Essure Sterilization

Statistics

 *     FDA  Approved: 2  002
 * Duration  : Permanent*
 *   Implementation  : Non-invasive outpatient
 *   Effectiveness  : 99.65% (.135/100)
 *   Costs  : $900-$2,000
 *   STI  Protection: N  one

History
Essure sterilization was approved for use in the United States in 2002. This year, the FDA is reviewing complaints with Essure after more than a dozen women became pregnant (resulting in an ectopic pregnancy) or reported health problems (including exterme bloating, skin rashes, and headaches). In addition, X-rays have shown coils cutting though fallopian tubes and broken coils after they were removed. There has also been one death. About 750 million women have it implanted today. At this point the FDA has stated that they found no evidence of more widespread complications about Essure.

Description


<span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:200%;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Essure sterilization is a surgical procedure in which a surgeon inserts small, flexible, spring-like coils into the fallopian tubes vaginally (FDA, 2002). After the device is fully inserted, it expands, filling the fallopian tube, after which, the surgeon removes the scope, leaving the device inside. Because of its simplicity no anesthetics are required and the probability of injury and complications are very low; however, the probability is not negligible and the effects can be very unpleasant (FDA, 2002). Essure sterilization is irreversable (Mayo Clinic, 2013).

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:200%">Patients often choose essure sterilization because there is no incision or other temporary damage required in order to insert the essure coil (Mayo Clinic, 2013). Essure sterilization is quicker and simpler than other surgical procedures which is also appealing to many individuals (Mayo Clinic, 2013).

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:200%"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:200%;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">One follow-up appointment is required to ensure that the device is successfully blocking the fallopian tube (Mayo Clinic, 2013). Until it is confirmed to be successful, patients should assume that the procedures was unsuccessful. Patients allergic to nickel should avoid essure sterilization (Mayo Clinic, 2013).

Effects
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:200%"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:200%;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">While the most of the unconditional risks have a small probability of occurring, their effects can be very adverse. One of the conditional risks occur in women who are allergic to nickel (Mayo Clinic, 2013). Women who are allergic to nickel should avoid essure sterilization, especially because it is a permanent procedure (Mayo Clinic, 2013). Another conditional risk is that essure sterilization can be very damaging and lead to injuries in women who have recently given birth or have had an abortion (Mayo Clinic, 2013). Essure sterilization can also exacerbate previous infections  (Mayo Clinic, 2013).

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:200%">In addition to conditional risk, several risks include irregular vaginal bleeding, abdominal and shoulder and sudden weakness or fainting (FDA, 2002). Coils may also move out of place, or damaged and could possibly damage the uterus (FDA, 2002). The mortality rate runs at 0.00001%-0.0004% and a complication rate of 0.9%-1.6% (NIH, 2011).

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