| Efficacy | Safety | Complications |
Medical abortion | 92% with mifepristone plus misoprostol regime (up to 7 weeks); 96% with misoprostol-only regime (up to 8 weeks) | A 6- to 8-hour interval between mifepristone administration and vaginal misoprostol administration has been shown to be as effective as a 24-hour interval and results in significantly fewer adverse effects. | Gastrointestinal discomfort, abdominal pain, excessive vaginal bleeding, headache, dizziness and fatigue, incomplete abortion or continuing pregnancy requiring surgical evacuation |
Surgical abortion | 98% - 99% with vacuum aspiration | Cervical priming prior to surgical evacuation reduces the risks of cervical injury by making the cervix softer and easier to dilate. | Bleeding requiring transfusion, uterine perforation, cervical trauma, uterine rupture, infection, continuation of pregnancy and incomplete abortion requiring further intervention |