Manual Vacuum Aspiration (MVA) can play a critical role in meeting the need for early abortion services in the United States. While it is not a new technology, its resurgence in the United States is due to better ultrasound imaging and more sensitive pregnancy tests which can detect pregnancy at an earlier stage.

Frequently Asked Questions about Manual Vacuum Aspiration

What is MVA?

When can MVA be used to terminate a pregnancy?

How effective is MVA at terminating pregnancy?

Who can offer MVA?

What are advantages to using MVA?

What are the side effects of MVA?

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What is Manual Vacuum Aspiration (MVA)?
MVA is performed with the use of a handheld syringe as a source of suction for removing uterine contents. The procedure time is 5–15 minutes and is performed in settings such as a doctor's office, clinic or emergency room. A patient typically leaves a doctor’s office or a clinic within two hours. Typically, cervical anesthesia is used in combination with orally administered ibuprofen.

When can MVA be used to terminate a pregnancy?
It can be used to induce abortion in women as early as three weeks after the beginning of her last menstrual cycle and up to 12 weeks gestation. MVA is an important tool for providing emergency care for women with incomplete induced or spontaneous abortions.

How effective is MVA at terminating pregnancy?
MVA successfully ends first trimester pregnancies 99.5% of the time and carries a minor complication rate of 0.01%. For the 0.5% times the procedure fails, it is repeated.

Who can offer MVA?
Qualified health care providers, including physicians and mid-level providers can offer MVA to their patients. For physicians who currently only provide surgical abortions, they can conveniently use MVA for back up in the office, clinic or emergency room where they practice.

What are advantages to using MVA?
Compared with a medical abortion, MVA reported success rates are higher, the procedure is shorter and completed in a predictable period, fewer office visits are needed, and the cost is lower. MVA is quieter than electric suction techniques. Also, by using a gentler, handheld syringe, the gestational sac comes out intact so pregnancy termination can be confirmed.

What are the side effects of MVA?
Common side effects include abdominal cramping or pain and bleeding. Major complications are very rare, but can include uterine or cervical perforation, pelvic infection and excess bleeding.