Hi, I’m 46 yrs. old and have four precious children. Today is July 18, 2014 and I’d like to share my story as well. It’s been 7 1/2 long years since my nightmare began. During my fourth pregnancy (2006), I informed my OBGYN I was interested in sterilization after giving birth. After my daughter was born in Aug. 2006, I scheduled an appt. with my doctor and in Oct. I was briefed on Essure; she told me that it was the only procedure that she performed. No other options were offered after I asked. I was simply reassured that it was safe, painless, and had nothing to worry about. I really wanted to have sterilization so I agreed even though I had never heard of Essure or knew anyone else who had had it done. I had the surgery done in December and it seemed all went well. I want to mention that I’ve always been healthy. I don’t have heart problems, diabetes, high blood pressure. It didn’t take long before I began to experience many of the symptoms that many other women have had: lower back pain, pain on both sides of my abdomen, cramping and diarrhea, numbing and tingling in my toes, skin rashes/itchiness, painful intercourse to the point that I would rather have my period all the time, chest pains, blurred vision, hair loss just to name a few. I too regret having gone through this procedure and hope that justice is done for the thousands of women who are suffering and who will continue to suffer if nothing is done to stop this insanity!! If you’re consider sterilization, DO NOT GET THIS PROCEDURE DONE!!