Disturbances in the central vestibular system after oral contraceptives.

Abstract

2 cases of vestibular disturbance verified with electronystagmography occurred after oral contraception. Before therapy neither patient had experienced serious ear nose or throat injuries or cranial trauma. Case 1 a 43-year-old never-pregnant never-married woman was prescribed Delpregnin (mestranol 0.1 mg megestrolacetate 5 mg) for heavy premenstrual pains and depressive states. After about a week of therapy she felt signs of vertigo which grew worse and came to be accompanied by articulation difficulties and eye flickering. Though pill use ended at 3 weeks vertigo remained almost unaltered for about 2 months and finally disappeared by 6 months after gradual lessening. Case 2 a 32-year-old married woman with difficult pregnancies 9 and 4 years before her recent one was prescribed anovlar treatment (ethinylestradiol 0.05 mg norethisterone acetate 3 mg) for severe premenstrual headaches. Vertigo increased gradually during the 180 days of treatment but showed a marked drop in an intermittent 7 days without pills. Vertigo disappeared 4 months after end of therapy after gradual lessening. The disturbances were probably caused by a thrombosis in the parts of the basilar artery area supplying the central part of the vestibular system.