| Sterilizations |
All sterilization techniques should be considered permanent. Therefore, patients should only consider sterilization as a birth control option when they are certain that they do not wish to have any future children. If you have any doubt that you might want children in the future, you should not consider sterilization!
Please note that sterilizations do not offer protection against sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Proper protection against STDs must be used after sterilization.
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| Quinacrine is Non-Surgical Sterilization |
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Family Planning Center offers a new sterilization technique called Quinacrine (QS). QS is a safe, nonsurgical, and permanent birth control method that has been used by over 100,000 women around the world!
For more information, call: (800) 810-9840.
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| What is Quinacrine Sterilization |
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QS is a permanent, nonsurgical sterilization procedure for women
A woman can be sterilized by using Quinacrine antibiotic without the need for surgery.
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| How Quinacrine Antibiotic Works as a Contraceptive |
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When placed in the fallopian tubes, the quiancrine antibiotic causes the fallopian tubes to close off. This makes it impossible for an egg to pass through.
The QS procedure is non-surgical. To insert the pellets of quinacrine antibiotic into the patient's uterus, a doctor, nurse, or midwife uses a modified IUD inserter. The result permanently diables a woman's ability to become pregnant.
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| The Quinacrine Sterilization Procedure |
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The Quinacrine sterilization procedure requires two insertions of Quinacrine pellets into the uterus. The insertions are performed four weeks apart to ensure the best results from the procedure.
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| Contraceptive Use and the QS Procedure |
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Will the patient become sterile immediately following the procedure?
No. It takes 6-12 weeks for scars to develop in the fallopian tubes. Therefore, the patient must use another effective contraceptive method for 12 weeks after the first QS procedure.
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| The Quinacrine Sterilization Procedure Requires Two Visits |
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What if the patient can't return for a second insertion four weeks after the first insertion?
Can the patient become sterile from just one insertion? It is possible. However, research shows that patients having 2 insertions were half as likely to become pregnant as patients who only had one insertion. If the patient cannot return for a second insertion four weeks after her first, she should go to the clinic or call her doctor for advice on what to do. Until she returns for a second insertion, she is still susceptible to become pregnant; therefore, she should continue to use another contraceptive method.
2006.09.27
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| Effective Timing For Quinacrine Sterilization |
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When can a woman have Quinacrine Sterilization done?
In order for Quinacrine Sterilization to be most effective, the procedure must be done 6-12 days after the onset of the patient's last period. This is because there must be no blood in the uterus during the 1st and 2nd insertions. The following chart provides and example of the optimal time for a patient to have the Quinacrine procedure.
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| Quinacrine Sterilization Success Rate |
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Does QS ever fail?
Presently, other than a hysterectomy, no birth female control method is 100% effective. Early reports on women who had Quinacrine Sterilization show that a very small number of women became pregnant.
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| Quinacrine Starilization Safety and Risks |
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As with most contraceptives, there are some risks in using Quinacrine Sterilization. However, researchers from around the world have studied the human safety of Quinacrine over the past 65 years. This research has concluded that QS is highly safe.
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| Quinacrine Sterilization Side Effects |
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Reports show that nearly half of all women who undergo Quinacrine Sterilization experience at least one side effect. Side effects after QS are common; however, they are usually minor, temporary, and easily managed.
It is extremely important for the patient to know about the possible side effects before deciding to have the procedure, so she will know what to expect and can make a fully informed choice.
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| Quinacrine and FDA Approval |
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The FDA has approved the drug Quinacrine for many uses. However, the FDA has not yet approved Quinacrine for female sterilization. Therefore, Quinacrine Sterilization is currently an 'off-label' use. Using an off-label drug is a perfectly legal, acceptable, and common practice.
For example, doctors have treated Lupus patients with off-label Quinacrine for many years.
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| QS and Tubal Pregnancy |
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Is a tubal pregnancy possible after QS?
Although it is rare, a tubal pregnancy (a pregnancy which occurs outside of the uterus) is possible after QS (as it is also possible with most other contraceptive methods). QS does not cause tubal pregnancies, it just cannot prevent them. The tubal pregnancy rate with QS is lower than the rate in women who do not use contraception.
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| Fees |
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In addition to our fair and competitive prices, Family Planning Center offers discounts to patients who are students, senior citizens, or individuals receiving Medicaid.
Please call our office for more details about these discounts.
2006.10.12
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