Got it in 2011 after Cambria. I've devleoped PMDD. My periods are horrible - super clotty, very heavy bleeding (I've been just under the limit where they want you to go to the ER twice). 2nd day of the cycle is spent in bed. My immune system is shot to hell.
All in all, that sucks, but it's not bad enough to crusade over. However, Essure is getting a lot of attention lately for the more serious problems it's been causing. There are pregnancies (the last count of the FB group I am part of was over 60 pregnancies in 2700 women). The pregnancies happen when the coils migrate, usually after 3 years. A few weeks ago, a woman went into premature labor with her failed E-baby (premature labor was caused by the coil puncturing something). The baby died. Premature labor with an E-baby is very common. Besides THAT, when the coils migrate, they can pierce the tubes, ovaries, uterus, etc. Some womens' have simply got lost. Some women have went in for X-rays to discover that there are 2-4 coils in each tube. Lots of women are having nickle reactions (Conceptus successfully got the FDA to remove the warning label).
I've seen lots of pictures (I will not post, because they're from the group and therefore not mine to do so) of coils after removal. They are stretched out (removing doctors swear they found them that way) and in pieces (one of the articles I linked to discusses an incomplete removal). Erin Brockovich is in the process of advocating/changing laws so they can be held accountable, there is more information on her site. She will be on The Doctors tomorrow, actually, they are dedicating half a show to it. Dr. Oz is coming up as well.
Last Edit: Oct 3, 2013 14:35:00 GMT -5 by Ohhmm(bligo)
"You. You and your crazy life. You and your geographic anomaly. You and your drunken lesbianic ways and terrible navigational skills." - ProfArt and her holy baby
Post by Ohhmm(bligo) on Oct 3, 2013 14:38:19 GMT -5
I feel really stupid . I had concerns about the newishness (it began in 2002, and has been done in 750,000). I had concerns about putting coils in my body and having scar tissue form (come on, does that even sound like a good idea?)
But my pregnancies were difficult. Getting pregnant with Cambria was difficult. I didn't want to put my body through another invasive procedure with a tubal. OOPS.
"You. You and your crazy life. You and your geographic anomaly. You and your drunken lesbianic ways and terrible navigational skills." - ProfArt and her holy baby
ETA: That's a stupid fucking question, it's permanent. Is there a way for you to tak eit out?
ETA again: That still feels like a stupid question. What I mean is, is it permanent permanent or vasectomy permanent?
That's not a stupid question at all. I could get it taken out. But most removals involve a hysterectomy, and I don't feel my symptoms are worth all THAT. Also, they are usually not covered by insurance, and you have to find a specialist. There is a list on the group of doctors that will do it, but for the most part, you have to save the $6K yourself and travel.
So yes, it is Permanent. But you can get them out.
"You. You and your crazy life. You and your geographic anomaly. You and your drunken lesbianic ways and terrible navigational skills." - ProfArt and her holy baby
I just had the essure done in May. I went in to have the HSG done to check if it scarred over and it hadn't yet. One of my coils already slightly moved and is u-shaped but they said that shouldn't affect it scarring over. I have to go back in December for another HSG to check for scarring.
I just had the essure done in May. I went in to have the HSG done to check if it scarred over and it hadn't yet. One of my coils already slightly moved and is u-shaped but they said that shouldn't affect it scarring over. I have to go back in December for another HSG to check for scarring.
I got an X-ray done instead of an HSG (I don't know why, I'm asking. Apparently the HSG test gets skipped a lot). One was straight, along the tube, and one was in a big C-shape. That looked suspicious to me, but the doctor pronounced them perfect, so what do I know.
"You. You and your crazy life. You and your geographic anomaly. You and your drunken lesbianic ways and terrible navigational skills." - ProfArt and her holy baby
I just had the essure done in May. I went in to have the HSG done to check if it scarred over and it hadn't yet. One of my coils already slightly moved and is u-shaped but they said that shouldn't affect it scarring over. I have to go back in December for another HSG to check for scarring.
I got an X-ray done instead of an HSG (I don't know why, I'm asking. Apparently the HSG test gets skipped a lot). One was straight, along the tube, and one was in a big C-shape. That looked suspicious to me, but the doctor pronounced them perfect, so what do I know.
I am insisting on another X-ray.
The HSG was excruciatingly painful. I am not looking forward to having a second one done. They said there would be a little cramping, but this was to the point that if I was not already laying down, I would have been buckled over in pain. It was so bad I was nauseous from the pain level, and I generally have a high pain tolerance.
I just had the essure done in May. I went in to have the HSG done to check if it scarred over and it hadn't yet. One of my coils already slightly moved and is u-shaped but they said that shouldn't affect it scarring over. I have to go back in December for another HSG to check for scarring.
I got an X-ray done instead of an HSG (I don't know why, I'm asking. Apparently the HSG test gets skipped a lot). One was straight, along the tube, and one was in a big C-shape. That looked suspicious to me, but the doctor pronounced them perfect, so what do I know.
I am insisting on another X-ray.
