Conservative Management of Ectopic Pregnancy Following Depot Medroxyprogesterone Acetate Injection: A Case Report

Abstract

Objectives: Ectopic pregnancy is the most common cause of maternal mortality in the first trimester of pregnancy. The use of progesterone-containing contraceptives is a risk factor for ectopic pregnancy. This study reports a rare case of ectopic pregnancy following a depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) injection that was managed conservatively. Case Presentation: A 36-year-old woman (gravida 2) was referred to the Gynecology Clinic of the Persian Gulf Hospital, Bandar Abbas, Iran with a history of amenorrhea, vague pelvic pain, and no past medical history, except for DMPA injection, three months before the symptoms. Ectopic pregnancy was determined based on ultrasonography and beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (BHCG) evaluation. The patient was managed conservatively with serial ultrasonography and BHCG titration due to normal laboratory tests, stable clinical status, and a decline in BHCG titration. Conclusion: Amenorrhea and pelvic pain in all women of childbearing age should be considered an alarming sign of ectopic pregnancy. In case of stable hemodynamic status, the patient can be conservatively managed with serial trans-vaginal ultrasonography and evaluation of serum BHCG till the resolution of symptoms.