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Lupus can affect your reproductive health in a variety of ways throughout your life and can raise the risks of complications during pregnancy. Thanks to medical advances, the chances of having a safe pregnancy have improved — the key is careful planning.
Check out this timeline of gynecological and reproductive health considerations when you have lupus, plus pointers if you're considering getting pregnant.
Teens
Puberty and Childhood Treatments
The stress that lupus causes to your body can delay puberty. If you had lupus earlier on in life, you may want to ask your doctor about how different treatments you've had could affect your reproductive possibilities. Teens and young women should also talk with their doctor about contraception for those with lupus (more on that below), especially because some lupus treatments can harm a fetus.
HPV Vaccine and Cervical Cancer Prevention
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that all girls get the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine when they are 11 or 12 years old to protect them against cervical cancer. The vaccine is considered safe for people with a suppressed immune system, according to Lupus.org. But it's recommended that people with lupus get vaccinated while on a lower dose of steroids for a better vaccine response.
20s and 30s
Pap tests
Although general guidelines call for women (ages 21 to 65) to have a pap smear every three years, women with lupus should have a gynecology exam with a pap test annually. This is because lupus meds can cause you to be immunocompromised, increasing the risk for abnormal paps and possibly cervical cancer down the road.
Contraception
If you have lupus, using contraception can help prevent unplanned pregnancy, but it's important to talk with doctor about the right form of birth control for you and your case of lupus. For example, if you have antiphospholipid antibodies, which increase the risk of blood clots, you might need to avoid certain kinds of birth control pills. Some women choose a long-acting contraception device like an IUD.
Planning For Pregnancy
We know much more now about how to manage lupus to achieve a healthy pregnancy than we did decades ago. Consider these pointers:
- Think ahead and try to avoid getting pregnant during a lupus flare-up. Women who become pregnant in remission generally have better outcomes.
- Talk with a rheumatologist and maternal-fetal medicine specialist at least three to six months before you plan to get pregnant so they can help you adjust or switch your medications to protect a developing baby, and to monitor you every step of the way—including post-pregnancy, during breastfeeding.
- Consider the possible complications and risks, but keep in mind that many women with lupus are able to get pregnant and deliver healthy babies. MotherToBaby.org says that lupus increases the chances of complications like infections, high blood pressure, and serious conditions like preeclampsia and HELLP Syndrome. Having other health issues including lupus nephritis or kidney disease, high blood pressure, high antibody counts or blood clots could increase the risks.
- Choose a hospital with a NICU just in case. Lupus can raise chances of miscarriage or early delivery, as well as infant health problems. Read more about lupus, pregnancy and newborn health here. If you're feeling anxious about your health or your unborn child's, explore stories of women with lupus who've had babies (like one woman recently featured in SELF magazine) to learn about their experiences.
Finding Support For Fertility Issues
There are many ways to build a family. You are not alone. You may find comfort and wisdom talking with other women, such as at Resolve, an infertility site with links to local groups, or PatientsLikeMe members who've dealt with fertility issues.
I was first diagnosed with lupus when I was 18. I was told a lot of stuff, including that I could try to have kids, but I'd likely have difficulty conceiving and carrying to term." - A PLM Member
40s, 50s and Beyond
Bone Health
Taking corticosteroids can affect your bone strength, so remind your doctor to keep tabs on your bone density. Regular, weight-bearing exercise can help you strong. Your doctor may recommend extra vitamin D and calcium supplements.
Menopause
Lupus can cause early menopause (which can also affect your bones). "The good news for women in their 50s is that menopause may lead to a decrease in some lupus activity, although some studies have disputed this," according to Lupus.org. "As women with lupus move through their 40s and 50s and beyond they need to be sure to get regular mammograms and Pap tests, especially if they have had long-term treatment with immunosuppressive agents."
On PatientsLikeMe
Members have shared about their experiences with pregnancy and women's health issues — join the community and sign in see what others with lupus have said about:
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