The Essure sterilization device can lead to serious complications and side effects. Shortly after implantation, the device has been known to migrate from the fallopian tube and even perforate other organs. The device has caused severe pain and bleeding in many women, who in order to stop the pain and bleeding, require the device to be removed. Essure is meant to be a permanent form of birth control. In the most extreme situations a hysterectomy is done. Additionally, some women require more than one surgery to remove the device. Furthermore, a 2015 study in the British Medical Journal found that women who have Essure implanted were more than 10 times more likely to require post-procedure surgery than those whose underwent laparoscopic sterilization (tubal ligation).
Unintended pregnancies, ectopic pregnancies, and miscarriages have been known to occur as well, even after scar tissue has formed around the device. Of the more than 5,000 adverse reports received by the FDA, multiple reports have included fetal deaths. There is raw data that shows that there are a total of 303 fetal deaths, with the FDA citing 294 of these deaths.
In extreme circumstances death may occur. There have been at least 11 deaths reported to the FDA.
The most common serious side effects associated with Essure are:
- Unintended pregnancies,
- Ectopic pregnancies,
- Miscarriages,
- Stillbirths,
- Severe pain and bleeding, and