Essure

Essure is a type of permanent birth control for women that was first approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2002. It is a non-surgical procedure that involves placing a small, flexible coil into the fallopian tubes through the vagina, cervix, and uterus. Over time, tissue grows around the coils, blocking the fallopian tubes and preventing sperm from reaching the eggs.

Procedure

The Essure procedure is usually performed in a doctor's office and takes about 10 minutes. It does not require any incisions or general anesthesia. The doctor inserts a thin tube with a tiny camera (a hysteroscope) into the vagina to see inside the uterus and fallopian tubes. The doctor then places the Essure coils through the hysteroscope into the fallopian tubes.

Effectiveness

According to the FDA, Essure is 99.3% effective at preventing pregnancy when used correctly. However, it does not protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

Risks and Complications

Some women have reported serious health problems related to Essure, including persistent pain, perforation of the uterus or fallopian tubes, abnormal bleeding, allergic reactions, and unintended pregnancies. In 2016, the FDA required a boxed warning – its strongest type of warning – to be added to the Essure labeling.

Removal

If a woman decides she wants to have the Essure device removed, she will need to have surgery. This can be a simple procedure if the device has not moved or broken, but it can be more complicated if the device has perforated the fallopian tubes or uterus.

See Also

• Birth control
• Fallopian tubes
• U.S. Food and Drug Administration
• Hysteroscope

Essure Resources
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