OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical efficacy of estrogen in preventing postpartum hemorrhage and shortening the birth process during induced abortion.

METHODSTotally 320 puerperants for termination of pregnancy for medical reasons were randomly assigned into 2 groups, the estrogen group (n=175) and the control group (n=145), and the former were given oral estrostilben 3 mg thrice a day from the day before acrinol injection to the end of delivery. The amount of blood loss 2 h after delivery, cases of postpartum hemorrhage, and the duration of total birth process were recorded.

RESULTSSignificant differences were noted in blood loss 2 h after delivery between estrodiol and control groups (123.3-/+81.8 vs 206.3-/+114.4 ml). Two cases of postpartum hemorrhage were found in estrogen group and 10 in control group. The duration from acrinol injection to delivery was similar between the two groups (31-/+11 vs 33-/+12 h), but the former had significant shorter duration from contraction onset to delivery than the latter (6.03-/+3.19 vs 9.7-/+5.9 h). No side-effects were found in either group.

CONCLUSIONEstrogen given before delivery can be effective in stimulating uterine contraction for preventing postpartum hemorrhage and shortening the birth process in women undergoing induced abortion.