Essure

Essure® is a surgery-free permanent birth control procedure that works with your body to create a natural barrier to prevent pregnancy. The Essure® procedure offers benefits that no other birth control can. To find out more about this non-surgical form of pregnancy prevention visit the Essure® website here.

If you decide to have the Essure® procedure, you will have reviewed the procedure, its risk and benefits, and alternative forms of birth control before coming into our office. Feel free to let us know if you still have any questions before you proceed with the procedure.

Following is a set of instructions that you will need to follow before and after the procedure. It is also very important to inform us beforehand if you believe you could be pregnant, or if you think you have a pelvic infection.

DAY BEFORE THE PROCEDURE
Medications (Note: Some patients may need different medications. Please tell us if you are unable to take any of these medications due to side effects or allergies)

• Ibuprofen 800mg, one (1) pill every six (6) hours until procedure. By taking this the day prior to your appointment, you will lessen any cramping that can occur during or after the procedure. Ibuprofen also helps to relax the uterus to permit an easier placement of the Essure® devices. DO NOT take Ibuprofen the day of your procedure, as you will be given a similar injected medication when you arrive at our office.
• Cytotec (Misoprostil) 200mcg, one (1) pill before you go to bed. This will help to soften the cervix in preparation for your procedure.

DAY OF PROCEDURE
Medications

• Cytotech (Misoprostel) 200mcg, 1pill when you wake up.
• Ibuprofen 800mg
• Emla cream – insert contents of tube into vagina two hours before procedure; insert tampon in after cream.
• Bring Valium, Lortab, and Azithromycin with you.
• You will be given the Valium, Lortab, Azithromycin, and an injection of Toradol (liquid Motrin) one hour prior to procedure.

Eat a normal meal prior to procedure. Please be sure to arrive at our office on-time. After you arrive, a urine sample will be requested to confirm a negative pregnancy test, and then the nurse will bring you into the exam room. You will be given an injection of anti-inflammatory medication 30 minutes before your procedure. During the procedure the doctor will also inject a local anesthetic. You will be awake for the procedure and may feel slight cramping at times. The average procedure time is 10 minutes. After the procedure is done, expect to spend about 30 minutes recovering.

Someone else must drive you to and from the office as the medication you take before can affect your driving ability. If you choose, you may have this person in the room with you during the procedure to make you feel more comfortable.

DAY AFTER THE PROCEDURE
Medications

• Azithromycin, take 24 hours after procedure.
• Ibuprofen 800mg – Take one (1) every 8 hours for two (2) days. It is unlikely that you will need any other medications for pain. If you do, you may use the Lortab that you have been prescribed every four (4) hours as needed.

It is normal to have light vaginal bleeding and some cramping for a few days. Contact our office if you experience any of the following:

• Fevers
• Uncontrolled pain
• Heavy bleeding
• Vomiting and unable to keep any food or fluids down
• Any other concerns you may have

A follow up appointment will be made for six weeks after procedure. Three months after the Essure® procedure, be sure to contact the office to schedule a hysterosalpingogram (HSG) to check that both fallopian tubes are blocked off. Until this is done, it is your responsibility to avoid possible pregnancy by using contraception as directed.