The Essure system is a type of permanent birth control for women. Endometrial ablation is a method of treating abnormal and excessive uterine bleeding, especially in the perimenopausal period. Can you get pregnant after Essure and ablation?
What is Essure?
The Essure system is a type of permanent birth control for women. This cannot be undone.
This type of female sterilization involves placing small metal and fibrous coils in the fallopian tubes, which creates scar tissue that prevents the sperm from reaching the egg. During the procedure, the doctor inserts a flexible tube with a small camera (hysteroscope) through the vagina and cervix up to the uterus. From here, the doctor can see the hole in the fallopian tubes and place the coils of the Essure system in them.
Preventing pregnancy with Essure takes about three months. It may take up to six months for some women. During this time, you must use a different form of birth control to prevent pregnancy. Essure does not protect you against sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
Risk
Researchers are still investigating the risks associated with or possibly associated with Essure. They may include:
- Pelvic pain
- Allergic reaction including hives, itching and swelling of the face
- Heavy periods or spotting during ovulation
- Infection after surgery
- Perforation of the uterus or fallopian tubes
- Transfer of coils to other places in the abdomen
Sometimes the coils are not positioned correctly or only one pipe is blocked. This may cause an unintended pregnancy. However, less than 1.5 out of 1000 women become pregnant with the Essure system. When pregnancy occurs, it usually happens because:
- Pregnancy occurred before the procedure.
- Coils not placed correctly.
Preventive contraception has not been used for three to six months after surgery or until the doctor confirms that the fallopian tubes are blocked.
If you become pregnant after Essure, it is more likely that it will be an ectopic pregnancy – when fertilization occurs outside the uterus, usually in the fallopian tube. Talk to your doctor if you have a positive pregnancy test after Essure.
Endometrial ablation
It involves surgical removal of the lining of the womb lining the uterus, called the endometrium. Endometrial ablation is carried out after biopsy to exclude cancerous changes within the uterus. This procedure is usually performed on women who are not planning offspring and are in perimenopausal period. It is performed when all other pharmacological methods used so far in these women have not proved successful in treating abnormal bleeding. Is an alternative to completely removing the uterus.
Birth control is needed after ablation, as hormonal functions remain unchanged.
