May 24, 2012
Parenting & Pregnancy Birth Control What is Essure and is it reliable?
What is Essure and is it reliable? |
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Dear Ask The Doctor: I know there are many different forms of birth control out there but I have been wanting to learn about this newer birth control procedure called Essure. How safe and reliable is it? Dear Heather: Essure is a permanent sterilization procedure considered to be 99.8 percent effective. It is the first FDA-approved method of female sterilization. Only women who are 100 percent sure they don't want children in the future should consider this procedure. Essure is a less-invasive alternative to tubal ligation. The recovery time is less than one day with minimal discomfort, compared to a two- or three-day recovery from traditional tubal ligation. There is no abdominal incision and no need for general anesthesia. The entire appointment takes less than two hours, and patients can resume normal activities within a day or two. Many women choose the Essure procedure because it takes very little time out of their busy lives. The procedure itself only takes about 35 minutes for an Essure-trained physician to perform. Essure works with a woman's body to form scar tissue that acts as a natural barrier, which prevents fertilization. The Essure micro- inserts are passed through the body's natural pathways and inserted into the fallopian tubes by an Essure-trained physician. Unlike other forms of tubal sterilization, there is no cutting into the body, burning or destruction of the fallopian tubes. The Essure micro- inserts are made with the same kind of materials that have been safely used in other medical devices for many years and cannot be felt once inserted. During the first three months following the procedure, a woman's body and the micro-inserts work together to form a tissue barrier that prevents sperm from reaching the egg. Women should use other forms of birth control for the first few months until a physician performs a confirmation test to be sure the tubes are fully blocked. Unlike birth control pills, patches, rings and some types of intrauterine devices (IUDs), Essure does not contain hormones to change a woman's natural menstrual cycle. Menstrual periods should more or less continue in their natural state. As an added benefit, the Essure procedure is covered by most health insurance plans. However, women should check with their health insurance company beforehand to confirm that the Essure procedure is a covered service of their plan. Although rare, there are risks associated with the Essure procedure, as with all medical procedures. The risks include the possibility of: - Perforation, expulsion or other unsatisfactory location of the micro-insert - Pregnancy and theoretical increased risk of ectopic pregnancy - Risks associated with anesthesia - Pain, cramping, vaginal bleeding, menstrual pattern changes - Nausea/vomiting or fainting If you are considering this procedure, please discuss the risks and benefits of Essure with your physician. |
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| Last Updated ( Sunday, 13 September 2009 ) |
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