Use of contraceptive methods among women treated for bipolar disorder

Abstract

Contraception has been little investigated in bipolar disorder, an illness associated with impulsive sexual behavior and use of medications that are unsafe during pregnancy. In this cross-sectional survey of 136 women with bipolar disorder, prevalence of contraception use was 58.8%. Use of any method was associated in the multivariable analysis with being married, younger than 40 and having had previous pregnancies. Women diagnosed with bipolar disorder and treated in a tertiary facility use contraceptive methods suboptimally.