Reversing Essure Sterilization: A Princess Arrives!
Thanks to Dr. Monteith, we finally got our little princess!
Patient age: 39
Tubal ligation type: Essure
Patient hometown: Raleigh, North Carolina
Advice on Reversing Essure Sterilization
There are many different types of tubal ligation. The newest form of tubal ligation is Essure tubal sterilization. This method involves inserting metal coil-like devices inside the very opening of each fallopian tube. These devices cause scar tissue formation inside the very beginning of each fallopian tube. This causes permanent blockage.
Essure sterilization was approved by the FDA in 2001. Since then more and more women have been choosing Essure as their method of tubal ligation. Essure can easily be performed in a doctor’s office; however, reversing Essure sterilization is a difficult procedure to complete successfully.
Reversing Essure Sterilization: Requires tubouterine implantation procedure
There are very few doctors who can reverse Essure with success.
Most tubal reversal doctors will not even offer Essure reversal. Some will offer to ‘reverse Essure’ but all they are really doing is removing the devices and then rejoining the tubes. Although this removes the devices, the scar tissue is left in place and will result in complete tube closure after the devices are removed.
We have reviewed many operative notes from failed ‘Essure reversals’…often this is when the doctor removes the Essure devices and then rejoins the tubes in the area where the device was extracted.
More info: Essure Reversal Advice: Pick Your Surgeon Carefully
Some doctors advertise Essure reversal on their website but you rarely see evidence of Essure reversal success.
To adequately reverse Essure, the devices and scar tissue need to be removed and the healthy fallopian tubes implanted into a new area of the uterine muscle and into the uterine cavity. This is called a tubouterine implantation procedure. The chance of pregnancy is approximately 40%.
Reversing Essure sterilization or IVF: Which is better?
Reversing Essure sterilization or IVF? This can be a very difficult question to answer. Often there is no one great answer.
The answer to this question often depends on the age of the patient, how many more children are desired, is the patient having Essure related symptoms and how much money the patient has to spend.
Reversing Essure sterilization: $7,500 total cost and average success is 40%
More info: Cost of Essure reversal
In-vitro fertilization (IVF): $14,000 and average success is 38%
If you are having Essure related symptoms, if you would like more than one additional child, and if you don’t have the money to spend on several cycles of IVF then reversing Essure sterilization may be a good option for you.
More info: Reversing Essure testimonials
