Oral retinoid prescriptions among women of reproductive age have doubled in the last decade but concomitant contraceptive use has failed to keep up, Australian doctors report.

Their analysis of PBS claims data suggests that only one in four women aged 15-44 dispensed oral retinoids, which have teratogenic effects, had evidence of overlapping contraceptive use in 2021.

“I have seen multiple women who have conceived unintended pregnancies while using oral retinoids, and then women are left needing to manage the consequences,” said lead author and obstetrician-gynaecologist Dr Laura Gerhardy, from Sydney’s Royal Hospital for Women.

Dr Gerhardy’s team used a random 10% sample of PBS dispensing claims for 15-44-year-old women from 2013 to 2021 to determine rates of retinoid and contraceptive use, including the extent of overlapping treatment.