‘Doctors thought I had MS… but when I removed my Essure coil the daily pain stopped’: Women suing contraceptive device manufacturer reveal horror symptoms including migraines, abdominal bleeding and hip pain
- Lawyers for those who say they were affected appeal for others to come forward
- Have you experienced issues with the Essure coil? Contact [email protected]
Women left with horrific symptoms and ‘constant pain’ after having the Essure contraceptive coil fitted have revealed what they experienced as they prepare to take legal action against its manufacturer.
Lawyers at Pogust Goodhead, who are representing more than 200 women in a lawsuit to be launched against the manufacturers, have said the coil ‘has caused irreparable damage physically and mentally.’
German company Bayer has indicated it will defend itself against the claims, which include that women have suffered excruciating pain, abnormal bleeding, nickel poisoning and illness.
Among the women who are represented by the legal firm are a mother-of-three whose doctors thought her symptoms may have been MS, a woman who began having periods which lasted up to 30 days, sparking fears she had cancer, and a third who was forced to take time off work due to the severity of her pain.
The Essure coil, which is a metal device inserted into a woman’s fallopian tubes to permanently prevent pregnancy, was withdrawn from the UK market in 2017. It is different to the standard coil contraceptive, which is a temporary measure.
Mother-of-three Deborah Chalk, 38, spent three and a half years going to the doctors, who thought she had MS
Helen Bordiak, 49, began having periods that lasted 30 days and doctors thought she could have cancer after having the coil fitted
Some women have reported suffering from constant pain and various complications after having it fitted, including heavy bleeding. This has forced many to have the device removed early or undergo hysterectomies, according to lawyers.
Mother-of-three Deborah Chalk, 38, spent three and a half years going to the doctors complaining of abdominal pain, a sudden drop in blood pressure, headaches and at one point her face going numb.
Doctors initially thought they were symptoms related to Ms Chalk’s Crohn’s disease, before believing she had multiple sclerosis.
She said: ‘It was the Crohn’s that initially prompted me to look into the Essure device as after the birth of my third child I was told that I couldn’t and shouldn’t have any more children.
‘After being told about Essure and how easy it was as a procedure I went to my GP to discuss it. After a brief discussion with the Doctor I was told to take two co-codamol and half an hour later the devices were inserted.
‘I began to suffer with headaches, abdominal pain, heavy bleeding, rashes, extreme itching and mood changes to name a few.
‘The Christmas after the device was inserted, I woke up and my face had gone numb which led to neurologists believing I had MS.
‘Three years later the symptoms were becoming more frequent and affecting my daily life, I was taken to hospital because my blood pressure dropped dangerously low yet still no one had any answers as to why this was happening.
‘It was only when I had a CT scan and the doctor mentioned in passing that the device was in place that it dawned on me that it could also be the route of my issues.
‘I then went privately and within days was booked in for a removal. The safest way to remove it was a full hysterectomy so that is what I did. I had been keen to avoid such major surgery in the first place but now I had no option.
READ MORE: I got the Essure coil and suffered ‘debilitating symptoms’ – doctors told me ‘it was all in my head’
‘As soon as I came round after the operation it was immediate relief. Obviously, I was in pain but it was so different to the pain I had been in before.
‘My husband said he noticed the difference immediately. I was sat up laughing and smiling – something I hadn’t done in a while. My mood just shifted, and I have had no issues since.
‘I really feel strongly that Bayer need to be held accountable. Their device has left hundreds of women all around the world with years of pain and suffering.’
Helen Bordiak, 49, who is also involved in the lawsuit, decided to get the Essure coil after having the temporary contraceptive coil removed.
She said she asked her doctor what the Essure coil was made of as she is allergic to nickel – but was told it was surgical grade material. Her experiences have left her with a deep distrust of GPs and other medical professionals.
The Essure coil, which is a metal device inserted into a woman’s fallopian tubes to permanently prevent pregnancy, was withdrawn from the UK market in 2017. It is different to the standard coil contraceptive, which is a temporary measure
Merseyside mother Victoria Wright, 42, had to take time off work after the coil was fitted as she began experiencing daily pain
Ms Bordiak felt some initial discomfort, but it was only after 18 months she started to see a serious decline in her health – and she began having periods which were up to 30 days long.
She said: ‘I look back now and I can see that’s when the symptoms started for me. I was having pain in my uterus, I had brain fog, cramps. If I sat for too long and then got up I could feel internally that something was catching and pulling on me.
‘I was in pain pretty much every day. And then I started having periods that lasted 28-30 days at a time. It would stop for a few days and then start again.
‘I knew that wasn’t normal and so I went to my GP. I said I was on day 28 of my period and she thought I meant cycle, when I confirmed I meant period she was horrified.’
