5 Signs You May Need to Have Your Essure Birth Control Device Removed

A type of birth control called Essure was pulled from the market by the FDA in 2019 due to the health complications it caused. However, nearly a million women still have the device in place.    

At Darin Swainston MD. FACOG in Las Vegas, Nevada, our board-certified providers safely remove the Essure device using robotic-assisted surgery. Here’s a closer look at Essure and five common signs it’s time to have your Essure device removed.   

What do I need to know about Essure?

Essure is a type of permanent birth control using a small metal and fiber coil. Your provider placed the device inside your fallopian tubes, and in reaction, your body creates scar tissue. This prevents pregnancy. 

However, so many women reported health problems after getting Essure that in 2018, the FDA issued an order stopping the production and sales of Essure and a cease order for implantation of existing devices in 2019.    

Women who had Essure placed before these orders may develop problematic symptoms at any time. This means that even if you’ve had Essure for years, it could be time to have your birth control device removed if you’re experiencing any of the problematic symptoms shared by women with Essure. 

What are five signs it’s time to have Essure removed?

The best way to learn if you should have your Essure device removed is by scheduling an appointment with an Essure expert, like a provider at Darin Swainston MD. FACOG. Your provider evaluates your symptoms and determines if Essure or an underlying medical condition is the cause. 

There are, however, some symptoms many women with Essure experience that indicate it’s time to remove the device. Five common signs it’s time to have Essure removed include:

1. Heavy or irregular bleeding, including bleeding between periods
2. Chronic headaches, dizziness, or fainting
3. Chronic and significant pelvic pain and cramping
4. Persistent nausea or vomiting
5. Chronic pain or discomfort during sex

The good news is that having Essure removed generally resolves these and other symptoms associated with the birth control device.     

How is Essure removed?

While Essure is typically placed during an in-office visit, having your device removed is a more involved process that requires surgery. After removal, you won't regain fertility. 

Since removing Essure requires a high degree of precision to make certain no surrounding tissues are damaged, it’s important to seek care from a provider who specializes in the right type of surgery. 

At Darin Swainston MD. FACOG, our team members have extensive experience with robotic-assisted surgeries, allowing them to safely and effectively remove your Essure device while making the smallest incisions possible. 

This laparoscopic surgery enables us to visualize the surgical area of the fallopian tubes and surrounding tissues, keeping you as safe as possible. Recovery from Essure removal takes about 5-7 days. 

Learn if it’s time for you to have your Essure birth control device removed by scheduling an appointment online or over the phone at Darin Swainston MD. FACOG in Las Vegas, Nevada.