• Still’s disease has no untoward effects on pregnancy or ability to have children. It’s important to know that active inflammation can make getting pregnant difficult and may increase the odds of miscarriage or adverse pregnancy outcomes.
  • Still’s is a disorder of children, adolescents and young adults and affects women and men equally. Hence, there are many young adults (women) with Still’s disease that may also become pregnant during the years they are diagnosed or treated for Still’s disease.
  • There are some misleading media reports suggesting that pregnancy may cause the onset or worsening of Still’s disease (see #2 above)
  • Oral contraceptives (birth control pills) may be used without risk of worsening Still’s disease.
  • Drugs therapy may be necessary to manage Still’s disease activity. Many disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) and biologic medications can be safely used during pregnancy.
  • If pregnant or planning to become pregnant, the Still’s patient should avoid using methotrexate, leflunomide and mycophenolate.
  • Control of inflammation is vitally important to having a successful pregnancy outcome. When pregnant, as inflammation is way more damaging (than drugs) to a growing fetus.
John Swope
Author: John Swope

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