Pills-related severe adverse events: A case report in Taiwan

• Main Authors: Ching-Hui Chen, Hung-Yen Chin, Huang-Hui Chen, Heng-Yu Chang, Wei-Min Liu
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier 2016-08-01
• Series: Taiwanese Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology
• Subjects: abnormal uterine bleeding; Diane-35; polycystic ovary syndrome; pulmonary embolism; thromboembolism
• Online Access: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S102845591630078X

Objective: To review and evaluate the potential adverse effects of these oral contraceptives (OCP) to overweight women. Case Report: A 19-year-old college student, with a body mass index (BMI) of 35.2 kg/m2, who received 2 months of OCP containing cyproterone and ethinyl estradiol for polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)-related menstrual problems was complicated with a thromboembolism-related life-threatened disease. After intensive care, including the use of an extracorporeal membrane oxygenation system, thrombolytic treatment, anticoagulant, and inferior vena filter, she recovered well without significant sequelae. Conclusion: This case illustrates the risk of using OCPs, especially for those containing cyproterone and ethinyl estradiol components, as a treatment for menstrual problems in young women with PCOS and a high BMI.