Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsLupus and Birth ControlSafe OptionsPills and InjectionsOther FormsBarrier MethodsTubal LigationVasectomyWhen to See a ProviderFrequently Asked Questions

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Lupus and Birth Control

Safe Options

Pills and Injections

Other Forms

Barrier Methods

Tubal Ligation

Vasectomy

When to See a Provider

Frequently Asked Questions

Birth control pills may not be a safe option if you have or are at risk forlupus. Not only can birth control pills increase your risk of developing the disease, but they can also make existing lupus more active.

This article will examine lupus and birth control, safe options, possible side effects, and when you should see your healthcare provider.

Peter Dazeley/ Getty Images

Multiple forms of birth control are displayed on a table.

Anyone can develop lupus, but mostdiagnosesare in biological females between the ages of 15 and 44. This is the time considered the childbearing years.

Research suggests people with lupus are less likely to use birth control than those without it.This practice may be a holdover from the years when the medical community warned against estrogen-containing birth control pills. Those pills can increase the severity of the disease and lead toblood clots. However, people with lupus now have safe alternatives to the pill.

Because of the risk that an unplanned pregnancy poses to you and your unborn child if you have lupus, it’s a good idea to talk about your birth control options with your healthcare provider.

Safe Birth Control Options

Some people with lupus have antibodies in theirimmune systemthat make their blood clot too efficiently. These are calledantiphospholipid(APL) antibodies. The presence of antiphospholipid antibodies changes the risks of hormonal birth control options.

Having high or low disease activity also affects risk. Systemic inflammation with active lupus increases clotting risk, even without APL antibodies. So doesproteinuria(high urinary protein levels), which occurs with lupus nephritis (kidney involvement).

Hormonal Pills and Injections

Older, traditional pills and injected contraceptives pose more of a risk than the newer minipill. The risks don’t apply to everyone with lupus, though. Safety information includes:

Side Effects

Side effects include weight gain, breast tenderness, nausea, and dizziness, as well as:

IUDs, Implants, Rings, and Patches

Hormone-releasing intrauterine devices (IUDs), rings, patches, and arm implants all are effective contraception methods. But not all of them are considered safe if you have lupus. These birth control methods involve:

Breast tenderness, headache, and weight gain are side effects. Other symptoms include:

Birth control methods that use a physical barrier to keep the egg and sperm apart are called barrier methods. These include:

An added bonus of condoms is that they help protect againstsexually transmitted infections(STIs). Most birth control methods do not.

Because of the increased risk of getting human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), spermicides alone are only recommended if you have one sexual partner and you’re both at low risk of contracting HIV.

Emergency ContraceptionEmergency contraception is used to prevent pregnancy after unprotected intercourse or birth control failure. This includes forgetting to take the pill or a condom breaking during sex. All types of emergency contraception are believed to be safe if you have lupus.

Emergency Contraception

Emergency contraception is used to prevent pregnancy after unprotected intercourse or birth control failure. This includes forgetting to take the pill or a condom breaking during sex. All types of emergency contraception are believed to be safe if you have lupus.

If you’re not planning any future pregnancies, you might choose atubal ligation. This procedure is also known as “getting your tubes tied.”Nowadays women who desire tubal ligation surgery are often offered bilateralsalpingectomy, which involves removing both tubes. This type of surgery reduces the risk of certain gynecological cancers.

The tubes in question are thefallopian tubesthat carry eggs from your ovaries to youruterus. During surgery, they’re blocked or cut to keep your eggs from getting to a place where they can be fertilized.

Tubal ligation ispermanent birth control, also called sterilization. A further procedure can sometimes reverse it, but it may be more difficult to get pregnant afterward.

Even as minor surgery, tubal ligation has some risks. These include:

People who have had a tubal ligation still have a small risk of getting pregnant.

Increased Risk of Tubal LigationThese conditions may increase your risk of problems after tubal ligation:DiabetesPrevious abdominal surgeryPelvic inflammatory diseaseLung diseaseWeight gainBe sure to discuss the risks of this procedure with your healthcare provider.

Increased Risk of Tubal Ligation

These conditions may increase your risk of problems after tubal ligation:DiabetesPrevious abdominal surgeryPelvic inflammatory diseaseLung diseaseWeight gainBe sure to discuss the risks of this procedure with your healthcare provider.

These conditions may increase your risk of problems after tubal ligation:

Be sure to discuss the risks of this procedure with your healthcare provider.

