Prevention of breast pain and milk secretion with bromocriptine after second-trimester abortion
Nyboe Andersen, A.; Damm, P.; Tabor, A.; Pedersen, I.M.; Harring, M.
Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica 69(3): 235-238
1990
ISSN/ISBN: 0001-6349 PMID: 2220345 Document Number: 355047
Within 24 h of having an abortion, 62 patients with a mean gestational age of 19 wk, who had either induced (n = 50) or spontaneous (n = 12) abortions, were randomly allocated to 3 groups: Group 1, bromocriptine 2.5 mg twice daily for 2 wk; Group 2, placebo tablets 1 tablet twice daily for 2 wk; Group 3, no treatment. 52 patients completed the study (bromocriptine n = 18, placebo n = 18 and no treatment n = 16). Placebo had no apparent influence on breast symptoms. In both the placebo group and the untreated group, breast pain and milk secretion peaked on days 3 to 7, and milk secretion often continued for 3 wk. Only 3/34 (9%) of untreated and placebo treated patients were free of breast symptoms. Compared with placebo, bromocriptine caused a significant reduction in the objective assessment score of breast tenderness (P<0.05) and milk secretion (P<0.01), in serum prolactin (P<0.001), and in the subjective assessment score of breast pain (P<0.01) and milk secretion (P<0.01). Alleviation of breast pain and prevention of milk secretion appears to be indicated after second-trimester abortion and treatment with bromocriptine is efficacious.