciplinary approach involving gynecologists, rheumatologists, and other specialists is often needed to ensure the best possible outcomes.

Why is the risk of blood clots a concern when choosing birth control?

The risk of blood clots is a major concern for women with certain autoimmune diseases when choosing birth control. Conditions like systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and antiphospholipid syndrome increase the risk of blood clots. Estrogen-containing contraceptives can further elevate this risk, making them potentially dangerous. This is significant because it directly impacts the safety and efficacy of contraceptive choices, highlighting the need for careful evaluation and consideration of alternative methods.

What factors should be considered when advising women with autoimmune diseases about contraception?

Several factors must be considered when advising women with autoimmune diseases about contraception. These include disease activity (is the disease active or in remission?), the risk of thrombosis, potential medication interactions, and bone density. Disease activity may influence the choice of contraceptive methods. Certain autoimmune medications can interact with hormonal contraceptives, affecting their efficacy or increasing side effects. Also, some treatments can lead to bone loss, so contraceptive methods that impact bone density should be carefully evaluated. All this is important to make informed and safe decisions about contraception.

Why is an interdisciplinary approach necessary for women with autoimmune diseases needing contraception?

An interdisciplinary approach is crucial for women with autoimmune diseases. Because the selection of contraception is complex, involving a gynecologist, a rheumatologist, and other specialists is often necessary. This collaborative effort ensures comprehensive care and the best outcomes for women. This is essential because it provides a holistic view of the patient's health, considering both reproductive needs and the impact of the autoimmune disease. It ensures that all factors are considered and that women can make informed decisions that prioritize their overall well-being.