RESUMEN
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the clinical efficacy of estrogen in preventing postpartum hemorrhage and shortening the birth process during induced abortion.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Totally 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.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Significant 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.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Estrogen given before delivery can be effective in stimulating uterine contraction for preventing postpartum hemorrhage and shortening the birth process in women undergoing induced abortion.</p>
