Essure Procedure

I am a 34 yr. old mother of one 4 year old girl and stepmom to two teenage boys. My husband and I decided after we had a little girl that we were complete as a family. My obgyn, who delivered my daughter, advised the Essure procedure after we told him we did not plan for anymore children, and how it had less recovery time than a vasectomy. This appealed to us for the fact that my husband has a very physical job and that present time I was a stay at home mom. I had my procedure done in January of 2010 with no complications and had the HSG 3 months following. All looked good and coils were in place. We were very pleased with how easy the whole process went and we were worry free for that moment in our lives. Unfortunetly the peace of mind didn’t last and I am afraid I may be suffering complications from this procedure. After reading the numerous cases online of other women’s horrific post Essure experiences, it seems I now share many of their painful symptoms.

It started with symptoms of UTI. This started within the first year after the procedure and became increasingly irritating and disrupting to my life. I am a Licensed Massage Therapist and began working again in 2012. I had many days at work rushing to the bathroom in between clients with urgency and painful urination. The most annoying part of this is the countless trips to the doctor for urine cultures to come back clean. I was referred to the Urologist and underwent a cystoscopy, which revealed a healthy looking bladder and was prescribed an antispasmodic for bladder spasms. This was to treat the symptoms for what could be ‘possibly’ overactive bladder. In the meantime I am constantly disrupted with bowel irritations and abdominal discomfort. Period like cramping even off my cycle. I visited the doctor for these issues as well and even had and ultrasound on the upper GI to check for gallbladder dysfunction, stones, etc…! All tests to return Normal! In all of these appointments, including my annual female exams, I questioned the doctors if any of these unexplained symptoms could be possible complications from my Essure implants. Of course the answers were vague and most unlikely.  The most recent symptoms are irregular and extremely heavy bleeding during, longer than normal, periods with dibilitating cramps. This is a first in my life as I have always been pretty regular and never had super heavy flow. My pap last year was normal.  I fear my next visit with the OBGYN will be discouraging and will be told I am most likely perimenopausal. How convienient that a healthy 34 yr old with essure implants is suddenly going through perimenopause!

Along with all of these unexplained symtoms I deal with a lot of fatigue and body aches/headaches. I rest, get monthly massage, stay physically active, eat healthy, and even started to visit the chiropractor. None of these practices have given me any long lasting relief from these pains! I have always been a physically healthy and positive minded person, never depressed easily. It is becoming more and more difficult to keep optimism dealing with this deterioration of my health.

I feel for all of the women dealing with this burden on their lives. I know I want resolve and healing as much as they do. I hope sharing my story will help us all find more answers. I am open if anyone can give me some direction on next steps of action. I’m ready to get my body and quality of life back!