Removing Essure: When You May Benefit from this Minor Surgical Procedure

If you’re among the 750,000+ women with an Essure device, you may be experiencing some of the adverse health effects that caused this birth control implantation device to be pulled from the market and wondering about your next steps.  

While Essure insertion was relatively simple, removal is more complicated and requires surgical intervention. At Darin Swainston, MD. FACOG, robotic gynecological surgeon Dr. Swainston performs this procedure for patients in and around Las Vegas, Nevada. 

Read on to learn when you may benefit from Essure removal surgery and what’s involved!

What is Essure? 

Essure was a form of permanent birth control for women that did not require a hysterectomy or tubal ligation. With Essure, your doctor placed a small coil made of metal and fibers into your fallopian tubes. Your body reacted by creating scar tissue, which prevented conception. 

In December 2018, after many patient complaints, the FDA took action for patient safety and issued an order to stop sales and production of Essure. In 2019, existing device implantation ceased. 

Patients who received Essure before this order continue to report problematic symptoms. These symptoms range from ongoing pelvic pain and discomfort to perforation in the fallopian tubes and uterus.    

When is Essure removal beneficial?

Many women have experienced pain and other complications due to the Essure device. The symptoms associated with Essure include: 

• Chronic or acute pelvic pain
• Chronic or acute cramping
• Heavy or irregular menstrual bleeding
• Bleeding between periods
• Nausea and/or vomiting
• Dizziness or fainting
• Chronic headaches
• Pain with sexual intercourse

If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s important to discuss them with Dr. Swainston. He evaluates your symptoms and determines if they’re due to Essure or another underlying medical cause. 

You may also want to consider Essure removal if you’re concerned about the long-term complications the device can bring. Studies have found these complications include ectopic pregnancy, movement of the device from the fallopian tube to the lower abdomen, endometriosis, ongoing pain, irritable bowel syndrome, allergic reactions, and tears or perforations in the uterus or fallopian tubes. 

What’s involved with Essure removal?

Your Essure insertion was likely an in-office procedure. But Essure removal is more complicated and requires minor surgery. It also necessitates precision to ensure the embedded devices are removed without damaging the surrounding tissue. 

As a highly-trained robotic gynecological surgeon, Dr. Swainston has the skills and experience required to safely and effectively remove your Essure device. Through robotic-assisted laparoscopic surgery, Dr. Swainston is able to access the fallopian tubes and surrounding tissue with only a small incision at the bikini line. 

Since the fallopian tubes will remain detached from the uterus, your fertility will not be restored. Recovery from this minor surgery takes about 5-7 days. 

If you’re ready to learn more about whether or not you may benefit from Essure removal, contact our Las Vegas office today!