After countless reports of major Essure birth control complications, and after facing thousands of lawsuits, pharmaceutical giant Bayer Healthcare announced in July that it would bring an end to sales of its Essure device. This is the last major market that Bayer had not yet pulled Essure from, use of the device having first been stopped in Canada, the U.K., and more.

Background of the Essure Device

Essure is a form of permanent birth control manufactured by Bayer Healthcare. The device consists of two metal coils and a fabric lining. In a simple procedure in a doctor’s office or clinic, the Essure device is implanted through the vagina and placed in the fallopian tubes. The coils are then allowed to expand in place for the next two to three months, as the surrounding tissue also grows in around the device.

While Essure was long touted as a simple procedure with minimal risk, the devices have been associated with some serious Essure birth control complications.

“Essure is estimated to have been used by more than 750,000 patients worldwide since it was first approved by global regulatory authorities,” said Gottlieb, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner, in a statement. “The device has been associated with serious risks including persistent pain, perforation of the uterus and fallopian tubes, and migration of the coils into the pelvis or abdomen.”

Those who have been affected by Essure birth control complications may need to undergo laparoscopic hysterectomy by a surgical specialist in order to properly remove the device and alleviate problems.

Unfortunately, many women who have already suffered from Essure birth control complications may not be able to fully recover. A number of Essure birth control complications can cause permanent and irreversible damage, including some severe allergic reactions, device fragmentation, and even failed pregnancies.

One woman who suffered from serious Essure birth control complications, Angie Firmalino, started a site called Essure Problems to offer a place for women who have suffered from other side effects after implantation with Essure to share their own stories. Women reported a wide range of Essure birth control complications, including having their teeth or hair fall out, persistent bleeding, or chronic pain.

Some Essure birth control complications that have been reported, like device fracture and migration, make removal surgery all the more difficult and dangerous.

Filing a Lawsuit Over Essure Birth Control Complications

Even though Bayer has now ended the sale of Essure in all major markets, countless more patients may still be affected by Essure birth control complications. Thousands of patients have filed lawsuits against Bayer over a slew of side effects, alleging that they were not adequately warned about the possible side effects of the birth control device.

If you or a loved one have suffered from Essure birth control complications, you may be able to file a lawsuit and pursue compensation. Of course, a lawsuit cannot undo the pain and suffering caused by Essure birth control complications, but it can at least help alleviate the financial damages caused by medical expenses and lost wages.