Essure permanent birth control has been on the market since 2002, and has been linked to serious health complications in women.

After over a decade on the market and years of device recall campaigning from consumer advocates, Bayer HealthCare has recently announced that it is voluntarily recalling the Essure permanent birth control device from the market.

The Essure permanent birth control device consists of two metal coils, which are implanted into each fallopian tube. The nickel alloy spurs swelling in the surrounding tissue, preventing permanent sperm to egg fertilization.

When the Essure permanent birth control device was first released it was touted a revolutionary device for women’s healthcare in the United States, as it was the only non surgical method for permanent female sterilization. With a simple alternative offered in place of traditional tubal ligation, numerous women opted for the Essure permanent birth control.

However, not long after the device was released, numerous women reported serious problems with the Essure permanent birth control device. Bayer announced the voluntary Essure permanent birth control recall on July 20, 2018, stating that “decline in U.S. sales of Essure in recent years and the conclusion that the Essure business is no longer sustainable.”

Bayer reportedly went on to say that these “declining sales” may be due to “declining interest,” along with increased interest in alternative birth control methods. Furthermore, Bayer stated that the decline in Essure permanent birth control use may be due to “inaccurate and misleading publicity about the device.”

Overview of Essure Complications

The “misleading publicity” Bayer references may be linked to allegations made by consumer advocates and numerous women who says that numerous complications have been linked to Essure permanent birth control. Women and advocates have also alleged that Bayer HealthCare likely knew or should have known about serious device complications.

These injury reports vary in severity between patients, with women reporting complications such as:

• Essure coils becoming dislodged
• Essure coils migrating to other parts of the body
• Irregular or heavy periods
• Unexpected pregnancies
• Ectopic pregnancies (embryos forming outside the uterus)
• Headaches
• Fatigue
• Painful menstruation cramps
• Allergic reactions (from Nickel)

According to the FDA, over 25,000 Essure injury reports have been submitted during the 15 year period the device has been on the market.

Complaints regarding the Essure permanent birth control has spurred massive legal action against Bayer. Women who say they suffered compilations argue that the company should not have released the contraceptive to begin with.

Over 36,000 women have formed an “Essure Problems” Facebook group, consisting of women and their loved ones describing their experiences with the Essure permanent birth control device. These women also discussed different efforts and pathways to have the device recalled.

Soon after Bayer’s Essure recall announcement, the Facebook group’s administrator had contacted NBC News. The administrator told NBC News that “fighting to get Essure off the market has finally paid off.”

The administrator further stated that the recall was incredible news and an overwhelming victory for them. The announcement had “brought us all to our knees in thanks, relief and celebration,” according to the NBC News report. “Not one more woman will be harmed by this device. We have won, we have finally won.”

Even with the Essure recall, women may still continue to feel the effects of the Essure permanent birth control and may be able to file legal action against Bayer HealthCare. These potential claimants could seek possible compensation for any medical expenses caused by the Essure permanent birth control, along with other relevant damages.