OBJECTIVE:  

To analyze rates of significant adverse events and outcomes in women having a medical abortion at Planned Parenthood health centers in 2009 and 2010 and to identify changes in the rates of adverse events and outcomes between the 2 years.

METHODS:

In this database review we analyzed data from Planned Parenthood affiliates that provided medical abortion in 2009 and 2010 almost exclusively using an evidence-based buccal misoprostol regimen. We evaluated the incidence of six clinically significant adverse events (hospital admission, blood transfusion, emergency department treatment, intravenous antibiotics administration, infection, and death) and two significant outcomes (ongoing pregnancy and ectopic pregnancy diagnosed after medical abortion treatment was initiated). We calculated an overall rate as well as rates for each event and identified changes between the 2 years.

RESULTS:

Among 233,805 medical abortions provided in 2009 and 2010, significant adverse events or outcomes were reported in 1,530 cases (0.65%). There was no statistically significant difference in overall rates between years. The most common significant outcome was ongoing intrauterine pregnancy (0.50%); significant adverse events occurred in 0.16% of cases. One patient death occurred as a result of an undiagnosed ectopic pregnancy. Only rates for emergency department treatment and blood transfusion differed by year and were slightly higher in 2010.

CONCLUSION:

Review of this large data set reinforces the safety of the evidence-based medical abortion regimen

Objective

To assess 3-year data on the efficacy and safety of a new 52-mg levonorgestrel intrauterine contraceptive (LNG20) designed for up to 7 years use.

Study Design

Nulliparous and parous women aged 16–45 years at enrollment with regular menstrual cycles and requesting contraception were enrolled in an open-label, partially randomized trial to evaluate LNG20. The primary outcome was pregnancy rate for women aged 16–35 years calculated as the Pearl Index. Women aged 36–45 years received LNG20 for safety evaluation only. All participants had in-person or phone follow-up approximately every 3 months during the study.

Results

A total of 1600 women aged 16–35 years and 151 women aged 36–45 years agreed to LNG20 placement, including 1011 (57.7%) nulliparous and 438 (25.1%) obese women. Successful placement occurred in 1714 (97.9%) women. Six pregnancies occurred, four of which were ectopic. The Pearl Index for LNG20 was 0.15 (95% CI 0.02–0.55) through Year 1, 0.26 (95% CI 0.10–0.57) through Year 2, and 0.22 (95% CI 0.08–0.49) through Year 3. The cumulative life-table pregnancy rate was 0.55 (95% CI 0.24–1.23) through 3 years. Expulsion was reported in 62 (3.5%) participants, most (50 [80.6%]) during the first year of use. Of women who discontinued LNG20 and desired pregnancy, 86.8% conceived spontaneously within 12 months. Pelvic infection was diagnosed in 10 (0.6%) women. Only 26 (1.5%) LNG20 users discontinued due to bleeding complaints.

Conclusion

The LNG20 intrauterine system is highly effective and safe over 3 years of use in nulliparous and parous women.

Objective: The objective was to investigate whether or not women presenting for a first-trimester surgical abortion want to discuss

contraception on the day of their procedure.

Study Design: Between October 2012 and January 2013, an anonymous self-administered survey was distributed to women receiving

first-trimester surgical abortions at four northern California family planning clinics. The survey obtained demographic information about

each woman and inquired about her desire for contraceptive counseling during her appointment. Results were analyzed using both

univariate and multivariable regression analyses to assess trends in responses related to desire for contraceptive counseling based on

demographic and other variables.

Results: Of the 199 respondents, 64% reported that they did not want to talk to a counselor or doctor about contraception on the day of their

abortion. About half of the women (52%) who did not want to discuss contraception indicated they already knew what they wanted for

pregnancy prevention. Of the 25% who reported that they did want to discuss contraception, the most important topic desired from the

counseling was identification of methods that were easier to use than what they used previously.

Conclusion: The majority of women seeking first-trimester surgical abortion may not desire additional information about contraception on

the day of the procedure.

Implications Statement: This study demonstrates that a significant proportion of women may not want contraceptive counseling on the day

of a planned surgical abortion.