Interferon beta-1b-induced postmenopausal bleeding in a patient with multiple sclerosis

Abstract

Objective: Postmenopausal bleeding must always be evaluated to rule out endometrial carcinoma, although there are many benign etiologies. There have been rare reports of premenopausal bleeding with interferon beta-1b, used to treat multiple sclerosis, but no prior reports in postmenopausal women.

Methods: Literature searches were performed using PubMed and Medline for articles with content related to premenopausal and postmenopausal bleeding while taking interferon beta-1b. The searches were restricted to the English language. Search terms included interferon beta-1b and/or uterine hemorrhage and/or vaginal bleeding and/or postmenopausal and/or menopause.

Results: The literature review found no related articles for postmenopausal bleeding while taking interferon beta-1b. We present a case of a patient with postmenopausal bleeding attributed to elevation of serum estradiol in association with interferon beta-1b therapy.

Conclusion: It is important for patients and providers to be aware of the association between postmenopausal bleeding with the use of interferon beta-1b therapy which could be due to elevated serum estradiol levels.

Keywords:

• Interferon-beta/adverse effects
• Interferon-beta/therapeutic use
• multiple sclerosis/drug therapy
• postmenopausal bleeding

Conflict of interest

The authors report no conflict of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of this paper.

Source of funding

Nil.