Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Chorea associated with oral contraception

  • Short Communications
  • Published:
Journal of Neurology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

Three patients developed chorea while receiving oral contraceptives. Two were young patients whose chorea developed long after treatment had been started and disappeared soon after it had been discontinued. The third patient had acute amphetamine-induced chorea after prolonged oral contraception. Prolonged administration of female sex hormones is a possible cause of chorea in women who have not previously had chorea or rheumatic fever.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Agid Y (1975) Approache neuropharmacologique de la chorée de Huntington. Rev Neurol (Paris) 131:847–865

    Google Scholar 

  2. Barber PV, Arnold AG, Evans G (1976) Recurrent hormone dependent chorea: effects of oestrogens and progestogens. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf) 5:291–293

    Google Scholar 

  3. Besredford OD, Graham AM (1950) Chorea graviadarum. J. Gynaecol Obstet Br Emp 57:616–625

    Google Scholar 

  4. Bouchez B, Arnott G, Hatron PY, Wattel A, Devulder B (1985) Chorée et lupus érythémateux disséminé avec anticoagulant circulant. Trois cas. Rev Neurol (Paris) 141:571–577

    Google Scholar 

  5. Bruyn GW (1982) Neurotransmitters in Huntington's chorea. Clinician's view. In: Buys RM, Pevet P, Swaab DF (eds) Progress in brain research, vol 55. Clinical transmission in the brain. The role of amines, aminoacids and peptides. The XIIth International Summer School of Brain Research. Elsevier Biomedical Press, Amsterdam, pp 445–464

    Google Scholar 

  6. Bruyn GW, Padberg G (1984) Chorea and systemic lupus erythematosus. A critical review. Eur Neurol 23:278–290

    Google Scholar 

  7. Buge A, Vincent D, Rancurel G, Chéron F (1985) Hémichorée et contracceptifs oraux. Rev Neurol (Paris) 141:663–665

    Google Scholar 

  8. Euvrard C, Oberlander C, Boissier JR (1980) Antidopaminergic effect of estrogens at the striatal level. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 214:179–185

    Google Scholar 

  9. Fernando SJM (1966) An attack of chorea complicating oral contraceptive therapy. Practitioner 197:210–211

    Google Scholar 

  10. Gamboa ET, Isaacs G, Harter DH (1971) Chorea associated with oral contraceptive therapy. Arch Neurol 25:112–114

    Google Scholar 

  11. Gordon JH, Borison RL, Diamond BI (1980) Estrogen in experimental tardive dyskinesia. Neurology 30:551–554

    Google Scholar 

  12. Green PM (1980) Chorea induced by oral contraceptives. Neurology 30:1131

    Google Scholar 

  13. Kaplinsky N, Thaler M, Frankl O (1980) Oral contraceptive-induced chorea. Am J Obstet Gynecol 138:237

    Google Scholar 

  14. Klawans HL, Weiner WJ (1974) The effect of d-amphetamine on choreiform movement disorders. Neurology 24:312–318

    Google Scholar 

  15. Klawans HL, Weiner WJ (1976) The pharmacology of choreatic movement disorders. Prog Neurobiol 6:49–80

    Google Scholar 

  16. Lewis PD, Harrison MJG (1969) Involuntary movements in patients taking oral contraceptives. Br Med J 4:404–405

    Google Scholar 

  17. Leys D, Bourgeois P, Destée A, Petit H (1985) Syndrome choréique et état psychotique aigüs provoqués une substance amphétaminique. Rev Neurol (Paris) 141:499–500

    Google Scholar 

  18. Lundh H, Tunving K (1981) An extrapyramidal choreiform syndrome caused by amphetamine addiction. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 44:728–730

    Google Scholar 

  19. Malcolm AD (1971) Chorea and oral contraceptives. Br Med J 4:491

    Google Scholar 

  20. Nausieda PA, Koller WC, Weiner WJ, Klawans HL (1979) Chorea induced by oral contraceptives. Neurology 29:1605–1609

    Google Scholar 

  21. Nausieda PA, Koller WC, Weiner WJ, Klawans HL (1979) Modification of post-synaptic dopaminergic sensitivity by female sex hormones. Life Sci 25:521–526

    Google Scholar 

  22. Nausieda PA, Grossman BJ, Koller WC, Weiner WJ, Klawans HL (1980) Sydenham chorea: an update. Neurology 30:331–334

    Google Scholar 

  23. Nausieda PA, Bielianskas LA, Bacon LD, Haperty M. Koller WC, Glantz RN (1983) Chronic dopaminergic sensitivity after Sydenham's chorea. Neurology 33:750–754

    Google Scholar 

  24. Petit H, Salomez JL (1985) Maladie de Huntington. Apport des données cliniques et épidémiologiques au conseil génétique. J Genet Hum 33:91–102

    Google Scholar 

  25. Pulsinelli WA, Hamill RW (1978) Chorea complicating oral contraceptive therapy. Case report and review of the literature. Am J Med 65:557–559

    Google Scholar 

  26. Riddoch D, Jefferson M, Bickerstaff ER (1971) Chorea and the oral contraceptives. Br Med J 4:217–218

    Google Scholar 

  27. Rylander G (1972) Psychoses and the punding and choreiform syndromes in addiction to central stimulant drugs. Psychiatr Neurol Neurochir 75:203–212

    Google Scholar 

  28. Willson P, Preece AA 1932 Chorea gravidarum. Arch Intern Med 49:471–533, 671–697

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurology C, Hôpital B, University of of Lille, F-59037, Lille Cédex, France

    D. Leys & H. Petit

  2. Department of Neurology A, Hôpital B, University of Lille, F-59037, Lille Cédex, France

    A. Destée & P. Warot

Authors
  1. D. Leys
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. A. Destée
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. H. Petit
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. P. Warot
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Leys, D., Destée, A., Petit, H. et al. Chorea associated with oral contraception. J Neurol 235, 46–48 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00314198

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00314198

Key words

Search

Navigation