Avasectomyis an option for your male partner. It’s also considered permanent birth control, but it can sometimes be reversed.

This procedure prevents the sperm from getting into the semen that’s ejaculated during a male orgasm. It’s the most effective form of birth control other than complete abstinence.

Again, as with any surgery, vasectomy comes with some risks, including:

Thevas deferensis the duct that sperm travels through to reach the urethra. It’s severed during a vasectomy. Rarely, the vas deferens repairs itself, which can lead to pregnancy.

When to See a Healthcare Provider

If you have lupus and are in your childbearing years, you should discuss birth control with your healthcare provider. It’s important for you to avoid unplanned pregnancies, especially if you’re on medication that’s linked to birth defects or other problems.

If you have lupus and suspect you’re pregnant, call your healthcare provider right away. Also, get an appointment with anobstetrician-gynecologist(ob-gyn) who specializes in high-risk pregnancies.

Summary

Not all forms of birth control are safe with lupus. Unplanned pregnancies should be avoided due to some lupus treatments’ risk of causing birth defects. Don’t use hormonal birth control with estrogen if you have high disease activity, APL antibodies, or proteinuria. Barrier methods and permanent sterilization pose no special risk for people with lupus. Side effects are possible regardless of the method.

A Word From Verywell

Pregnancy can be complicated when you have a medical condition and take treatments that can cause problems. Careful family planning and open lines of communication with your healthcare provider can help you avoid an unplanned pregnancy or have a healthy outcome when one does occur.

Frequently Asked QuestionsHormonal products prevent ovulation, meaning the ovary doesn’t release an egg. Barrier methods literally provide a barrier so the egg and sperm can’t reach each other. Spermicide blocks the cervix and slows sperm so they can’t reach an egg.Most forms of birth control require a healthcare provider’s prescription. Several require a medical procedure to place them, including IUDs and implants.However, you can buy condoms, sponges, and spermicide without a prescription at drugstores and grocery stores.Learn MoreLearn More: How to Get Birth ControlCosts vary significantly, and so does insurance coverage. Birth control pills typically run between $0 and $50 a month. IUDs and implants cost around $1,000 without help from insurance or special programs. Condoms typically start around $1 apiece.Learn MoreFinding Free Birth Control

Hormonal products prevent ovulation, meaning the ovary doesn’t release an egg. Barrier methods literally provide a barrier so the egg and sperm can’t reach each other. Spermicide blocks the cervix and slows sperm so they can’t reach an egg.

Most forms of birth control require a healthcare provider’s prescription. Several require a medical procedure to place them, including IUDs and implants.However, you can buy condoms, sponges, and spermicide without a prescription at drugstores and grocery stores.Learn MoreLearn More: How to Get Birth Control

Most forms of birth control require a healthcare provider’s prescription. Several require a medical procedure to place them, including IUDs and implants.However, you can buy condoms, sponges, and spermicide without a prescription at drugstores and grocery stores.

Most forms of birth control require a healthcare provider’s prescription. Several require a medical procedure to place them, including IUDs and implants.

However, you can buy condoms, sponges, and spermicide without a prescription at drugstores and grocery stores.

Learn MoreLearn More: How to Get Birth Control

Costs vary significantly, and so does insurance coverage. Birth control pills typically run between $0 and $50 a month. IUDs and implants cost around $1,000 without help from insurance or special programs. Condoms typically start around $1 apiece.Learn MoreFinding Free Birth Control

Costs vary significantly, and so does insurance coverage. Birth control pills typically run between $0 and $50 a month. IUDs and implants cost around $1,000 without help from insurance or special programs. Condoms typically start around $1 apiece.

Learn MoreFinding Free Birth Control

14 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Lupus in women.Hospital for Special Surgery.Lupus and contraception: Essentials for patients.National Institutes of Health, U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Estrogen and progestin (oral contraceptives).U.S. Food and Drug Administration: FDA AccessData.Highlights of prescribing information: Depo-Provera CI (medroxyprogesterone acetate).Arizona State University, The Embryo Project Encyclopedia.Hormone releasing intrauterine devices.Nemours TeensHealth.Birth control ring.Nemours TeensHealth.Birth control patch.U.S. Food and Drug Administration: FDA AccessData.Mirena (levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system)Nemours TeensHealth.Implantable contraception.American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists: ACOG.Barrier methods of birth control: Spermicide, condom, sponge, diaphragm, and cervical cap.University of Michigan Health, Michigan Medicine.Male condoms.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Tubal ligation.Urology Care Foundation.What is a vasectomy?Nemours TeensHealth.Spermicide.Additional ReadingHOP-STEP: Healthy Outcomes in Pregnancy With SLE Through Education of Providers.Birth control for women with lupus.Hospital for Special Surgery.Lupus and contraception: Essentials for patients.Lupus Foundation of America.Using birth control when you have lupus.Nemours TeensHealth.Birth control methods: How well do they work?

