BACKGROUNDAbortion can be induced by medical or surgical methods, of which medical abortion is safer, including misoprostol, administered by various routes. Vaginal administration, although effective, may require repeated vaginal examinations, being inconvenient and unacceptable at times. This has paved way for other routes of misoprostol administration such as buccal and sublingual, with additional benefits including ease of administration and lesser infection rate. Objectives-To compare the safety, effectiveness and patient satisfaction of vaginal and buccal misoprostol in first trimester induced abortion. MATERIALS AND METHODSA prospective randomised study in hundred women undergoing first trimester induced abortion up to 49 days were divided into two groups. Group A, with 50 patients, were given oral mifepristone (200 mg) followed by vaginal misoprostol (800 mcg). Group B, with 50 patients, were given oral mifepristone (200 mg) followed by buccal misoprostol (800 mcg). Results were compared in both the groups in term of safety, effectiveness and patient satisfaction. RESULTSIn both the groups, first trimester induced abortions up to 49 days (7 weeks) were safe. The efficacy as judged by complete abortion was 88% in group A (vaginal) and was 94% in group B (buccal). No statistical significant difference in safety and complete abortion was observed. Statistical significant adverse effects noticed was altered taste in group B (buccal). No statistical significant difference in patient satisfaction in both groups was observed. CONCLUSIONVaginal and buccal misoprostol have similar efficacy and patient satisfaction. For first trimester induced abortion, buccal route can be used as an effective alternative.

Background: With increasing life expectancy population of menopausal women is also rising and each woman is expected to spend almost 1/3rd of her life in this phase. Due to various factors the health issues of menopausal age group are still not completely understood and addressed. Further studies in this field are expected to enhance the understanding of the subject and improve the quality of life of elderly woman.Methods: A cross sectional analysis was done over a period of one year, 200 women between 40 to 65 years of age not taking HRT and not having any other medical illness were recruited. The data regarding demography and 21 climacteric symptoms in Greene’s Climacteric Scale was collected by interviewing the subjects. The prevalence of various menopausal symptoms and their severity were analyzed.Results: Mean age of study group (n=200) was 46.8 years with menopausal group (n=79) 50.18 years and perimenopausal group (n=121) 44.6 years. Out of all 84% subjects were illiterate. The most prevalent and severe symptom was muscle and joint pain. There was no significant difference in the mean number of climacteric symptoms in various demographic groups and between menopausal and perimenopausal group.Conclusions: The climacteric symptoms do not appear to decrease in number or intensity after transition from perimenopause to menopause. Differences in sensitivity, literacy, social and cultural factors etc. among elderly women may be responsible for under reporting or differences in reporting. Exploring the issues of menopausal health and training of health personnel in this field may improve awareness of these women about various menopause related health issues and thus improve their quality of life.

BACKGROUNDThe current contraception is well studied, reliable and available. Adolescents, the most vulnerable group regarding unwanted pregnancy, use low effective contraception method or not at all. Intrauterine Contraceptive Device (IUCD) is the world's most widely used method of reversible birth control. About 1 out of 5 women in reproductive age all over the world use IUCD, while in India, it corresponds to only about 3 in 100 women, copper devices being the most popular.The aim of the study is to evaluate Intrauterine Contraceptive Device (IUCD) discontinuation rate and its causes and related factors among women attending OPD/family planning clinic.