Real Stories from Women with Essure®

Hear what women have to say about Essure. Find out how they knew they were ready for permanent birth control, how they came to choose Essure, and what their experience with it has been like.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
WARNING: Some patients implanted with the Essure System for Permanent Birth Control have experienced and/or reported adverse events, including perforation of the uterus and/or fallopian tubes, identification of inserts in the abdominal or pelvic cavity, persistent pain, and suspected allergic or hypersensitivity reactions. If the device needs to be removed to address such an adverse event, a surgical procedure will be required. This information should be shared with patients considering sterilization with the Essure System of Permanent Birth Control during discussion of the benefits and risks of the device. Continue below
Hear what women have to say about Essure. Find out how they knew they were ready for permanent birth control, how they came to choose Essure, and what their experience with it has been like.
Amy is 39 years old and married with a 3-year-old daughter. She and her husband always knew that they only wanted 1 child, ”[We] were on the same page with children; we knew if we had 1 child, that would be all.” After the birth of their daughter, Amy went back on The Pill for birth control. Since Amy and her husband knew their family was complete, she was looking at other options for permanent birth control, “I knew that I needed a…more permanent option because I did not want to get pregnant again.” Essure® has been shown to be over 99% effective in preventing pregnancy based on clinical study data in patients who were told to rely on Essure for birth control.
At a routine checkup with her OB/GYN, Amy brought up permanent birth control. Her doctor recommended Essure. Supported by both her doctor and her husband, Amy decided to go ahead with Essure, “I decided Essure was right for me based on the recommendation by my doctor…and my independent research.” For Amy, the fact that no cutting is required to place Essure was a key factor in her choice.
Amy had the procedure about 6 weeks later. She felt fully informed about what was going to happen and said, “The procedure itself…felt like slight spasming.” She had “some cramping after.” The other most common side effects women experience with the Essure procedure include cramping, mild to moderate pain, vaginal bleeding, and pelvic or back discomfort for a few days after the procedure. Some women experience headaches, nausea and/or vomiting, or dizziness and/or fainting.
About 3 months after Amy got Essure, she had the Essure Confirmation Test. It was administered by a doctor using an x-ray and contrast dye. Women must continue to use another form of birth control until they have the Essure Confirmation Test and their doctor tells them that they can rely on Essure for birth control.
Amy has now had Essure for about 3 years, “I feel good and confident in my choice of Essure for permanent birth control…”
She urges other women to talk to a trusted doctor, and other women who—along with their doctors—have chosen Essure, and to research Essure on their own to make sure it's right for them. There are risks associated with the Essure procedure and the Essure Confirmation Test. Because one of the Essure Confirmation Tests (a modified HSG) requires an x-ray, you may be exposed to very low levels of radiation if an x-ray is performed. This is standard with most x-rays. Other risks associated with the Essure procedure include the possibilities of long-term pelvic pain and of an Essure insert being located in the lower abdomen and pelvis. If this happens, you cannot rely on Essure for birth control, and surgery may be necessary to remove the insert. There is also the possibility that, if you become pregnant, it may be an ectopic pregnancy, which can be serious. Patients with known hypersensitivity to polyester fibers, nickel, titanium, stainless steel (iron, chromium nickel), platinum, silver-tin and or any of the components of the Essure system may experience an allergic reaction to the insert. This includes patients with a history of metal allergies. In addition, some patients may develop an allergy to nickel or other components of the insert following placement. Symptoms reported in women using Essure that may be associated with an allergic reaction include hives, rash, swelling and itching. There is no reliable test to predict who may develop a reaction to the inserts. Click here for Important Safety Information. Click here for Patient Information about Essure.
We asked women who have had the Essure procedure to tell us their story. To read what they have to say, simply use the arrows to move left or right. Don’t forget to check back for new stories as we hear more!
Meredith is 40 years old and married with two children. Her plan was to have a family of 3 but as time went by, her plans changed, “We moved and I realized that I was getting closer to 40, and…I'm kind of over that stage in my life, and I like where it is right now. And of course, a baby would be wonderful, but I feel very fulfilled.”
Once Meredith knew her family was complete, she talked to her doctor about birth control options. “I'd been on The Pill for so many years, and I just didn't want to keep…taking hormones….And it was getting expensive on my insurance plan. So, [permanent birth control] was something that my doctor had suggested…It just seemed like it was [a good] option for me.”
Meredith and her doctor discussed tying her tubes, but it didn’t seem like the right choice for her. “He was skeptical about tying my tubes without having a C-section because he just felt it was unnecessary surgery…I just really wasn't comfortable with it.” They talked about Essure and Meredith decided, “It just seemed like [a good] option for me, for us really…Once I knew that this was an option…my husband was on board pretty quickly with it as well.” Essure is over 99% effective at preventing pregnancy based on clinical study data in women told to rely on Essure for birth control.
A few months later, Meredith had the Essure procedure, “After the procedure, I felt maybe like I had…a light menstrual period.” There “might have been…stinging, and [there] might have been…discomfort.” The most common side effects women experience with the Essure procedure include cramping, mild to moderate pain, vaginal bleeding, and pelvic or back discomfort for a few days after the procedure. Some women experience headaches, nausea and/or vomiting, or dizziness and/or fainting.
As instructed by her doctor, Meredith continued using backup birth control and she had the Essure Confirmation Test about three months later. Meredith’s doctor reviewed the results of the Essure Confirmation Test and told her that it showed that the inserts were in the right place and that her fallopian tubes were blocked. At that point, Meredith could stop using the backup birth control and rely on Essure to prevent pregnancy.
