Contraceptive priorities among women seeking family planning services in Finland in 2017-2019.

OBJECTIVE: To assess how women's reproductive history, contraceptive experience and need of abortion care are associated with priorities for contraception. STUDY DESIGN: In this cross-sectional survey study, we gathered information on women's history of births and abortions, previous use and satisfaction with contraceptive methods, and features of contraceptive methods they value most. Women were recruited at public family planning and outpatient abortion clinics in the capital region of Helsinki, Finland. RESULTS: Of the 1006 women responding, 502 were recruited during visits for abortion care and 504 for contraceptive counseling. Women seeking abortion care more often had a history of abortion than women seeking contraceptive counseling (44% vs 11%), presented with a higher mean number of different contraceptive methods used (69% vs 55% with more than 2 previous methods), and were less often satisfied with the methods used (36% vs 60% satisfied with 2 out of 3 methods), p < 0.001 for all. In addition, women seeking abortion care had lower odds of prioritizing effectiveness (aOR 0.3, 95% CI 0.2-0.5), and higher odds of prioritizing lower hormonal levels or non-hormonal alternatives (aOR 2.0, 95% CI 1.3-3.2). There was no difference between the groups regarding priorities of lesser pelvic pain (aOR 0.7, 95% CI 0.5-1.1), regular period (aOR 01.2, 95% CI 0.8-1.9), or the method being easy to use (aOR 1.2, 95% CI 0.8-1.8). CONCLUSIONS: There is a contrast between guidelines emphasizing effectiveness in postabortion contraception, and many women's contraceptive priorities. IMPLICATION STATEMENT: Clinicians providing contraceptive counseling must be mindful of each individual's personal contraceptive priorities.

Risk factors and the choice of long-acting reversible contraception following medical abortion: effect on subsequent induced abortion and unwanted pregnancy.

OBJECTIVE: To analyse the post-abortion effect of long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) plans and initiation on the risk of subsequent unwanted pregnancy and abortion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: retrospective cohort study of 666 women who underwent medical abortion between January-May 2013 at Helsinki University Hospital, Finland. Altogether 159 (23.8%) women planning post-abortion use of levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) participated in a randomized study and had an opportunity to receive the LNG-IUS free-of-charge from the hospital. The other 507 (76.2%) women planned and obtained their contraception according to clinical routine. Demographics, planned contraception, and LARC initiation at the time of the index abortion were collected. Data on subsequent abortions were retrieved from the Finnish Abortion Register and electronic patient files until the end of 2014. RESULTS: During the 21 months ([median], IQR 20-22) follow-up, 54(8.1%) women requested subsequent abortions. When adjusted for age, previous pregnancies, deliveries, induced abortions and gestational-age, planning LARC for post-abortion contraception failed to prevent subsequent abortion (33 abortions/360 women, 9.2%) compared to other contraceptive plans (21/306, 6.9%) (HR 1.22, 95% CI 0.68-2.17). However, verified LARC initiation decreased the abortion rate (4 abortions/177 women, 2.3%) compared to women with uncertain LARC initiation status (50/489, 10.2%) (HR 0.17, 95% CI 0.06-0.48). When adjusted for LARC initiation status, age <25 years was a risk factor for subsequent abortion (27 abortions/283 women, 9.5%) compared to women ≥25 years (27/383, 7.0%, HR1.95, 95% CI 1.04-3.67). CONCLUSIONS: Initiation of LARC as part of abortion service at the time of medical abortion is an important means to prevent subsequent abortion, especially among young women.

Fast-track vs. delayed insertion of the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system after early medical abortion - a randomized trial.

OBJECTIVE: To compare levonorgestrel (LNG) 52-mg intrauterine system (IUS) expulsion rates with fast-track (≤3 days) or delayed (2-4 weeks) insertion following mifepristone and misoprostol medical abortion. STUDY DESIGN: In this pilot trial, we randomized 108 women at ≤63 days' gestation to fast-track (n=55) or delayed (n=53) insertion. Follow-up visits occurred at 2-4 weeks, 3 months and 1 year. We assessed total and partial expulsion at 3 months and 1 year, adverse effects and bleeding profiles. RESULTS: We had follow-up data at 3 months and 1 year for 41 (74.5%) and 37 (69.8%) women in the fast-track group and 31 (56.4%) and 28 (52.8%) women in the delayed group. By 3 months, expulsion occurred in six (12.5%) women after fast-track and one (2.3%) woman after delayed insertion [risk ratio (RR) 5.50, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.69-43.90]; most (n=5) of these were partial expulsions in the fast-track group. By 1 year, expulsion had occurred in seven (14.6%) and five (11.5%) women in the fast-track and delayed groups, respectively (RR 1.28, 95% CI 0.44-3.75). We found no differences in rates of vacuum aspiration, residual tissue, infection and bleeding or bleeding patterns within 3 months of insertion. CONCLUSION: Fast-track insertion of the LNG 52-mg IUS after medical abortion is feasible but may result in higher expulsion rates compared to delayed insertion. Due to lack of statistical power and high lost-to-follow-up rates, we were unable to fully address this question. IMPLICATIONS: Fast-tract initiation of LNG 52-mg IUS contraception after medical abortion is feasible. It results in higher expulsion rates than delayed insertion but may improve postabortal intrauterine contraception uptake.