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ARMENIAN WOMEN TURN TO ULCER MEDICATION FOR DO-IT-YOURSELF ABORTIONS
by Marianna Grigoryan
EurasiaNet.org
Oct 30 2012
NY
In the past, to get rid of unwanted pregnancies, Armenian women
used to jump off wardrobes, insert pipes into their uteruses or
drink various "potions." Now, they often just purchase Cytotec, a
preventive medication for stomach ulcers that can induce abortions,
and try to carry out the procedure themselves at home.
Women's healthcare specialists believe that a 16-percentage-point
decline in clinical abortions in Armenia since 2007 is linked to women
using Cytotec for such "do-it-yourself" abortions rather than having
a surgical procedure in a hospital.
A 2010 survey by the Armenian Ministry of Health and National
Statistical Service of 5,922 women between the ages of 16 and 40
years old found that 29 percent of the respondents' pregnancies for
the past five years had ended in a hospital abortion.
By comparison, in 2005, 45 percent of the respondents' reported
pregnancies were terminated this way.
But no corresponding increase in the birth rate, sterility rate or
use of contraception was reported.
"So, where are these 'no-abortions'? Either people no longer are
having sex or these [abortions] are not being registered," commented
Garik Hayrapetian, an assistant representative at the Armenian office
of the United Nations Population Fund. "The reason perhaps lies in
pill abortions."
"Pill abortions," as they are called, refer to abortions induced by
Cytotec, a product of the American pharmaceutical company Pfizer,
which, when misused, can cause uterine contractions, bleeding
and miscarriage in pregnant women. In the United States, Cytotec
is available only by prescription; a contraindication exists for
pregnant women.
Armenia, however, has no such restrictions; 200-microgram tablets
of Cytotec have been sold over the counter in pharmacies since
2007, several Yerevan pharmacies told this reporter as part of an
investigation for MediaLab.am funded by SCOOP, an international
network of investigative journalists.* (Official records indicate
imports began in late 2009, however.)
The period largely coincides with the time frame for the
16-percentage-point decrease in registered abortions reported by
the government.
One obstetrician-gynecologist at the medical center in Vanadzor,
the country's third-largest city, said that most cases of "extreme
bleeding" that she sees are related to an attempt to abort a fetus
at home.
"In very rare cases, home interventions with the use of drugs or other
methods have a lucky ending," said Dr. Nelly Mirzoian. "Usually,
we have women bleeding with an incomplete abortion, in a dangerous
situation."
Doctors in Yerevan hospitals echoed that finding. "Cytotec is a
strong medication, but [women], being poorly aware of this, just
take the pills ...That's why we've had several fatal cases," said
obstetrician-gynecologist Arpine Soghoian, head of pre-natal medicine
at Yerevan's Kanaker-Zeytun medical center. "Women are routinely
brought into hospitals with internal bleeding, and we try hard to
save their lives."
Often, said the Ministry of Health's chief obstetrician-gynecologist,
Razmik Abrahamian, women rely on the advice of their neighbors about
using Cytotec and, pressed for cash, do not consult a doctor. "In this
case, complications may arise; a hemorrhage can take place. Anything
can happen."
No official data exists on the number of Cytotec-related fatalities
nationwide. In 2007, the medication was cited as the cause of death
for 37-year-old Armine Danielian, a Yerevan resident who took a
Cytotec pill to terminate a pregnancy.
Little indication exists that such risks have decreased demand for
Cytotec. According to data from the Ministry of Health, the amount of
Cytotec imported into Armenia increased by more than 10 times between
2010 and 2011, to 26,655 packs of 200 micrograms.
Fifteen pharmacies in Yerevan and 10 regional pharmacies told MediaLab
that most purchasers of Cytotec tend to be women between the ages of
16 and 40.
Those who have used Cytotec to induce abortions often cite financial
constraints as the cause.
Surgical abortions tend to cost, on average, 15,000 to 20,000 drams
($35 - $50) in hospitals; Cytotec pills cost 180-200 drams (40-50
cents) per 200-microgram pill. In a country where monthly incomes
may be as little as $440, that difference, for many, is substantial.
Other women who have used the pill cite a desire to avoid the strong
social stigma that exists in Armenia's traditional culture against
women who have children out of wedlock.
A 20-year-old woman from one small town told EurasiaNet.org a friend
had advised her to use Cytotec at home to end a pregnancy from an
extramarital relationship. An emergency-room hysterectomy was required
to stop the bleeding that resulted and to save the woman's life.
The whole town became aware of her situation, said the woman, who
requested anonymity, who described her future, now that she is unable
to bear children, as "ruined."
For ways to end such abuse of Cytotec, most specialists look to the
government. They cite the need for a formal study into home abortions,
and call for a requirement that the medication be available by
prescription only and that abortions take place only in hospitals.
Said Chief Obstetrician-Gynecologist Abrahamian, "There must be
control over this . . ."
*The Open Society Foundation is among the organizations which have
provided financial assistance to SCOOP. EurasiaNet.org is operated
under the auspices of the Open Society Foundation's Central Eurasia
Project.
