Contraceptive use among solid organ transplant patients: a systematic review☆
Received 3 February 2010; accepted 4 February 2010. published online 19 March 2010.
Abstract
Background
Women undergoing solid organ transplantation are advised to avoid pregnancy for up to 24 months following transplant surgery.
Study Design
We conducted a systematic review of the literature, from database (PubMed) inception through February 2009, to evaluate evidence on the safety and effectiveness of contraceptive use among women having undergone solid organ transplantation.
Results
From 643 articles, eight articles from seven studies satisfied review inclusion criteria; six articles pertained to kidney transplant patients, and two reported on liver transplant patients. Two reports of one prospective cohort of 36 kidney transplant recipients taking combined oral contraceptives (COCs) or using the transdermal contraceptive patch reported no significant changes in biochemical measures after 18 months of use for either group, although 13 women modified antihypertensive medication, and two women discontinued the study because of serious medical complications. Four case reports of five kidney recipients using intrauterine devices reported inconsistent findings, including both beneficial health effects and contraceptive failures. One retrospective, noncomparative study of 15 liver transplant recipients using COCs or the transdermal contraceptive patch found no significant changes in any biochemical measures obtained, no discontinuations or severe complications and no pregnancies after a 12-month follow up. One case report of a liver transplant recipient on cyclosporine and prednisone documented the development of cholestasis associated with high-dose (50 mcg ethinyl estradiol) COC use as treatment for heavy uterine bleeding.
Conclusions
Very limited evidence on COC and transdermal contraceptive patch use among kidney and liver transplant recipients indicated no pregnancies and no overall changes in biochemical measures. Excluding case reports, evidence on other contraceptive methods or contraception among other types of solid organ transplants was not identified.
Division of Reproductive Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30341, USA
Corresponding author.
☆ The findings and conclusions in this report are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official position of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
ABSTRACT