Essure is a form of permanent birth control that works by creating scar tissue in a woman’s fallopian tubes to stop eggs from descending into the uterus and sperm from entering the fallopian tubes. The Essure medical device is a coil made from stainless steel, nickel titanium and polyethylene fibers. The coil is inserted through the vagina into the fallopian tubes, where it expands and anchors into the walls of the tubes. During the months following insertion, scar tissue builds up to seal the fallopian tubes.
Bayer markets Essure as the only FDA-approved form of permanent birth control available to women without a surgical procedure. Essure is promoted as being over 99% effective at permanently preventing pregnancy with a quick recovery after insertion. However, many women report severe and debilitating side effects as a result of Essure, including severe pelvic pain, autoimmune problems, migraines, hair loss, and even perforation of the fallopian tubes or other organs. These reports are significant as over 750,000 women and their doctors have chosen Essure as a method of permanent birth control.