Ectopic Pregnancy Following Levonorgestrel Emergency Contraception: Report of Two Cases

Authors

  • Katia Telbiyska Selena University Specialized Hospital for Active Treatment in Obstetrics and Gynecology, Plovdiv, Bulgaria https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0839-8063
  • Mariya Angelova Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Trakia University, Stara Zagora, Bulgaria

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3889/oamjms.2022.9519

Keywords:

Levonorgestrel, Emergency contraception, Ectopic pregnancy, Unprotected sexual itercourse

Abstract

Abstract

Ectopic pregnancy (EP) is likely to occur as an unwanted complication after unprotected intercourse in spite of levonorgestrel emergency contraception (LNG-EC).   Its incidence has been increasing recently.

We present 2 cases of tubal EP  after the oral use of levonorgestrel, treated by  laparoscopy.The first unruptured EP with unclear ultrasound findings, because of   uterine ventrofixation  after the caesarean section (CS) . The second case is a ruptured EP after LNG –EC   on day 24 of the period  with mild  haemoperitoneum with severe peritoneal irritation.

The fundamental question is whether levonorgestrel participates in the etiology of EP.

The etiology of EP involves many factors. Levonorgestrel mechanisms of action give us grounds to believe theoretically that it increases the risk of EP and participates as an etiological factor.

 

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Metrics

Metrics Loading ...

Plum Analytics Artifact Widget Block

References

Bastinelli C, Farris M, Benagiano G. Emergency contraception: A review. Eur J Contracept Reprod Health Care. 2008;13(1):9-16. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/13625180701781096

Marions L, Hultenby K, Lindell I, Sun X, Stabi B, Danielsson KG. Emergency contraception with mifepristone and levonorgestrel: Mechanism of action. Obstet Gynecol. 2002;100(1):65-71. https://doi.org/10.1097/00006250-200207000-00011 PMid:12100805 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1097/00006250-200207000-00011

Pereira PP, Cabar FB, Raiza LC, Roncaglia MT, Zugaib M. Emergency contraception and ectopic pregnancy: Report of 2 Cases. Clinics. 2005;60:497-500. https://doi.org/10.1590/s1807-59322005000600012 PMid:16358141 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1590/S1807-59322005000600012

Sheffer-Mimouni G, Pauzner D, Maslovitch S, Lessing JB, Gamzu R. Ectopic pregnancies following emergency levonorgestrel contraception. Contraception. 2003;67(4):267-9. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0010-7824(02)00539-5 PMid:12684145 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0010-7824(02)00539-5

Cunningham FG, Gant NF, Leveno KJ, Gilstrap LC, Hauth JC, Wen-Strom KD. Ectopic pregnancy. In: Williams Obstetrics. 21st ed. New York: McGraw-Hill; 2001. p. 883.

Croxatto HB, Diaz S, Salvatierra AM, Morales P, Ebensperger C, Brandeis A. Treatment with Norplant subdermal implants inhibits sperm penetration through cervical mucus in vitro. Contraception. 1987;36:193-201. https://doi.org/10.1016/0010-7824(87)90014-x PMid:3123133 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/0010-7824(87)90014-X

Schwarz UI, Buschel B, Kirch W. Unwanted pregnancy on self-medication with St. John’s wort despite hormonal contraception. Br J Clin Pharmacol. 2003;55(1):112-3. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2125.2003.01716.x PMid:12534648 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2125.2003.01716.x

Paltieli Y, Eibschitz I, Ziskind G, Ohel G, Silbermann M, Weichselbaum A. High progesterone levels and ciliary dysfunction-a possible cause of ectopic pregnancy. J Assist Reprod Genet. 2000;17(2):103-6. https://doi.org/10.1023/a:1009465900824 PMid:10806589 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1009465900824

Liukko P, Erkkola R, Laakso L. Ectopic pregnancies during use of low-dose progestógenos for oral contraception. Contraception. 1977;16(6):575-80. https://doi.org/10.1016/0010-7824(77)90058-0 PMid:606497 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/0010-7824(77)90058-0

Shoupe D, Mishell DR, Bradford L. The significance of bleeding patterns in Norplant users. Obstet Gynecol. 1991;77:256-60. https://doi.org/10.1097/00006250-199102000-00018 PMid:1899135 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1097/00006250-199102000-00018