Two years after having her Essure procedure, Meredith had some advice for women thinking about getting Essure. “Really make sure that you are satisfied with your family…and, there’s no desire to have more children because it is permanent,”she said. “For me, it was [a good] option.” She urges other women to talk to a trusted doctor and women who have chosen Essure, and to research Essure on their own to make sure it’s right for them. There are risks associated with the Essure procedure and with the Essure Confirmation Test. Because one of the Essure Confirmation Tests (a modified HSG) requires an x-ray, you may be exposed to very low levels of radiation if an x-ray is performed. This is standard with most x-rays. Other risks associated with the Essure procedure include the possibilities of long-term pelvic pain and of an Essure insert being located in the lower abdomen and pelvis. If this happens, you cannot rely on Essure for birth control, and surgery may be necessary to remove the insert. There is also the possibility that, if you become pregnant, it may be an ectopic pregnancy, which can be serious. Click here for Important Safety Information. Click here for Patient Information about Essure.
Essure is indicated for women who desire permanent birth control (female sterilization) by bilateral occlusion of the fallopian tubes.
Important Safety InformationWARNING: Some patients implanted with the Essure System for Permanent Birth Control have experienced and/or reported adverse events, including perforation of the uterus and/or fallopian tubes, identification of inserts in the abdominal or pelvic cavity, persistent pain, and suspected allergic or hypersensitivity reactions. If the device needs to be removed to address such an adverse event, a surgical procedure will be required. This information should be shared with patients considering sterilization with the Essure System of Permanent Birth Control during discussion of the benefits and risks of the device.
Essure is not right for you if you are uncertain about ending your fertility, suspect you are pregnant, can have only one insert placed, have had your tubes tied, have a known allergy to contrast dye, are unwilling to undergo the Essure Confirmation Test, have unexplained vaginal bleeding, or have suspected or known cancer of the female reproductive organs.
You should delay having the Essure procedure if you are or have been pregnant within the past 6 weeks, have an active gynecological infection, or are in the second half of your menstrual cycle.
Tell your doctor if you are taking immunosuppressants, have, or think that you may have, a history of metal allergies, or an allergy to polyester fibers, nickel, titanium, platinum, silver-tin, or stainless steel or any other components of the Essure system, are currently using an IUD for contraception, or have had or are considering a procedure to reduce bleeding from the uterus such as endometrial ablation.
WARNING: Be sure you are done having children before you undergo the Essure procedure. Essure is a permanent method of birth control.
WARNING: You must continue to use another form of birth control until you have your Essure Confirmation Test (3 months after the procedure) and your doctor tells you that you can rely on Essure for birth control. For some women, it may take longer than 3 months for Essure to be effective, requiring a repeat confirmation test at 6 months. Talk to your doctor about which method of birth control you should use during this period. If you rely on Essure for birth control before receiving confirmation from your doctor, you are at risk of getting pregnant.
During the Procedure: In the premarketing study, some women experienced mild to moderate pain (9.3%). Your doctor may be unable to place one or both Essure inserts correctly. In rare cases, part of an Essure insert may break off during placement. If breakage occurs, your doctor will remove the piece, if appropriate. There is a risk of perforation of the uterus or fallopian tube by the hysteroscope, Essure system or other instruments used during the procedure. In the original premarket studies, perforation due to the Essure insert occurred in 1.8% of women. A perforation may lead to bleeding or injury to bowel or bladder, which may require surgery. Your doctor may recommend a local anesthesia. Ask your doctor about the risks associated with this type of anesthesia.
Immediately Following the Procedure: In the premarketing study, some women experienced mild to moderate pain (12.9%) and/or cramping (29.6%), vaginal bleeding (6.8%), and pelvic or back discomfort for a few days. Some women experience headaches, nausea and/or vomiting (10.8%), or dizziness and/or fainting. You should arrange to have someone take you home after the procedure. In rare instances, an Essure insert may be expelled from the body.
During the Essure Confirmation Test: As one of the Essure Confirmation Tests (a modified HSG) requires an x-ray, you may be exposed to very low levels of radiation, as with most x-rays, if this test is used. Some women may experience nausea and/or vomiting, dizziness and/or fainting, cramping, pain or discomfort. In rare instances, women may experience spotting and/or infection
Long-term Risks: Pain (acute or persistent) of varying intensity and length of time may occur and continue following Essure placement. This is also more likely to occur in women with a history of pain. There are reports of an Essure insert being located in the lower abdomen and pelvis. If this occurs, you cannot rely on Essure for birth control. Patients with known hypersensitivity to any of the components of the Essure system may experience an allergic reaction to the insert. In addition, some patients may develop an allergy to nickel or other components of the insert following placement. Symptoms reported in women using Essure that may be associated with an allergic reaction include hives, rash, swelling and itching. There is no reliable test to predict who may develop a reaction to the inserts. No birth control method is 100% effective. Ectopic pregnancies (pregnancy outside the uterus) may occur with Essure. This can be life-threatening. If insert removal is indicated, surgery will be necessary.
The safety and effectiveness of Essure has not been established in women under 21 or over 45 years old.
Essure does not protect against HIV or other sexually transmitted diseases.
Prescription Only
Talk to your doctor about Essure and whether it is right for you. Review the Patient-Doctor Discussion Checklist in the Patient Information Booklet with your doctor before deciding to have the Essure procedure.