What makes Essure different?
With Essure, there are no incisions
made into your body. Essure also does not involve
the use of general anesthesia. It can be performed
right in your doctor’s office.
Tiny micro coils (picture a coil,
like the ones used in pens with the click retractions)
are implanted (1) into each of your fallopian tubes.
This is accomplished via vaginal route by means of
a special catheter. It takes approximately 3 months
for scar tissue to develop around these coils, permanently
blocking the fallopian tubes. Women need to understand
that this procedure can not be reversed. They also
need to understand that other forms of birth control
must be used in those first three months after the
procedure. The only way to check for proper placement
after the three months time is by x-ray exam.
The Essure procedure is rated at 99.80%
for effectiveness against pregnancy. During clinical
trials, not one case of pregnancy was documented.
The Essure procedure is performed
by a trained doctor (you’ll need to contact
your OB/GYN and ask if they’ve been trained
or can refer you to someone who has) in as little
as 30 minutes in the office. Women have reported mild
pain in their lower abdomens from insertion. The recovery
time after the procedure is quick. Reports from the
Essure website have women returning to their regular
activities the same day.
Essure does not come without risks.
Two clinical trials were performed checking for the
safety and effectiveness of Essure. Out of the 745
women who had the micro-inserts placed, the following
reactions were reported: failure to place both micro-inserts
during the first procedure, tubes not locking in the
first three months after insertion, one or both inserts
not staying in the body or expulsion, one or both
of the micro-inserts poking through the wall of a
tube or uterus, one or both micro-inserts outside
the tube or not in the correct place in the tube.
(*Statistics taken from www.essuremd.com*)
Essure is not for everyone. You’ll
need to talk with your doctor to determine if Essure
is right for you. Certain medical conditions prevent
the usage of Essure micro-inserts.
It is important to always inform any
doctor who treats you that you have had the Essure
procedure done. Certain tests and procedures should
be avoided due to the possibility of interfering with
the implanted micro-inserts.
As with any permanent birth control
option, great care and consideration needs to be taken
when making a choice. When you are positive that having
no more children is right for you, discuss with your
doctor your options. Thanks to Essure by Conceptus
Inc., you now have another option which is simple,
safe and non-invasive.
©
Rebecca Pillar 2007
