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Medical Practice

Chorea and the Oral Contraceptives

Br Med J 1971; 4 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.4.5781.217 (Published 23 October 1971) Cite this as: Br Med J 1971;4:217
  1. Donald Riddoch,
  2. Michael Jefferson,
  3. Edwin R. Bickerstaff

    Abstract

    The case histories are reported of six women who developed chorea while taking oral contraceptive drugs. The chorea that results from taking compounds containing oestrogen and progestogen has many features in common with chorea gravidarum, and the pathogenesis is probably similar. In some of the patients, however, the sudden onset of symptoms suggests a vascular aetiology.

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