How is the procedure done?
A small, flexible device called a micro-insert is placed into each fallopian tube, which usually takes about 15 minutes (total procedure time is about 35 minutes).  Women are typically discharged from the medical facility approximately 15 - 45 minutes after the procedure, depending upon where performed.

How does it work?
Once in place, over a 3-month period, body tissue grows into the micro-inserts, blocking the fallopian tubes to prevent sperm from fertilizing the egg, thereby preventing pregnancy.

What are the micro-inserts made from?
They are made from proven surgical materials that have been well studied and used successfully in long-term medical procedures such as heart and other surgeries.

Is it new?
No. Essure has been widely available to women in Australia and Europe since early 2001. It was approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration in November 2002.

It is covered by health insurance?
Essure is covered by most health insurance companies. It’s recommended that you first check with your physician and insurance company if you decide to proceed with the procedure. The cost should be less than a tubal ligation with insurance.

What are the risks and considerations?
As with all medical procedures, there are risks that you should discuss with the physician. Important considerations include:

• Essure should be considered irreversible.
• Like all methods of birth control, it should not be considered 100% effective.
• Not all women who undergo the Essure placement procedure will achieve successful placement of both micro-inserts.
• You must use another method of birth control for at least 3 months after the procedure.
• Essure is newer than other procedures. Removal of the Essure micro-inserts requires surgery.

The Essure micro-insert is a dynamically expanding device that consists of a stainless steel inner coil, an outer coil made from Nitinol, and polyethelene terephthalate (PET) fibers.