Email This To a Friend

Print this Page

Pages > Is Essure Right For Me? > The Essure Difference > Essure vs. Temporary Birth Control

Essure vs. Temporary Birth Control

Temporary Birth Control

Method	Description	Failure Rate	Risks	Routine
Oral Contraceptives	An estrogen and/or progestin-based pill that suppresses ovulation	8%	Dizziness, nausea, changes in menstruation, mood, weight gain, acne, pain. Increased risk of cardiovascular disease, including high blood pressure, blood clots, heart attack, stroke	Must be taken daily
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	0.05%	Post-procedure pain/discomfort including cramps and/or discharge	Once (permanent)

Method	Description	Failure Rate	Risks	Routine
Injection (Depo Provera®)	A progestin-containing injection that inhibits ovulation and fertilization	3%	Irregular bleeding, weight gain, breast tenderness, headaches. Prolonged use may result in bone loss	One injection every month or every 3 months.
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	0.05%	Post-procedure pain/discomfort including cramps and/or discharge	Once (permanent)

Method	Description	Failure Rate	Risks	Routine
Vaginal contraceptive ring (NuvaRing®)	A flexible ring inserted in the vagina that releases progestin and estrogen to prevent ovulation and fertilization	8%	Vaginal discharge, infection, irritation, other risks similar to those posed by oral contraceptives	Inserted and kept in place for three-week intervals. If expelled for more than three hours during the three-week interval, another method of contraception must be used
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	0.05%	Post-procedure pain/discomfort including cramps and/or discharge	Once (permanent)

Method	Description	Failure Rate	Risks	Routine
Patch (Ortho Evra®)	A patch worn on the body that releases progestin and estrogen to prevent ovulation and fertilization	8%	Similar to oral contraceptives	A new patch must be applied each week, except for the week of the menstrual period
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	0.05%	Post-procedure pain/discomfort including cramps and/or discharge	Once (permanent)

Method	Description	Failure Rate	Risks	Routine
IUD (Mirena®)	A device placed in the uterus by a healthcare professional that emits hormones, possibly preventing ovulation	0.2%	Ovarian cysts, pelvic inflammatory disease, perforation of the uterus, embedding into the uterus, cramps, bleeding, miscarriage, premature birth, breast cancer, nausea, mood swings, headaches, nervousness, inflammation/pain of vagina/uterus, back pain, weight gain, acne, hypertension, changes in menstrual cycle, ectopic pregnancy	Remains in place for between 1 and 5 years.
IUD (Paraguard®)	A device placed in the uterus by a healthcare professional that releases copper, possibly preventing implantation	0.8%	Pelvic inflammatory disease, perforation of the uterus, embedding into the uterus, cramps, bleeding, vaginal discharge, allergic reaction, expulsion, anemia, ectopic pregnancy, life-threatening infection, miscarriage, premature birth, Wilson's disease, vaginal infection, inflammation/pain of vagina/uterus, back pain, pain during sex, fainting, changes in menstrual cycle	Remains in place for between 1 and 10 years
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	0.05%	Post-procedure pain/discomfort including cramps and/or discharge	Once (permanent)

Method	Description	Failure Rate	Risks	Routine
Male condom	A sheath placed over the penis that prevents passage of sperm	15%	Irritation, allergic reactions, reduced effectiveness if used with oil-based lubricants	Applied immediately before intercourse and used only once
Female condom	A lubricated sheath placed in the vagina to prevent sperm from entering the uterus	21%	Irritation and allergic reactions	Applied immediately before intercourse and used only once.
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	0.05%	Post-procedure pain/discomfort including cramps and/or discharge	Once (permanent)

Method	Description	Failure Rate	Risks	Routine
Diaphragm with spermicide	A flexible, dome-shaped rubber disk that covers the cervix so sperm cannot reach the uterus—a spermicide must be applied before insertion	16%	Irritation, allergic reactions, urinary tract infection, risk of toxic shock syndrome	Inserted before intercourse and left in place for 6 to 24 hours. Spermicide must be added for repeated intercourse
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	0.05%	Post-procedure pain/discomfort including cramps and/or discharge	Once (permanent)

Method	Description	Failure Rate	Risks	Routine
Spermicide	A foam, cream, jelly, film, suppository or tablet containing nonoxynol-9, a sperm-killing chemical	29%	Irritation, allergic reactions, urinary tract infections	Inserted 5 to 90 minutes before intercourse
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	0.05%	Post-procedure pain/discomfort including cramps and/or discharge	Once (permanent)

promo image

Sign up for the eNewsletter

Watch Patients Interviews