Oakdale Ob/Gyn doctors perform several minimally invasive, same day in- office procedures. Essure, also known as hysteroscopic tubal sterilization, is a minimally invasive procedure performed in a clinic or hospital to permanently sterilize a woman. As a permanent birth control method, Essure is 99.8% effective. The procedure was first introduced in 2002 and Oakdale OBGYN doctors have been performing this procedure for many years in both hospital and clinic settings.
Today, Oakdale Ob/Gyn doctors perform this procedure in our clinics. Essure is a simple procedure performed in approximately 10 minutes in the office. There are many benefits to this minimally invasive procedure, including:
- there is no cutting or incision site, helping patients to recover quickly and resume normal activities
- no general anesthetic is needed, and
- no hormones are used in the procedure.
The Procedure
The procedure is simple and takes about 10 minutes. A soft, flexible micro-insert is placed through the vagina and cervix into the fallopian tubes. No incision is needed because these tiny inserts are delivered and placed through the vagina and cervix. Over several weeks a natural barrier forms around the micro-inserts and prevents sperm from reaching the eggs.
Three months following your Essure procedure, your Oakdale Ob/Gyn doctor will perform a test to confirm your protection from an unplanned pregnancy. The test uses a dye and special type of x-ray to ensure that the fallopian tubes are blocked as intended. Until that time, your Oakdale Ob/Gyn doctor will encourage you to use another form of birth control to prevent pregnancy.
Because this minimally invasive procedure is not reversible and is permanent, you should be sure you do not want to have children in the future. Meet with one of our Essure-trained doctors to decide if this is the best birth control option for you.
Learn more about Essure as a permanent birth control.