Essure, a birth control method designed to be permanent, consists of two coils that are placed in the fallopian tubes on either side of the uterus in the pelvic cavity of an adult female. This method of coil delivery requires a short doctor’s office visit and no general anesthesia ─ a fact which was supposed to make the sterilization method superior to tubal ligation in safety.

Essure is made by Conceptus Inc., which was later purchased by the Bayer Company. Its strength has been that it can be implanted in six to eight minutes using an application catheter via the vagina and cervix, versus tubal ligation which requires small incisions to be made in the lower abdomen to access the Fallopian tubes – a process needing general anesthesia and more time.

Tubal ligation complications are minimal; Essure, in contrast, has had numerous complaints and adverse event reports. However, despite published Essure side effects, is still marketed as a legitimate alternative to tubal ligation.

Scar Tissue Among Essure Side Effects

According to www.plannedparenthood.org, it takes three months for implanted Essure coils to become effective as a sole method of birth control.

The permanent prevention of pregnancy is based upon a fibrotic build-up of connective/scar tissue around the coils which have a flexible stainless-steel core and polyethylene terephthalate fibers.

The fibers cause swelling in the area and encourage this growth. The scar tissue growth is supposed to entirely block the fallopian tubes, preventing the passage of sperm and ripened ova.

Until complete occlusion is confirmed by a radiologist using a contrasting material and special procedure, patients choosing Essure are expected to use additional forms of birth control.

While this occlusion is the goal and the point of the coils to prevent pregnancy, the inflammation and scar tissue development may actually cause other more problematic Essure side effects.

Risk of Ectopic Pregnancy Among Essure Side Effects

Since it started being used in 2002, Essure has been the subject of a multitude of complaints arising from the use of this birth control method.

According to www.dailyhornet.com, women have let the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) know about such things as pelvic and lumbar (low back) pain upon implantation of the Essure device, as well as ongoing issues with abdominal pain, erratic and unpredictable levels of menstrual flow including break-through bleeding, headaches, chronic exhaustion, and symptoms of systemic allergic reaction to nickel.

Nickel is part of the make-up of the coils and is a relatively common allergen.

Unexpected pregnancy is also one of the Essure side effects that can be especially problematic both physically and psychologically.

According to the FDA, if a sperm and egg do find a way to unite, the usual process of migration to the uterus and implantation into the uterine wall can be interrupted by the scar tissue. The result is an ectopic pregnancy ─ a pregnancy outside of the uterus. This can be dangerous for mother and baby.

If you feel you have been harmed using the Essure birth control device, take the time to discuss the issue with a product liability lawyer. You may be eligible for compensation for your pain and suffering.