Essure® POST-PROCEDURE INSTRUCTIONS
Going Home
- Obtain a completed ID card before you leave. Keep your ID card with you at all times and present it to other doctors involved in your present or future care.
- Schedule your Essure Confirmation Test (see below) for 3 months from now.
When You are Home
- If you are experiencing cramping, follow your doctor’s instructions regarding pain medication.
You may feel faint or nauseous. Follow your doctor’s recommendations regarding activity during the first 24 hours following your procedure.
- Spotting or light bleeding is normal. If bleeding becomes heavy, you suspect you may be pregnant, or you become concerned, please contact your doctor.
- You must use alternative contraception until your physician verifies that the inserts are in the correct location and your fallopian tubes are blocked. You may resume intercourse on .
- Please call your doctor if your period is more than 5 days late or you suspect you may be pregnant.
3-month Essure Confirmation Test
- You will need to schedule the Essure Confirmation Test for 3 months post-procedure. The test is performed to make sure that both of your Essure inserts are in the correct location and that your fallopian tubes are blocked so you can rely on Essure as permanent birth control.
You must use alternative contraception until your 3-month Essure Confirmation Test confirms that your Essure inserts are in the correct location and that your fallopian tubes are blocked. Only at that point can you rely on Essure for birth control.
If you rely on the Essure device for birth control before completing the Essure Confirmation Test, you may get pregnant or have an ectopic pregnancy (pregnancy outside of your uterus, but inside the body). Ectopic pregnancies can be life-threatening; so if you think you might be pregnant, please call your physician.
Indication
Essure is a permanent birth control procedure that works with your body to create a natural barrier against pregnancy.
Important Safety Information
WARNING: You must continue to use another form of birth control until you have your Essure Confirmation Test and your doctor tells you that you can rely on Essure for birth control.
- You can rely on Essure for birth control only after your doctor has reviewed your Essure Confirmation Test results. Your doctor will confirm that the inserts are properly placed and both of your fallopian tubes are blocked. If you rely on Essure for birth control before having your Essure Confirmation Test, you are at risk of getting pregnant.
- Talk to your doctor about which method of birth control you should use for the 3 months after the procedure. Some women can remain on their current birth control. Other women, such as those using an intrauterine device or contraceptive (IUD or IUC), will need to switch to another method.
- It can take longer than three months for the Essure procedure to be effective. In rare cases, it has taken up to 6 months. Make sure to continue using an alternate form of birth control up until your doctor has reviewed your Essure Confirmation Test results and confirmed that you can rely on Essure for birth control.
WARNING: Be sure you are done having children before you undergo the Essure procedure. Essure is a permanent method of birth control. The younger a woman is when she chooses to end her fertility, the more likely she is to regret her choice later.