Complications of Essure continue to make headlines as more women report problems with the permanent birth control device.

A new article in The Washington Post highlighted the health issues that many women have endured after the device was implanted.

The Essure permanent birth control system was marketed as a quick and easy alternative that offers irreversible results with no down time. Essure was marketed as being faster and easier than getting the fallopian tubes tied.

Essure consists of two small metal and fiber coils that are inserted into the fallopian tubes, which are reached through the vagina. Scar tissue grows around the coils, blocking the fallopian tubes to stop the eggs’ release. At least, in theory, that is what is supposed to happen.

Complications of Essure Due to Design, Materials

More than 750,000 women have been implanted with the device, and many of them report complications of Essure.

Some of the issues arise from the device’s design. The metal coils with the plastic coating were designed to be permanent, but the FDA approved Essure after just two years of clinical trials. The long-term capabilities of Essure to stay in place within the fallopian tubes was not known.

Essure’s website now warns that perforation of the uterus and/or fallopian tubes or possible migration of the coils into the abdominal or pelvic cavity are potential adverse events.

Complications of Essure can stem from the metal and plastic used in the components. The metal coils contain a nickel alloy that allows the coil to be condensed for insertion and then to expand as it warms inside the body.

If a woman is allergic to nickel, her body will react accordingly. Rashes, chronic inflammation, chronic joint pain, and other autoimmune system reactions have been linked to Essure.

The PET plastic fibers designed to incite scar tissue growth can become an issue as well. PET plastic is known to degrade and leach toxins when it reaches a temperature of 85 degrees. When it releases these toxins into the human body, the plastic can cause chronic inflammation and possible autoimmune responses in addition to how the body is reacting to the nickel coils.

Complications of Essure Lead to Facebook Group

A Facebook group called Essure Problems includes nearly 30,000 members who share common stories of everything from hair loss to unexpected pregnancies.

As part of ensuring Essure is properly blocking the fallopian tubes and no other additional birth control method is needed, the Essure patient is to return to the doctor’s office for a test three months after insertion.

Some women either get too busy to return for the test or their insurance changes. Women who post pictures of their “E-babies” are living proof that Essure is not as effective as most had hoped.

More than 16,000 adverse event reports have been filed with the FDA from women with a variety of complications of Essure. Nearly 9,000 women have had the device surgically removed. No one knows how many other women would like to have the device removed, but cannot afford to do so. Most of the time, a hysterectomy is needed to rid the body of Essure.

If you or someone you love has suffered from complications of Essure, you could benefit by speaking with an attorney regarding your options for compensation.