Essure Permanent Birth Control

Post Reply New Topic

Hi,

I will be getting married in a year and both myself and my fiance have decided not to have children due to my age (almost 40) and financial reasons. I have done a little research about Essure, which is a procedure done in a doctor's office which is a permanent sterilization. Has anyone here had the Essure procedure done? If so, how was it?

You might try looking at VaginaPagina's Essure/Sterilization page on livejournal. It's not medical advice or anything, but there are stories and information there that might be useful. hth

I read about sterilisation that it can be more than what you bargained for, because it can affect your hormones, so I would investigate that. Either that or I am confusing it with something else, but I would write down a lot of questions to ask before getting something like that.

Is your husband-to-be not willing to get the snip then? It's going to be tougher on you than it will be for him, especially in the long run.

Seconded. The recovery time is minimal, the effects are less (in terms of hormones, etc) and the cost for a vasectomy is much lower.


M.

It sounds like Essure is similar to tubal ligation.

Although you don't consume hormones with being sterilised,
it can cause problems with your periods and your own hormones,
I read a chapter in a book which was titled "Tubal ligation, more than what you bargained for" once and it mentioned various problems.

Have a read of this link
http://www.ccli.org/nfp/contraception/tubal.php

I agree with everyone else who says for him to get the 'snip'. I had a friend who had it done, minimal pain, except they didn't factor the anestetic right so he 'unnumbed' for a bit of it, and according to him the plumbing all still works perfectly. It's a very simple outpatient procedure, and has a much better success rate than female sterilization, which can fail.

I know it scares the crap out of men to think of somone going near their precious parts with a scalpel, but see if he won't at least think about it.

Agreed my husband had it done it wasn't a big deal. Easy every thing works better infact then before because it took the strees out of our love life. Women I know who have had tubals have had all sorts of trouble.

Thanks for all of the responses. I scheduled an appointment to discuss various options with my doctor in a few weeks. I know a vasectomy sound simple since it's performed in a doctor's office but I am still concerned about long terms effects. I have read about problems with vasectomies. So I am considering using an IUD as an alternative. If anyone has used an IUD what is it like? I like the fact that it is at least reversable.

Speaking from experience, it is simple. It may take longer than described until one feels 'normal' again, but the effects are minimal and transient (non-permanent) in my experience. The changes experienced by women, especially in regards to hormone production and balance, are much more radical and severe than those experienced by 98% of those who have a vasectomy. Reversing a V, though... isn't cheap. Expect to pay about as much as you would for a small car, and from those few I've talked to who went through it - it's much more traumatic than the initial snip.


M.

It's kind of strange to think that a man is afraid of a tiny snip in his genital region in order to prevent unwanted pregnancy. But look at what a woman goes through during pregnancy and childbirth! I'll tell you what, peeing was soooooooo painful for the first week after I gave birth, because I ripped, and until that healed up, every time I peed it was like taking a match to my crotch. (But worth it, because my son is awesome.) Not to mention my first son, who needed to be born by way of major surgery, after 23 hours of labor.

A vasectomy is nothing compared to that.

I forgot about the burning pee after having my boys they are worth it but OUCH did that hurt!!

Sterilisation isn't the most reliable contraceptive out there; there is something like a 1/400 chance of becoming pregnant each year.

If you're looking for a long term solution, then the Mirena device or the copper IUD may be your best option; your GP puts it in place and then it lasts for 5 years. The protective effect is nearly as good as the oral contraceptive pill, and you don't have all the complications of sterilisation. Also, should youe ver change your mind, it is reversible.

If you still want to go down the surgical route, then I agree with others here; it makes much more sense for him to get the snip.

edit: just seen that you're considering the IUD. I'd definitely recommend it. I haven't had one myself, but I worked in Obs and Gynae for 2 months and everyone I've spoken to hasn't had any bother with them.

One thing that may make them unsuitable; if you smoke or have high blood pressure, then avoid hormone-containing rings (same as OCP), and the copper rings may cause heavier periods.

If you haven't had children, the doctor may find it difficult to insert the IUD and you may need it implanted under anasthesia. It is a very simple procedure though.