The Essure birth control device has recently been pulled from the Canadian market because of reports of serious Essure adverse events.

Essure, manufactured by Bayer Healthcare, has been on the market as the only non-surgical, non-hormonal permanent form of female birth control. Advertised as an easier alternative to tubal ligation, Essure has been a successful form of permanent birth control for many women.

The Essure birth control system is made of two flexible metal and polyester coils. Each of these coils are implanted into each of the fallopian tubes of the patient during a non-surgical procedure through the vagina and uterus.

When these coils are implanted in the fallopian tubes, it is intended that tissue will grow around the coils and block the fallopian tubes. When the tubes are blocked, conception cannot occur.

This has been seen by many to be an easy and safe form of long-term birth control. However, many women have complained of serious Essure adverse events. These Essure adverse events are what are behind the ban of the device in Canada.

According to LegalReader, Canada is just the most recent country to pull the device. Brazil has banned the device, but Bayer has also voluntarily taken Essure out of the markets in the U.K., Finland and the Netherlands.

The Toronto Star reported, “In light of the change in patient demand, Bayer has decided to voluntarily discontinue the sale and distribution of Essure in Canada over the next few months. This decision was taken for commercial reasons, and the favourable benefit-risk profile of Essure remains unchanged. This is not a recall of the product from the market.”

However, many people believe that it is not a “change in patient demand” that has instigated Bayer pulling the device, but that women are reporting serious Essure adverse events that has caused Bayer to act.

Essure was approved for use in Canada in 2001 and approximately 8,000 women were implanted with Essure devices in 2016. It was not approved for use in the United States until 2002 when it was approved through a fast-track process in 2002.

Currently there is an Essure adverse events class action lawsuit that involves almost three hundred women in Canada alleging that the device has been the source of injury for them. The plaintiffs explain that many of them have had to undergo surgical removal of Bayer’s device as well as hysterectomies.

What are Essure Adverse Events?

The removal of Essure from the Canadian market has to do with serious Essure adverse events. Women who have been implanted with Essure have complained of complications including bloating, rashes, allergic reactions, excessive bleeding, organ perforation, pelvic pain, miscarriage and ectopic pregnancy.

In Canada, Health Canada issued an advisory that noted that some patients were not given important information about the risks of Essure and possible Essure adverse events including unwanted pregnancy, chronic pain, bleeding, immune system issues and allergic reactions.

If you have suffered from Essure adverse events such as bleeding, pain, miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy or allergic reactions, you may be entitled to legal compensation.