I wanted a birth control method that was SAFE and easy. I am 45 years old and have had Essure for about 4 years now. It has been a nightmare filled with PAIN.
I had my Essure procedure done at Planned Parenthood in Illinois. I have all the children I wanted yet I did not want to go on hormone birth control pills or have a surgical hysterectomy. I was assured by my doctor this was the best option, ‘quick, safe, and painless…just an outpatient procedure.’ I have to admit for the first year I hardly had any periods at all, which is strange for me as I am a regular as clockwork but I was assured this was normal. I did however have continuous pain from the moment I had the procedure on my left side EXACTLY WHERE THE ESSURE COIL WAS!!! I was checked and rechecked to make sure it had stayed in place, was not perforating anything, etc. but everything looked fine according to the doctor. Then I was told it must be scar tissues trying to build up, the pain would ease or go away with time. It did not. Sometimes I would get SHARP stabbing pains exactly where the coil was…the pain was so bad I had to sit down immediately no matter what I was doing, even in the middle of teaching class, etc. The pain was so bad it was scary and I would check back with the doctor/radiologist just to be told ‘nothing is wrong.’ Then after the first year I had Heavy periods (to the point I had to and still do wear Poise bladder control overnight, extra long, pads!) and horrible menstrual pain (on my PMS first day or two I am useless due to Horrible cramping pain-again mainly on the left side) I used to be able to get Vicodin for the pain but not due to the regulations doctors are unwilling to give it out ‘just for that…’ Even the Vicodin just took the edge off, the pain a ‘7’ instead of a ‘9’…the pain brings tears to my eyes. It doesn’t matter what I had planned on the calendar, family events, etc. I am not able to get off the couch those first few days of my PMS week and then when my period comes I have such heavy bleeding I am afraid to go out in public because I frequently bleed through my clothes. My doctor claims that she has heard of no problems and to just take iron pills and ‘relax.’ I have tried 3 other doctors to try and help me and they just say, ‘Just get a hysterectomy.’ I do not really want to because I have endometriosis now and have been told they will just take my ovaries and I will be thrown into menopause… I feel between a rock and a hard place. If any class action law suits ever come up please add my name to the list! Thank-you for all you do Erin…great movie but you are even a greater person. Thank-you, Lori Thompson