RecruitingOBSERVATIONAL

Point of Care Tests in the Management of Very Early Medical Abortion

This study is investigating a new, faster way to check if a very early medical abortion has worked. Currently, after a medical abortion very early in pregnancy (before 6 weeks), patients usually have their pregnancy hormone levels checked on two occasions, seven days apart. This helps doctors see if the treatment has been successful. The researchers want to test a special portable machine, called a 'point of care test', to see if it can measure these hormone levels much earlier than seven days. If successful, this could mean patients find out sooner if their abortion is complete, reducing anxiety and allowing for quicker next steps if needed.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Sponsor

University of Edinburgh

Enrolment target

130

Start

23 Apr 2026

Estimated completion

01 Feb 2028

Abortion Early

What is this study about?

When someone has a medical abortion very early in pregnancy, typically before six weeks, it's really important to know if the treatment has worked completely. At the moment, to find this out, doctors usually take blood tests on two separate days, with a week or so in between. These tests measure the level of a pregnancy hormone in the blood.

This study is trying to find a faster way to get these answers. Researchers are looking at a special, small machine called a 'point of care test' that could potentially check these hormone levels much sooner. The idea is that if this machine works well, you might not have to wait as long to know if the abortion has been successful.

Finding out sooner if the abortion is complete can be very helpful for patients. It can reduce the time spent worrying and waiting, and allow doctors to act more quickly if any further steps are needed. This research is about making the process smoother and less stressful for those going through a very early medical abortion.

Key takeaways

This study evaluates a faster way to confirm an early medical abortion's success.
It uses a new 'point of care' device to test pregnancy hormone levels.
The goal is quicker results, reducing patient waiting time and anxiety.
Participation involves additional blood tests and questionnaires.
Your standard medical care remains the same while participating.

Who may be eligible?

This study is looking for women aged between 16 and 55 who are considering a very early medical abortion. To join, you would need to have had a positive pregnancy test and be less than six weeks pregnant based on your last period.

Crucially, an ultrasound scan should not show a clear pregnancy inside the womb, and doctors should not be concerned that the pregnancy might be in the wrong place (called an ectopic pregnancy). You also need to be able to attend follow-up appointments and agree to have extra blood tests.

You wouldn't be able to join if you are experiencing pain or bleeding, or if you have certain risk factors for an ectopic pregnancy, like having had one before or having a coil fitted. If an ultrasound scan shows anything suspicious for an ectopic pregnancy, you also wouldn't be eligible. It's also important that you are able to give your full agreement to take part.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you between 16 and 55 years old?
Is your pregnancy less than six weeks?
Are you planning a very early medical abortion?
Do you have no concerns about an ectopic pregnancy (pregnancy outside the womb)?
Are you able to attend follow-up appointments and give blood samples?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part in this study, you would first need to give your informed consent, which means you understand what's involved and agree to participate. You would then have a medical abortion very early in your pregnancy.

After taking the medication for the abortion, you would need to have blood tests on two separate occasions: one between 2 and 4 days later, and another around 7 days later. These are to check your pregnancy hormone levels. You'll also be asked to fill out some questionnaires about your experience. The total duration of your participation would only be for the period of these assessments and follow-ups, which is typically around 7 to 10 days.

Potential risks and benefits

Participating in research can sometimes offer a sense of contributing to medical knowledge that may help others in the future. In this study, a potential benefit is helping to find a quicker way to confirm if an early medical abortion has been successful, which could improve care for many women. The main risks involve the discomfort of additional blood tests beyond regular care. There is also a small risk of psychological distress when discussing personal medical information. You are free to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your medical care.

Locations (3)

Some site locations are approximate. We're improving this — please verify with the trial team before travelling.

University of Gothenberg
Verified postcode
Gothenburg, Sweden· Not yet recruiting
Karolinska Institutet
Verified postcode
Stockholm, Sweden· Not yet recruiting
Chalmers Sexual Health Clinic
Verified postcode
Edinburgh, United Kingdom· Recruiting

Common questions

What is a 'very early medical abortion'?

It's an abortion carried out using medication very early in pregnancy, typically before six weeks from your last period.

What is a 'point of care' test?

It's a quick medical test that can be done right away, often using a small machine, to get results very quickly without sending samples to a lab far away.

Why do you need to check hormone levels?

Checking hormone levels helps doctors confirm that the abortion has been successful and that the pregnancy has completely ended.

Will taking part in this study change my abortion care?

No, your medical care for the abortion will remain the same. This study just involves some extra checks and questionnaires to see if a new test works well.

How long will I be involved in the study?

Your involvement would typically be for about 7 to 10 days, covering the period of your medical abortion and the follow-up blood tests.

How to find out more

Jacqueline Quinn

chalmers.research@ed.ac.uk +44 0131 536 1542 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.