[Effects of taking estrogen and progestogen after medical abortion on reducing vaginal hemorrhage time: a...

To compare the different effects of taking different kinds and doses of estrogen and progestogen after medical abortion on reducing vaginal hemorrhage time.

A total of 188 women undergoing medical abortion were recruited and randomized into 3 groups: group A (n = 41) starting marvelon (30 µg ethinylestradiol and 150 µg desogestrel) on the day of abortion for 21 days; group B (n = 53) starting progynova 2 mg/d on the day of abortion for 21 days and taking depogesterone 10 mg/d on the last 5 days; and group C (n = 94) as control. The vaginal hemorrhage time, days to onset of next menses and the outcome of medical abortion were compared.

There was no significant difference in the duration of hemorrhage between groups A and C [(20 ± 13) vs (19 ± 11) d, P > 0.05]. But the duration of hemorrhage in group B was significantly shorter than that in group C [(14 ± 7) vs (19 ± 11) d, P < 0.01]. There was no significant difference in the amount of hemorrhage among 3 groups (P > 0.05). The time to onset of first menses was similar between groups A and B [(34 ± 13) vs (30 ± 7) d]. And both were significantly shorter than that in group C [(39 ± 11) d, P < 0.05]. There were 3 (7.32%) incomplete abortions in group A, 4 (7.55%) in group B and 12 (12.77%) in group C (P > 0.05).

The sequential therapy of estrogen and progestogen after medical abortion may effectively reduce the duration of hemorrhage. And the combined oral contraceptive pills fail to significantly alter the duration of hemorrhage after medical abortion. But both can promote menstrual recovery significantly.