Another Permanent Birth Control Option
By: Charlotte Ames
Updated: June 19, 2007
For years, the only choices for permanent birth control were tubal ligation for women, or vasectomy for men, but a few years ago, the FDA approved another option. It's the non-surgical Essure procedure.
With Essure, there is no cutting, doctors accesses the fallopian tubes through the bodies natural pathways. It involves putting tiny metal coils into the fallopian tubes, that over a period of a couple months allow scar tissue to grow in and block off both fallopian tubes.
It takes about three months for the scar tissue to build up. A special X-ray will confirm that the tubes are blocked. (:06) According to the company that makes the device, statistics show that in over 100,000 patients world-wide who've undergone the procedure, there's never been a single, documented pregnancy.
The Essure procedure is permanent and not reversible. To learn more or find a physician near you, log onto www.essure.com.
With Essure, there is no cutting, doctors accesses the fallopian tubes through the bodies natural pathways. It involves putting tiny metal coils into the fallopian tubes, that over a period of a couple months allow scar tissue to grow in and block off both fallopian tubes.
It takes about three months for the scar tissue to build up. A special X-ray will confirm that the tubes are blocked. (:06) According to the company that makes the device, statistics show that in over 100,000 patients world-wide who've undergone the procedure, there's never been a single, documented pregnancy.
The Essure procedure is permanent and not reversible. To learn more or find a physician near you, log onto www.essure.com.
Charlotte Ames is the area's only local Health Reporter and brings you the latest medical health news weeknights. You can catch Healthcast on WTAJ News at 5:00pm and her Health Headlines report on WTAJ News at 5:30pm.