Understanding Essure® Complications & Removal
The Essure® device was a non-surgical permanent birth control option consisting of small, flexible metal and fiber coils inserted into the fallopian tubes. Over time, the implants were designed to trigger localized inflammation and scar tissue formation, permanently blocking the tubes. While initially highly popular, thousands of women eventually reported severe, chronic adverse side effects linked to the device, leading to its removal from the market.
At Miami Women’s Center, we hear your frustrations and validate the physical discomfort you may be experiencing. If you are struggling with chronic symptoms related to your Essure implants, you are not alone. Our board-certified gynecological surgeons specialize in advanced, minimally invasive surgical removals, focusing on extracting the coils cleanly and fully intact to resolve your symptoms and restore your health.
Request an AppointmentFrequently Asked Questions About Essure® Removal
What are the most common symptoms associated with Essure® complications?
Many women have lived with unexplained symptoms for years before identifying their Essure implants as the underlying trigger. Common reported complications include:
- Chronic, severe pelvic pain and lower back discomfort
- Abnormal uterine bleeding, irregular periods, or unexpected spotting
- Severe allergic or inflammatory reactions to the metals in the coil (such as nickel)
- Brain fog, persistent fatigue, and unexplained joint or muscle pain
- Device migration, where the coil shifts or punctures (perforates) the fallopian tube or uterine wall, causing acute pelvic irritation
Can the Essure® coils simply be pulled out through the cervix?
No, attempting to pull the devices out non-surgically is highly dangerous. Because Essure works by purposely growing dense scar tissue into and around the metal coils, the implants become firmly anchored to your fallopian tubes. Trying to yank or pull them out through the vagina can cause the delicate coils to fracture, leaving sharp metal fragments embedded deep inside your pelvic tissue, which can worsen chronic pain. A formal surgical procedure is required to safely remove the coils along with their surrounding tissue.
What are the surgical options for removing the Essure® device?
At Miami Women’s Center, our approach depends entirely on your specific symptoms, device location, and whether you have secondary conditions like uterine fibroids:
- Total Salpingectomy: The surgical removal of both fallopian tubes. This is the preferred conservative option for women whose coils are fully contained within the tubes. We precisely cut around the uterine connection point (the cornua) to ensure the entire device is removed intact.
- Cornual Resection: If the inner tip of the coil extends slightly into the uterine wall, our surgeons perform a specialized wedge resection of the uterine corner (cornua) to fully extract the metal without leaving fragments behind.
- Total Laparoscopic Hysterectomy: If the coils have significantly fractured, migrated deep into the muscular wall of the uterus, or if you also suffer from painful fibroids or heavy bleeding, a minimally invasive removal of the uterus and tubes is the most definitive solution.
What is the primary focus during an Essure® removal surgery?
The gold standard for a successful recovery is fragment-free removal. The Essure coil is composed of an outer nickel-titanium alloy spring and an inner stainless steel core wrapped in polyethylene fibers. If a surgeon handles the device roughly, the outer spring can easily unravel or snap. Our specialized surgeons use meticulous, no-touch dissection techniques to visualize the entire length of the device, ensuring the coils are never cut, bent, or broken during extraction.
Advanced Minimally Invasive Techniques at Miami Women’s Center
When you visit Miami Women’s Center for an Essure evaluation, we build a highly precise, supportive surgical plan designed to minimize trauma and optimize your recovery:
- Pre-Operative High-Resolution Imaging: Utilizing specialized transvaginal ultrasounds or pelvic X-rays to locate the exact position of both coils and check for structural shifting or fragment separation before entering the operating room.
- Robotic-Assisted Precision Laparoscopy: Utilizing the da Vinci® Surgical System to operate through a few tiny keyhole incisions under 3D magnification. The enhanced visual clarity and wristed instruments allow our surgeons to dissect the dense scar tissue surrounding the coils with micro-millimeter accuracy near delicate pelvic blood vessels.
- Outpatient Recovery Workflow: Because our surgical techniques are minimally invasive, your procedure is typically performed on an outpatient basis. You can return home the same day to heal comfortably, with most women resuming normal, light daily routines within 1 to 2 weeks.