Women having abortions are at high risk for subsequent unintended pregnancy and repeat
abortion. Clearly, encouraging contraceptive use after abortion is a high priority. Long
acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs, Implants and intrauterine contraception) are the
most effective methods to help women avoid a repeat unwanted pregnancy and abortion. Studies
in surgical abortion patients, show that "quickstart" of a LARC - i.e., inserting it during
the surgical procedure - is associated with substantially greater use of that method six
months later than requiring women to return later to get the device. However, today a
majority of women chose medical abortion. The clinical routine is to insert LARCs at the
follow up 2 to 3 weeks after the abortion treatment. Frequently women choose to do part of
the abortion treatment at home and do not return for a follow up. Thus, the possibility to
quick start a contraceptive method in medical abortion would be a major advantage especially
if this could be done at the time of administration of mifepristone.