Essure vs. Vasectomy

Vasectomy

	Essure	Vasectomy
How is the procedure performed?	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.	The scrotal area is shaved and cleaned with an antiseptic solution. An incision or puncture is made into the scrotum (the sac containing the testicles). The vas deferens tubes, one from each testicle, are tied in two places with permanent sutures. The tubes are severed between the ties by: Cauterization (burning or searing of the tubes) Cutting Blocking with clips or clamps If an incision is made, it is then closed with stitches.
Effectiveness	99.95% at 1 year 99.83% at 5 years	99.26% at 1 year 98.87% at 5 years
Where is the procedure performed?	In an office	In an office
Recovery time	Less than a day	2-3 days
Post-procedure pain/discomfort	Cramps Discharge	Swelling Bruising Pain in the testicles (ice packs and/or an athletic supporter may need to be used to decrease bruising and swelling)
Confirmation	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.	Yes. A follow-up test is recommended three months after the vasectomy to confirm no sperm are present. Repeating the test every 10 years is recommended.

Method	How is the Procedure Performed?
Vasectomy	The scrotal area is shaved and cleaned with an antiseptic solution. An incision or puncture is made into the scrotum (the sac containing the testicles). The vas deferens tubes, one from each testicle, are tied in two places with permanent sutures. The tubes are severed between the ties by: Cauterization (burning or searing of the tubes) Cutting Blocking with clips or clamps If an incision is made, it is then closed with stitches.
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

How is the Procedure Performed?

Vasectomy

The scrotal area is shaved and cleaned with an antiseptic solution.
An incision or puncture is made into the scrotum (the sac containing the testicles).
The vas deferens tubes, one from each testicle, are tied in two places with permanent sutures. The tubes are severed between the ties by:

Cauterization (burning or searing of the tubes)

Cutting

Blocking with clips or clamps

If an incision is made, it is then closed with stitches.

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
Vasectomy	99.26% at 1 year 98.87% at 5 years
Essure	99.95% at 1 year 99.8% at 4 years

Method	Where Performed?
Vasectomy	In office
Essure	In office

Method	Recovery Time
Vasectomy	2-3 days
Essure	1-2 days or sooner

Method	Post-Procedure Pain/Discomfort
Vasectomy	Swelling Bruising Pain in the testicles (ice packs and/or an athletic supporter may need to be used to decrease bruising and swelling)
Essure	Cramps Discharge

Method	Confirmation
Vasectomy	Yes. A follow-up test is recommended three months after the vasectomy to confirm no sperm are present. Repeating the test every 10 years is recommended.
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.

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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