Spermicides, hormonal contraception and congenital malformations

Abstract

Allegations that inadvertent pregnancies in contraceptive users are associated with congenital anomalies continue to be common. In 1985, a review by one of us concluded that there is little or no scientific basis for such claims [1]. Since then, additional data have substantiated this conclusion, particularly with respect to spermicides and hormonal contraception. The purpose of this review is to update information with respect to potential teratogenicity for these two contraceptive methods.

Risk Factors of Congenital Malformations in North India: A Case—control Study

“…Others had used barrier method mostly where the association might be due to usage of spermicidal agents. 26,27 In our study, history of any drug usage during pregnancy was also found to be significantly associated with CMF (adjusted and 6 years, the ratio was 1.3:1 in malformed babies. The higher representation of males in our study may be related with skewed sex ratio in Haryana and Punjab due to a high incidence of sex selective abortions in this region.…”

Provision of emergency contraception to adolescents

“…Clinical data have not verified other theorized mechanisms of action that may be involved, such as preventing implantation, altering sperm or egg transport, inhibiting the fertilization process, or changing cervical mucous. Accidental use of ECPs during pregnancy will neither interrupt a pregnancy after implantation nor be teratogenic [11][12][13]. The predominant side effects associated with use of combination ECPs are nausea (51%) and vomiting (19%) [7].…”

“…ECPs will not interrupt or harm an established pregnancy. Several studies involving the long-term use of OCPs have not shown any teratogenic effects on the fetus [11][12][13]. For combination ECPs, some health care providers use the same contraindications as for ongoing use of hormonal contraceptives containing estrogen such as history of thromboembolism, ischemic heart disease, uncontrolled hypertension, or hypersensitivity to any of the components.…”

Report of the FIGO Working Group on Sexual Violence/HIV: Guidelines for the management of female survivors of sexual assault

“…If vomiting occurs within 2 hours, the dose should be repeated [18]. ECPs have been found not to harm or disrupt an established pregnancy [27][28][29].…”