Ru 486 Misconceptions Myths and Morals - ressourcesfeministes

Claims for RU 486/PG Abortion18 per cent out of 116 women (nine per cent after RU 486administration and nine per cent after PG (Swahn andBygdeman, 1989); to 15.3 per cent out of 2,040 women(Silvestre et al., 1990). Figures for nausea range from 57 percent of 70 women (Somell and Ölund, 1990) [this is the meanfigure of women experiencing nausea complications in boththe failure and the success group, since the studydifferentiates]; to 25 per cent of 100 women (Hill et al., 1990a:414). Figures for diarrhea range from 13 per cent out of 579women (UK Multicentre Trial); to 8.2 per cent of 97 women(Zheng, 1989).For regimens using RU 486 without PG analogues,gastrointestinal effects remain significant, despite the claimsthat it is the addition of PGs which promotes thesecomplications. Zheng, who combined nausea and vomitingstatistics cites 40 per cent out of 95 women who experienceboth (Zheng, 1989). Grimes reports vomiting as occurringin 14 per cent of those who aborted and in 60 per cent ofthose women who did not abort Figures for nausea rangefrom 27 per cent of 124 women (Sitruk-Ware et al., 1990); to24 per cent of 100 women (Couzinet et al., 1986). Diarrheais not a frequent complication after RU 486 administrationunaccompanied by prostaglandin analogues.If the reader is confused, it is because the studies areconfusing. One impression, however, is prevalent.Gastrointestinal complications, and the range of such, aresignificant The complications of vomiting and nausea seemunrelated to PGs, whereas diarrhea is mostly linked to PGadministration in the combination treatment. Cameron et al.,(1986), for example, report a low incidence of diarrhea withRU 486 alone (one per cent of 20 women).Other immediate complications associated with chemicalabortions are fainting (4.8 per cent in Sitruk-Ware et al.,1990); and fatigue (61.3 per cent in Sitruk-Ware et al., 1990).1990). Li et al. report a 23 per cent shift in mood change,manifesting itself as irritability and depression. They also45