W&I offers contraceptive consultations

PROVIDENCE – Women & Infants Hospital has established a contraceptive consult clinic geared to doctors who are looking for a good option for patients with complex or chronic medical conditions such as lupus, thromboembolism, congenital heart disease, hypertension and diabetes.
Such conditions can make contraception riskier for women or create a conflict between the need to treat the condition and the need or desire to avoid pregnancy.
“It is crucial that women with chronic medical problems be prescribed the safest, most effective methods of contraception to preserve their health status and allow them to plan their pregnancies,” said Dr. Rebecca H. Allen, of the hospital’s Women’s Primary Care Center.
Allen established the consult service with Drs. Sarah D. Fox and Amy S. Gottlieb. All three are also assistant professors of obstetrics and gynecology at The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University.
The clinic, which also will consult with patients with a history of contraceptive failure, is staffed by obstetrician/gynecologists with expertise in family planning and a general internist with expertise in women’s health. The doctors will conduct detailed medical assessments of each patient and consider possible drug interactions, disease-related complications, etc.
“The result is a recommendation of appropriate family planning options, including hormonal contraception, barrier methods, intrauterine device, contraceptive implant, or permanent sterilization,” Allen said.
Patients may not go directly to the clinic, but rather must be referred by their doctor. Providers can make referrals by calling Kim Souza at (401) 274-1122, ext. 2721.
For more information about Women & Infants, go to www.womenandinfants.org.