Women With Essure Birth Control Device Face Increased Risks of Repeat Procedures, New Study Shows

As of 2019, following years of patient complaints and thousands of lawsuits filed by women who suffered serious and painful injuries, Bayer no longer sells its Essure Permanent Birth Control System. A non-reversible, non-surgical contraceptive device that had been heavily marketed as an alternative to procedures like tubal ligation (or “tying tubes”).

Essure has been associated with a number of serious and devastating adverse effects, including:

• Severe pelvic pain
• Organ perforation
• Autoimmune disease
• Allergic reactions (nickel)
• Headaches and migraines
• Device breakage, displacement, and migration
• Abnormal bleeding, bloating, and fatigue

In addition to considerable pain and suffering, many women with Essure implants have had to undergo serious and costly medical procedures and surgeries to address their symptoms, repair devices, remove the devices entirely, or perform other needed treatment. According to new research, those types of revision procedures are far more likely to happen to women with Essure implants than women who use other forms of contraception/sterilization.

What Researchers Are Saying About Essure

According to a medical journal article recently published in Obstetrics & Gynecology, repeat procedure risks increase with the use of Essure birth control devices. The study comes from a team of physicians and researchers from the Department of Healthcare Policy and Research and NYC’s Weill Cornell Medical College. Here are some of their key findings:

• Women with Essure birth control implants are significantly more likely to require a repeat medical procedure (specifically tubal resection or ligation) than those who received the more conventional laparoscopic sterilization.
• Those “significant” risks are associated with the first few years following implantation, as researchers limited their study to outcomes within 7 years of initial implantation.
• Because the risks beyond 7 years after implantation are not yet known, researchers say continuous monitoring will be crucial to both the health of women, and to improving our understanding of long-term risks posed by the device beyond 7 years.

Although some experts have commented that risks of repeat procedures may not impact all women who underwent hysteroscopic sterilization (the formal name for the Essure procedure), many of the hundreds of thousands of women with Essure devices already implanted have required such procedures and surgeries – and many more may as well in the following years. They also don’t deny that numerous women across the world have and still continue to suffer from a range of adverse effects and persistent pain associated with the device – which is why many have filed lawsuits against Bayer.

Justice for Victims of Essure-Related Injuries

On our blog, we frequently provide updates about news and events involving dangerous drugs and medical devices – including Essure. Recently, we’ve discussed how Essure concerns are still growing nationwide, and how the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has pledged to better study Essure, its long-term effects, and improve the agency’s oversight of medical devices.

While those types of pledges are certainly welcomed, they’re made after numerous women have already suffered from the effects of Essure – from severe and chronic physical pain and emotional suffering to sizable medical expenses, lost income, and other economic and non-economic damages. As the FDA and Big Pharma have proven time and time again that they can’t or won’t effectively protect consumers, it often becomes the job of victims and plaintiffs’ attorneys to stand up, raise awareness, and seek justice that can produce needed changes.

In addition to prompting change, our personal injury lawyers at Bailey Cowan Heckaman PLLC are committed to helping women harmed by Essure as they seek financial compensation for the damages they incurred. Our civil trial lawyers have been recognized throughout the country for our work in pharmaceutical and medical device injury, product liability, and serious personal injury cases, and are prepared to help you better understand your rights, options, and how we can help you take the next steps in your legal journey.

Discuss a potential Essure case by contacting our firm. Bailey Cowan Heckaman PLLC offers free consultations, and proudly serves clients throughout the country.