What is Essure Birth Control?
According to the Federal Drug Administration, “Essure is a permanently implanted birth control device for women (female sterilization). Implantation of Essure does not require a surgical incision. In the procedure, a health care provider inserts flexible coils through the vagina and cervix and into the fallopian tubes – the tubes that carry the eggs from the ovaries to the uterus. Over a period of about three months, tissue forms around the inserts. The build-up of tissue creates a barrier that keeps sperm from reaching the eggs, thus preventing conception. Essure is considered a permanent form of birth control and therefore is not intended to be removed.” Likewise, Bayer International touts Essure as “the only permanent birth control with a non-surgical procedure.” Bayer claims that Essure is “over 99% effective at permanently preventing pregnancy.”
What Can Go Wrong If You Use Essure Birth Control?
Again, according to the Federal Drug Administration, “Over the past several years, the FDA has been examining the growing number of adverse event reports associated with the use of Essure. Reported adverse events include persistent pain, perforation of the uterus and/or fallopian tubes, intra-abdominal or pelvic device migration, abnormal or irregular bleeding, and allergy or hypersensitivity reactions. Some women have had surgical procedures to remove the device. In addition, Essure failure, and, in some cases, incomplete patient follow-up, have resulted in unintended pregnancies.”
Lawrence & Associates Accident and Injury Lawyers, LLC previously wrote about this issue in our blog post on Essure. In that post, we gave greater discussion to the numerous lawsuits that have been filed against Bayer because of side effects related to Essure’s implantation, and the many social media groups that have sprung up to help Essure’s victims cope with those effects. Side effects of Essure birth control often include the following:
- Abdominal Pain & Cramping
- Severe Menstrual Cramps
- Weight Gain
- Headache
- Back Pain
- Vaginal Discharge / Infection
- Brain Fog
- Anxiety
- Gas and/or Bloating
- Pelvic / Lower Abdominal Pain
- Suicidal Thoughts
- Depression | Abnormal Bleeding
- Joint Pain
- Arm/Leg Pain
- Hair Loss
- Tooth Loss
- Perforated Organs
- Premenstrual Syndrome
- Pain During Intercourse
- Prolonged Menstrual Bleeding
Between 2002 and 2015, the FDA has received thousands of complaints from women who used Essure. In addition to the symptoms listed above, patients also reported issues with patient/device incompatibility (like nickel allergies), migration of part of whole device, device operation, device breakage, and mis-positioned devices. Eleven deaths of women or fetuses have been reported, which the FDA sees as resulting from Essure. According to the Essure victim advocate’s website, “Adhesion disorders and device migration have also been cause for removal of Essure. Adhesion disorders arise from scar tissue and involve the adhesion of two or more organs. Adhesions due to Essure might involve the bladder, the bowels, or the pelvis, other reproductive organs. Device migration typically results in the device moving into the uterus or bladder. Sometimes this only causes minor pain until the device can be surgically removed. However, some migrations have caused tissue damage and severe adverse Essure side effects and have required major surgery.”
Can You File a Medical Negligence Claim If Essure Birth Control Is Hurting You?
If you have experienced negative side effects associated with an Essure birth control implant, we can help find solutions for you. If you have not had your Essure implant removed and would like to consult a doctor for removal, our team can recommend trusted doctors for removal of the Essure device.
For more information about Essure birth control claims, contact the offices of Lawrence & Associates Accident and Injury Lawyers, LLC and discuss your case. A claim related to implantation of Essure would most likely be against Bayer International, not your doctor, and would therefore be considered a medical products liability claim (a type of negligence claim) rather than a medical malpractice claim.
Contact our office at 859-371-5997 (KY) or 513-351-5997 (OH) or request a Free Case Evaluation Online to find out how we can help you.
