The Essure Permanent Birth Control Procedure

Tubal ligation, also commonly referred to as having your tubes tied, is surgery that closes off a woman's fallopian tubes. The fallopian tubes help to carry a released egg from the ovaries to the uterus and are usually the place where an egg is fertilized by a sperm. Once the tubes are closed, blocked or "tied", sperm will not be able to reach an egg, so pregnancy cannot take place. There are different ways that this procedure can be done. It is important to remember that whether the procedure is surgical (requires an incision) or non-surgical, a tubal ligation is considered to be a permanent form of birth control.

Hysteroscopic Sterilization:

Hysteroscopic sterilization is the "plugging up" of the fallopian tubes to prevent fertilization. The Essure tubal ligation method, which works in this way, was FDA-approved in 2002 and requires no incisions. During this procedure, two small metal springs (known as micro-inserts) are placed in each fallopian tube. Over time, the coil implants will trigger scar tissue to grow around them. The scar tissue serves to permanently block the tubes. The implants are inserted without surgery or general anesthesia. The procedure takes about 30 minutes and is typically performed in an outpatient surgery center or hospital that does not require an overnight stay.