Contraception and Diabetes Mellitus

Theodoros Panou; Evanthia Gouveri; Angeliki Gerede; Panagiotis Tsikouras; Dimitrios Papazoglou; Nikolaos Papanas

doi:10.1055/a-2561-9460

Experimental and Clinical Endocrinology & Diabetes, Table of Contents

Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes 2025; 133(05): 268-277
DOI: 10.1055/a-2561-9460

Mini-Review

Contraception and Diabetes Mellitus

Theodoros Panou

¹Diabetes Centre, Second Department of Internal Medicine, Democritus University of Thrace, University Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Greece (Ringgold ID: RIN112220)

,

Evanthia Gouveri

¹Diabetes Centre, Second Department of Internal Medicine, Democritus University of Thrace, University Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Greece (Ringgold ID: RIN112220)

,

Angeliki Gerede

²Unit of Maternal-Foetal-Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Democritus University of Thrace - Alexandropoulis Campus, Alexandroupolis, Greece (Ringgold ID: RIN112220)

,

Panagiotis Tsikouras

³Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Democritus University of Thrace - Alexandropoulis Campus, Alexandroupolis, Greece (Ringgold ID: RIN112220)

,

Dimitrios Papazoglou

¹Diabetes Centre, Second Department of Internal Medicine, Democritus University of Thrace, University Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Greece (Ringgold ID: RIN112220)

,

Nikolaos Papanas

¹Diabetes Centre, Second Department of Internal Medicine, Democritus University of Thrace, University Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Greece (Ringgold ID: RIN112220)

› Author Affiliations

Abstract

The aim of this narrative review was to discuss data on contraception in diabetes mellitus (DM). Women with DM rarely discuss contraception with their physicians, and healthcare providers offer advice to a very limited number of them. Overall, 1 in 8 women with DM using contraception methods was found to use an ineffective one. A further issue relates to drug-drug interactions between anti-diabetic medications and oral contraceptives. Generally, anti-diabetic agents do not alter the pharmacologic profile of hormonal contraception. However, preliminary results indicate that some novel anti-diabetic agents may even render oral contraceptive methods ineffective. Several implants can be also generally used by women with both DM types. The relationship between oral contraceptives and diabetic complications has not been clarified yet. In general, implants, intra-uterine devices or progestin-only contraceptives are considered safe options for women with DM. However, short-term use of combined hormonal contraception is also feasible for women without severe complications or risk factors.

Keywords

type 1 diabetes mellitus - type 2 diabetes mellitus - contraception - drug-drug interaction - fertility

Full Text

References

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