Quick blood test could speed up early abortion care

NCT ID NCT07417787

Knowledge-focused Sponsor: University of Edinburgh Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study is testing whether a simple, rapid blood test can confirm that a very early medical abortion (under 6 weeks) has worked. Usually, women need to wait 7 days for a follow-up blood test. This study checks if the test can be done as early as 2-4 days after treatment. Researchers will also ask patients and staff about their experience with the test. The goal is to make follow-up faster and more accessible.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: point-of-care HCG blood test
What this could lead to: If successful, this could allow women to confirm abortion completion earlier and more conveniently, reducing clinic visits.
What could go wrong: This is a small, early-stage study focused on test accuracy, not a new treatment. The test may not be reliable enough to replace standard follow-up.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

Study facts

What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.

Participants

About 130 people

The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.

Started

Apr 2026

Expected to finish

Feb 2028

An estimate. End dates often move.

Lead sponsor

Other sponsor

The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.

Who can take part

This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.

Who is studied

Those having an abortion who meet the currently accepted clinical criteria for very early medical abortions.

Ages

16 to 55 years

Sex

Female participants only

Healthy volunteers

Not accepted

This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.

Show the full entry requirements

Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.

Inclusion Criteria: * Positive pregnancy test * Less than six weeks gestation based upon Last Menstrual Period (LMP) * No evidence of definite intrauterine pregnancy on ultrasound * No signs or symptoms or significant risk factors for ectopic * Wish to proceed to VEMA (Very Early Medical Abortion) * Available for usual clinical follow up * Willing to attend for serum Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) on two occasions Day 2-4 and Day 7 post mifepristone * Written informed consent Exclusion Criteria: * Pain and/or bleeding * Significant risk factors for ectopic (previous ectopic, sterilisation, tubal disease, intrauterine device in situ) * Suspicious features for ectopic on ultrasound (adnexal mass, moderate free fluid) * Unable to provide blood sample * Lack of Capacity to consent

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As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Abortion early

How to take part

Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.

The places running it

3 sites in 2 countries. The list below names each one and where it is.
The official record

ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.

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A doctor treating you

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Quick blood test could speed up early abortion care

What the study statuses mean