Medical experts are warning against prescribing the Essure birth control device for women who do not wish to have any more children. Touted as an affordable and non-invasive method for female sterilization, the device is now facing heavy criticism for causing major complications in patients.

The Essure birth control product was approved by the FDA in 2002 as a non-surgical method of permanent pregnancy prevention. The device is made up of two 4cm nickel-titanium alloy coils, which are inserted directly into the fallopian tubes by a medical professional. Tissue surrounding the device gradually builds up, fully blocking sperm-to-egg fertilization after three months.

Manufactured by Bayer Pharmaceuticals, the device is marketed as the only non-surgical method of female sterilization. Essure went through a fast-track approval process, which means it went to market with little to no pre-clinical trials. Experts believed it not only offered a safer alternative to traditional female sterilization, but was also more effective and required less recovery time.

It was considered a medical breakthrough at the time of release, but has since caused many women to suffer from serious complications including bloating, rashes, allergic reactions, bleeding, organ perforation, pelvic pain, miscarriage, unplanned pregnancy, and ectopic pregnancy. Woman have had to undergo removal surgery to take out the Essure coils in order to resolve the complications.

Many of the women adversely affected by the Essure device are using social media to reach out to other women in similar situations.

Overview of Essure Birth Control Concern

One woman, Dana K., describes how daily bleeding, bloating, and headaches made her life miserable. According to Dana, there were no warnings or indications of these Essure complications on the product’s warning label, so she was scared because she didn’t know what was going on. Dana explained that she opted for the Essure because it was a hassle-free birth control, which fit well into her busy life. Rebecca G., a mother of three, similarly chose Essure but experienced frequent stabbing pain, forcing her to have the device removed four months after implantation.

Both Dana and Rebecca joined the growing number of women who share information and support through Facebook support groups for Essure victims. Calling themselves “E-Sisters,” members of the groups call for the Essure device to be removed from the market because it is unreasonably dangerous and does not provide any precautionary warnings. The Facebook group Essure Problems has over 12,500 members, while one local Colorado group has over 100 members.

According to experts, thousands of women have filed Essure injury reports with the FDA since 2004. In 2012 alone, women registered 146 complaints; in 2013, when Bayer bought out the original manufacturer, the number jumped to more than 700 complaints. That number keeps rising, and is in the thousands for 2014 and the first part of 2015.

Until the FDA and Bayer take steps to ensure that the Essure device does not harm more patients, women will continue to support each other through social media. Some women have also filed Essure lawsuits, seeking compensation for medical bills and the pain and suffering they have endured.