Hormonal contraception appears safe for women with ulcerative colitis

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:

• Older age at diagnosis was protective: each additional year reduced flare risk by 3%
• Extensive UC at diagnosis and ex-smoker status were independent predictors of recurrent flares
• No adverse events (including thrombotic events) were documented during the study period

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.