# New Onset of Symptomatic Peptic Ulcer Disease Postpartum Secondary to Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug Use

## TL;DR

A woman developed peptic ulcers after using pain medications following childbirth, highlighting the risk of NSAIDs in the postpartum period.

## Contribution

Highlights the rare but significant risk of NSAID-induced peptic ulcers in the postpartum period.

## Key findings

- A patient developed gastric and duodenal ulcers after postpartum NSAID use.
- NSAIDs remain a risk factor for PUD despite short-term use in the postpartum period.

## Abstract

The use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) medications is a risk factor for peptic ulcer disease (PUD). PUD in the postpartum period is rare, despite the common use of NSAIDs. A G1P0 presented 6 days postcesarean section with fatigue, lightheadedness, melenic stools, and a hemoglobin of 5.4 g/dL after using NSAIDs and acetaminophen for postoperative pain control. An esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) was performed for a suspected upper gastrointestinal bleed and found one gastric and one duodenal ulcer. Though typically used for a short course in the postpartum period, NSAIDs remain a predisposing risk factor for PUD postpartum, and patients and providers must be aware of this risk.