Unveiling the vascular risk: Norethisterone acetate-induced cerebral venous sinus thrombosis

Abstract Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) induced by progesterone use is a rare yet clinically significant complication, more often associated with estrogen. Much literature is available justifying thrombotic risk triggered by estrogen-based hormonal therapies, but the potential dangers of progesterone-based therapies have got very little attention. However, emerging evidence suggests a potential link between progesterone exposure and an elevated risk of CVST, although the exact mechanisms are not fully understood. Further research is needed to elucidate, assess, and prevent CVST in susceptible individuals. Estrogen to a larger extent and progesterone component may be associated with the risk of thrombosis, which makes the medical fraternity think that seemingly benign oral contraceptive pills prescribed to young females can invite significant morbidity and mortality. Progesterone-only pill is being associated with CVST is not documented adequately in the literature, so here we present a case of a 41-year-old woman who was prescribed norethisterone for adenomyosis.