Acceptability of suction curettage and mifepristone abortion in the United States: a prospective comparison study.
OBJECTIVE
We sought to compare the acceptability of suction curettage abortion with that of medical abortion with mifepristone and misoprostol in American women.


METHODS
We performed a prospective, serially enrolled, cohort analysis. The study population consisted of 152 subjects receiving mifepristone and misoprostol and 174 subjects undergoing suction curettage abortion aged > or =18 years with intrauterine pregnancies of up to 63 days' estimated gestation. Questionnaires regarding expectations and experiences were administered before the abortion and at the 2-week follow-up visit.


RESULTS
Subjects undergoing medical abortions reported significantly greater satisfaction than those undergoing surgical abortions (mean rank, 121 vs 149; P <.01) but were no more likely to recommend the method they had just experienced to a friend (97% vs 93.3%). If a future abortion was required, however, 41.7% of subjects undergoing surgical abortions indicated they would opt for a medical abortion, whereas only 8.6% of subjects receiving medical abortions would choose a surgical abortion (P <.001). Failure of the abortion decreased satisfaction in the medical group and increased the likelihood of choosing a surgical abortion for a subsequent procedure (P <.001). Surgical subjects who experienced more anxiety than expected during the abortion were more likely to choose a medical procedure for a subsequent abortion (P <.01).


CONCLUSIONS
Women receiving mifepristone and misoprostol were more satisfied with their method and more likely to choose the same method again than were subjects undergoing surgical abortion. Failure of a medical abortion and increased anxiety during surgical abortion were associated with preference for the alternative technique in a future procedure.
Jensen
J T
JT
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland 97201, USA.
Harvey
S M
SM
Beckman
L J
LJ
D000020:Abortifacient Agents, Nonsteroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000021:Abortifacient Agents, Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000028:Abortion, Induced / Q000379:methods*; D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003475:Curettage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015735:Mifepristone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016595:Misoprostol / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013396:Suction; D017211:Treatment Failure; D014481:United States
D000020:Abortifacient Agents, Nonsteroidal; D000021:Abortifacient Agents, Steroidal; D016595:Misoprostol; D015735:Mifepristone