What is Essure?

Essure is a permanent birth control option that is performed in the office. Two small specialized coils are placed in the opening of each fallopian tube and over 3 months, the body makes fibrinogen to essentially block each tube. You will need to use some back up birth control during this time. A hysterosalpingogram is performed 3 months after insertion to confirm the blockage.

Essure is used when a woman wants permanent birth control but does not want to go through a surgery involving general anesthesia. If you have your tubes tied in an outpatient surgery, then you will have to have general anesthesia and abdominal incisions that are like those of a laparoscopy. You will also require 2 weeks to recover. The Essure has a faster recovery with only a 1-2 day recovery.

You may have this procedure performed in the office by Dr. Hardy. The day before the procedure, you will come to the office for a preoperative appointment in which we will describe everything that will happen during the procedure. We will also make sure you have all the medications required such as Valium to help you relax, Vicodin or something like this medication for pain relief and Misoprostol that will be inserted into the vagina by the Nurse Practitioner or Dr. Hardy to help the cervix soften before the procedure. You will also be given 1 Depo Provera injection approximately 1 month prior to the procedure to thin the lining of the uterus down so Dr. Hardy will be able to visualize the opening of both fallopian tubes.

Dr. Hardy will numb the cervix and uterus with a paracervical block. He will then proceed to dilate the cervix open just a little bit. He will insert the hysteroscope into the cervix to look inside the uterus. There will be a TV in the room to help Dr. Hardy locate each fallopian tube opening. Dr. Hardy will also use sterile solution to fill the uterus up that will also allow him to visualize the fallopian tubes. The micro-insert coil is inserted into each fallopian tube one at a time. All instruments are removed and the procedure is completed.

You may experience some light to moderate vaginal bleeding or watery discharge for a few days after the procedure. You may also experience some cramping for a few days after the procedure. The pain medicine should cover this discomfort. You should not place anything in the vagina such as tampons, douching or intercourse until your postoperative appointment in 2 weeks. You may resume normal activities in 1-2 days. You will need to have someone drive you from the appointment because you will have several medications in your system. In 3 months, we will schedule a hysterosalpingogram (HSG) to confirm that both tubes are completely blocked. This will be done at a hospital in the Radiology Department. You will need to continue with a back up birth control method during this time. Remember, you will have the Depo Provera injection in your system which will be out of range approximately 2 months after the procedure.