More women report Essure health problems and are filing lawsuits against the makers of the once-popular nonsurgical sterilization method.

The Essure permanent birth control system was marketed as a quick and easy alternative to surgical sterilization that offers irreversible results with no down time. Essure consists of two small metal and fiber coils that are inserted into the fallopian tubes, which are reached through the vagina. The goal is that over the course of three months, scar tissue grows around the coils, blocking the fallopian tubes to stop the eggs’ release into the uterus.

More than 750,000 women have been implanted with Essure, many of whom now report adverse effects and Essure health problems.

The FDA approved Essure in 2002 based on studies of only 745 clinical trial patients for a maximum of 24 months. Longer-term responses to the inserts and the ability of the devices to stay in place were not known.

The company who developed the product, Conceptus, sought and gained FDA approval for Essure, but was bought by Bayer in 2013.

Myriad Essure Health Problems Plague Women

Reported Essure health problems include fatigue, rashes, headaches, heavy periods, cramping, ectopic pregnancies, painful intercourse and debilitating joint pain.

Some women’s Essure devices have migrated or perforated the fallopian tubes, causing excruciating pain and necessitating surgical removal of the coils. Some women have needed to undergo a hysterectomy to rid themselves of the device and its side effects.

Consumer advocate Erin Brockovich has taken on Essure through a website that allows women to share their stories and to sign a petition to remove the product from the market. She says the Essure risks were hidden from women.

Women who share their stories of Essure health problems on Erin’s website have reported headaches that become episodes of vertigo within a month of implantation. At least one woman had to have a blood transfusion because her period would not stop.

Another patient reported that she always looks five to seven months pregnant from the bloating Essure causes her. She endures daily headaches, vaginal pain and numbness. Her insurance will not cover the device removal, and she has been prescribed antidepressants to cope with the Essure health problems.

Reported problems with Essure include:

• The stainless steel used in Essure is passivated, which means it is chemically treated to make it less reactive. Once implanted, the material used in Essure can become unpassivated, which leads to rusting and degrading

• The coils contain nickel. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that between 10 and 20% of the population is allergic to nickel. Inflammation, joint pain, and rashes can be indicators of a nickel allergy.

• The metals in Essure permanent birth control can degrade due to high nickel ion release, which increases the risk of metal poisoning in patients.

• The plastic used in the surfacing of the coils is made of PET plastic, which 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.

If you have received this implanted birth control and are enduring Essure health problems, you could be eligible to participate in a class action lawsuit. An Essure lawyer can answer questions about your legal options.