What is the difference between curettage and abortion?
Disease description:
I recently had unprotected sex and accidentally became pregnant, but I don't want to keep the baby, so I was planning to have an abortion. However, my colleague mentioned that I could instead have a dilation and curettage (D&C). So, what's the difference between D&C and abortion procedures?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Zhao Xiaodong
There are significant differences between curettage and abortion procedures in terms of purpose, method, duration, and applicable timing.
Purpose: Curettage is primarily used for diagnosis and treatment, such as diagnostic curettage or therapeutic curettage; whereas abortion procedures are intended to terminate pregnancy.
Surgical Method: Curettage involves removing tissue from the uterine cavity using a curette. Abortion procedures include vacuum aspiration and dilation and curettage (D&C), which use suction tubes or oval forceps.
Duration: Curettage usually takes about one hour, while abortion procedures are relatively quicker, typically lasting 5–15 minutes.
Applicable Timing: Curettage can be performed at any time depending on the medical condition, whereas abortion should ideally be carried out within 10 weeks of pregnancy to minimize physical harm.
