Estrogen-Eluting Ring for Contraception and Possible Issues of Severe Pulmonary Emboli

BACKGROUND This case report demonstrates the relationship of an estrogen-eluting vaginal ring and thrombosis. There have been multiple reports in the literature demonstrating this scenario, but it is normally found that the patient is taking the medication orally. In this unique report we present the case of a patient with an acute severe pulmonary embolus while using an estrogen-eluting vaginal ring, with no other significant risk factors. CASE REPORT A 27-year-old African American woman who came to the Emergency Department due to new shortness of breath and tachycardia. She was discovered to have a pulmonary embolus found on CTA pulmonary. On further questioning, the patient noted using an estrogen-eluting ring for contraception. CONCLUSIONS We postulate that her use of this estrogen-eluting ring likely played a large part in her developing a pulmonary embolus, as this patient had little to no risk of developing a pulmonary embolism.