Menstrual regulation with prostaglandin (Pg ONO 802) in Indonesia
Agoestina, T.; Sastrawinata, S.; Prayitno, W.; Gonta, P.
International Journal of Gynaecology and Obstetrics the Official Organ of the International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics 22(5): 403-409
1984
ISSN/ISBN: 0020-7292 PMID: 6151928 DOI: 10.1016/0020-7292(84)90075-4Document Number: 576530
The safety, efficacy, and acceptability of menstrual regulation with prostaglandin (PG) El vaginal suppositories was investagated in 534 women whose menses was delayed up to 8 weeks from the last menstrual period. 5 suppositories, each containing 1 mg of 16,16 dimethyl-trans-delta 2 PG El methyl ester, were inserted high in the vagina at 3 hour intervals. The success of treatment was assessed by 2 alternate criteria: 1) induction of bleeding, or 2) induction of bleeding and no surgical intervention. The success rate was 98.9% according to the 1st criterion and 86% according to the 2nd criterion. The mean duration of bleeding after treatment was 6.7 days. 47.9% of women experienced moderate bleeding and 43.8% reported heavy bleeding following treatment. Surgical intervention (curettage or vacuum aspiration) was required in 74 of the 528 bleeding cases and in 1 of the 6 nonbleeding cases with positive signs of pregnancy. The surgical intervention was performed because bleeding was considered to be either excessive or prolonged. Side effects tended to manifest themselves between the 1st and 2nd administration of suppositories. Abdominal cramps occurred in 66% of subjects; other side effects were minimal, including vomiting (2.8%), headache (5.8%), nausea (7.8%), and diarrhea (8.8%). These findings suggest that menstrual regulation with PGE1 suppositories is a safe method with the advantages of ease of administration, reversibility, a high success rate, acceptable bleeding duration, only mild side effects, and induction of menses without the need for surgical intervention. The simplicity of vaginal administration offers potential for self-treatment. Use of this method of menstrual regulation could be especially advantageious in countries with restrictive abortion laws. Single administration of a suppository, or parenteral administration, could improve the acceptability of this method.