Croxatto HB, Devoto L, Durand M, Ezcurra E, Larrea F. Mechanism of action of hormonal preparations used for emergency contraception: A review of the literature. Contraception. 2001,63(3):111-21. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0010-7824(01)00184-6 PMid:11368982 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0010-7824(01)00184-6

Durand M, del Carmen Cravioto M, Raymond EG. On the mechanism of action of short-term levonorgestrel administration in emergency contraception. Contraception. 2001;64:227-34. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0010-7824(01)00250-5 PMid:11747872 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0010-7824(01)00250-5

Hapangama D, Glasier AF, Baird DT. The effects of peri-ovulatory administration of levonorgestrel on the menstrual cycles. Contraception. 2001;63:123-9. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0010-7824(01)00186-x PMid:11368983 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0010-7824(01)00186-X

Croxatto HB, Ortiz ME. Egg transport in the fallopian tube. Gynecol Invest. 1975;6(3-4):215-25. https://doi.org/10.1159/000301518 PMid:809316 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1159/000301518

Moggia A, Beauquis A, Ferrari F. The use of progestogens as postcoital oral contraceptives. J Reprod Med. 1974;13(2):58-61.

Brache V, Faundes A, Johansson E, Alvarez F. Anovulation, inadequate luteal phase and poor sperm penetration in cervical mucus during prolonged use of norplant implants. Contraception. 1985;31:261-73. https://doi.org/10.1016/0010-7824(85)90096-4 PMid:3922675 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/0010-7824(85)90096-4

von Hertzen H, Piaggio G, Ding J, Chen J, Song S, Bártfai G, et al. Low dose mifepristone and two regimens of levonorgestrel for emergency contraception: A WHO multicentre randomised trial. Lancet. 2002;360(9348):1803-10. https://doi.org/10.1016/ s0140-6736(02)11767-3 PMid:12480356 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(02)11767-3

Faúndes A, Brache V, Alvarez F. Emergency contraception-clinical and ethical aspects. Int J Gynaecol Obstet. 2003,82:297-305. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0020-7292(03)00221-2 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0020-7292(03)00221-2

Grimes DA. The morbidity and mortality of pregnancy: Still risky business. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1994;170:1489-94.https://doi.org/10.1016/s0002-9378(94)05009-x PMid:8178896 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0002-9378(94)05009-X

Studik R. Extrauterine pregnancy after hormonal postcoital contraception. Zentralbl Gynakol. 1995;117(6):320-2.

Camp S. Postinor, the unique method of emergency contraception developed in Hungary. Plan Parent Eur. 1995;24(2):23-4. PMid:12290799

Trussell J, Ellertson C, von Hertzen H. Estimating the effectiveness of emergency contraceptive pills. Contraception. 2003;67(4):259-65. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0010-7824(02)00535-8 PMid:12684144 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0010-7824(02)00535-8

Zhang J, Li C, Zhao WH, Xi X, Cao SJ, Ping H, et al. Association between levonorgestrel emergency contraception and the risk of ectopic pregnancy: A multicenter case control study. Sci Rep. 2015;5:8487. https://doi.org/10.1038/srep08487 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/srep08487

Farkas M. The effect of oral ovulation inhibiting (mono-, bi- and triphase) contraceptives and of Continuin and Postinor on proteo- and steroid hormones. Acta Pharm Hung. 1992;62(1-2):17-30. PMid:1566635

Shurie S, Were E, Orang’o O, Keter A. Levonorgestrel only emergency contraceptive use and risk of ectopic pregnancy in Eldoret Kenya: A case-control study Pan Afr Med J 2018;31:214. https://doi.org/10.11604/pamj.2018.31.214.17484 PMid:31447973 DOI: https://doi.org/10.11604/pamj.2018.31.214.17484

Downloads

Published

2022-05-16

How to Cite

1.
Telbiyska K, Angelova M. Ectopic Pregnancy Following Levonorgestrel Emergency Contraception: Report of Two Cases. Open Access Maced J Med Sci [Internet]. 2022 May 16 [cited 2024 Nov. 23];10(C):156-9. Available from: https://oamjms.eu/index.php/mjms/article/view/9519

Issue

Section

Case Reports in Gynecology and Obstetrics

Categories