She’s shattered records, written history and won Olympic gold (and silver). Yet for Picabo Street, raising three young boys has actually been more challenging than being a world champion professional skier. This month, we caught up with the busy mom and recent 2010 Winter Olympics correspondent to talk about the day she realized her family was complete, how she found Essure, and why she thinks you and your girlfriends should be chatting about Essure, the most effective permanent birth control available.*

Your Life in Balance: First off, thanks so much for taking the time to talk to us. We know how busy these past months have been for you.

Picabo Street: No problem. You’re right, 2010 has been quite a whirlwind so far!

YLIB: As you watched the Olympics from the sidelines this year, was there any part of you that wished you were competing rather than commentating?

Picabo: There will always be a part of me that misses the start to the finish because it’s one of those rushes you can never really replace. But this year, I was actually able to watch more of the Olympics than I ever did when I was competing. And that was something I really enjoyed.

YLIB: You and your husband John recently decided your family is complete. How did you know?

Picabo: A few months after our youngest son Dax was born, I remember sitting around our kitchen table and just feeling like we were a complete family. So John and I talked about it and agreed we’d start looking into permanent birth control.

YLIB: How did you find out about Essure?

Picabo: By doing research. I just found it hard to believe that with all the modern medical advancements, surgery was the only permanent solution out there. So I did a little investigating of my own and found essure.com. At first, Essure seemed too good to be true: a short 10-minute procedure with no surgery, no hormones, and a short recovery time? It’s exactly what I was looking for. So I talked to my doctor and we agreed it was the best option.

YLIB: Were you considering other permanent options?

Picabo: Sort of, but we weren’t really that thrilled with any of them. We basically played “Eeny, meeny, miney, moe” to see who would be going under the knife, which just seemed totally wrong and inappropriate. And having done the surgery thing a few times (thanks to ski-related injuries), I knew I didn’t want to go down that road again. The recovery time is just way too long.

YLIB: Would you say Essure has changed your life? How so?

Picabo: Yes! I can’t tell you how excited I am that I will be free from worrying about unplanned pregnancy for good. I’ll finally be able to really focus on being the best mom possible.

YLIB: So what made you decide to speak out about Essure?

Picabo: I was a little frustrated that I had to ask my doctor about Essure versus her suggesting it to me. I think a lot of doctors don’t even bring up the topic of permanent birth control because they just assume women are happy with their current method. I’m hoping to change that. I want to make the procedure so mainstream that it becomes part of the daily birth control conversation between girlfriends, so they can be their own health advocates and bring it up to their doctors.

YLIB: So if you had a friend who knew her family was complete, what would you tell her?

Picabo: Essure, Essure, Essure. Honestly, it really is hands-down the best and only option, especially if you’re a busy mom and don’t want to have to deal with hormones, surgery or the recovery time that comes with a tubal ligation.

YLIB: So now that the 2010 Olympics are over, what’s next for you and your family?

Picabo: Come spring, our lives will be all about baseball season. My two oldest boys are great athletes. But before that, just everyday things like school, family trips, taking care of our horses and of course, spending more one-on-one time with John.

Picabo Street’s reluctance to have surgery led her to discover Essure. Did you find out about Essure in a similar way? If so, please email us at balance@essure.com.

* Based on 5 years of clinical data.

When performed in a doctor’s office, depending on your specific insurance plan, payment may be as low as a simple co-pay. The Essure procedure may not be suitable for all women and there are risks. The procedure is not reversible, and you must use another form of birth control for at least three months after the procedure. Risks may include cramping/pain, nausea/vomiting, dizziness/light-headedness, bleeding/spotting. Visit www.essure.com for a complete list of risks and considerations.