Quinacrine Sterilization (QS)
Permanent Female Contraception
QS is a permanent method of contraception that does not require surgery or going to a hospital. QS is done at Willow Clinic, using pellets of the drug quinacrine inserted into the uterus.
How is the procedure done?
A doctor places 7 small pellets of quinacrine into the uterus with a small plastic tube (like an IUD inserter). Some women feel a cramping pain when the tube goes inside.
What happens to the Quinacrine?
The pellets dissolve in half hour and the liquid quinacrine flows into the Fallopian tubes. This causes inflammation of the tubal lining.
What is the result?
Over the next 3 months scar tissue is formed. The tubes are closed. The egg cannot reach the uterus. Pregnancy is prevented.
How many insertions are needed?
Two insertions, one month apart, are necessary to make sure that enough scar tissue has formed. You must use another contraceptive, beginning on the day of the first insertion, because it takes up to 3 months for the scar tissue to form. You may use condoms, pills, patches, IUD or injectables.
When are the insertion done?
QS must be done 6-12 days after menstruation starts because the lining of the uterus is thinner then. To increase chances of success, there must be no blood in the uterus during these insertions, because blood dilutes the quinicrine.
How safe is QS?
Quinacrine was originally developed to prevent and treat malaria. Over the past 70 years, it has been taken by more than 100 million people for those purposes. The doses used for malaria are much higher than the doses for QS. In the 1970s, it was discovered that quinacrine could be used to achieve permanent contraception. Now over 140,000 women in 34 countries are using the QS method. QS is safer and has fewer complications than surgical sterilization.
Does QS ever fail?
Yes. QS can fail if the tubes are not completely blocked after two insertions or if a new channel grows through the scar.
About 4 out of 100 women will become pregnant within 10 years after having completed the QS procedure. This is about the same as with surgical tubal sterilization with clips (4%) or cautery (1-2%).
What are the side effects of QS?
About half of all women report at least one side effect. If there is side effect, it usually goes away within a few hours to a few days. Here is list of the most common side effects, and the percentage of women who get them:
Symptoms Percentage of Women
Lower abdominal pain 9-25
Backache 9-20
Vaginal itching or irritation 1-21
Yellow discharge 5-16
Fever 9-10
Pain during urination <1
Pain during sex <1
About 25% of women have menstrual changes. This means that they either do not have their period or there is a decrease or increase in the amount of flow or in the number of days it lasts. This usually lasts no longer than a few months.
What does it cost?
· If you have BC medical insurance, there will be a charge of $150 for all medications and visits.
Without insurance, it will cost $550.
Before having QS procedure, tell the doctor:
· If you think you might be pregnant
· If you are being treated for or have had seizures (fits), cancer or any vaginal infections
· If you have psoriasis
What are the main advantages of QS?
· No surgery is required, therefore less risk of infection, injury or death
· No hospitalization is required
· Less pain than surgical methods
· No anesthesia is required
· Does not change sex drive
· Allows the woman to resume her normal activities immediately
What are the main disadvantages of QS?
· QS is not reversible
· It requires two visits to the clinic 30 days apart.
· It is not immediately effective, so a backup contraceptive is needed for 3 months
· It does not protect against sexually transmitted disease (STD’s)
Will I be sterile immediately?
No. Not for 3 months.
Will I be sterile after one insertion?
Possibly. However, research has shown that women who have only one insertion are twice or three times as likely to become pregnant as women who have two insertions.
What will happen if I cannot or do not return for my second insertion after one month?
If you cannot return for the second insertion, call the clinic to find out what to do next. Until you return, continue to use another contraceptive method. If you do not return, your QS procedure is not complete and therefore, there is a higher chance you will become pregnant.
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