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Tips and advice for Essure removal
Patients must be counseled regarding their expectations after Essure removal, and clinicians should perform a thorough assessment for alternative...
Despite recent negative lay press and a boxed safety warning from the Food and Drug Administration, Essure tubal microinserts continue to be a popular method of permanent contraception. It is imperative for patients to understand that this method of contraception cannot be reversed, and thereafter, the only method to achieve pregnancy would be via in vitro fertilization. Furthermore, preoperatively, patients must be counseled that placement of the Essure tubal microinserts may be associated with pelvic pain, abnormal bleeding, and even allergic reaction.
Even with our best effort to properly inform our patients as to the risks and benefits of permanent sterilization via Essure tubal microinserts, secondary to undesired side effects, patients desire their removal. This can be a challenging endeavor for the practitioner, especially if the women is not interested in hysterectomy.
Dr. Charles E. Miller
Dr. Miller is clinical associate professor at the University of Illinois at Chicago and past president of the AAGL. He is a reproductive endocrinologist and minimally invasive gynecologic surgeon in metropolitan Chicago; director of minimally invasive gynecologic surgery at Advocate Lutheran General Hospital, Park Ridge, Ill.; and the medical editor of this column. He reported having no financial disclosures related to this column.