Contraception & STI’s

Contraception

Contraception such as the contraceptive pill, injection, implant or an intrauterine device (IUD) help prevent pregnancy but do not offer protection against sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

People with diabetes are sometimes advised against using some of these methods of contraception. This was because contraceptive pills were thought to affect blood glucose and increase the risk of heart disease and stroke. There was also a concern that IUDs might cause trauma that would lead to infection, and that people with diabetes would be particularly susceptible to this. 

The combined pill (so-called because it contains a combination of oestrogen and progestogen) may still cause some changes in blood glucose levels, more so than the progestogen-only pill (also known as the mini-pill).

If you start the pill, your blood glucose levels might become slightly more erratic, but this can usually be corrected easily with your treatment regime.

Implants may be another option, but you should discuss the risks and benefits with a health care professional. Some of the side effects of hormonal contraceptives – like high blood pressure – might increase your risk of complications linked to diabetes. For example, if you have diabetes and are a heavy smoker (particularly if you’re over 35) you probably shouldn’t use hormonal birth control at all. This is because a combination of these factors puts you at a higher risk of serious side effects. 

Your GP or diabetes care team can give you more information about all the risks involved and will talk through any questions or issues that you want to raise. 

Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STI’s)

STIs are an issue for everyone, but if you have diabetes they can be riskier. Like other illnesses and infections, you’ll be more susceptible to STIs if your blood glucose levels are high, and if you develop an STI it can cause your blood glucose levels to rise alarmingly, putting you at risk of more severe problems like  diabetic ketoacidosis. 

To make this more complicated, some STI’s can be hard to get rid of.

Genital herpes, for example, has no cure and may return intermittently through life, while other infections (like gonorrhoea) can occasionally become resistant to simple antibiotics.  This is why it’s so important to practise safe sex and avoid getting an STI in the first place.

Most STIs can be avoided by using barriers (such as condoms or dams) during sex, while some others, such as herpes, genital warts and pubic lice, require avoidance with the affected areas. You can find more information from the NHS by clicking  here.