Skip to main content Accessibility help

We use cookies to distinguish you from other users and to provide you with a better experience on our websites. Close this message to accept cookies or find out how to manage your cookie settings.

Close cookie message
×
Hostname: page-component-669899f699-8p65j Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2025-05-03T07:04:11.641Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Chapter 25 - Contraception in Women with Neurological Conditions

from Section 2A - Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare: Contraception

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  16 January 2024

By
Gabriele S. Merki-Feld ,
Frans J. M. E. Roumen  and
Katarina Sedlecky
Edited by
Johannes Bitzer  and
Tahir A. Mahmood
Johannes Bitzer
Affiliation:
University Women's Hospital, Basel
Tahir A. Mahmood
Affiliation:
Victoria Hospital, Kirkcaldy
Get access

Summary

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory disease characterised by demyelination and axonal degeneration in the central nervous system with a probable autoimmune aetiology [1]. In advanced stages of the disease persons may develop muscle stiffness and paralyses of the leg. Female hormones seem to play a role and could impact the course of the disease. Multiple sclerosis does not significantly impair fertility, although there is emerging evidence on decreased ovarian reserve. Pregnancy is associated with lower rates of MS relapse, while postpartum rates increase again [2].

Type
Chapter
Information
Textbook of Contraception, Sexual and Reproductive Health , pp. 170 - 173
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2024

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

Book purchase

Temporarily unavailable

References

Alonso, A, Clark, CJ. Oral contraceptives and the risk of multiple sclerosis: A review of the epidemiologic evidence. J Neurol Sci. 2009;286(1–2):73–5.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Confavreux, C, Hutchinson, M, Hours, MM et al. Rate of pregnancy-related relapse in multiple sclerosis. Pregnancy in Multiple Sclerosis Group. N Engl J Med. 1998;339(5):285–91.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Houtchens, MK, Zapata, LB, Curtis, KM, Whiteman, MK. Contraception for women with multiple sclerosis: Guidance for healthcare providers. Mult Scler. 2017;23(6):757–64.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Peeters, PJ, Bazelier, MT, Uitdehaag, BM et al. The risk of venous thromboembolism in patients with multiple sclerosis: The Clinical Practice Research Datalink. J Thromb Haemost. 2014;12(4):444–51.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Thijs, RD, Surges, R, O’Brien, TJ, Sander, JW. Epilepsy in adults. Lancet. 2019;393(10172):689–701.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Beerhorst, K, Van der Kruijs, SJ, Verschuure, P et al. Bone disease during chronic antiepileptic drug therapy: General versus specific risk factors. J Neurol Sci. 2013;331(1–2):19–25.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Harris, L, Lowes, O, Angus-Leppan, H. Treatment decisions in women of childbearing age on valproate. Acta Neurol Scand. 2020;141(4):287–93.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Rauchenzauner, M, Deichmann, S, Pittschieler, S et al. Bidirectional interaction between oral contraception and lamotrigine in women with epilepsy: Role of progestins. Seizure. 2020;74:89–92.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
World Health Organization. Selected practice recommendations for contraceptive use. Geneva: World Health Organization, 2016.Google Scholar
Vetvik, KG, Macgregor, EA, Lundqvist, C, Russell, MB. Prevalence of menstrual migraine: A population-based study. Cephalalgia. 2014;34(4):280–8.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Tzourio, C, Kittner, SJ, Bousser, MG, Alperovitch, A. Migraine and stroke in young women. Cephalalgia. 2000;20(3):190–9.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Bousser, MG, Welch, KM. Relation between migraine and stroke. Lancet Neurol. 2005;4(9):533–42.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Sacco, S, Merki-Feld, GS, Bitzer, J et al. Hormonal contraceptives and risk of ischemic stroke in women with migraine: A consensus statement. J Headache Pain. 2017;18(1):108.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Morotti, M, Remorgida, V, Buccelli, E et al. Comparing treatments for endometriosis-related pain symptoms in patients with migraine without aura. J Comp Eff Res. 2012;1(4):347–57.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Merki-Feld, GS, Imthurn, B, Langner, R et al. Headache frequency and intensity in female migraineurs using desogestrel-only contraception: A retrospective pilot diary study. Cephalalgia. 2013;33(5):340–6.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Merki-Feld, GS, Imthurn, B, Gantenbein, AR, Sandor, P. Effect of desogestrel 75 microg on headache frequency and intensity in women with migraine: A prospective controlled trial. Eur J Contracept Reprod Health Care. 2019;24(3):175–81.CrossRefGoogle Scholar

Save book to Kindle

To save this book to your Kindle, first ensure [email protected] is added to your Approved Personal Document E-mail List under your Personal Document Settings on the Manage Your Content and Devices page of your Amazon account. Then enter the ‘name’ part of your Kindle email address below. Find out more about saving to your Kindle.

Note you can select to save to either the @free.kindle.com or @kindle.com variations. ‘@free.kindle.com’ emails are free but can only be saved to your device when it is connected to wi-fi. ‘@kindle.com’ emails can be delivered even when you are not connected to wi-fi, but note that service fees apply.

Find out more about the Kindle Personal Document Service.

Available formats
×

Save book to Dropbox

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Dropbox.

Available formats
×

Save book to Google Drive

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Google Drive.

Available formats
×