Contraception in women with diabetes

Individual consultation on contraception for women with diabetes mellitus and women after gestational diabetes is an important component of the interdisciplinary care concept. Safe contraception and a planned pregnancy are important because preconceptional optimization of metabolism plays an essential role in reducing the frequency of malformations in children of diabetic mothers. The assessment and treatment of diabetes-specific complications (e.g. retinopathy, nephropathy with or without hypertension, neuropathy, coronary heart disease and other macroangiopathies) before conception is decisive for the course of pregnancy. In addition a potential influence of the method of contraception on metabolism, in particular on carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, and diabetes-specific complications must be considered. The consultation should include the estimated planned duration of the use of a method.