I have a gynecological question I'm hoping Wendy may have some insight on! I started working with a client who has an Essure birth control device implanted in 2005. (She is not peri-menopausal). She's had significant health issues including gut issues, fatigue, hypothyroidism, a lot of chronic inflammatory stuff for many years. She's done some work with previous practitioners to detox and work on her gut with improvement. Her current issue is fatigue as well as heavy periods, lasting 3 weeks out of the month, which her provider has put her on bio-identical hormones to address. What are your thoughts on having the Essure device removed as a contributor to inflammation and toxic load (she believes it's nickel based)? She was told that the procedure to remove the device was invasive enough to the point where it was recommended to leave it in place, but I'm curious if you would think it would be a significant contributor to her overall symptoms and if it would be a priority to address? Do you happen to have any guidance or resources on what she should consider if removal is an option?

Wendy said: Yes, the Essure could be a contributor (though I'm thinking the overall fatigue is more about thyroid and adrenal issues, both of which would contribute to the heavy periods). The Essure won't make periods that much worse, typically. To remove this device IS a big deal, and not very many gyns have the skill / interest to do it correctly. She would have to look around. Literally, the best person I know is in Austin: Shawn Tassone, MD. If she leaves it in place, focus on anti-inflammatory diet/ herbs. lots of mineral-rich herbs as well, with a history of heavy bleeding. Also, what's her blood sugar doing? That would make periods worse. And if she's got hypothyroidism, it's likely autoimmune, so check on that and add immune amphoterics . If she's NOT perimenopausal and has abnormal periods, I'm hoping the only "bioidentical hormones" she's using is progesterone! I seriously doubt she needs any estrogen at this point. Don't assume all providers know what they are doing with bioidenticals!