Fertility & Reproductive Medicine

Dr. Sammaritano provides the highest quality of counseling and care to rheumatology patients with respect to contraception, fertility, and pregnancy concerns. She will be sharing her expertise with our conference attendees! Patients with rheumatology conditions, particularly systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), are at increased risk of maternal and fetal pregnancy complications. Specific disease diagnosis, disease-related damage, level of disease activity, medications, and certain autoantibodies may impact pregnancy. Contraception and family planning will be discussed with an emphasis on the difference in care that is required for one with a rheumatic condition. Some of the considerations for this population include: Pre-pregnancy counseling to identify risk factors for poor outcomes and to allow appropriate interventions. Women who have difficulty conceiving may require assisted reproductive techniques such as in vitro fertilization, and autoimmune rheumatic illnesses may impact the monitoring and/or therapy for these procedures. Women with active or serious disease or those on teratogenic medications should avoid pregnancy and require guidance on which forms of contraception are safe and effective for their specific condition.