subject: Essure: Permanent Birth Control without the Surgery [print this page] Essure: Permanent Birth Control without the Surgery
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Essure?
Essure is permanent birth control that works with your body to create a natural barrier against pregnancy. It is a non-surgical, in-office procedure performed by your OB/GYN doctor that requires no anesthesia. At about five years old, it's a relatively new alternative to tubal ligation. But unlike other forms of tubal ligation, no general anesthetics or incisions into the abdomen are needed to perform the procedure.
How does Essure work?
An obstetrician/gynecologist uses a hysteroscope, or camera, to guide micro-inserts through a woman's vagina and uterus to place the inserts inside her fallopian tubes. Using a catheter passed from the vagina through the cervix and uterus, micro-inserts are placed into the fallopian tubes. The micro-inserts are made from the same materials used in cardiac stents. Once in place, the micro-inserts elicit tissue growth into and around the micro-insert. Over a period of about three months, the tissue growth blocks fallopian tubes, forming a barrier that prevents sperm from reaching the eggs. After the three-month period following the procedure, a confirmation test is given to ensure complete sterilization.
How long will the procedure take?
Essure takes less than 10 minutes for an Essure-trained OB/GYN to perform and most insurance companies cover the procedure.
How is Essure different from tubal ligation?
Essure is different from a tubal ligation because it does not involve incisions. It can be performed without anesthesia in your Obstetrician and Gynecologist's office. Recovery time may take one 1 to 2 days, but it's not unusual for a women to return to regular activities the very same day. Recovery may include the following symptoms:
Cramps (similar to menstrual cramps)
Discharge (similar to a light menstrual flow or spotting)
Mild nausea/vomiting (related to anesthesia)
Fainting or light-headedness following the procedure (related to anesthesia)
Unlike the Essure procedure, which is performed in the doctor's office, laparoscopic tubal ligation is typically performed in an operating room under general anesthesia. Gas is used to expand the abdomen so the doctor can reach the organs easily. The doctor cuts into the abdomen so that surgical tools can be inserted to perform the procedure. The fallopian tubes are blocked by clamping with metal clips or plastic rings, cutting away a section of the tube, or burning a portion of the tube.
Will I get pregnant after I have the Essure procedure?
Studies show that Essure is 99.7 percent effective compared to 98.6 percent for laparoscopic tubal ligation. For the first three months after having the procedure, additional forms of birth control will need to be used. If you rely on Essure for contraception before being evaluated to show that you have been sterilized, there is a chance that you can become pregnant or have an ectopic pregnancy, a pregnancy outside of your uterus, which can be life threatening.
How long will it take me to recover from the Essure procedure?
There is no "down time" and there is minimal, if any, discomfort from the procedure. Women who undergo the Essure procedure can usually quickly return to their daily activities.
Can the Essure procedure be reversed?
Essure cannot be reversed, so be sure that you don't want children before undergoing the procedure for permanent birth control. No data is available showing that it is safe or effective to reverse Essure. Major surgery would be required to attempt to reverse the procedure and success outlooks are poor. Women younger than 30 have been shown to be more likely to regret sterilization, so if you are under 30 years, old, consider this decision carefully.
