ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Misoprostol is a prostaglandin E(1) analogue that has been used for medical abortion. We conducted this prospective study to compare the efficacy of vaginal misoprostol for abortion in women at a gestational age of <42 days and in women at a gestational age of 42-56 days. METHODS: A total of 160 women seeking medical termination of a pregnancy of <56 days were enrolled in the study. Medical termination was performed using 800 micro g of vaginal misoprostol, repeated every 24 h for a maximum of three doses. RESULTS: The overall complete abortion rate was 91.3%. In group A (gestation <42 days) complete abortion occurred in 96.3% of women, whereas in group B (gestation = 42-56 days) complete abortion occurred in 86.3% of women (P < 0.025). The two groups did not differ significantly with respect to side-effects (incidence of pain, bleeding, nausea, diarrhoea, fever and headache). Women who had aborted successfully were significantly more satisfied with the method compared with women who did not (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The vaginal misoprostol-alone regimen is highly effective for women seeking medical abortion of pregnancies of Subject(s)
Abortifacient Agents, Nonsteroidal/administration & dosage
, Abortion, Induced
, Gestational Age
, Misoprostol/administration & dosage
, Abortifacient Agents, Nonsteroidal/adverse effects
, Administration, Intravaginal
, Adolescent
, Adult
, Diarrhea
, Female
, Fever
, Headache
, Humans
, Misoprostol/adverse effects
, Nausea
, Pain
, Patient Satisfaction
, Pregnancy
, Treatment Outcome
, Uterine Hemorrhage