The Essure Procedure: Key Considerations

The Essure procedure is only appropriate if you are sure you don’t want any more children, would like to have permanent birth control and believe you will not change your mind. If there is any chance you may want to have children in the future, you should choose another form of birth control. You should avoid making this choice during times of stress, such as a divorce or after a miscarriage, and NEVER under pressure from a partner or others.

If you decide you want the Essure procedure, you will have a general examination and laboratory tests to confirm that you are a good candidate for the procedure. It may turn out that the Essure procedure is not an option for you.

Essure is Permanent

The procedure should be considered irreversible. There are no data on the safety or effectiveness of surgery to reverse the Essure procedure. It is only meant to be used by women who are certain they no longer want to have children. There are also no data on the safety or effectiveness of in vitro fertilization (IVF) after the Essure procedure has been performed.

Nothing is 100%

Like all methods of birth control, the Essure procedure should not be considered 100% effective. No method of birth control is 100% effective and there is a small chance you could become pregnant.

Waiting Period for Effectiveness

There is a waiting period after the procedure. A pelvic x-ray will be taken three months after the procedure to determine the location of the Micro-inserts. Based on the results of the x-ray, your doctor will advise you whether the Essure Micro-insert can be relied on for permanent birth control. Because of this 3-month waiting period, you will need to talk to your doctor (before the procedure is performed) about alternative contraceptive options to cover this time.

Risks

The Essure procedure is newer than other procedures. Essure is one of the newest methods of permanent birth control, so it hasn’t been studied in as many women or for as long as most birth control methods.

As with all procedures, there are risks associated with Essure. You should be aware of these risks and discuss them in detail with your doctor before you make your decision. Many of them are rare. You should talk to your doctor about the likelihood of these risks, particularly in relation to your own situation.

This excerpt is taken from an FDA informational booklet.

This information is provided for your information. It is not medical advice and should not be relied upon as a substitute for visiting your doctor. If you need medical care, or have any questions, please contact your obstetrician-gynecologist.