Contraceptive methods used by female diabetic patients
Faguer, B.; Fontbonne, A.; Basdevant, A.; Buchsenschutz, D.; Thomassin, M.; Eschwege, E.; Tchobroutsky, G.
Contraception Fertilite Sexualite 14(4): 327-332
1986
ISSN/ISBN: 0301-861X PMID: 12267995 Document Number: 273539
A questionnaire was used to study the contraceptive habits of ambulatory diabetic patients ages 16-50 (n=209) who were followed in the diabetology department of the Hotel-Dieu Hospital in Paris from June 1982 to December 1983. 64% of the patients were using contraceptives; 23% used none despite regular sexual intercourse and 13% had abandoned contraceptive use beforehand. This distribution was correlated to the type of diabetes and the parity. Microprogestagens and IUD were used most often (26% and 32%, respectively). The comparison with results of the broad study by the INED-INSEE in 1978 underscored the near absence of estroprogestagens and the lower percentage of microprogestagens used by diabetics than that compared with combined pills by the female French population. This is probably due to the poor gynecological tolerance which characterized this group. Microprogestagen users revealed the greatest incidence of amenorrhea (39%) and of menstrual disorders (33%). 19 contraceptive failures were noted, 6 of them with an IUD. 1/3 of the women did not use the method they chose initially, but 3/4 of them were generally satisfied. In conclusion, the frequent absence of effective contraception should be pointed out, particularly among the nulliparous, and the high percentage of IUDs inserted in these patients. Contraceptive advice is essential for diabetics in view of the importance of spacing each pregnancy. (author's modified)