I hate to say that I am happy yours was curled, too, but it makes me feel a little better knowing that this isn't just something than happened to mine and that it happens to others too.
Thank you for posting this. This was something I was just starting to consider. If I had had a C section with my last I would have liked to have had my tubes tied (though my OB told me, at age 33, just turned 34 with my 3rd baby in 3 1/2 years, that he wouldn't do it because I was too young (?? I was on the cusp of advanced maternal age)and may decide to have more), but I delivered naturally. I hate the whole mess of birth control. I'm really sorry you have to deal with this.
Serious question -- other than hysterectomy, is there a permanent birth control that also curbs periods?
Lurker here from H&F, I have been following this thread bc I wanted Essure but my OB favored traditional tubal at the time of my c/s.
I had my tubes tied 2 years ago when I delivered my second daughter. Once I got my period back I had an ablation. It is NOT a form of birth control bc getting pg. with it can be very dangerous. But, it can be done with a traditional tubal, or on it's own, like I did it. You have to be done having kids to be a candidate.
It's very simple, minimally painful, and an outpatient procedure. I have had heavy period all my life, soaking through Ultra tampons in a hour on my heaviest days. I am 8 months out from the ablation and now I spot for about 4 or 5 days and that is it. 3 of those days it's not even enough to make it to a liner. Some woman lose their period completely, but I am glad I spot bc I would freak that I was pg. each month.
It's one of the best decisions I've ever made. I am SO happy with the result and every month, I am reminded of ways my "old" period affected my life in a negative way and no longer does.
So basically it just thins out your uterus so you don't really build up enough to get a period?
Hmmm interesting. Thank you!! I am thinking of going traditional tubal (again, time to think about it). Honestly I'd rather they just take out the ute and leave the ovaries but I don't have fibroids or anything that would remotely warrant that. I'm just done having kids, have finally made real peace w it, and would like to end that chapter entirely. Plus periods are gross, lol.
So basically it just thins out your uterus so you don't really build up enough to get a period?
Hmmm interesting. Thank you!! I am thinking of going traditional tubal (again, time to think about it). Honestly I'd rather they just take out the ute and leave the ovaries but I don't have fibroids or anything that would remotely warrant that. I'm just done having kids, have finally made real peace w it, and would like to end that chapter entirely. Plus periods are gross, lol.
TMI - they burn off the lining so when it scars over there isn't anything to shed each mint. I've heard that some doctors consider an ablation to be birth control, but my doc won't and requires permanent BC with an ablation. I'm getting a tubal and ablation next week and I'm sooooo excited!
There are a couple ways to do it -- freezing, burning, hot water (I had the hot water). Novasure is one "brand name". Googling will scare you -- a lot of women do it as a hysterectomy alternative around menopause so there are other things at play with their complications IMO. The big one I was worried about was the weight gain but I haven't gained a single pound.
It's really great. I too, was 100% confident in my decision to be done and the entire thing was very liberating.
For the ladies that want a tubal, but don't want something so invasive, is a laparoscopic one an option through your doctor? I had that done, with an ablation, and it's the best thing I've ever done.
Post by Wrath0fKuus on Oct 3, 2013 16:59:41 GMT -5
And these assholes litigated the (as far as we know) much safer Adiana out of business. Fuck being a woman. There is literally nothing we can do to effectively and safely be permanently sterilized.
Post by CheshireGrin on Oct 3, 2013 17:19:50 GMT -5
Wow, this is so scary. I had strongly considered Essure for a long time, but hadn't really gotten around to following up fully, and then H had already had a vasectomy when we met so I decided that was enough for me.
I will be doing a lot more research on this now and educating patients as much as I can.
And these assholes litigated the (as far as we know) much safer Adiana out of business. Fuck being a woman. There is literally nothing we can do to effectively and safely be permanently sterilized.
Really? What isn't effective and safe about a tubal ligation?
And these assholes litigated the (as far as we know) much safer Adiana out of business. Fuck being a woman. There is literally nothing we can do to effectively and safely be permanently sterilized.
Really? What isn't effective and safe about a tubal ligation?
Everything. Those are really only good for about ten years, if that, before they pop apart again. IUDs actually have a better rate of preventing pregnancy. And then there are all the risks that come with both surgery and general anesthesia.
Holy hell. Essure was something I was seriously considering (any sort of permanent sterilization is still a ways off for me, but I had been looking into it). Thanks for posting your experience.
Really? What isn't effective and safe about a tubal ligation?
Everything. Those are really only good for about ten years, if that, before they pop apart again. IUDs actually have a better rate of preventing pregnancy. And then there are all the risks that come with both surgery and general anesthesia.
That's weird, because I "know" so many people with iud pregnancies and no women I've ever met have had a tubal pregnancy. Most of my Mom's now post menopausal friends had ligations.
Also, can't they just take the tubes out entirely?
Post by wrathofkuus on Oct 3, 2013 22:28:19 GMT -5
I don't think they ever remive the tubes entirely.
I have a cousin who was an after-ligation baby. Nothing is 100%; however, the stats have the IUDs at a lower pregnancy rate than tubal ligations. Essure and Adiana had a lower rate than that.