Editor's note: Marianna Grigoryan is a freelance reporter in Yerevan
and the editor of MediaLab.am.
http://www.eurasianet.org/node/66124
by Marianna Grigoryan
EurasiaNet.org
Oct 30 2012
NY
In the past, to get rid of unwanted pregnancies, Armenian women
used to jump off wardrobes, insert pipes into their uteruses or
drink various "potions." Now, they often just purchase Cytotec, a
preventive medication for stomach ulcers that can induce abortions,
and try to carry out the procedure themselves at home.
Women's healthcare specialists believe that a 16-percentage-point
decline in clinical abortions in Armenia since 2007 is linked to women
using Cytotec for such "do-it-yourself" abortions rather than having
a surgical procedure in a hospital.
A 2010 survey by the Armenian Ministry of Health and National
Statistical Service of 5,922 women between the ages of 16 and 40
years old found that 29 percent of the respondents' pregnancies for
the past five years had ended in a hospital abortion.
By comparison, in 2005, 45 percent of the respondents' reported
pregnancies were terminated this way.
But no corresponding increase in the birth rate, sterility rate or
use of contraception was reported.
"So, where are these 'no-abortions'? Either people no longer are
having sex or these [abortions] are not being registered," commented
Garik Hayrapetian, an assistant representative at the Armenian office
of the United Nations Population Fund. "The reason perhaps lies in
pill abortions."
"Pill abortions," as they are called, refer to abortions induced by
Cytotec, a product of the American pharmaceutical company Pfizer,
which, when misused, can cause uterine contractions, bleeding
and miscarriage in pregnant women. In the United States, Cytotec
is available only by prescription; a contraindication exists for
pregnant women.
Armenia, however, has no such restrictions; 200-microgram tablets
of Cytotec have been sold over the counter in pharmacies since
2007, several Yerevan pharmacies told this reporter as part of an
investigation for MediaLab.am funded by SCOOP, an international
network of investigative journalists.* (Official records indicate
imports began in late 2009, however.)
The period largely coincides with the time frame for the
16-percentage-point decrease in registered abortions reported by
the government.
One obstetrician-gynecologist at the medical center in Vanadzor,
the country's third-largest city, said that most cases of "extreme
bleeding" that she sees are related to an attempt to abort a fetus
at home.
"In very rare cases, home interventions with the use of drugs or other
methods have a lucky ending," said Dr. Nelly Mirzoian. "Usually,
we have women bleeding with an incomplete abortion, in a dangerous
situation."
Doctors in Yerevan hospitals echoed that finding. "Cytotec is a
strong medication, but [women], being poorly aware of this, just
take the pills ...That's why we've had several fatal cases," said
obstetrician-gynecologist Arpine Soghoian, head of pre-natal medicine
at Yerevan's Kanaker-Zeytun medical center. "Women are routinely
brought into hospitals with internal bleeding, and we try hard to
save their lives."
Often, said the Ministry of Health's chief obstetrician-gynecologist,
Razmik Abrahamian, women rely on the advice of their neighbors about
using Cytotec and, pressed for cash, do not consult a doctor. "In this
case, complications may arise; a hemorrhage can take place. Anything
can happen."
No official data exists on the number of Cytotec-related fatalities
nationwide. In 2007, the medication was cited as the cause of death
for 37-year-old Armine Danielian, a Yerevan resident who took a
Cytotec pill to terminate a pregnancy.
Little indication exists that such risks have decreased demand for
Cytotec. According to data from the Ministry of Health, the amount of
Cytotec imported into Armenia increased by more than 10 times between
2010 and 2011, to 26,655 packs of 200 micrograms.
Fifteen pharmacies in Yerevan and 10 regional pharmacies told MediaLab
that most purchasers of Cytotec tend to be women between the ages of
16 and 40.
Those who have used Cytotec to induce abortions often cite financial
constraints as the cause.
Surgical abortions tend to cost, on average, 15,000 to 20,000 drams
($35 - $50) in hospitals; Cytotec pills cost 180-200 drams (40-50
cents) per 200-microgram pill. In a country where monthly incomes
may be as little as $440, that difference, for many, is substantial.
Other women who have used the pill cite a desire to avoid the strong
social stigma that exists in Armenia's traditional culture against
women who have children out of wedlock.
A 20-year-old woman from one small town told EurasiaNet.org a friend
had advised her to use Cytotec at home to end a pregnancy from an
extramarital relationship. An emergency-room hysterectomy was required
to stop the bleeding that resulted and to save the woman's life.
The whole town became aware of her situation, said the woman, who
requested anonymity, who described her future, now that she is unable
to bear children, as "ruined."
For ways to end such abuse of Cytotec, most specialists look to the
government. They cite the need for a formal study into home abortions,
and call for a requirement that the medication be available by
prescription only and that abortions take place only in hospitals.
Said Chief Obstetrician-Gynecologist Abrahamian, "There must be
control over this . . ."
*The Open Society Foundation is among the organizations which have
provided financial assistance to SCOOP. EurasiaNet.org is operated
under the auspices of the Open Society Foundation's Central Eurasia
Project.
Editor's note: Marianna Grigoryan is a freelance reporter in Yerevan
and the editor of MediaLab.am.
http://www.eurasianet.org/node/66124