Bye Bye, Birth Control

Dreading the thought of a hysterectomy? Essure, a new, FDA-approved device, is now an option for those seeking permanent, noninvasive birth control. A doctor inserts spring-like coils into the fallopian tubes through the body’s natural pathways. After three months, a tissue barrier forms to block the tubes, and no other birth control is ever needed. (That means no more hormones or pesky little pills.) It’s performed in just 10 to 15 minutes, with little anesthesia, and you can return to work the next day. It’s 99.8 percent effective, and it’s the only procedure that had zero pregnancies in clinical trials. The best part? There’s no scarring. $4,500, depending on insurance benefits. A. Jay Staub, M.D., F.A.C.O.G., at Health Central Women’s Care of Dallas, 8160 Walnut Hill Ln., Ste. 224. 214-365-1150.