UK regulators are reassuring women the permanent birth control
implant Essure is safe despite concerns in the US.
The
MHRA says it will continue to monitor all side-effects and advises UK women who
experience problems to see a doctor.
The
sterilisation device blocks off the fallopian tubes so no egg can travel from
the ovaries to the womb.
But
some users say they have been injured by it.
Although
rare, there have been instances of the device puncturing neighbouring organs,
such as the bowel.
Other
women have reported nasty side-effects, such as allergy to nickel found inside
the implant.
US
regulator the Food and Drug Administration has been holding meetings to
evaluate the benefits and risks.
It
says it has received more than 5,000 reports about Essure in the past 13 years.
The
UK's MHRA says it cannot provide any such data to the BBC, although it does
collect it.
But
it insists the device - given to about 1,500 women a year in the UK - is safe.
A
spokeswoman said: "We currently have no information to suggest that Essure
devices used in the UK are unsafe to use.
"We
liaise regularly with the US FDA and are aware of the recent open meeting of
their obstetrics and gynaecology devices panel discussing post-market
experience with the Bayer Essure female sterilisation device.
"We
continue to monitor all adverse incidents reported to us.
"If
any women experience any problems, they should discuss this with their GP.
"We
encourage the reporting of any adverse incidents with medical devices to MHRA.
"
Adverse incidents
can be reported to the MHRA on its website or
by calling 020 3080 7080.
A
spokeswoman for Bayer said: "Bayer is strongly committed to women having
access to different methods of birth control options, because no form of birth
control is without risk or should be considered appropriate for every woman.
"It
is important that women discuss the risks and benefits of any birth control
option with their physicians."
Essure
is usually inserted under local anaesthetic and does not require cuts to be
made in the abdomen.
Dr
Kate Guthrie, of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, said
Essure was a good option for some women.
"It's
quite a simple procedure to do and doesn't require surgery, unlike other
sterilisation methods," she said.
"But
as women and clinicians, we need evidence that it is safe.
"I'm
confident in our system of regulation.
"If
women are getting side-effects, then we need to know about it." By Michelle RobertsHealth editor,
BBC News
