Essure™ is a minimally invasive procedure for female permanent birth control. The procedure was approved by the FDA in 2002, and Dr. Snyder has been providing Essure in his office ever since. There are many advantages of Essure over traditional tubal ligation: Essure is safer, more effective, less expensive, and provides for a quicker recovery. No general anesthesia or incision is required. Remember, there is no way to reverse the Essure procedure, and the procedure does not take effect immediately, so adequate birth control is needed for three months following the procedure. The following describes the patient's experience in Dr. Snyder's office:

Dr. Snyder will discuss the benefits and considerations at an Essure consultation visit. This discussion may also be accomplished by phone, but an in-office meeting is usually preferred by Dr. Snyder and his Essure patients. He and his staff will make sure you are well prepared for this in-office, minimally invasive procedure, and will ensure you have a very positive experience. The consultation and procedure are usually covered by insurance, and our office will be happy to check your benefits for you to obtain an out of pocket expense estimate prior to your visit.

You will be at the office a total of 45 to 60 minutes for the actual Essure procedure. After being asked to undress from the waist down, you lay down on the table and are put into a position that is common for pap tests and other gynecologic exams. Dr. Snyder performs a pelvic exam to feel the size and position of the uterus. After a speculum is placed in the vagina, the upper vagina and cervix are cleansed, and some numbing medicine is placed as a nerve block. This is usually no more uncomfortable than a brief menstrual cramp.

A special scope is placed through the cervix opening and warm water goes through the scope in order to open the space inside the uterus; this allows Dr. Snyder to see your tubes from the inside while watching on a monitor during the procedure (you may also view the monitor if you wish). Once the tubes are in view, the Essure micro-inserts are guided into the tubes one at a time and released. This may cause some mild temporary cramping, and is reduced by following the directions for taking some Ibuprofen before the procedure. Again, the discomfort is similar to menstrual cramping. The time that the scope is in use is usually about ten minutes. As mentioned before, unlike a tubal ligation, there are no incisions and the body cavity is not entered. This eliminates the risks and the painful recovery traditionally associated with permanent birth control for women.

When the Essure procedure is complete, you are able to get up and exit the office immediately. You may resume normal activities right away and even go shopping or have a bite to eat if you like. If you have not taken any sedatives, then it should be safe and reasonable for you to drive yourself to and from the office. Intercourse (with appropriate birth control) is possible as soon as you feel up to it.

Three months after the procedure, Doctor Snyder does an x-ray test that proves that your tubes are blocked; you may then rely on Essure for birth control for the rest of your life. The x-ray test is no more uncomfortable than a pap test. And Dr. Snyder performs this test in the x-ray department at a Hospital. There are separate charges for this x-ray, which is called an Essure Confirmation Test, but it is covered by almost all insurance plans as is the Essure procedure.