Advice about Essure
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Advice about Essure
June 2011
Hi,
My family is complete and I am considering Essure for permanent birth
control. Wondering what experience people have had with the procedure -
Pain? Recovery? Efficacy? Thanks for your feedback.
anonymous
I use essure and it has been great (got it about 5 years ago).
I had to get up early and it was a nuisance with the
anaesthesia, and I was extremely tired that day--I'd planned
to go to work but instead was really tired. By 5 pm though,
I was up for walking to childcare to get my son, and when he
hurt himself, it was no trouble to pick him up and carry him
over to a bathroom where I could cheer him up (he was about
30 lbs at the time). I wish I'd done it sooner rather than
messing with hormonal birth control (with its cancer risks).
There is some advantage to doing it at specific times in
your cycle, you might want to ask about that.
anon
Oct 2010
I posted here recently to inquire about experiences having
the Essure procedure, thanks for the responses! I am going
to have it done in a few weeks and gather that I will have a
choice between general and local anesthetic. Any
recommendations about that?
One thing for others considering it is that because the
doctor wanted my uterine lining to be thinner for the
procedure, I'm now for the first time in 20+ years, taking
the pill leading up to it and it SUCKS. Total loss of
libido, nausea, ugh. The other option was depo provera shot
but that sounded worse. Just a heads up.
can't wait to be contraceptive free!
i did local anaesthetic, i'd recommend that. i'm under
the impression that general anaesthesia is much harder
on your system. i was very tired later that day, but
nothing much worse.
anon
I'm one of the persons who responded to your previous
post. My doctor didn't give me a choice, and gave me
general anesthetic. She said it was a lot easier and
painless that way. It was great! I had no nausea or any
other symptoms when I woke up, and it just seemed like I
blinked, and next thing I knew, I was done! Best thing
ever.
Happy Essure-er
I love Essure. I had mine a little over a year ago at age 48.
My gyno wanted me to go on the pill to prepare, but I
absolutely hate the way I feel when I'm on any sort of
hormones, so I told her my husband and I would use condoms.
I took her concerns very seriously but I refused to use
hormonal contraception.
My husband and I were very very careful with condom use and
everything was fine -- I didn't get pregnant and it all
worked out great.
Regarding anesthesia, I am the biggest wimp you will ever
meet and even I was perfectly satisfied with the
vicodin/motrin and local anesthesia they used on me. In my
opinion general anesthesia is not at all needed for this
procedure.
Just my experience ...
Lisa in Oakland
Sept 2010
There are a few posts from 2007 and 2008 about the Essure
procedure vs tubal ligation. Wondering if there are any more
stories out there and other negatives to consider. I'm an
older mom and not planning for more children other than nieces
and nephews. Had been considering iud, but some of the side
effects are scaring me off (including the Mirena and NOT
getting a period).
Husband not going for the vasectomy
The side effects from Essure and the possible complications freaked me out
enough. I went to the Kaiser class on 'permanent birth control'. I opted for
none. I am 47 w/ 4 kids... the youngest is 18 months. What is your
hubby's beef
with the big V? My husband has had 2 w/ no complaints. I looked into the
Essure and tubal ligation because he is hesitant to have a 3rd. The
possible after
effects of the two female procedures sufficiently freaked me out.
choosing other methods
I had the Essure procedure a year ago (Aug. 2009) and I am
100% satisfied and happy about the experience. I can't
recommend it enough. It is a FANTASTIC method of sterilization.
I had it at age 47 after having one child. I had it at
Kaiser Oakland, in a simple office visit (with another
followup visit a couple of months later to check that it
''took''). No hospital stays, no incision, just a $30 copay
for each visit.
Since I'm queasy and sensitive to pain and discomfort, I was
a bit scared that it might hurt. But it never hurt at all.
They did give me Vicodin and Motrin for that just in case.
I am a huge, huge fan of Essure and I hope you will consider it!
Lisa
I had the 2-part procedure done in December, with the follow-up ultra
sound several months later. It was not quite as painless as I'd hoped for
but I was fine to drive home. I highly recommend Dr. Yvette Gentry in
Oakland. She is very experienced with the procedure.
I felt like my periods have been Extremely painful afterwards but can't for
sure blame the procedure. If your insurance covers this it sure beats a
tubal ligation. I have not experienced any side effects and am so glad to
have gotten rid of my copper IUD! Good luck with your decision.
Suzanne
I opted for Essure 2 years ago, and I couldn't be happier. It's been one of the best decissions I've ever made. It
was quick and painless, literally. I had a bit of cramping
after the procedure, but I think I've had worse period-
cramps in my life. This was nothing.
The one thing I do recommend is to take it easy for the
first couple of days. I was feeling so well, that I ate a
ton (it was Thanksgiving weekend!), and resumed my regular
life, and by the 2nd day, I was very bloated and
uncomfortable. Nothing unbearable, but I think I could
have avoided it.
The follow-up x-ray also causes some moderate cramping
during the procedure, so be prepared for it (I wasn't).
I hope that this is helpful. Good luck!!
Love the Essure
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