Bayer HealthCare is facing a new Essure lawsuit from an Ohio woman alleging the permanent birth control product caused her to suffer complications. The woman claims serious Essure defects with injuries ranging from dizziness to debilitating pelvic pain.

These Essure defects eventually forced her to undergo a hysterectomy which was supposed to be unnecessary due to the permanent birth control product. Plaintiff Sheri A. had the Essure birth control implanted on April 23, 2012, after discussing the decision with her physician.

Like many women who have opted for the permanent contraceptive, Sheri chose Essure birth control as an alternative to traditional surgical female sterilization. However it was was not long after the contraceptive was implanted that Sheri began experiencing complications, which eventually led to a hysterectomy on Oct. 23, 2014.

According to the Essure lawsuit, Sheri suffered a number of side effects including severe menstrual pain, abnormal menstrual cycles, excessive bleeding, debilitating pelvic pain, migraines, abdominal pain and dizziness.

After reporting these problems to her doctor, it was recommended that Sheri undergo the hysterectomy.

At no point before or after the Essure birth control device was implanted did Bayer HealthCare warn Sheri against potential complications.

Sheri filed this Essure defects lawsuit after discovering the numerous problems associated with the Essure birth control device, and that Bayer HealthCare may have known of the problems for years.

Overview of Essure Birth Control Complications

The Essure birth control device was approved by the FDA in 2002 and quickly became famous for being the only non-surgical method of female sterilization. The device consists of two metal coils, each of which is implanted into a fallopian tube, and are meant to prevent sperm to egg fertilization.

Once implanted, the tissue of the fallopian tubes swell around the coils and is supposed to eliminate the possibility of pregnancy. Due to its convenience and fast recovery time, the Essure birth control was popular upon its release and was thought to be a safer alternative to tubal ligation.

However, the number of Essure defects reported by patients has initiated major concern in the patient population and medical community. Since the Essure birth control was approved for sale, approximately 16,000 injury reports have been submitted by patients.

Even though consumer advocates have called to have the device removed from the market, the FDA opted to keep Essure available to patients. Bayer HealthCare has been repeatedly criticized for keeping the Essure birth control on the market, as it may be unreasonably dangerous to consumers.

Sheri states that she never would have opted for the permanent birth control device if she had known of the possible Essure defects.

This Essure Defects Lawsuit is Case No. 3:17-cv-00402-JST in the Superior Court of the State of California, County of Sacramento.