If you are one of the thousands of women who have experienced painful, debilitating side effects, injury resulting in surgeries, or even the death of a loved one due to an Essure implant, call The Thomson Law Firm today for a free consultation.
What is Essure?
Essure permanent birth control is a medical device that was approved for use in 2002. It works by inserting small coils into a woman’s fallopian tubes to block sperm from reaching an egg. The device gained popularity because of its non-surgical implantation option and the fact that it is hormone free. Over 750,000 women in the United States currently have the device but thousands have experienced serious illnesses related to the device. In 2015, after many reports of injury and at least one death caused by Essure, the FDA reviewed thousands of complaints about the device and told the manufacturer, Bayer Pharmaceuticals, that there had to be a “black box warning” on the device and doctors must use a checklist to go over possible risks with patients before implanting patients with the device.
Problems with Essure Device
A Facebook Group called,”Essure Problems” has been created as a source of support for women affected by this dangerous medical device. On the page, victims who have been injured describe the following complications:
- Migraines
- Auto-Immune Symptoms
- Numbness in lower back
- Stabbing pain in cervix
- Swelling in abdomen so severe that
women appear pregnant - Heavy bleeding with menstrual cycle
- Bleeding between periods
- Pregnancy
- Psoriasis
- Hair loss
- Weight Gain
- Death
There have also been reports of migration of the device to other parts of the body. This is similar to what is happening to patients with IVC filters, where the device moves from one part of the body and can perforate vital organs including the heart. The Essure device has been know to perforate the uterus, fallopian tubes and other organs. In some women, the device has moved and can not be found through regular scans.
Other women have also experienced severe allergic reactions to the nickel that the Essure device is made of. Essure now has a warning on their website about patients with known allergies.
Women who have opted to have the devices removed are often having to undergo a full hysterectomy. Five deaths related to this device have been reported to the FDA. And yet, in September of 2015, the FDA reviewed the reports and did nothing more than require a black box warning and recommended that Bayer provide better training to physicians when implanting the device. Oh, and they also required that Bayer conduct a post-market survey.
If you or someone you love is experiencing any complications with an Essure device, call The Thomson Law Firm in Roanoke, Virginia. Check out our results page for more information about possible representation.
