Compare Essure to tubal ligation

While both Essure and tubal ligation, or “getting your tubes tied” offer women a permanent birth control solution, tubal ligation is a surgical procedure. The Essure procedure is a quick surgery-free procedure that does not require general anesthesia and has a faster recovery time. It’s also the most effective* permanent birth control available. The chart below compares Essure to tubal ligation.

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	Tubal Ligation
How is the procedure performed?	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, your body works with the Essure inserts to form a natural barrier within the fallopian tubes that prevents sperm from reaching the egg.	Tubal ligation requires surgery and is usually performed under general anesthesia. An incision is made in the abdomen and gas is used to expand the abdomen so surgical tools can be inserted. The fallopian tubes are blocked by one of these methods: Clamping with metal clips or plastic rings Cutting away a section of the tube Burning a portion of the tube The clamps, rings or clips remain in the body. Stitches or staples are used to close the cuts.
Effectiveness	99.83% at 5 years (1.7 pregnancies per 1000 women)	98.69% at 5 years (13.1 pregnancies per 1000 women)
Can the procedure be performed in a doctor’s office?	Yes	No
Recovery time	Less than a day	4-6 days
Post-procedure pain/discomfort	Cramps Discharge	Cramps Discharge Pain at the wound Bloated abdomen and/or sharp pains in the neck or shoulder (due to gas used) Bruising around the wound Feeling tired and achy
Confirmation	Yes. Essure is the only method of birth control for women that has a confirmation test three months after the procedure to confirm that the inserts are in place and the fallopian tubes are blocked.	No
Procedure animation

Method	How is the procedure performed?
Tubal Ligation	Usually performed as a laparoscopic procedure under general anasthesia. Gas is used to expand the abdomen so surgical tools can be inserted. The fallopian tubes are blocked by one of these methods: Clamping with metal clips or plastic rings Cutting awsay a section of the tube Burning a portion of the tube The clamps, rings or clips remain in the body. Stitches or staples are used to close the cuts.
Essure	A soft, small insert is inserted 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
Tubal Ligation	98.45% at 1 year 98.69% at 5 years 98.15% at 10 years
Essure	99.95% at 1 year 99.8% at 4 years

 

Method	Where Performed?
Tubal Ligation	In hospital
Essure	In office

 

Method	Recovery Time
Tubal Ligation	4-6 days
Essure	1-2 days or sooner

 

Method	Post-Procedure Pain/Discomfort
Tubal Ligation	Cramps Discharge Pain at the wound Bloated abdomen and/or sharp pains in the neck or shoulder (due to gas used) Bruising around the wound Feeling tired and achy
Essure	Cramps Discharge

 

Method	Confirmation
Tubal Ligation	No
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.