CA 125 levels in abruptio placentae

Article Abstract:

Abruptio placentae is the premature detachment of the placenta after the 20th week of gestation (pregnancy). This complication of pregnancy is characterized by bleeding, pain, sustained or rhythmic contractions of the uterus, protein in the urine, and anemia (decreased numbers of red blood cells). Increases in fetal movement and heart rate may be followed by fetal asphyxiation (an insufficient oxygen supply) and death. Abruptio placentae occurs in 0.49 to 1.5 percent of all deliveries, and is associated with a rate of fetal/newborn death of 25 to 60 percent. The diagnosis of abruptio placentae is primarily based on clinical symptoms and less often on results of ultrasonography (the use of sound waves to visualize internal structures). CA 125 is an antigenic determinant (a substance that can provoke an immune reaction) which increases during the first three months of pregnancy and shortly after birth. It is thought to originate from the decidual cells which line the uterus during pregnancy. CA 125 may be released when the decidual cells are ruptured during implantation of fetal membranes in the early part of pregnancy and during placental separation after delivery. Hence, CA 125 may serve as a marker for placental separation and an indicator of abruptio placentae. The relation between CA 125 levels and abruptio placentae was assessed in 27 pregnant women with vaginal bleeding and 17 pregnant women without this symptom. The average levels of CA 125 were higher in patients with abruptio placentae than in women with other sources of vaginal bleeding and those without bleeding. Within six hours of their deliveries, CA 125 levels were higher in patients without prior vaginal bleeding, compared with patients with abruptio placentae. By measuring CA 125 levels in the women with vaginal bleeding, researchers were able to correctly identify 70 percent of the women with abruptio placentae and 94 percent of the patients without this condition. These findings suggest that CA 125 originates from the decidua and may serve as an indicator of abruptio placentae. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Cases, Pregnancy, Complications of, Pregnancy complications, Abruptio placentae, Placental abruption

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Update on androgenicity

Article Abstract:

The synthetic progesterone present in third-generation oral contraceptives has fewer androgenic effects than first- and second-generation contraceptives. Androgenic effect means the hormone behaves like male sex hormones. This occurs because the synthetic progesterone is created chemically from testosterone. These synthetic hormones include desogestrel, gestodene, and norgestimate. First- and second-generation contraceptives increased blood levels of fats linked to coronary heart disease. Third-generation contraceptives have no effect on fat levels and therefore do not increase the risk of heart disease. Smokers who take oral contraceptives are the only women who have a higher risk of heart attack.

Androgens

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Cycle control with oral contraceptives: a review of the literature

Article Abstract:

There are many things doctors can do to encourage women to continue taking their oral contraceptive when they experience bleeding at certain times of the cycle. Bleeding that occurs outside the regular menstrual cycle is called intermenstrual bleeding. Many women stop taking the pill when they start bleeding, but this exposes them to an unplanned pregnancy. Bleeding while on oral contraceptives is normal and no oral contraceptive product is better than any other in preventing this bleeding. If the woman is told it will happen, she may be better prepared for it. Smoking and chlamydial infection can also cause bleeding.

Menstrual cycle

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