Reproductive Health Counseling for Patients with Autoimmune and Rheumatic Conditions

The University of Chicago Medicine is one of few programs in the U.S. that specializes in reproductive health counseling for patients with lupus, different forms of arthritis, vasculitis, and other autoimmune and rheumatic conditions.

With our unique expertise in rheumatic disease management and our extensive knowledge of medication safety, we provide personalized consultations for medication management in patients with autoimmune and rheumatic conditions who are:

• Taking birth control
• Planning for pregnancy
• Pregnant
• Breastfeeding
• Undergoing fertility treatment

We offer consultations in-person or by video visit for patients with:

• Ankylosing spondylitis (AS)
• Antiphospholipid antibody syndrome (APS)
• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis
• Inflammatory myositis such as dermatomyositis and polymyositis
• Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA)
• Lupus (SLE)
• Mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD)
• Periodic fever syndromes
• Psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis
• Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)
• Scleroderma/systemic sclerosis
• Still’s disease
• Uveitis
• All forms of vasculitis
• Other more rare autoimmune and rheumatic conditions

As the evaluation and treatment of autoimmune and rheumatic conditions have improved, so has our expertise in supporting reproductive health and family building goals for patients with these diagnoses.

Coordinating Your Care Before and During Pregnancy

Having a baby is an exciting time. If you have a chronic autoimmune or rheumatic condition, we understand that it can also be challenging to manage your medication, disease flares, and your overall health before and during pregnancy. Our experts can help.

Pre-Conception and Fertility Treatment Consultations

During an in-person or virtual pre-conception consultation, we start by reviewing your medical history and medications and creating a pregnancy plan. If you are undergoing infertility treatment or interested in fertility preservation, we’ll partner with your reproductive endocrinologist to make sure it’s the best time. We’ll also make sure you’re on the appropriate medications for your chronic autoimmune or rheumatic condition.

Pregnancy Consultations

If you're already pregnant, we can help manage your condition during pregnancy — even working with your current rheumatologist, obstetrician, maternal-fetal medicine physician or other specialists to provide the best care possible for you and your baby.

Leading Advancements in Rheumatologic Care During Pregnancy

We are also active in research and advocacy to increase medical advancements and awareness of medication safety in pregnancy so that many more patients with autoimmune and rheumatic diseases can have successful pregnancies now and in the future.

Cuoghi Edens, MD

Rheumatologist Cuoghi Edens, MD, provides care for children and adults with rheumatic diseases, including lupus, mixed connective tissue disease, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, vasculitis, dermatomyositis and other more rare conditions

Learn more about Dr. Edens