Permanent Sterilization (Essure)

The Essure procedure is a type of permanent sterilization that is done in the office.  During the procedure, which takes less than 10 minutes, an Essure-certified doctor slides the small, soft inserts through the natural pathways of your vagina and cervix into your fallopian tubes, so no surgery or incision is required. The very tip of each insert remains visible to your doctor, providing immediate confirmation of proper placement. The flexible Essure inserts are made out of the same silicone-free material used in heart stents, so they bend and conform to the shape of your fallopian tubes while remaining securely in place.Over the next three months, your body works with the Essure inserts to form a natural barrier within each of your fallopian tubes. These barriers prevent sperm from reaching the eggs so that pregnancy cannot occur. During this three-month timeframe, you must continue to use another form of birth control.After three months, it’s time for your Essure Confirmation Test. During this simple test, a special dye is introduced into your uterus and viewed on an x-ray, so your doctor can confirm that your fallopian tubes are completely blocked and the inserts are in place. Once you receive this verification, you can rely on Essure for permanent birth control.