Activist and legal clerk Erin Brockovich, the woman portrayed by Julia Roberts in the 2000 Steven Soderbergh film, went on ABC News recently and said that the birth control Essure is not safe. The FDA approved procedure (since 2002) involves placing flexible coils inside the fallopian tubes through the cervix. Scar tissue that forms from the procedure is said to protect the tubes from insemination. It’s considered “a cheaper, easier, and safer version to a hysterectomy.” No general anaesthetic or incision through the abdomen is required.
Brockovich says the medical device should be taken off the market as “so many women have been experiencing problems from Essure.” Brockovich cites women complaining of debilitating headaches, nausea, allergic response to the nickel the device is made of, colon perforation, and some women have been told that they could not get pregnant after the procedure. Brockovich has launched a website for women to learn more about the procedure, and to encourage visitors to sign a petition. So far, nearly 10,000 people have signed it. Bayer is the maker of Essure.
