TV calls for support for New Zealand women who have concerns about Essure contraceptive devices.
The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG) has written toasking that women with Essure contraceptive devices have access to information, advice and care to address any concerns they have that may be related to the device.
The permanent contraceptive device Essure was intended to provide permanent contraception and an alternative to other permanent contraception procedures such as tubal ligation or hysterectomy.
Essure was withdrawn from the market in New Zealand and subject to a recall of unused devices in 2017. A small number of women have experienced issues with device functioning or side effects. Medsafe say that they received 11 reports of adverse events associated with Essure.
Reports included changes in menstrual bleeding, unintended pregnancy, chronic pain, perforation and migration of the device, allergy/hypersensitivity, or immune-type reactions. Some of these reports were considered serious and resulted in removal of the device, which involved abdominal surgery.
There is no new evidence on effectiveness or issues associated with Essure, except that a small number of women may have had symptoms caused by the nickel content of the device. Nickel is routinely used in a number of medical devices including stents and artificial joints, but individuals with sensitivities can react to it.
Most women who have an Essure device will not experience issues and the device does not need to be removed if it is not causing issues.
Our key message for women is if you have an Essure device and you are concerned, or experiencing symptoms that may be related to the device, please discuss this with your GP or contact your local.
For media enquiries
Catherine Cooper
Executive Director, Aotearoa New Zealand and Global Health
ccooper@ranzcog.org.nz
