Sterilization - Female
What is Essure?
The Essure permanent birth control system is a surgical method of permanent contraception for women, also known as sterilization.
How Does it Work?
The procedure can be done at a Physicians office. At Planned Parenthood, the Essure sterilization procedure will be performed at our Southeast Portland Health Center. The Essure, which is a micro-insert (very small coil-like device), is inserted into the fallopian tubes by a piece of equipment called a hysteroscope. Once the micro-insert is placed, it expands and anchors itself in the fallopian tubes. Within the following 3 months, tissue grows around the inserts and blocks the fallopian tubes, resulting in sterilization.
Is it effective?
In clinical testing it has been proven to be 99.8% effective. No contraceptive method, including tubal ligation and vasectomy is 100% effective.
How do women rate the procedure?
In the clinical testing, almost all of the 700 women rated their comfort level with the procedure as "good" to "excellent". Since it is an office procedure and general anesthesia and hospitalization is not needed, the recovery time is very short. Most women can leave the clinic within 45 minutes after the procedure.
What are the micro-inserts made of?
The micro-inserts are made from nickel-titanium and stainless steel. These materials have been used in the heart and other areas of the human body for many years.
Is it reversible?
The procedure should be considered permanent. It is only meant to be used by women who are certain they no longer want to have children.
How long does the procedure take?
The average time to place a micro-insert into both fallopian tubes is about 15 minutes and the total procedure time is about 35-45 minutes. It is performed without general anesthesia and without incisions.
When does it start working?
You must use another method of birth control for at least 3 months after the procedure. It takes about 3 months for all the tissue to build up around the micro-inserts and block the fallopian tubes. You will need to have a hysterosalpingogram at 3 months to make sure that the fallopian tubes are blocked before stopping the other method of birth control. The hysterosalpingogram test involves injection of a contrast dye into your uterus so that an x-ray picture can be taken of the fallopian tubes. After verifying that the fallopian tubes are blocked, you will be told that you can stop the other method of birth control and rely on the Essure.
How long after the procedure can you resume regular physical activity?
The procedure takes about a 45 minute office visit and almost all women are able to resume work in 24 hours or less after the procedure. Many women report being able to resume normal activities that same day.
How is the Essure procedure different from having your tubes tied?
With a tubal ligation, 1-3 abdominal incisions are made while you are under general anesthesia. This type of procedure is usually done in a hospital. The fallopian tubes are blocked by clamping with a metal clip or plastic ring, removal of a section of the tube, or burning a portion of the tube. After returning home, women typically take 4-6 days before they can resume normal activies.
Additional information about the Essure procedure is available at www.essure.com or by calling the Essure Information line at 1-877-ESSURE1.
Questions? Please access our Online Health Center Ask a Nurse service. To contact the health center nearest you call 1.888.875.7820.
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