With a growing number of concerns over the safety of Essure and numerous complaints of adverse reactions, many women are opting to have these devices removed. Essure devices must be removed surgically. Though they sound the same, Essure removal and reversal are actually different.
Even though Essure removal is challenging and many doctors aren’t able to offer the procedure at all, our team of physicians at Kofinas Fertility Group are highly experienced and will be able to skillfully and safely remove the device. Your doctor will be able to counsel you to determine the most appropriate method for removing the device depending on placement among other factors. Our goal is to remove the device safely and in its entirety in order to relieve you of pain or any other symptoms you may be enduring. There are various imaging techniques that will allow your physician to evaluate the device placement, including transvaginal ultrasound, hysterosalpingography (HSG), and abdominal pelvic x-ray. Once your physician is able to evaluate the placement and identify any complications, they will be able to advise you on how to proceed to get the best outcome. Several techniques are currently used to remove Essure including the use of hysteroscopy, laparoscopic salpingectomy, cornuectomy, and total hysterectomy. Having the device removed is typically the only way to alleviate your pain and symptoms. Even if you are asymptomatic you may still want to have it checked out by your doctor. Often, insurances provide coverage for the removal surgery as it is typically deemed necessary to alleviate the adverse reactions. Our financial counselors will be able to give you the details of your specific coverage and costs to you (if any) once you’ve come in for your consultation.
Essure reversal is for women who want to have the device surgically removed and their fallopian tubes reattached as a way to get pregnant naturally. While Essure was meant to be a permanent form of birth control, some women change their minds later on. The good news is that having a baby after Essure is possible! Essure reversal is typically not covered by insurance companies since it is considered elective and may or may not be successful in attaining pregnancy. In order to get the best results, we recommend having the device removed and then undergoing IVF treatment as it has much higher success rates. As always, at Kofinas Fertility Group, we provide individualized treatment to our patients and our clinical team will help you navigate all of your options.