Over two dozen plaintiffs from several different states have filed a new Essure lawsuit against Bayer Corporation and its related companies.

Most of the plaintiffs in the Essure lawsuit claim they suffered severe physical injuries after receiving Essure birth control implants. Other plaintiffs are the spouses of some of these women bringing their own claims for loss of consortium.

The Essure lawsuit encompasses claims from plaintiffs from Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, Illinois, Missouri, New Mexico, Tennessee, Texas, and California.

Essure is a non-surgical method of permanent birth control. It consists of two implants, one for each fallopian tube. The implants are set in place inside the fallopian tube where they stimulate the growth of scar tissue that eventually occludes the fallopian tube, preventing pregnancy.

The women victims allege their Essure complications included “ectopic pregnancy, full-term pregnancy, pregnancy loss, perforation of organs, device migration, hysterectomies, severe abdominal and menstrual pain, pain during intercourse, heavy bleeding, migraines, back pain, depression, fatigue, weight fluctuation, and autoimmune diseases.”

Some of the plaintiffs allege their Essure devices perforated the fallopian tubes, migrated out of place, and become embedded in tissue outside the fallopian tubes. Removal of the failed Essure implants required some of the plaintiffs to undergo hysterectomy.

The Essure lawsuit plaintiffs also claim that Bayer has violated the conditions of the FDA’s 2002 conditional premarket approval for Essure by, among other things, failing to notify the FDA of over 16,000 reports of adverse events associated with Essure birth control.

Plaintiffs argue the alleged violations have invalidated the FDA’s approval and rendered Essure an adulterated product.

Essure Lawsuit Details Alleged Complications

One plaintiff, Elizabeth B. of North Carolina, said she had to undergo surgical removal of her implants to resolve her Essure side effects. She recalls being shown photographs after her surgery that showed an Essure implant hanging outside her left fallopian tube.

After that surgical removal, Elizabeth reports, she got immediate relief from her Essure complications. She says she “feels like a brand new person.”

Another plaintiff, Latonya B., claims that during implantation, her left-side implant broke. She says the nurse referred to the first coil as “defective” as she left the room to get a replacement coil.

Latonya says the replacement left-side coil went missing shortly after it was implanted. Two different doctors searched for it but were unable to find it.

She says she has been using a Nuvaring since the procedure to make up for the incomplete contraceptive effect of her Essure birth control and to help control the excessive bleeding, one of several other alleged Essure side effects she continues to suffer.

Another plaintiff, Melanie B. of Tennessee, said she got almost instant relief after a hysterectomy to remove her Essure implants. But a few months after that surgery, she was diagnosed with fibromyalgia, which her doctor said could be related to a traumatic event such as her Essure complications or the related hysterectomy.

Generally, the Essure lawsuit plaintiffs allege they relied on representations by Bayer that Essure is a safe and effective method of permanent birth control. They say they would not have accepted Essure implants had they been aware of the risk of Essure side effects.

The Essure Lawsuit is Case 2:16-cv-02717-ER in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

Generally, the Essure lawsuit plaintiffs allege they relied on representations by Bayer that Essure is a safe and effective method of permanent birth control. They say they would not have accepted Essure implants had they been aware of the risk of Essure side effects.