Ms Bordiak says that her concerns about the coil were ‘brushed off’: ‘I had joint pain, and hip pain. It was horrendous. I started googling Essure and that’s when I started seeing things about people having the same experiences as me.
‘I discovered that the coating of the device could have degraded – and inside was nickel. That’s when I realised what was going on.
‘I was working at the time as a cancer support worker in the gynae unit so I was fortunate to be able to speak to a consultant at work who told me to get referred via my GP.
READ MORE: Mother reveals she was left in agony and suffered seizures for five years after having a sterilisation coil fitted – and even begged doctors to give her a scalpel to cut it out
‘Eventually I was referred and the consultant started me on some medication but that gave me migraines.
‘I was checked for cancer, and tests came back clear. I had started with really bad itching by that point and so she said “right that’s it we’re getting it out of you”.
‘I went on the waiting list for the hysterectomy and was fortunate to get a cancellation in May 2018.
‘I woke up the next day and it was the first day in a long time that I had woken up without pain. I had absolutely no pain at all. It was like someone had turned back the clock.
‘I felt fantastic. It was like someone had switched a light on. My confidence had gone and I had nearly lost my marriage. But I was back.’
Merseyside mother Victoria Wright, 42, also struggled after having the Essure coil: ‘It wasn’t straight away that I was suffering but after a while I began getting migraines, irregular bleeding and hip pain.
‘I was taking a lot of time off work as a care assistant and it was becoming more and more of an issue. I went to see my GP and at first I didn’t suggest that it was down to the device.
‘But eventually I thought ‘that’s the only thing that’s different’ and I had never had any of these symptoms before. I started looking online and found loads of women just like me.
‘Around 2016 I had the device removed and my fallopian tubes taken out. From then on the pain, headaches and irregular bleeding stopped. It was such a relief.’
‘Through the Facebook groups I found out about the legal action and so joined from there. It has been a long process but I am just glad for me and all the other women affected that this case is going ahead and the ball is rolling now.’
The UK’s medicines regulator has said there are no risks to safety from the device, but those left with devastating symptoms have now won the right to launch a group lawsuit against Bayer.
The group litigation order was signed this week which allows the group litigation to progress through the civil court system.
Other women, who are not involved in the lawsuit, have also spoken about their experiences with Essure. Colette Masters told MailOnline she had the coil fitted around eight years ago.
WHAT IS ESSURE?
Essure is a permanent birth control procedure that involves inserting a tube into women’s fallopian tubes.
It is non-hormonal and causes the build-up of scar tissue that prevents eggs from reaching the womb.
Accoding to Essure.com, it is 99.3 percent effective when used as a sole method of contraception.
Vaginal bleeding, abdominal discomfort and cramping are expected after the procedure.
Long-term risks include pain of varying intensity.
In the US, more than 15,000 women have reported complications to the FDA, including pain, allergic reactions and ‘migration of device’.
Allergic reactions are thought to occur due to the device containing nickel and polyester.
‘I am now on the waiting list to have it removed. I am tired of trying to get my doctors to listen to me, as they are saying that me feeling the way I do is just my age.
‘Like the majority of women I want be heard and want the powers that be to be [held] accountable.’
Representing Essure clients Lisa Lunt, head of medical product claims at global law firm Pogust Goodhead said: ‘Thousands of women have been fitted with the Essure device around the world, sadly many of them have suffered adverse effects from this product.
‘Whilst the Essure device has been withdrawn from sale in the UK and Bayer have settled claims against them in America, the case continues to be defended in the UK.
‘Our clients have suffered years of pain and complications from a device that ought to have provided them with a safe method of permanent contraception.
‘We hope now that the court have agreed that a Group Litigation Order is appropriate in this case that Bayer agree to compensate our clients for all of their unnecessary pain and suffering.’
She added: ‘We know there are lots more women who have suffered at the hands of this device and we’d encourage anyone who thinks they could be effected to get in touch.’
The company behind the coil, Bayer, stressed the device had been through 10 clinical trials.
A spokesperson told MailOnline: ‘Bayer’s highest priority is the safety profile and effectiveness of our products and we have great sympathy for anyone who has experienced health problems while using any of our products, regardless of cause.
‘The company stands by the safety profile and efficacy of Essure and will continue to defend itself from these claims vigorously.’
They continued: ‘Bayer believes the claims brought in this litigation are without merit and will vigorously defend itself.
‘While all birth control products and procedures have risks, the totality of scientific evidence on Essure demonstrates that the benefit risk profile is positive.
‘Its safety profile is consistent with the risks disclosed since its approval and is comparable to other female permanent birth control options.’
Bayer has been contacted for comment about the women’s individual allegations.
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