Essure?

[breezyblue]

Hi everyone, im rather new here and was wondering if any of you other ladies had heard of a procedure called Essure? its supposedly a perminant alternative method to the full tubal that seems to be done often today. I'm 20 (way too young to even think about getting that done) but among my researching alternative birthcontrol methods (because i need to switch from the depo shot for 6 months to a combination hormone method) i ran across some info on it. I have just never heard about it before and am curious to see what people think about it and if anyone here had had it done?

 

[LukkyKnight]

If you're brave, and thick skinned, you'd probably get a lot more responses over on the General Board. It's not quite as dignified a forum as this one, but it is more lively.

 

[SweetErika]

Interesting. I think I've heard of it in passing, but didn't know it was a somewhat popular alternative to a tubal. I wonder if a lot of women who have Essure actually refer to it as "I had my tubes tied" so it's not a commonly known word/procedure.

Out of curiosity, why do you feel you're too young at 20 for a tubal, but not Essure, when the result of both basically amounts to permanent sterilization?

Have you discussed Essure and other options with a good doc who does both procedures? I know some women do know they never want kids by the time they're 20, but am guessing most docs would be hesitant to permanently sterilize such a young person without a reason like a very high probability of passing on a major defect/disease. (Some of our members who have talked about never wanting kids have said they had a tough time finding a doc who would do a tubal at a young age.)

Have you looked into IUDs?

 

[Weird Harold]

Out of curiosity, why do you feel you're too young at 20 for a tubal, but not Essure, when the result of both basically amounts to permanent sterilization?

Erika, from the description of the Essure procedure on their website, I'd expect a tubal ligation to be more easily reversed than Essure -- not that either is considered "reversible" in any case.

It seems to me that the only real advantage of Essure over Tubal is that it's a totally outpatient/doctor's office sort of procedure with no "knives" involved at all.

I didn't read very far into their website, but I'd definitely read very, very, closely before seriously considering the procedure -- especially the "fine print" about side effects.

 

[SweetErika]

Erika, from the description of the Essure procedure on their website, I'd expect a tubal ligation to be more easily reversed than Essure -- not that either is considered "reversible" in any case.[/B]

I didn't mean to imply that I thought either Essure or a tubal ligation were really reversible, I was just curious about the statement the OP made about being too young for a tubal, but not Essure.

Very good point about going over the risks and fine print closely. I looked through a few pages of google results and read a couple of articles, but I couldn't find a ton of information, which is worrisome to me personally. According to one article, the manufacturer is doing a 5 year post-approval FDA-mandated study on all patients who have had the device implanted. I'd contact them and ask when the results of that study will be out, and how I could read them, plus where I'd find all other post-approval studies, particularly from independent sources.

I'd imagine the study will be out in the next year if it's not available already, and it'd be an important part of my decision making process since Essure hasn't been on the market very long, the pre-approval studies were relatively small, and it seems one of the biggest factors in success/failure is how the physician positions the device.

Out of curiosity, I searched for Essure-trained docs within 50 miles of the Seattle area, and it only came up with 17 results. If this is such a wonderful, safe device and easy procedure, I have to wonder why a lot more doctors aren't offering and promoting it as a better alternative.

And why does it cost over $1000? It's a tiny coil that's inserted in 45 minutes, FFS! I know, that's cheaper than a tubal or vasectomy, but still...

 

[Weird Harold]

...According to one article, the manufacturer is doing a 5 year post-approval FDA-mandated study ...

I'd imagine the study will be out in the next year if it's not available already,

Their site says the FDA approval was in 2004, so a five year study won't be available until late 2009 or 2010 -- dpepnding on how long theytake to write up the final report.

And why does it cost over $1000? It's a tiny coil that's inserted in 45 minutes, FFS! I know, that's cheaper than a tubal or vasectomy, but still...

I'd guess that in addition to amortizing the R&D costs, there is probably some radiology ultra-sound monitoring, or optical catheterization involved in placing the coil -- I'm pretty sure it's not done by feel.

 

[emap]

Breezy honestly I think you had best look at more normal non permanent methods of birth control, like for instance condoms and diaphragms because honestly, you are 20 and you can have kids, it is always best to wait and see if you don't want them than to get the possibility removed then decide you do want them.

I rather wish I had had the option of deciding one way or the other.

Besides, 6+ months of having to use condoms or a diaphragm or whatever you do pick that is not permanent is not that bad of a thing, you still get the sex assuming you are seeing someone during this period of time. Granted the not permanent forms of birth control are a teensy annoying to put to use it is a small price to pay for having the option in a year or ten to say dammit make me pregnant now. Otherwise, you have to say I want kids but I can't have them and look into adoption or turning into the crazy cat/dog lady.

Seriously, having the ability to have kids of your own the normal way is a huge gift it is best to hang onto that as long as possible, or until you decide you just can't stand kids/diapers/soccer practice/husband who comes home tired not talking and wanting sex and food now dammit.

 

[SweetErika]

Their site says the FDA approval was in 2004, so a five year study won't be available until late 2009 or 2010 -- dpepnding on how long theytake to write up the final report.

My bad. The article I read said it was approved in 2002 or 2003.

I'd guess that in addition to amortizing the R&D costs, there is probably some radiology ultra-sound monitoring, or optical catheterization involved in placing the coil -- I'm pretty sure it's not done by feel.

Correct, as usual.

I'm just pissy about prices because I just found out my insurance rates are going up $40/month yet again, and the premiums for the kid we're trying to have will be at least $200 monthly (and then there are the copays and 20% of everything we have to cover ). When we finally have a kid, getting a divorce will likely be our best, and possibly only, option to get affordable health care.

Overpriced devices, medications and procedures certainly contribute to the outrageous cost of our health care and insurance.

 

[breezyblue]

SE, i didnt mean that i was considering getting the Essure procedure done, at this point im not ready to consider sterilization at all but rather was just interested because id never heard about it before and it seemed like a very minimally invasive procedure. i do know a woman who is considering a tube tying procedure and was just wondering if anyone has experience/knowledge with this alternative method. And yes ive looked into IUD's a bit but the idea of something pointy inside me makes me sort of nervous. mabey i just havent done enough reading about them . i also have never had a child and i know that this makes me a less than ideal candidate for this method of bc. at the moment i am leaning towards the nuva ring as a good option for me.

 

[breezyblue]

emap, i know im very lucky to be healthy and able to have kids even though i dont want to right now and i know that im young and could change my mind sometime later. id definately rather have that choice to make later than not have the option at all, sorry i guess i wasnt very clear in my initial post thanks a bunch for the imput anyways though.