Essure problems are demonizing the once-popular nonsurgical sterilization method for women.

When the product first became available, Essure was marketed as a quick and easy alternative to tube tying that offers irreversible results with no down time. Now, more and more women suffering from Essure problems are wishing they had opted for almost anything other than Essure.

Essure consists of two small metal and fiber coils that are inserted into the fallopian tubes, which are reached through the vagina. Over the course of several months, scar tissue grows in and around around the coils, blocking the fallopian tubes to stop the eggs’ release.

More than 750,000 women have been implanted with Essure, many of whom now report adverse effects. The FDA has received more than 32,000 complaints and 10,000 adverse event reports regarding Essure. More than 300 fetal deaths have been linked to Essure birth control.

A company called Conceptus sought and gained FDA approval for Essure, but Conceptus was bought by Bayer in 2013.

The FDA approved Essure in 2002 based on studies of only 745 clinical trial patients for a maximum of 24 months. Long-term responses to the inserts and the ability of the devices to stay in place were unknown when patients began receiving the implants.

Essure Problems Plague Women

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

Essure coils have migrated or perforated the fallopian tubes, causing excruciating pain and necessitating surgical removal of the coils. Sometimes, a hysterectomy is needed to resolve the issues caused by Essure.

Consumer advocate Erin Brockovich is trying to get Essure pulled from the market. She oversees a website that allows women to share their own experiences with the permanent birth control product. She says numerous Essure risks were hidden from women.

Women have reported headaches that progress to vertigo within a month of implantation.

One woman reports she began having side effects as soon as she received Essure. Her hair started falling out in handfuls, she was tired and dizzy constantly. She has developed anxiety, weight gain, mood swings and depression. She lost her job and no longer has friends because she is a completely miserable person since having Essure implanted.

Essure problems stem from the following facts:

• The Essure coils are “blindly” implanted into the fallopian tubes, making accurate positioning difficult. Even if left in the correct place, coils can migrate or puncture the fallopian tubes, causing great pain and prompting the need for surgical removal.

• 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 problems, you could benefit by seeking legal counsel.