After my husband and I had our second child in 2001, I requested to have a tubal ligation done. I did not want any more children. My OBGYN was against having my tubes done due to my age. She convinced me to use an IUD for a form of birth control for a few years and if my decision did not change she would then move forward with my request for tubal ligation.
During the end of 2007 or early in 2008 I saw a different doctor than I normally saw due to schedule conflicts. During the visit the conversation of having my tubes done came up and surprisingly she had no hesitation and basically told me we can get the appointment set up. She then informed me that verse Tubal Ligation she will perform a safer outpatient procedure called Essure. (This was the first I ever heard of this option) She said I could go to work the day after the procedure and cramping may be intense following the procedure but was only temporary. She explained that I will be under anesthesia and she will go in vaginally to insert the coils in each fallopian tube. She seemed to know exactly what she was speaking of and highly recommended this procedure over the normal “tubes tied” procedure. I agreed and the countdown to dooms day started.
I found out I was pregnant and suffered a miscarriage a few weeks prior to the appointment for the Essure coils to be implanted. The miscarriage did not stop anything and on my 27th birthday March 27, 2008 I had the Essure coils implanted in my body.
At the 90 day follow-up die was inserted inside me to check to see if the Essure took and blocked my fallopian tubes. Test confirmed that the devices were successful and I was good to go.
Soon after I noticed my monthly cycle became heavier than normal. I had cramping that appeared from nowhere. As time passed everything seem to get worst. Monthly cycle so heavy I would soak a super tampon and pad within an hour or so and severe cramps that felt like a knife stabbing my insides.
December 2008, I relocated to GA and now had a new doctor. I complained about the essure and tried to explain that my energy level is dropping, the cramps, heavy periods, depression, weigh gain etc. Blood work done all comes back normal so according to them nothing is wrong. No one would listen. I convinced a doctor to check the coils and they gave me a referral to an OBGYN to get an ultra sound done and told me to take all my paperwork for the Essure. I get to the appointment and not only did the doctor NOT do an ultrasound to check the coils he was certain I had an STD. I informed him I did not and that std test was included with the blood work I just had about 7 days prior. He refused to listen and told me my symptoms described the STD. I tried to reason with him considering I was not only offended I was mortified. He would NOT check the coils nor would he give me the time of day. He wrote a prescription to treat an STD (either Chlamydia or Gonorrhea I honestlt can’t recall) which I trashed as I walked out of the doctor’s office.
More time passes and all the symptoms are getting worse and I am trying to learn to live with it all and accept that this is it.
In 2012 I found a new doctor and was impressed she listened to me. She admits she knows very little about Essure but sent me to get an ultrasound to check everything. Results showed cyst so it was believed the cyst was the cause of the symptoms.
2014.. I am now being treated for depression and anxiety. My weight is at an all-time high and my monthly cycle now last 7-8 days with 4-5 days extremely heavy. Bleeding between periods, sometimes during intercourse and cramping and pain that is constant and does not leave. I suffer sexually and find it impossible to have an orgasm due to the stab like pain increasing causing instant sexual decline. This affects my relationship and has caused serious issues with sex life. A few months ago a rash appeared out of nowhere and currently attempting to find some treatment.
I went to the doctors again after a solid week of bleeding a week after my period ended. I expressed to her something is seriously wrong. She agrees and again is sending me for another ultrasound, referred me to a different OBGYN, did a PAP and ordered blood work. My body has went downhill since I had the Essure procedure. I am 32 years old and I should not feel like I am 70 nor should I have cramps every day all day that even awake me at night. I want these coils out of my body. I want the pain to stop. More importantly I want something done to prevent other women to endure what I have over the years. Doctors need to be made aware of the after effects of Essure and educated on how to identify these problems and treat.
If the president or someone in power had a wife, mother or loved one that was living a nightmare due to this device implanted in her body I am sure something would be done. Voices would be heard but instead… Essure makers are protected by our own government yet all of these women are not. Our cries for help fall upon deaf ears and we are forced to live miserable in pain with no hope of a better tomorrow.