Essure birth control complications are a serious concern for women and healthcare professionals across the United States, with consumer advocates stating the device is too dangerous to be prescribed.

The Essure birth control complications reported range from back pain to ectopic pregnancies, in which the contraceptive failed to prevent conception and the baby formed outside the uterus.

The Essure birth control complications reported range in severity with some reporting back pain and weight gain, to needing revision surgery to have the coils removed due to painful side effects. Essure birth control complications reported to the FDA include, but not limited to are:

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

Device migration occurs when the coils migrate away from the implant site and move to other parts of the body. Considering these coils are only meant to be inside the fallopian tubes, this can lead to severe abdominal pain and pelvic pain. This can also spur unusual menstrual bleeding, and  because the fallopian tubes are now unblocked, it can make the patient vulnerable to unplanned pregnancies.

In these cases, it is not unheard of for ectopic pregnancies to occur, in which the fetus develops outside of the uterus. Along with ectopic pregnancies, another serious complication is organ perforation by the coils.

Patients may have to undergo a hysterectomy to have the coils removed, but surgeons may have difficulty removing the device due to the sensitive nature of the implant site.

The Essure birth control device consists of two metal coils that are implanted into the fallopian tubes. These coils are made of nickel and other metals, which are meant to trigger growth of new tissue inside the fallopian tubes.

The muscle eventually swells around the coils and ultimately prevents sperm to egg fertilization. However, the metal in these coils has allegedly triggered allergic reactions in some patients who have a sensitivity to nickel.

Overview of Essure Birth Control Complications Concern

There have been over 5,000 injury reports submitted to the FDA regarding Essure birth control complications, with consumer advocates calling for the device to be removed from the market and arguing that the device should have never gained FDA approval.

For example, Erin Brockovich is leading a campaign that is trying to prompt an Essure market recall. She and thousands of other women across the United States have complained of Essure birth control complications, and are lobbying for the FDA to remove the contraceptive from the market.

Even with this serious call for action, the FDA has chosen to have the Essure birth control device to remain on the market because of the number of women who may want nonsurgical sterilization.

The Essure birth control device is the only nonsurgical form of female sterilization available in the country, which is often preferred to traditional tubal ligation.

Unlike hysterectomy, the Essure contraceptive can be implanted in a minimally invasive manner and does not require a long recovery period. The device was approved by the FDA in 2002 and has made manufacturer Bayer HealthCare millions since its release.

Even though Bayer HealthCare allegedly knew about the severity of Essure birth control complications, some patients say the company failed to warn the public properly about the associated risks.