Beyond baby: Planning for the next life stage

(BPT) - Are you ready to say goodbye to diapers, strollers and bottles? Are your kids starting school and becoming more self-sufficient?

Now is the time that women may consider focusing more on their career, making time to pursue a hobby or passion, sticking to a diet and exercise plan and the family they have. Bayer surveyed 1,000 women, aged 25 to 45, who decided they were done having children, in committed relationships and not on a permanent birth control method, and found that 38% of women said the primary reason that influenced their decision to be done having children was because they had the number of children they wanted.[1] When a women’s family is complete, and her children are getting older and attending school, it’s an opportunity for women to think about the next chapter of their lives, which includes family planning.

Women face all kinds of decisions throughout their lives, but few are as impactful as family planning. In the same Bayer survey, 44% of women who are done having children are concerned about getting pregnant again. Additionally, 66% of women who are done having children would consider a permanent birth control method that does not require surgery.[2]

When it comes to birth control, every woman should work with her healthcare provider to make the personal decision about what type of birth control is right for her and her family. For many women, the ability to take control of her fertility and know that she has permanent options for birth control once her family is complete is very empowering. Before making a decision regarding permanent birth control, it is important for women to fully understand all the contraception options available to them.

Dr. Amy Brenner, board certified OB/GYN, talks with her patients about different birth control methods that are available and discusses what makes sense at various stages of a woman’s reproductive life. She also speaks from her personal experience since she chose permanent birth control when she was done having children.

“After I had my third child, my husband and I decided that our family was complete. I chose the Essure® procedure because I wanted a permanent birth control and it was the best option for me personally at this stage in my life,” said Dr. Brenner.

Dr. Brenner shares some questions that she often receives from her patients who are considering the Essure procedure.

What is Essure?

• Essure is non-surgical permanent birth control. The procedure can be done in 10 minutes in a doctor’s office and involves placing soft, flexible inserts into the fallopian tubes.
• The Essure® inserts do not contain or release hormones and there is no downtime to recover.
• Most women go home 45 minutes after the procedure and return to normal activities within a day or two.[3]

How does Essure prevent pregnancy?

• Over a period of about 3 months, a natural barrier forms around the inserts which keeps sperm from reaching the eggs and prevents conception.
• After 3 months, a doctor administers an Essure Confirmation Test to confirm that both inserts are placed correctly, the fallopian tubes are completely blocked and the woman can rely on Essure for permanent birth control.
• Until this confirmation is received from the doctor, an alternate form of birth control must be used to prevent pregnancy.

Are there any problems I might experience?

• During the clinical trials, the most common problem reported was mild to moderate pain (9.3% of women) during the procedure.
• Some of the women in the study reported moderate pain (12.9% of women) and/or cramping (29.6% of women) on the day of the procedure.
• A smaller percentage of women reported nausea/vomiting (10.8%) and vaginal bleeding (6.8%).

There are additional risks with this procedure. Women should discuss all risks with their doctor to see if Essure is right for them.

For additional risk information, please see Important Safety Information below.

To find physicians in the U.S. trained to perform the Essure procedure, visit www.essure.com and click “Find a Doctor.”[a]

Indication

Essure® is permanent birth control that works with your body to create a natural barrier against pregnancy.

Important Safety Information

Essure is not right for you if are uncertain about ending fertility, can have only one insert placed, are or have been pregnant within the past 6 weeks, have had your tubes tied, have an active or recent pelvic infection, or have a known allergy to contrast dye.

WARNING: You must continue to use another form of birth control until you have your Essure Confirmation Test (3 months after the procedure) and your doctor tells you that you can rely on Essure for birth control. It can take longer than three months for Essure to be effective. Talk to your doctor about which method of birth control you should use during this period. Women using an intrauterine device need to switch to another method. If you rely on Essure for birth control before receiving confirmation from your doctor, you are at risk of getting pregnant.

WARNING: Be sure you are done having children before you undergo the Essure procedure. Essure is a permanent method of birth control.

During the procedure: In clinical trials some women experienced mild to moderate pain (9.3%). Your doctor may be unable to place one or both Essure® inserts correctly. Although uncommon, part of an Essure insert may break off or puncture the fallopian tube requiring surgery to repair the puncture, Your doctor may recommend a local anesthetic. Ask your doctor about the risks associated with this type of anesthesia.

Immediately following the procedure: In clinical trials some women experienced mild to moderate pain (12.9%) and/or cramping (29.6%), vaginal bleeding (6.8%), and pelvic or back discomfort for a few days. Some women experienced nausea and/or vomiting (10.8%) or fainting. In rare instances, an Essure insert may be expelled from the body.

During the Essure Confirmation Test: You will be exposed to very low levels of radiation, as with most x-rays. In rare instances, women may experience spotting and/or infection.

Long-term Risks: There are rare reports of chronic pelvic pain in women who have had Essure. In rare instances, an Essure insert may migrate through the fallopian tubes and may require surgery   No birth control method is 100% effective. Women who have Essure are more likely to have an ectopic pregnancy (pregnancy outside the uterus) if they get pregnant. This can be life-threatening. The Essure insert is made of materials that include a nickel-titanium alloy. Patients who are allergic to nickel may have an allergic reaction to the inserts. Symptoms include rash, itching and hives.

The safety and effectiveness of Essure has not been established in women under 21 or over 45 years old.

Essure does not protect against HIV or other sexually transmitted diseases.

Talk to your doctor about Essure and whether it is right for you.

###

[a] Bayer maintains a list of physicians who have been trained and are willing to accept referrals. Physicians are listed according to proximity to address and site of service criteria. Physician participation on this list is voluntary and free. Some of the listed physicians may be paid consultants for Bayer. Physicians may be removed from the list at their or Bayer's request. Bayer does not guarantee the accuracy of the listings and is not responsible for the medical advice or care given by the physicians.

[1] Data on file. Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

[2] Essure VisAid, Bayer Healthcare Pharmaceuticals, Whippany, NJ. June 2014.

[3] Essure Patient Information Booklet (PIB), Bayer Healthcare Pharmaceuticals, Whippany, NJ. December 2013.