Side effects of mifepristone-misoprostol abortion versus surgical abortion- Data from a trial in China, Cuba, and India

Although serious adverse events of early abortion have been studied, little attention has been paid to the more common side effects experienced by ear ly medical or surgical abortion clients. Using data from a multicenter comp arative trial of women less than or equal to 56 days' gestation in China, C uba, and India (n = 1373), side effects experienced by mifepristone-misopro stol medical abortion and surgical abortion clients were analyzed at the di fferent stages of their abortions. Data on side effects came from women's r eports at each clinic visit, providers' observations during the clinic visi ts, and symptom diaries maintained during the study period. Medical abortio n clients at all sites experienced more side effects than their surgical co unterparts. The disparity between the two groups was particularly pronounce d for bleeding and pain. Despite more reports of side effects among medical abortion clients, however, assessments of well-being and reports of satisf action at the exit interview were similar in both treatment groups. (C) 199 9 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.