[Luteal phase treatment with mifepristone and misoprostol for prevention of pregnancy]

To assess the efficacy and side-effects after treatment of 100 mg mifepristone and misoprostol in the luteal phase of the cycle.

This study was carried out in seven family planning clinics in China, including 699 women who were exposed to unprotected intercourse more than five days earlier or having had more than one episode of unprotected intercourse in the same cycle. Mifepristone 100 mg was given on admission followed two days later by 400 micro g misoprostol orally in the luteal phase of the cycle.

One woman was lost to follow-up after taking mifepristone. After treatment 25 women (3.6%) were pregnant and 673 women had return of menstruation, among whom, 381 (56.6%) had the return of menstruation +/- 3 days of the expected day, 57 women (8.5%) had a delay of menstruation > 7 days. Pregnancy rate was related to the number of acts of intercourse before treatment, the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). The main side effects within a week after treatment were diarrhoea and abdominal pain (31.1%) as well as nausea and vomiting (20.4%).

The use of mifepristone with misoprostol during luteal phase provides an option for occasional use for preventing pregnancy.