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Getting the latest healthcare news for you
Getting the latest healthcare news for you
Good news for women managing ulcerative colitis (UC): a new study finds that hormonal contraception doesn't raise the risk of recurring flares. Researchers followed 225 women with UC over a median of 5.3 years and found no significant difference in flare rates or overall inflammatory burden between those using hormonal contraception and those who weren't.
Women with ulcerative colitis (UC) can breathe a little easier when it comes to contraceptive choices. A new retrospective study out of Spain found that hormonal contraception was not associated with an increased risk of recurring flares or a higher cumulative inflammatory burden in female UC patients — offering some reassuring real-world data for both patients and clinicians.
The study tracked 225 women with UC across two tertiary centers, 58 of whom used hormonal contraception after their UC diagnosis, over a median follow-up of 5.3 years. While CRP levels were modestly elevated during periods of hormonal contraception use, no significant differences were found in other inflammatory biomarkers or overall systemic inflammatory burden.
Key Takeaways:
Why it matters: Many women with UC face uncertainty about whether hormonal contraception could worsen their disease. This study provides practical, real-world guidance for contraceptive counseling — though larger cohorts are still needed to rule out rare safety risks.
