| Factor | Medical abortion | Surgical abortion |
|---|---|---|
| Typical stage | Early pregnancy, commonly up to about 9 weeks | Early pregnancy and beyond, technique varies by gestation |
| How it happens | Prescribed medicines; the pregnancy passes at home or in a clinic over hours | Short procedure by a doctor, usually 5 to 15 minutes for vacuum aspiration |
| Pain relief | Oral pain medicines | Local anaesthetic, sedation or general anaesthesia |
| Bleeding | Often heavier, with clots, for several days | Usually lighter, with spotting after |
| Chance of needing more treatment | Somewhat higher | Somewhat lower |
| Follow-up | Essential, to confirm completion | Advised, to check recovery |
| Privacy and control | More time at home, less time in a clinic | Quicker, but requires a clinic visit and escort after sedation |
How to choose
Preference matters, but the choice is limited by gestation and health. A medical method needs a confirmed intrauterine pregnancy and access to emergency care. A surgical method is quick but needs an appropriate setting and anaesthetic assessment.
Questions to put to the doctor: Which do you recommend for me and why? What happens if it does not work? What are the costs of each? Who do I call out of hours?
Detailed pages: medical abortion and surgical abortion.
General information. This page is educational and does not replace advice from a doctor who has examined you. Read our medical disclaimer.