Hi all,

I'm looking at sterilization options. I know that there's a new tech called Essure, and it has to do with occlusion of the fallopian tubes with little plugs, which then basically scar closed. This can be done without the surgery that is required for a tubal ligation. I am prone to scarring and have had a few too many surgeries in my time... so, wondering if any of you women out there have gone with Essure or other less intensive sterilization options, and if so, HOW IS IT?
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LaSara
offline LaSara
California
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  • Honey B
    Honey B
    offline 58

    Re: Sterilization options for women...Essure and others...have you done it?

    Mon, January 30, 2006 - 1:55 PM
    I got the Essure procedure done about a year ago. It was intense (sort of like a pelvic exam on MAJOR steroids and maybe also some crack) but I'm glad I did it that way. I got to see my fallopian tubes on TV! I had some cramping and bleeding the first day, but they gave me some good painkillers (I think I was on three different pills when I had the procedure done), I slept for a few hours, and after that I was pretty much fine. I think I only took one day (maybe two) off of work. And I haven't had any problems since.

    Let me know if you have any questions. I'd recommend it to anyone wanting to get fixed.
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    • LaSara
      LaSara
      offline 634

      Re: Sterilization options for women...Essure and others...have you done it?

      Mon, January 30, 2006 - 5:27 PM
      So no pain in your tubes where the coils are? No problem scarring? That's great! Any others? I'd love to hear from more of you women!

      -LaSara
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      • V Ron
        V Ron
        online 181

        Re: Sterilization options for women...Essure and others...have you done it?

        Tue, January 31, 2006 - 2:19 PM
        I haven't had one... but wanted to point out... that the scarring that occurs which actually causes the closure of the tubes takes anywhere from 2 to 6 months... average 3 I think. The coils are inserted by going up through the cervix into the uterus and then further up into the fallopian tubes... so it's not a "surgery" persay... there are no "cuts" or incisions made. Just wasn't sure what you were asking when you said "no problem scarring?" It looks supercool... and what the heck... here is the link just if folks are interested... :)

        www.essure.com.au/static/index.html

        And below is the fact sheet from the FDA on safety and effectiveness.

        www.fda.gov/cdrh/pdf2/p020014b.pdf
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        • LaSara
          LaSara
          offline 634

          Re: Sterilization options for women...Essure and others...have you done it?

          Tue, January 31, 2006 - 4:20 PM
          I have checked out the materials, and the possible "problem" scarring I was asking about was the scarring you are talking about. The scarring that's designed to occur. Some women get adhesions with some forms of scarring, or have painful scarring. I'm aware that there is no cutting involved. It's one of the reasons this option appeals more than a tubal ligation.

          Since it's such a new option, I would just love to hear more glowing reports before I opt for it.

          Thanks for the link.
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          • Honey B
            Honey B
            offline 58

            Re: Sterilization options for women...Essure and others...have you done it?

            Tue, January 31, 2006 - 4:45 PM
            After the original procedure, they told me to stay on BC pills for 4 months, and then I went in for another procedure where they checked to make sure the scar tissue was formed in my tubes. It was an X-ray I guess, not an ultrasound. They squirted some fluid up there and x-rayed my torso and if the fluid didn't get through all the way to the ovaries that meant they're fully scarred over. Or something. It was trippy; they showed me the image of my uterus and tubes.

            Anyway, there's been no discomfort; I don't think your tubes have many nerve endings, if any . The main discomfort was from the procedure itself because they're messing around in your uterus, so there's definitely cramping and some blood afterwards, but I only used two pads for that and then it seemed to stop. They gave me ibuprofen horse pills (400 mg) and I think also a few vicodins, but after a few days I didn't bother taking them.

            The Essure procedure itself is not comfortable, but it's more comfortable than giving birth, I imagine!
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            • Honey B
              Honey B
              offline 58

              Re: Sterilization options for women...Essure and others...have you done it?

              Tue, January 31, 2006 - 4:51 PM
              Oh, by the way, you might want to go to the childfree tribes (childfree by choice and Oh no, I forgot to have children!) There has been some discussion of this topic there, and several people, last I heard were scheduling the procedure, so they may have some feedback for you. I also remember when I was first looking into it there was a website (not related to essure.com) where women posted their stories of permanent birth control procedures, including Essure, but I can't find it now.

              I was looking online and just found out that the guy who developed Essure died in a freak riding lawnmower accident in Australia!

              news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx
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  • Re: Sterilization options for women...Essure and others...have you done it?

    Tue, January 31, 2006 - 7:08 PM
    I was one of the women who got the Essure when it was in the FDA approval stages and was called the STOP procedure. I have had it in for five years. I LOVE IT!

    My advice is to take the valium they offer you going in so you are more relaxed (or ask for it). It is not comfortable but when compared to a tubal, it is much easier. I went out for lunch afterwards. I was cramping and went home and slept for the rest of the day. 4 months later they did an x-ray to make sure the scar tissue was formed.

    The scar tissue is formed by wrapping itself around some fibers in the coils (or plugs). Everything that the coils are made of have been used in soft tissue in the body for years.

    I would not hesitate to recommend this form of sterilization.
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    • Jenn...
      Jennifer
      offline 0

      Re: Sterilization options for women...Essure and others...have you done it?

      Wed, March 26, 2008 - 1:02 PM
      I am sceduled for this in April. SInce you have had this for 5 years now, I was wondering, do they check you every now and then to see if it's still good and blocked? Seeing as this procedure is still fairly new at 5 years, I just wondered if they do checks now and then. Thanks!
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      • Honey B
        Honey B
        offline 58

        Re: Sterilization options for women...Essure and others...have you done it?

        Thu, April 3, 2008 - 4:06 PM
        I have not had any checkups done. I don't imagine the scar tissue would go away. The "plugs" are coils, so I imagine the scar tissue gets into the coils and fairly well blocks all access to the ovaries, so even if some tissue shifted or got displaced, I don't see how it would open up the passage again. I never thought about needing to get the scar tissue checked, though. Anyone else have any thoughts about that?
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