Contraception in hereditary angioedema

Abstract

Objective: To report a case of successful use of a transdermal contraceptive in a patient with hereditary angioedema. Design: Case report. Setting: University medical center. Patient(s): A patient who had used oral contraceptives contracted SC and submucosal tumefaction every 1 or 2 months. She was diagnosed with type I hereditary angioedema. It was determined that she was complement C4 deficient and C1-inhibitor quantitative deficient but functional C1-inhibitor normal. After she was diagnosed, the use of oral contraceptives was contraindicated. Intervention(s): Oral contraceptives were suspended, and a hormonal transdermal contraceptive was started. Main Outcome Measure(s): The absence of symptoms after 26 months using a transdermal contraceptive. Result(s): After 26 months of using this treatment, the patient has not experienced any symptoms of the hereditary angioedema. Conclusion(s): The use of hormonal contraceptives transdermally can be an alternative in patients with hereditary angioedema. © 2008 American Society for Reproductive Medicine.