Permanent Essure injuries have been reported by patients for the past several years, spurring public outcry and a response from Congress.

At this point in time, the FDA has received over 18,000 Essure injury reports submitted by either patients or healthcare professionals. The concerning permanent Essure injuries mentioned in these reports include autoimmune disorders and degenerative bone disease, which were reportedly caused by adverse biological reactions.

The adverse biological reactions may be due to different contributing factors, but many have alleged it is due to the presence of nickel in the stainless steel metal coils.

Nickel allergies are not rare, so it is important for physicians to determine if the patient may have a sensitivity to this metal prior to implantation. However, doctors should also be wary of the fact that the metal could fret or corrode inside the patient and may cause other problems.

The Essure birth control device consists of two metal coils coated in PET plastic, which are designed to be biologically safe for implantation. However, PET plastic has been known to degrade, which may let toxic chemicals be released into the body. These coils are implanted into each fallopian tube where the tissue eventually grows around the coil.

The device works by blocking sperm to egg fertilization and is designed for permanent placement. However, the doctor inserts the coils vaginally, which means the doctor has limited ability to prevent damage to nerves or the uterine wall. Overall, there are a number of different factors that could contribute to permanent Essure injuries.

Overview of Essure Complications

At this time, the Essure contraceptive is the only form of non-surgical female sterilization in the United States. When Essure first entered the market in the early 2000s, it quickly became a popular choice for women seeking sterilization. With the features of convenience, short recovery time, and a noninvasive implantation procedure, it is easy to understand why numerous women opted for the Essure contraceptive. However, numerous women have also reported serious complications, with some patients suffering Essure permanent injuries.

Since its release in 2002, there had been thousands of injury reports indicating minor and serious side effects including, but not limited to:

• Debilitating Pain
• Bloating
• Headaches
• Fatigue
• Allergic Reactions
• Weight Fluctuations
• Ovarian Cyst Formation
• Painful Menstruation
• Cramps
• Vaginal Infection
• Painful Intercourse
• Autoimmune Disorder
• Bone Degeneration
• Ectopic Pregnancy (pregnancy in which the fetus forms outside the uterus)

In cases of ectopic pregnancy, the coils either failed or moved out of position while inside the patient.

In other cases of device perforation and migration, patients often had to undergo a hysterectomy to have the coils removed due to the sensitive nature of their location.

Many patients who suffered these complications have since had to contend with the aftermath of permanent Essure injuries. The manufacturing company Bayer HealthCare is currently facing legal action from Essure patients, alleging the company failed to warn patients about potential complications. Bayer HealthCare will most likely continue to face public backlash for permanent Essure injuries for some time.