Thousands of women have reported experiencing heavy bleeding and chronic pain, after the “permanent” Essure birth control device broke or migrated inside their bodies, damaging internal organs.

The public outcry over Essure problems has led famed consumer advocate Erin Brockovich to launch a grassroots campaign against the procedure.

Brockovich, who rose to fame by filing a multimillion dollar groundwater contamination case against PG&E, is campaigning to have Essure taken off the U.S. market.

“There’s something wrong with the device, in my opinion,” Brockovich said. “It’s a form of permanent birth control, and women’s organs are being perforated … It’s ridiculous that at any level we try to defend this. If 30 women did suffer harm for unknown reason, we’d investigate. We have thousands injured. I don’t think it’s safe.”

In fact, Brockovich has dedicated a website documenting Essure problems after hearing from women facing serious medical issues after being implanted with the Essure device, which according to their testimonials, can include:

• Debilitating headaches
• Nausea
• Hysterectomies
• Colon perforation due to device moving
• Scans not being able to find the device
• Migration of the device or its components
• Pregnancy

In addition, women report a large number of Essure side effects including:

• Device incompatibility (symptoms of incompatibility include rashes, nickel allergies, and a metallic taste in mouth)
• Device operating different than expected
• Device breakage/perforation
• Inaccurate positioning of the device

Brockovich’s launch of the website is an in an effort to create FDA-mandated change regarding the alleged dangers of Essure problems.  She also started a petition to get lawmakers to reconsider the FDA preemption rules, which exempts medical devices like Essure from lawsuits.

“I was just astounded at what I was reading and even more angered that there was just going be no recourse for these women,” said Brockovich.

Essentially she provides an online voice for women suffering from these Essure side effects that coincide with FDA findings. According to Brockovich, these stories are meant to save thousands of women from making a birth control decision that could negatively impact their health.

To date, nearly 16,000 people have signed Brockovich’s petition to remove Essure from the market altogether.

How Does Essure Work?

Bayer markets Essure as being a safer and easier form of permanent birth control, compared to tubal ligation.

During a transcervical procedure, small coils are placed into the fallopian tubes by a catheter passed from the vagina through the cervix and uterus.

The insert contains synthetic fibers to induce a benign fibrotic reaction. It is held in place by a flexible stainless steel inner coil and a dynamic outer nickel titanium alloy coil.

Once in place, the device is designed to promote scar tissue growth in and around the insert.  Over a period of several months, scar tissue forms, blocking the fallopian tubes and preventing pregnancy.

Tens of thousands of women have allegedly undergone the procedure.

Filing an Essure Lawsuit

The number of women experiencing Essure problems continues to grow and their stories have become increasingly visible as a result of websites and social media forums like Brockovich’s.

However, FDA pre-market approval (preemption) protects a manufacturer from product liability lawsuits.  Still, this has not deterred several women from filing Essure lawsuits.

These lawsuits center on allegations that Bayer violated the conditions for approval by “actively concealing” adverse reports from the FDA, thereby rendering the approval invalid and exposing the company to litigation.

If you or someone you loved suffered Essure side effects, an Essure attorney can provide you with a free, no-obligation and confidential case review and advise you of your legal options.