Antiprogesterone, prostaglandin analogues and the early interruption of pregnancy
Maria, B.
Revue Francaise de Gynecologie et d'Obstetrique 85(4): 238-242
1990
ISSN/ISBN: 0035-290X PMID: 2195626 Document Number: 356599
Early termination of pregnancy, or menstrual regulation, is recommended for use within 7 weeks of amenorrhea, ie 49 days. Aspiration is a widely used method, with a failure rate of 2 to 5 p. cent and a complication rate of 4 p. cent. But, aspiration need experienced practitioners. Prostaglandins may be used with efficacy. New analogues (sulprostone, meteneprost, gemeprost) are studied. The success rate is over 90 p. cent, but severe uterine pains occurred in 50 p. cent of cases, as gastro-intestinal side effects. Mifepristone is an antiprogesterone steroid which is able to terminate early pregnancy with a success rate of 80 p. cent and very few side effects. The combination of mifepristone and a low dose of a prostaglandin-analogue is a very well tolerated procedure with a success rate of 95 p. cent. It seems to be a good alternative to early aspiration.