Have you previously undergone the birth control procedure of having Essure coils fitted? Well, you may have been one of the unfortunate 26,773 women who’ve had to deal with the adverse side effects of the device. Not only that, but you may not have known that it was down to your Essure coils as to why you were feeling the way you were. This post will outline the full side effects that Essure can potentially cause.
Bayer, the manufacturing company of the coils, has seen in a huge rise in lawsuits being filed against them as thousands of women have experienced adverse side effects after having the procedure.
We’ll cover:
- What are the Side Effects?
- How dangerous are the side effects of Essure?
- Are You Entitled to Compensation?
What Are Essure Side Effects?
Some Essure side effects can appear to be mild and will disappear after a few days. But this isn’t the case for all of them. Some symptoms mean that there’s a larger underlying complication and so the side effects will last for a much longer period of time. They require immediate attention or the consequences can be terrible.
From January 2003 to January 2005, a study of 851 patients published in the British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (also known as BJOG), an International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, reported – amongst many other adverse symptoms – that 66% of patients experienced anatomical tubal anomalies, 29% experienced tubal spasm, 6% had tubal obstruction, and 9% had marked uterine retroflexion (Volume 114, Issue 6, 2007).
Short Term Side Effects
Women may experience problems during the actual procedure of having the coils inserted, or immediately after too.
The complications during the procedure include:
- Device breakage during procedure.
- Perforation of the fallopian tube or uterus.
- Typical local anaesthesia side effects.
- Mild to moderate pain.
After the procedure, the most common issues for women include pain, cramping and vaginal bleeding. Headaches, dizziness, nausea and vomiting are all common too. These side effects should only last a few days.
Essure Confirmation Test Side Effects
Not only can you potentially experience side effects from the original procedure, but after three months when you go back in to check whether you’re ready to rely on the coils, you could come away feeling the effects of the symptoms of:
- Cramping
- Fainting
- Dizziness
- Infection
- Vomiting
The short-term side effects are only mild compared to the long term. However they could be gateway symptoms and there’s nothing to say that because you’ve had short-term, it rules out long-term. You could unfortunately suffer from both.
The Long-Term Risks and Side Effects
Unfortunately, the long term side effects and risks can be life changing. It’s important for you to be aware so that you or a loved one can get the treatment and potential compensation you well and truly deserve. The long term effects of the Essure coils are:
- Chronic pain
- Device migration – usually into the pelvis.
- Metal allergy
- Removal of fallopian tubes
- Hysterectomy
- Life-threatening pregnancy (ectopic)
- Hair loss
- Depression
- Autoimmune disorders
In more severe cases:
- perforation of the uterus and/or fallopian tubes
- inserts in the abdominal or pelvic cavity
- persistent pain
- suspected allergic reactions or hypersensitivity.
And these are just a few of the complications – the list is ongoing.
After over 5,000 reported cases from both doctors and patients, the FDA announced that Bayer had to conduct mandatory clinical studies into the side effects of the Essure device and procedure, which has claimed 11 lives and affected countless others. Furthermore, the FDA website itself lists only three benefits of the Essure device, and fourteen risks or side effects.
How Dangerous Are the Side Effects of Essure?
Whilst the Essure procedure itself can be reversed, the internal damage often cannot be mended.
The use of the Essure device, in some cases, requires additional surgery to remove the device, and/or repair internal organ damage. The Essure removal procedure takes 30-45 minutes, costs around $7,500, and it’s removed under general anesthetic.
An opening is made in the fallopian tubes over the Essure coils, which are then removed intact (if possible). Each end of the opening created in the fallopian tube is then closed or occluded.
The British Medical Journal (BMJ) emphasizes that even though the device is as effective as laparoscopic sterilization at preventing pregnancy, the risks far outweigh the benefits, requiring further operations in every 21 patients in 1,000: the journal specifies that there is a “10-fold higher risk of reoperation.” Unintended pregnancy was the same for each method too.
Have You Been Negatively Affected by Essure? Are You Entitled to Compensation?
None of the ongoing Essure cases have reached a verdict currently, so it’s hard to judge the actual value of how much you may be entitled to. But if you or a loved one have experienced any of the above side effects, then you can file for:
- Compensation for general damages.
- Legal fees – your attorney fees and court costs.
- Loss of enjoyment in life, pain and suffering – how your life has been negatively impacted.
- Medical expenses and loss of wages.
- Costs of special assistance.
To hopefully speed up your case, we advise that you take a note of the following points. Your attorney will want to take a look at these records and attempt to calculate your owed compensation. He/she will also strengthen and make a case for your situation from the records, which means that your claim is more likely to be successful.
As a result, keep a note of:
- The level of damage you’ve experienced, both mentally and physically.
- Any corrective surgery or rehabilitation you needed.
- Your time off work and a breakdown of your lost income due to your injuries. This includes future proposed time off too for further operations, treatments or being unfit for work.
- How your life will be affected in the future.
Be Represented by the Best
As if it’s not bad enough that you’ve had to endure these awful side effects, not getting your deserved compensation can be another kick in the teeth. That’s why at Coxwell & Associates, we’ve been helping Mississippians for over 35 years earn the compensation they fully deserve.
You’re going to need an attorney who is used to handling personal injury claims against large organizations and won’t be phased by them. Lucky for you, we’re highly experienced in personal injury and can help you get the justice you deserve. We’re committed to getting your life back to where it was before your injuries.
Contact our team of legal experts today for a consultation and take the first step towards the winning your case or download our free guide to get more informed about Essure risks.
Want to find out more? Read some of our previous blog posts below:
- The Best Qualities of a Trusted Essure Attorney
- Why Has There Been No Essure Recall?
- How Much Compensation Can I Get for an Essure Coils Lawsuit?
- What You Need To Start An Essure Birth Control Lawsuit
Disclaimer: This blog is intended as general information purposes only, and is not a substitute for legal advice. Anyone with a legal problem should consult a lawyer immediately.