Bayer HealthCare is facing a new Essure birth control lawsuit, from a woman alleging the contraceptive had caused her to suffer complications.

The Essure side effects had allegedly caused the women irreversible damage, and the plaintiff said that Bayer had improperly advertised the permanent contraceptive without adequately explaining the possible complications linked to the device.

Essure birth control is the only non-surgical permanent female sterilization method in the United States, with Bayer marketing it as a safer and more convenient alternative to tubal ligation.

The device consists of two metal coils which are meant to be implanted into each of the fallopian tubes. Eventually the tissue of the fallopian tubes swell around the coils, causing them to close, which prevents sperm to egg fertilization.

While originally developed by Conceptuc Inc., Bayer HealthCare acquired the rights for the Essure birth control. Though the company has experienced success with the contraceptive, the numerous reports of Essure side effects have resulted in major legal backlash.

Overview of Essure Birth Control Lawsuit

Plaintiff Denise H. had the permanent birth control implanted on Oct. 15, 2010, after discussing different birth control options with her physician.

The Essure birth control was implanted by a medical professional, and Denise said she experienced some complications during the procedure.

According to the Essure birth control lawsuit, Denise had suffered heavy bleeding, severe pain, and needed an adrenaline shot after fainting after having the device implanted.

Denise complains that she and her physician had relied on the representations made by Bayer HealthCare when making the decision to use the Essure birth control. It is important to note that Denise suffers from a nickel sensitivity, and was unaware of the nickel content of the Essure birth control device.

Denise was previously diagnosed with hypersensitivity to nickel, and would have opted for a different contraceptive if she had known about contraceptive’s nickel amount.

Due to her allergy to nickel, Denise had suffered a number of Essure side effects including: chronic pelvic pain, multiple fibroids, and nickel poisoning.

These Essure side effects eventually forced Denise to have the device explanted on Sept. 08, 2015, but she continues to suffer from complications. Denise is filing legal action against Bayer Healthcare for failing to adequately warn her against Essure side effects.

Since the device’s release in 2002, there have been over 4,500 reports of Essure side effects submitted to the FDA. Denise is seeking damages for multiple counts of negligence and failure to warn, stating she never would have used the Essure birth control if she had known about the device’s nickel content.

The Essure Birth Control Lawsuit is Case No. 8:16-cv-01958-MWF-MRW, in the Superior Court of California, Orange County.