Ovarian hemorrhage due to anticoagulants

Six cases of ovarian hemorrhage secondary to anticoagulant therapy are described. Cardiac valvular prostheses required the use of oral anticoagulants in four patients in this series; the other two suffered a pulmonary infarction secondary to thromboembolism and required sustained anticoagulant therapy. Pertinent data from 28 other case reports are reviewed. Awareness of this syndrome during child-bearing years, early recognition, and aggressive management should prevent a fatal outcome.