Efficacy and acceptability of outpatient, single-visit, medical abortion up to 59 days of gestation

Manisha Agarwal
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mahatma Gandhi Medical College and Research Institute, Pillaiyarkuppam, Pondicherry, India

Abstract: This study evaluated the efficacy and acceptability of medical abortion by a modified, single-visit treatment regimen for termination of early (up to 59 days) pregnancy. The study population included 160 women. They were vaginally administered misoprostol 600 mg six hours after oral administration of mifepristone 200 µg. Patients’ symptoms were evaluated by telephone, and they were counseled accordingly. Follow-up sonography was performed two weeks later. The reasons patients chose this method were to avoid hospitalization, preference for a natural and noninvasive method, and confidentiality (55%). Side effects were mainly mild abdominal cramps (45%) and prolonged bleeding (2.4%). The success rate of complete abortion was 98.12%, with 1.25% of these patients needing a second vaginal dose to complete the treatment. The single-visit medical abortion method is acceptable and efficacious for women in developing countries.

Keywords: medical abortion, mifepristone, misoprostol, administration, intravaginal