Recent Essure lawsuit claims allege Bayer HealthCare knew about potential complications associated with its Essure permanent birth control system, yet failed to adequately notify the public.

Over a dozen women have filed Essure lawsuit claims in a single lawsuit in a Missouri federal court. The plaintiffs say they experienced serious complications, with some needing revision surgery to remove the devices.

Essure Birth Control System

The Essure device consists of two metal coils, each of which is implanted into a fallopian tube to prevent sperm to egg fertilization. After the coils are implanted into the fallopian tubes, the tissue will eventually swell and permanently block conception.

At this time, the Essure device is the only form of non-surgical female sterilization and is considered more convenient and less invasive than traditional tubal ligation. Even with its immense popularity since its release in the early 2000s, some patients reportedly suffered unexpected complications.

Overview of Essure Lawsuit Claims

Bayer HealthCare is facing hundreds of Essure lawsuit claims for allegedly failing to warn patients against these possible device problems. Plaintiffs in the new action in Missouri allege they suffered a variety of different Essure complications:

• Missouri plaintiff Nedra D. says she had the Essure device implanted on Nov. 25, 2008 and suffered no initial complications. However, not long after the coils were implanted, Nedra allegedly started experiencing painful symptoms including: chronic pelvic pain, back pain, painful intercourse, hair loss, abdominal bloating, rashes, and migraines. Even after visiting her physician, these symptoms were not resolved and continues to interfere with Nedra’s life, she claims.
• Indiana plaintiff Angel W. had the Essure device implanted on May 29, 2014, and suffered no initial complications. Later, Angel allegedly started experiencing odd symptoms including severe pain and discomfort, menstrual bleeding, chronic pain, painful intercourse, and abdominal pain. Even after reporting it to her physician, Angel says her symptoms remain unresolved.
• Pennsylvania plaintiff Jessica H. had the Essure device implanted on Sept. 25, 2012. She ended up suffering from painful symptoms including heavy menstrual bleeding, painful intercourse, abdominal pain and bloating. Jessica says she eventually had to undergo revision surgery to have her fallopian tubes removed to resolve the alleged Essure complications.

The Essure lawsuit claims made in this mass tort lawsuit are similar to injury reports submitted to the FDA. The agency receiving at least 462 similar injury reports between May 29, 2014 and Jan. 20, 2016. Many of these injury reports indicated the Essure had broken apart while inside the patient, which may have forced many patients to undergo serious procedures like hysterectomy to resolve them.

The Essure lawsuit claims Bayer HealthCare may have known about potential device complications for years. The plaintiffs claim Bayer HealthCare allegedly knew or should have known about potential Essure complications, but failed to warn the general public.

The Essure lawsuit claims these women would not have opted for the permanent birth control device if they had known about potential device complications.

This Essure Lawsuit is Case No. 4:17-cv-02584-NAB, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri.