What is Essure? Essure is a painless, hormone-free, minimally invasive permanent birth control procedure that works with your body to create a natural barrier against pregnancy. This gentle procedure can be performed at Blue Hill Women’s Health Care in less than an hour. General anesthesia is not required, and most women resume their normal activities within one day. Essure is not reversible so women should we sure that they do not want to have children in the future.
How long will I have to wait for an appointment? Patients typically wait for two weeks or less for an initial appointment. Patients interested in Essure will need an initial appointment to discuss the procedure in detail followed by a second appointment for the procedure itself. We have evening appointments to help women who have commitments related to childcare and work. We’ll do our very best to work with your busy schedule.
How does the procedure work? Dr. Ober has received special training in the Essure procedure. Other providers who offer this service elsewhere may not perform the basic component of the Essure procedure called hysteroscopy on a regular basis. Dr. Ober, as a gynecologist, has performed hysteroscopy frequently for many years. Her patients agree that her training and experience are obvious as she conducts the Essure procedures.
A member of her staff will administer a pain medication first. This is followed by a local anesthetic administered by Dr. Ober. Dr. Ober will then insert small, flexible micro-inserts™ through your body’s natural pathways (vagina, cervix, and uterus) into your fallopian tubes. It typically takes less than 15 minutes and most patients experience very little or no discomfort.
During the three months following the procedure, your body and the micro-inserts work together to form a natural barrier that prevents sperm from reaching the egg. During this period, you must continue using another form of birth control (other than an Intrauterine Device). Dr. Ober will work with you to select a form of birth control for this three month period.
Three months after the Essure procedure, Dr. Ober will perform a quick and painless test in the BHMH radiology department to confirm that your tubes are fully blocked and that you can rely on Essure for permanent birth control.
Unlike birth control pills, patches, rings, and some forms of IUDs, Essure does not contain hormones that interfere with your natural menstrual cycle. Your periods should more or less continue in their natural state.
How Does Essure Compare With Other Forms of Birth Control?
Many women choose Essure because it does not require general anesthesia and the recovery time is also much shorter, which is especially important to mothers of young children who can’t afford “down time!” Many women today also choose Essure because it is hormone free, and they don’t have to worry about the long-term effects of oral contraceptives. Last but not least, any form of permanent contraception spells convenience – fewer trips to pick up prescriptions, check on IUDs, or to purchase condoms, patches, or rings.
Is Essure Covered By Insurance?
The Essure procedure is covered by most insurance providers. If the Essure procedure is done in a doctor's office, depending on the insurance plan, your payment may be as low as a simple co-pay. When you have decided that the Essure procedure is right for you, please review your insurance coverage with the staff of Blue Hill Women’s Healthcare.
Additional Information About Essure is available. Visit the Essure Web site for a comparison of birth control methods, testimonials from other women, and much more.
“Essure is a very popular form of birth control that is simple, quick, and effective. I recommend Essure over tubal ligation to women who are certain that they want a permanent form of birth control. There are far fewer risks, and let’s face it, a 15-minute procedure is much more convenient than years of worrying about birth control pills, condoms, or any other temporary form of contraception.”
Dr. Kathleen Ober, MD