Ectopic pregnancy following levonorgesterol-only emergency contraception: the first Malaysian case report.

Levonorgestrel (LNG) is a well-known safe and efficacious emergency contraception (EC). However, ectopic pregnancy following the failure of LNG-only EC has been reported. The exact incidence of ectopic pregnancy has been hindered by lack of data due to the fact that LNG-only EC is accessible at phar...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Natasha MN, Khoo, HW, Sulaiman, AS, Nur Azurah AG, Md Dali AZH, Jamil MA
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Penerbit UKM 2012
Online Access:http://journalarticle.ukm.my/6743/
http://journalarticle.ukm.my/6743/
http://journalarticle.ukm.my/6743/1/06-MS147_%28107-111%29.pdf
Description
Summary:Levonorgestrel (LNG) is a well-known safe and efficacious emergency contraception (EC). However, ectopic pregnancy following the failure of LNG-only EC has been reported. The exact incidence of ectopic pregnancy has been hindered by lack of data due to the fact that LNG-only EC is accessible at pharmacies without a prescription. We describe a case of ectopic pregnancy in an 18 year-old single woman who took LNG-only EC within 48 hours of unprotected sexual intercourse. She presented to the emergency department at 8 weeks period of amenorrhoea with an acute abdomen and hypovolaemic shock. Laparotomy confirmed a ruptured right tubal pregnancy and salpingectomy was performed. The patient was discharged well after 2 days. We aim to highlight this potential adverse effect and to discuss the plausible causality of ectopic pregnancy following administration of LNG-only EC