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 her QS procedure.
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.
What if the patient can't return for a second
insertion four weeks after the first 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.
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.
Tubal pregnancies are very dangerous. In some countries, 1 out of 20
women with a tubal pregnancy dies. If a woman believes she is pregnant and
has any of these signs, she should contact her provider right away:
A missed period
Severe pain in the lower abdominal area, or shoulder pain
Dizziness, fainting, or weakness
Vaginal bleeding other than a normal menstrual period
