Essure is a type of permanent birth control device. It consists of a set of metal coils that are inserted through the uterus into the fallopian tubes in order to create a chronic inflammatory response. This induces scar tissue to form around the coils, blocking the tubes and preventing pregnancy. The device itself is hormone-free and consists of an inner plastic fiber, a flexible stainless steel inner coil and an outer nickel titanium alloy coil.
Should I Have Essure Removed?
Essure has come under recent FDA investigation and has been discontinued in the United States as of December 2018. The device has been known to cause inflammation in the body. Some of the common side effects include (but are not limited to) chronic pelvic pain, bleeding, painful intercourse, irregular periods, headaches, pregnancy, pregnancy loss, and or general discomfort.
In some instances, doctors who offered Essure missed the fallopian tubes during insertion and those excess metal coils were left in the uterus. The device can also migrate to other organs. Your doctor will be able to help you decide if removal surgery is right for you.
If you are not experiencing any side effects with the Essure device but want to become pregnant, the device will need to be removed.
Essure Removal and Essure Reversal: What's the Difference?
Essure removal, put simply, refers to the surgical removal of the device. The method of removal will be determined by the doctor in order to best alleviate your symptoms in the safest way possible. Due to the high number of significant health complications and risks, most insurance plans will offer coverage for the removal surgery as long as it is deemed necessary and not elective. This procedure is typically the only way to alleviate symptoms.
We understand that you want to get back to normal as soon as possible, and it is our goal to help you do that.
Essure reversal is for women who may or may not have adverse side effects but have simply changed their mind and want to become pregnant. This involves the surgical removal of the device and reconnection of the remaining fallopian tubes. This highly complex procedure is performed for patients who wish to have the device removed and fallopian tubes restored in order to become pregnant naturally.
Reversal surgery is not covered by insurance because any form of permanent birth control reversal would be considered an elective surgery, a surgery that is not necessary.
Furthermore, there is no guarantee that reconnecting the fallopian tubes will be successful in allowing you to become pregnant naturally afterward. Due to the out-of-pocket cost of Essure reversal surgery and little guarantee of natural pregnancy, this is not a preferred method.
The good news is, pregnancy after Essure removal is still an option. Most women who change their mind and wish to become pregnant opt for the removal surgery and then undergo IVF treatment, which has higher success rates of pregnancy post-Essure removal.
Together with your doctor, you will come up with an individualized treatment plan.
Why is Kofinas Fertility Group the Best for Essure Removal?
Essure removal surgery is uniquely challenging because the device is known for fragmenting and can cause further complications if it is not removed by an experienced surgeon.
For this reason, many doctors don’t offer this surgery. Fortunately, at Kofinas Fertility Group, our surgeons have the ability and expertise to offer this procedure with confidence. Every case is unique and your surgeon will help you determine which method is best. Our doctors have a great deal of experience performing highly complicated surgeries and often take on difficult cases that other doctors aren’t able to.
How to Check if Your Insurance Will Cover It
Call and set up an initial consultation with a doctor to get started. During your first visit, a comprehensive examination will be completed—including an in-depth medical history discussion, and a trans-vaginal ultrasound. During this examination, you and your doctor will decide the best course of action for your individual needs.
Your first visit also includes a discussion with our Financial Coordinator to explain the out-of-pocket costs (if any) associated with your particular plan of care, the coverage available to you through your insurance provider, and additional financing options.
