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. 2013 Oct;122(4):809-814.
doi: 10.1097/AOG.0b013e3182a5eda9.

Contraception and fertility awareness among women with solid organ transplants

Valerie A French  1 , John S Davis, Harlan S Sayles, Serena S Wu
Affiliations

Contraception and fertility awareness among women with solid organ transplants

Valerie A French et al. Obstet Gynecol. 2013 Oct.

Abstract

Objective: To assess the contraception and fertility counseling provided to women with solid organ transplants.

Methods: A telephone survey of 309 women aged 19-49 years who had received a solid organ transplant at the University of Nebraska Medical Center was performed. Of the 309 eligible women, 183 responded. Patients were asked 19 questions regarding pretransplant and posttransplant fertility awareness and contraception counseling. Data were summarized using descriptive statistics.

Results: Patients had undergone a variety of solid organ transplantations: 40% kidney (n=73); 32% liver (n=59); 6% pancreas (n=11); 5% heart (n=9); 3% intestine (n=5); and 14% multiple organs (n=26). Before their transplantations, 79 women (44%) reported they were not aware that a woman could become pregnant after transplantation. Only 66 women aged 13 and older at the time of transplantation reported that a health care provider discussed contraception before transplantation. Approximately half of women surveyed were using a method of contraception. Oral contraceptive pills were the most commonly recommended method. Twenty-two of the 31 pregnancies after organ transplantation were planned, which is higher than that of the general population.

Conclusion: Few women with transplants are educated regarding the effect of organ transplantation on fertility and are not routinely counseled about contraception or the potential for posttransplant pregnancy. Health care providers should incorporate contraceptive and fertility counseling as part of routine care for women with solid organ transplants.

Level of evidence: : II.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Contraceptive counseling before organ transplantation. *Sum of percentages is more than 100% because participants were allowed to choose more than one response.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Contraceptive counseling after organ transplantation. *Sum of percentages is more than 100% because participants were allowed to choose more than one response.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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