Clinical Practice and Cases in Emergency Medicine

Introduction: Portal venous thrombosis is a life-threatening cause of abdominal pain. In younger patients, heritable thrombophilias, pregnancy, tobacco use, and oral contraceptives are associated.

Case Report: A 26-year-old woman prescribed contraceptive vaginal ring presented with abdominal pain and was diagnosed with an extensive portal venous thrombosis. Management included heparin and later an oral anticoagulant with good short-term outcome.

Discussion: Women using hormonal contraception are approximately four times more likely to develop thromboembolism. Risk of thromboembolism is similar between users of intravaginal and oral contraceptives.

Conclusion: Portal venous thrombosis must be considered in women presenting with abdominal pain who are prescribed hormonal contraceptives, including intravaginal forms.