HealthSource | winter 2006

New Birth Control Method Available at
Center for Women’s Health

Joseph Shea, MD, OB/GYN
The Essure procedure is a permanent form of birth control that is now offered by the obstetricians and gynecologists at Fort HealthCare’s Center for Women’s Health.

“We are pleased to offer this new approach to birth control,” said Dr. Joseph Shea, OB/GYN. “It’s important to continue offering women a variety of choices regarding their medical care.”

Women can determine if they’re interested in the procedure by answering the following questions:

  • Is your family complete?
  • Have you or your partner considered more permanent forms of birth control, such as having your tubes tied or a vasectomy?
  • Are you unhappy with your current form of birth control?
Essure is a non-incisional surgical procedure that involves placing a small, flexible device called a micro-insert in each of the fallopian tubes, the tubes that eggs travel through from the ovaries to the uterus. Once the micro-inserts are in place, over a three-month period the body’s tissue grows into them, blocking the fallopian tubes.

The procedure is intended to prevent sperm from reaching and fertilizing the egg, thereby preventing pregnancy. The procedure is minimally invasive, and the majority of women return to normal activities within one to two days. Before the device is used for contraception, a follow-up with your physician is required. Estimates of effectiveness are between 99.8 and 99.93 percent.

It’s important to remember that this procedure is considered irreversible. As with all forms of birth control, Essure should not be considered 100 percent effective. Other concerns can be addressed by the OB/GYN physicians at the Center for Women’s Health.

To make an appointment to see one of the oB/GYN physicians at Fort HealthCare Center for Women’s Health, call (920) 563-8900. Clinic locations include Fort Atkinson, Johnson Creek and Whitewater.



The editorial content of this online publication is taken from the print version of HealthSource published by the Fort HealthCare Marketing Services Department.

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