Sterilisation device leaves some women needing hysterectomies

The Victoria Derbyshire Show has reported that some women are undergoing hysterectomies to remove the sterilisation device, Essure. The BBC has covered the story.  

The non-hormonal medical device used by the NHS in the UK is manufactured by Bayer who claims it is 99% effective at preventing pregnancy.

The BBC reports that one woman revealed the pain she experienced caused her to feel suicidal. She later had her uterus removed.

Another woman, Victoria Dethier, said that she couldn’t work out why she felt ill after having an Essure implant.

"There were moments where I couldn't get out of bed I was in so much pain. It felt like I was dying, like something was killing me from the inside," the BBC reports.

Dethier had a hysterectomy in 2015.

The device is made of nickel  and polyester (PET). According to the Essure website the device is placed into the fallopian tubes. It works “with your body to form a natural barrier that keeps sperm from reaching the eggs, preventing pregnancy”.

According to the BBC Bayer has asked UK hospitals not to use the device at the moment and its sales in the EU have been suspended.

MPN contacted Bayer for a comment but the company did not reply. The BBC reports that Bayer says the benefits of the device outweigh the risks.