The Essure birth control device, the only permanent non-surgical sterilization device available to females, is causing problems for thousands of women problems. Many of these women cannot have the device removed in an attempt to treat those problems.

Essure removal problems are adding a whole new layer of controversy over these devices.

What is Essure?

The Essure birth control device consists of two small metal coils which are implanted by a woman’s physician into her fallopian tubes during an in-office procedure. The devices cause the body to mount an inflammatory response after the foreign objects are inserted.

This inflammatory response causes scar tissue to form over the coils and block the fallopian tubes. When the fallopian tubes are completely blocked, fertilization of the egg by the sperm is no longer possible, and women cannot become pregnant.

Women opted for this procedure after having been told it is nearly as effective as traditional tubal ligation, but doesn’t have the same amount of recovery time associated with a traditional surgery.

Armed with this information, many women decided to trust their physicians and undergo the simple procedure in order to no longer have to worry about birth control. However, tens of thousands of women have had severe problems after the device was implanted.

Essure Complications

A number of complications have been reported in association with the Essure device. In fact, there are so many women who have dealt with severe issues stemming from the implantation of the device that a huge online community has been formed, named “Essure Problems.”

The founder of the group had so many complications that she ended up having to have a hysterectomy and two surgeries to attempt to control the issues. She says she still suffers from the Essure side effects, despite the interventions.

Side effects reported with the use of Essure include, but are not limited to:

• Autoimmune disease
• Heavy periods
• Irregular menstruation and bleeding
• Chronic pelvic pain
• Migraines and severe headaches
• Organ perforation
• Unintended pregnancy
• Ectopic pregnancy
• Fetal death
• Stillborn babies
• Metal allergies
• Depression
• Sexual problems

Essure Removal Problems

Of course, women who have problems with Essure want to be able to remove the source of their problems. However, Essure removal problems present complications of their own.

For one, many women cannot find a physician who is willing to remove the device because it is risky and is often not successful. It is estimated that only about 30 physicians across the United States have extensive experience in removing Essure devices, and access for many women to visit these physicians is limited.

Once a woman is able to find a physician who is willing to remove the device, Essure removal problems are not yet over. Complications can arise from the device’s removal including the device breaking while the doctor attempts to remove it. This can leave behind pieces of the metal coils in the patient that can migrate to other locations or that can perforate organs.

Many women are having to go undergo complete hysterectomies in order to remove the device. While this may solve some of the problems related to the device itself, this means that women as early in their 20s and 30s are dealing with premature menopause and related health risks associated with the condition.

Due to Essure removal problems and problems with the device itself, thousands of women have gone on to file Essure product liability lawsuits against the manufacturer, Bayer.

These women hope that by standing up to the manufacturers, they will hold them accountable for the allegedly unsafe device. Ultimately, many of them wish to have the device completely recalled from the market. If you or someone you love has suffered injury from an Essure device, you may be eligible to join those women seeking legal justice. A consultation with a medical device lawyer can answer your questions.