Westminster, Md. – Women seeking permanent birth control now have a new option at Carroll County General Hospital. Called Essure, the revolutionary treatment requires no incisions or general anesthesia and is the first alternative to tubal ligation for women in the United States.

“Essure is a safe and effective procedure for most women who have decided on permanent birth control,” said Micheal Vietz, M.D., obstetrician and gynecologist at Carroll County General Hospital. “The procedure generally takes about 30 minutes, is virtually pain free, and not only do women go home the same day, but they typically can return to work or their normal activities the next day.”

Prior to Essure, women had to undergo surgical tubal ligation, also known as “getting your tubes tied.” The procedure involves cutting, sealing or placing bands or clips around the fallopian tubes and requires general anesthesia, an abdominal incision and a four to six day recovery period.

Currently, an estimated 700,000 American women undergo tubal ligation each year, making it the most common form of contraception in the United States.

The Essure procedure involves placing a tiny, coil-like device called a micro-insert into each fallopian tube. Doctors use a thin, telescope-type instrument called a hysteroscope to guide the inserts through the cervix to reach the fallopian tubes. Over a period of about three months, scar tissue forms in and around the inserts, blocking the tubes and preventing pregnancy.

“A special material inside the coil elicits tissue growth that causes the tubes to permanently close,” said Christos Ballas, M.D., obstetrician-gynecologist at Carroll County General Hospital. “Because there is a three month waiting period, women must use another form of birth control.”

After three months, the patient returns to the hospital for a special x-ray (called hysterosalpingogram or HSG) to make sure the fallopian tubes are completely closed.

“Almost all women do not experience any changes once the inserts are in place, and the device will not affect menstruation or menopause,” Vietz said.

Like all birth control methods, Essure is not expected to be 100 percent effective, and pregnancies may occur. The new procedure also is not an option for every woman. For example, the Essure treatment is not appropriate for women with unusually shaped fallopian tubes, said Vietz.

“Since the procedure is irreversible, women also must be certain they no longer want to have children,” said Ballas.

Founded in 1961, Carroll County General Hospital is a nonprofit, acute care facility offering a continuum of services, including comprehensive inpatient, outpatient and community programs.

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