More than 1,000 Australian women who suffered chronic pelvic pain and abnormal bleeding have lost their class action against pharmaceutical giant Bayer over a contraceptive device.
The background: The class action, led by Victorian woman Patrice Turner, claimed women suffered harm as a direct result of the Essure device being implanted into their bodies.
Turner underwent a hysterectomy at 32, five years after the contraceptive device was inserted into both of her fallopian tubes.
She claimed she suffered severe pelvic pain and heavy uterine bleeding, which resolved after she underwent the major abdominal surgery.
Turner and the other class action members alleged Bayer Australia and the other companies involved in Essure's design, manufacturing and marketing breached a duty of care.
The key quote: "Bayer welcomes today's decision by the Court as it is in line with the science-based profile of the safety and efficacy of Essure, a permanent contraceptive device for women," Bayer said in a statement on Tuesday.
"Women who currently have Essure may continue to confidently rely on the device. If a woman with Essure has questions or concerns about the device, then we encourage her to speak to her healthcare professional."
What else to know: Essure is a spring-loaded metal spiral device, which, following insertion into a woman's fallopian tubes, was designed to cut into the soft tissue of the inner walls.
This was intended to trigger an inflammatory response to promote the formation of scar tissue around the device, anchoring it in place and blocking the passage of sperm and egg to prevent pregnancy.
In 2017, Bayer discontinued the distribution of Essure in Australia for commercial reasons. After 31 December 2018, Essure was not available in any market.
