The decision to choose medical rather than surgical termination is a matter of personal preference in most cases. Discuss the risks and benefits of both methods with your doctor or another trusted health professional before making your decision. Medical termination can be used up to 9 weeks of pregnancy, and surgical termination can be used up to 24 weeks (depending on State laws). The failure rate with medical termination is about 7 in 100 women. The failure rate with surgical termination is about 2 in 1000 women. You may experience more bleeding, cramping and abdominal pain during medical termination compared with surgical termination, but the pain can usually be managed with over-the-counter pain relief medicines. There is a small risk of injury to the cervix or uterus with surgical termination, but not with medical termination. There is a lower risk of infection with medical termination.