Women across the country are filing legal action against Bayer HealthCare, due to Essure complications they allegedly experienced soon after implantation.

As the country’s only non surgical option for female sterilization, the Essure birth control device is one of the most popular contraceptives. However, reported Essure complications have raised major concern in the medical community and patient population.

There have also been thousands of Essure complications reported by patients, ranging in severity from device failure to ectopic pregnancy. Bayer HealthCare allegedly knew the risks associated with Essure complications, but did not warn the public.

Essure complications patients have reported in Essure lawsuits included:

• Device Migration
• Hysterectomy
• Abdominal Pain
• Pelvic Pain
• Back Pain
• Bloating
• Weight Gain
• Unusual Menstrual Bleeding
• Perforated Organs
• Ectopic Pregnancy
• Allergic Symptoms

In some instances, the device reportedly perforates the fallopian tubes and migrates away from the implant site and may lead to other complications.

With the coils out of place, the patient could experience abdominal pain or hormone fluctuations as the fallopian tubes are not unblocked. One of the most severe Essure complications reported is ectopic pregnancy, in which the fetus forms outside the uterus.

There have been over 5,000 reports of Essure complications reported since the device’s release, prompting consumer advocates to call for complete market removal. Consumer advocates further state the Essure coils should have never been given FDA approval, and were too high risk for patient use.

Overview of Essure Complications Allegations

Approved by the FDA in 2002, the Essure birth control device consists of two metal coils that are directly implanted into the woman’s fallopian tubes. With the coils inside the fallopian tubes, the tissue takes up to a month swell around the components which will ultimately block sperm to egg fertilization.

Originally developed by Conceptus Inc., Bayer HealthCare eventually acquired the rights to the Essure birth control device. However, during its developmental period, Conceptus Inc. allegedly conducted a number of questionable actions to insure the success of the Essure birth control device.

Since the device’s release, millions of women have had the Essure birth control device implanted and have been successfully sterilized. Women who may have experienced Essure complications, however, may be able to file legal action against Bayer HealthCare.