- The World Health Organization recommends vacuum aspiration and advises that sharp curettage should no longer be used.
- The procedure itself usually takes 5–10 minutes.
- Serious complications are rare, and an uncomplicated procedure does not affect future fertility.
- Most people return to normal activities the next day.
What is vacuum aspiration?
In vacuum aspiration, a thin, flexible, single-use cannula (plastic tube) is passed through the cervix and the contents of the womb are removed with controlled suction. Suction can come from a hand-held syringe (manual vacuum aspiration, MVA) or an electric pump (electric vacuum aspiration, EVA).
It is different from old-style sharp curettage (often called a “D&C”): the wall of the womb is not scraped with a metal instrument. This makes the procedure shorter, less painful and safer.
Why vacuum aspiration?
The World Health Organization's 2022 Abortion care guideline recommends vacuum aspiration for surgical abortion and advises against sharp curettage. The main reasons are:
- a shorter procedure,
- less bleeding and pain,
- less trauma to the wall of the womb,
- high effectiveness when performed correctly.
The procedure, step by step
- Ultrasound and assessment: the location and stage of the pregnancy are confirmed.
- Pain relief: local anaesthetic around the cervix (paracervical block) and painkillers; intravenous sedation where the doctor considers it appropriate.
- Antisepsis: the cervix is cleaned with an antiseptic solution. Your doctor may recommend antibiotics to reduce the risk of infection.
- Preparing the cervix: if needed, the cervix is gently opened with thin dilators.
- Aspiration: the cannula is placed in the womb and the contents are removed by suction within a few minutes.
- Check: the doctor confirms the womb is empty.
- Observation: you go home after a short rest.
How long does it take?
| Stage | Typical time |
|---|---|
| Vacuum aspiration procedure | 5–10 minutes |
| Preparation and pain relief | A few minutes to half an hour |
| Observation afterwards | Usually 1–2 hours (may be longer after sedation) |
| Back to normal activities | The next day for most people |
Risks and possible complications
Performed by experienced professionals in the right setting, vacuum aspiration is a very safe procedure. Like any medical procedure, it carries some risks:
- Infection: the risk is reduced by preventive antibiotics; fever and foul-smelling discharge are warning signs.
- Incomplete procedure: rarely, some tissue remains and a repeat aspiration or medication is needed.
- Heavy bleeding: rare.
- Injury to the cervix or womb: very rare.
Our recovery guide has a table showing which symptoms are normal and which are urgent.
Will it affect future pregnancies?
There is no reliable evidence that an uncomplicated vacuum aspiration reduces your chances of getting pregnant, or increases the risk of miscarriage or preterm birth in future pregnancies (RCOG, NICE). In fact, fertility returns very quickly: you can ovulate within two weeks. If you do not want to become pregnant, plan contraception on the day of the procedure.
Frequently asked questions
Is vacuum aspiration the same as a D&C?
No. A D&C (sharp curettage) scrapes the wall of the womb with a metal instrument. Vacuum aspiration uses gentle suction through a thin, flexible tube. The World Health Organization recommends vacuum aspiration and advises against sharp curettage.
Up to how many weeks can vacuum aspiration be used?
Vacuum aspiration can be used safely in the first trimester. In Turkey, elective abortion is legal until the end of the 10th week.
Will I need to stay overnight?
Usually not. You go home the same day after a short period of observation.
Sources
- World Health Organization. Abortion care guideline. Geneva: WHO; 2022.
- Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. Best practice in abortion care. London; 2022.
- National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Abortion care (NG140). London; 2019.