Compare Essure to IUDs

IUDs are long-term temporary birth control for women who are planning to have more children or are not sure they are done having children. The most common IUD contains hormones and all IUDs require a monthly self-check to ensure the device remains in place. Essure does not contain hormones, does not involve a routine, and is intended for women who are done having children. The chart below compares Essure to these methods of birth control.

How is the procedure performed? compare to Essure	Effectiveness compare to Essure	Where is the procedure performed? compare to Essure
Recovery time compare to Essure	Post-procedure pain/discomfort compare to Essure	Confirmation compare to Essure

	Essure	IUDs
How does it work?	Soft, flexible inserts are placed in your fallopian tubes through the natural pathways of your vagina and cervix, so no incision is necessary. Over the next three months, the body works with the Essure inserts to form a natural barrier within the fallopian tubes that prevents sperm from reaching the egg.	A plunger is used to insert the t-shaped device, made of plastic or copper, into the uterus. The strings at the base of the IUD are trimmed so they hang about an inch below the cervix into the vagina.
Is it hormone-free?	Yes	The most common IUD (Mirena) contains hormones
Effectiveness	99.83% at five years (1.7 pregnancies per thousand women)	97.9% - 99.3% at five years depending on the IUD (7 - 21 pregnancies per thousand women)
Post-procedure pain/discomfort	Cramps Discharge	Cramps Discharge
Could it affect your periods?	No	Yes, it can cause heavier or lighter periods or unpredictable bleeding
Routine	None (permanent)	Monthly self-checks to ensure the IUD is in place are required. Must be removed after 5-10 years, depending on the type of IUD
Confirmation	Yes. Essure is the only method of birth control for women that has a confirmation test three months after the procedure to prove that it’s working.	No.

Method	How is the Procedure Performed?
Other Birth Control Inserts	A slender, flexible instrument is passed through the body's natural openings to deliver radio frequency energy for 60 seconds to a small section of the tube. A soft insert, made of silicone. is placed where the energy was applied. Over the next three months, your body's own tissue grows in and around the inserts.
Essure	A soft, small insert is delivered through the vagina and uterus and placed into each fallopian tube. Over the next three months, the body forms a natural barrier around the insert so sperm cannot reach the egg.

 

Method	Effectiveness
Other Birth Control Inserts	98.9% at 1 year (11 pregnancies per 1000 women treated) No data at 4 years (more than 18 pregnancies per 1000 treated)
Essure	99.95% at 1 year (less than one pregnancy per 1000 women) 99.8% at 4 years (less than two pregnancies per 1000 women)

 

Method	Where Performed?
Other Birth Control Inserts	In office
Essure	In office

 

Method	Recovery Time
Other Birth Control Inserts	Less than a day
Essure	Less than a day

 

Method	Post-Procedure Pain/Discomfort
Other Birth Control Inserts	Cramping Vaginal spotting Discharge
Essure	Cramps similar to your menstrual cycle Discharge

 

Method	Confirmation
Other Birth Control Inserts	Location of the two inserts cannot be confirmed.
Essure	Yes. Essure is the only method of birth control for women that has a confirmation test 3 months after the procedure to confirm both placement of the inserts and that the fallopian tubes are completely blocked.