Usually prevents a need for surgical treatment

Is invasive and/or surgical:

• Manual vacuum aspiration (MVA) uses a tube attached to a handheld syringe. It draws tissue out of the uterus.
• Machine vacuum aspiration uses a tube attached to an electric pump. It draws tissue from within the uterus.
• Dilation and evacuation (D&E) uses a combination of vacuum aspiration, forceps, and dilation and curettage (D&C).

Can only be used during early pregnancy (up to about 9 weeks)

Can be used from early to mid-pregnancy:

• Manual vacuum aspiration (MVA) can be used as early as 5 weeks, and as late as 12 weeks after the last menstrual period.
• Machine vacuum aspiration can be used around 5 to 12 weeks after the last menstrual period.
• D&E is used between 13 and 24 weeks after the last menstrual period. It uses a combination of vacuum aspiration, forceps, and D&C.

Takes 2 or more medical visits over 3 weeks

Usually takes 1 visit

Takes days to weeks to complete (most of the abortion process happens gradually, at home)

Is complete in the time it takes for the procedure

Does not require anesthesia or sedative

Does not require general anesthesia (though it can be used). Local anesthesia, with or without a calming sedative, is usually used.

Has a high success rate (about 95%)

Has a high success rate (about 99%)

Causes moderate to heavy bleeding for a short time

Causes light bleeding in most cases

Needs medical follow-up to make sure pregnancy has ended and to check woman's health

Does not always need medical follow-up

Is a multi-step process

Is a single-step process

In extremely rare cases, leads to severe infection and death (about 1 out of 100,000), slightly higher rate than after surgical

In extremely rare cases, leads to death (less than 1 out of 100,000)