14 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Lupus in women.Hospital for Special Surgery.Lupus and contraception: Essentials for patients.National Institutes of Health, U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Estrogen and progestin (oral contraceptives).U.S. Food and Drug Administration: FDA AccessData.Highlights of prescribing information: Depo-Provera CI (medroxyprogesterone acetate).Arizona State University, The Embryo Project Encyclopedia.Hormone releasing intrauterine devices.Nemours TeensHealth.Birth control ring.Nemours TeensHealth.Birth control patch.U.S. Food and Drug Administration: FDA AccessData.Mirena (levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system)Nemours TeensHealth.Implantable contraception.American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists: ACOG.Barrier methods of birth control: Spermicide, condom, sponge, diaphragm, and cervical cap.University of Michigan Health, Michigan Medicine.Male condoms.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Tubal ligation.Urology Care Foundation.What is a vasectomy?Nemours TeensHealth.Spermicide.Additional ReadingHOP-STEP: Healthy Outcomes in Pregnancy With SLE Through Education of Providers.Birth control for women with lupus.Hospital for Special Surgery.Lupus and contraception: Essentials for patients.Lupus Foundation of America.Using birth control when you have lupus.Nemours TeensHealth.Birth control methods: How well do they work?

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Lupus in women.Hospital for Special Surgery.Lupus and contraception: Essentials for patients.National Institutes of Health, U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Estrogen and progestin (oral contraceptives).U.S. Food and Drug Administration: FDA AccessData.Highlights of prescribing information: Depo-Provera CI (medroxyprogesterone acetate).Arizona State University, The Embryo Project Encyclopedia.Hormone releasing intrauterine devices.Nemours TeensHealth.Birth control ring.Nemours TeensHealth.Birth control patch.U.S. Food and Drug Administration: FDA AccessData.Mirena (levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system)Nemours TeensHealth.Implantable contraception.American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists: ACOG.Barrier methods of birth control: Spermicide, condom, sponge, diaphragm, and cervical cap.University of Michigan Health, Michigan Medicine.Male condoms.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Tubal ligation.Urology Care Foundation.What is a vasectomy?Nemours TeensHealth.Spermicide.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Lupus in women.

Hospital for Special Surgery.Lupus and contraception: Essentials for patients.

National Institutes of Health, U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Estrogen and progestin (oral contraceptives).

U.S. Food and Drug Administration: FDA AccessData.Highlights of prescribing information: Depo-Provera CI (medroxyprogesterone acetate).

Arizona State University, The Embryo Project Encyclopedia.Hormone releasing intrauterine devices.

Nemours TeensHealth.Birth control ring.

Nemours TeensHealth.Birth control patch.

U.S. Food and Drug Administration: FDA AccessData.Mirena (levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system)

Nemours TeensHealth.Implantable contraception.

American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists: ACOG.Barrier methods of birth control: Spermicide, condom, sponge, diaphragm, and cervical cap.

University of Michigan Health, Michigan Medicine.Male condoms.

Johns Hopkins Medicine.Tubal ligation.

Urology Care Foundation.What is a vasectomy?

Nemours TeensHealth.Spermicide.

HOP-STEP: Healthy Outcomes in Pregnancy With SLE Through Education of Providers.Birth control for women with lupus.Hospital for Special Surgery.Lupus and contraception: Essentials for patients.Lupus Foundation of America.Using birth control when you have lupus.Nemours TeensHealth.Birth control methods: How well do they work?

HOP-STEP: Healthy Outcomes in Pregnancy With SLE Through Education of Providers.Birth control for women with lupus.

Lupus Foundation of America.Using birth control when you have lupus.

Nemours TeensHealth.Birth control methods: How well do they work?

Meet Our Medical Expert Board

Share Feedback

Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit

Was this page helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit

What is your feedback?