Since female sterilization is the leading fertility control method in many countries, we need to make simpler, safer and cheaper. A simple method would make female sterilization more acceptable, especially where there are limited facilities for surgery. Quinacrine has become the most widely used method of non-surgical sterilization. Since this method is less effective in preventing pregnancy than surgical procedures, we tested adjuvants to improve its performance.
We compared sterilization with quinacrine alone or in combination with ibuprofen. Group I had intrauterine applications of quinacrine using 7 pellets of 36 mg each in the early proliferative phase of two consecutive menstrual cycles in 150 women aged 35 years and over. 222 women in group 2 had the same protocol with the addition of 3 pellets containing 18.5 mg of ibuprofen. Women were followed regularly. We registered all sterilization failures, complications and complaints. The only complications were two cases of hematometra in group 2. Women in both groups complained of an unpleasant yellowish vaginal discharge, and about 6% of women had fever not exceeding 38ºC.
Pearl's index after two years' of use was 2.4 in the first group vs. 2.56 in the second. Five year cumulative pregnancy rates were 6.02 vs. 6 53, respectively. The difference in rates was not statistically significant.
Since the addition of ibuprofen to quinacrine has not improved the efficacy of this method, other new adjuvants should be tested with the aim of approaching the low failure rates obtained by surgical sterilization.
Learning Objectives: After this session the attendee will understand the safety and utility of quinacrine sterilization
Keywords: Contraception, International Reproductive Health
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.