No longer is it necessary to have a tubal ligation in a surgical center or hospital in order to achieve permanent birth control. Essure is a new answer to this dilemma.

Now you can achieve permanent birth control with an in office procedure called "Essure". The procedure takes between 10 and 20 minutes and you will be out of the office before you know it, ready to go shopping or picking the kids up at school.

With Essure, there is no need for a surgical incision.

The doctor will slide the small, soft inserts through the natural pathways of your vagina and cervix into your fallopian tubes. The flexible Essure inserts are made out of the same trusted, silicon-free material used in heart stents, so that they bend and conform to the shape of your fallopian tubes while remaining securely in place.

Over the next three months, your body works with the Essure inserts to form a natural barrier within each of your fallopian tubes. These barriers prevent sperm from reaching the eggs so that pregnancy cannot occur. During these three months, as the Essure inserts and your body work their magic, you must use another form of birth control.

After three months, it's time for your essure confirmation test. During this simple test, a special dye is introduced into your uterus and viewed on an x-ray, so your doctor can confirm that your fallopian tubes are completely blocked and the inserts are in place. Once you receive this verification, you can rely on Essure for permanent birth control.

Like all permanent birth control procedures the Essure procedure should not be considered to be reversible.

Essure is covered by most insurance providers. If the Essure procedure is performed in a doctor's office, payment may be as low as your co-pay, depending on your insurance plan.