Considerations
- Essure is a permanent sterilization procedure and is not reversible
- No form of birth control should be considered 100% effective, including the Essure procedure
- Not all women who undergo the Essure procedure will achieve successful placement of both micro-inserts
- Another form of birth control must be used for three months after the procedure
- Risks may include cramping/pain, nausea/vomiting, dizziness/light-headedness, bleeding/spotting
- As with all procedures, there are risks associated with the Essure procedure. You should be well-informed about these risks; discuss them in detail with your doctor before making your decision
- Sometimes a second confirmation test may be needed. This test uses a special type of dye and x-ray that confirms placement of the device and blockage of the fallopian tubes.
You should NOT choose Essure if you:
- May want to have children in the future
- Are pregnant or think you might be pregnant
- Have had a tubal ligation
- Cannot have the Essure micro-inserts placed in both of your tubes (even if one tube is thought to be closed or you only have one tube)
- Are unwilling to use alternative birth control during the three-month waiting time
- Are unwilling to have the follow-up Essure Confirmation Test
- Have a sensitivity to nickel, as shown by skin testing
You can find a complete list of risks and considerations on the Essure website at essure.com.