[Barrier family planning methods as risk factor which predisposes to preeclampsia]

Preeclampsia is a pregnancy-specific syndrome, it occurs in approximately 5-10% of all pregnancies and the etiology remains unknown, but the primigravida adolescent as such as multigravid older women whom have conceived with a new sexual partner have a greater risk, this has been associated also with the use of barrier contraceptive methods that prevent exposure to sperm with the endometrial cavity. An immunological factor has been suspected because fetal antigen's could cause antigenic reaction with the maternal immunological apparatus, for first exposure at these antigens, since the fetus is considered like an allotransplantation. This is supported in some studies that report that the use of condoms, spermicides and withdrawal are associated with developing of preeclampsia in subsequent pregnancy, and another hand indicate at cohabitation preceded for long period, practiced oral sex and use of contraceptive methods that permit exposure to sperm viable with uterus decreased the prevalence of preeclampsia. To test this hypothesis, we initially used data from two groups of pregnant women, comparing the contraceptive and reproductive history of 73 pregnant women with preeclampsia and 70 pregnant women without preeclampsia. The odds ratio for preeclampsia indicated a 2.52-fold (with 95% confidence interval, 1.17 to 5.44, p < 0.05), increased risk of preeclampsia for users of barrier contraceptives compared with women using nonbarrier contraceptives methods. Other variables like socio-demographic and obstetrics analysis were not different between both groups. This study suggest that nonbarrier contraceptive methods or the exposure of paternal spermatic antigens is protective against development of preeclampsia. Further immunological studies are necessary to determine the role of contraception methods and preeclampsia.