Mirena IUD Injury Risks
You have rights. Attorney Solis can help.
The Mirena IUD (intrauterine device) is a birth control method designed to provide long-term protection against pregnancy. Healthcare providers place this small, T-shaped device inside a woman's uterus during an office visit; the IUD releases a hormone called levonorgestrel that helps to prevent pregnancy by stopping sperm before it reaches the uterus. IUDs are favored by many women because they are supposed to provide safe, highly effective and reversible long-term birth control, and Mirena is one of the most used IUDs nationwide.
Serious side effects and complications associated with Mirena
Since 2000, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has received about 70,000 complaints regarding serious side effects associated with Mirena. In some cases, the IUD can cause a severe pressure buildup on the brain, with devastating results. Some of the symptoms of brain injuries associated with Mirena include:
- Pseudotumor cerebri - pressure buildup inside the skull leading to symptoms similar to a brain tumor.
- Intracranial pressure or hypertension - high pressure inside the skull.
- Cerebral edema - swelling in the brain.
- Papilledema - swelling in the optic nerve, leading to vision problems and headaches.
Brain injuries caused by the IUD can lead to vision loss, severe headaches or migraines, and tinnitus (ringing in the ears), potentially requiring major surgery to correct. Many of these symptoms are unfortunately permanent.
In addition, the IUD has been linked to injuries to the uterus and reproductive organs. Some of the potential complications include:
- Embedment - the device becomes embedded on the uterine wall.
- Expulsion - the device moves away from the uterus.
- Perforation - the device causes damage to the uterus.
Damage to the uterus caused by Mirena may lead to a hysterectomy (removal of the entire uterus) - a devastating consequence for women who chose Mirena believing that it would be a reversible method of birth control.
Negligent marketing on the manufacturer's part led to these catastrophic injuries
Lawsuits filed by injured women across the country allege that Bayer Pharmaceuticals, which manufactures Mirena, failed to adequately warn patients and healthcare providers about the serious dangers associated with the device. Moreover, concerns have been raised that the device is defective and unreasonably dangerous. In 2009, the FDA warned Bayer and the public about the device's misleading efficacy.
If you or a loved one has suffered serious side effects from a Mirena IUD, you need to seek immediate medical help and legal counsel. John R. Solis, Attorney at Law is currently reviewing cases for women who have been injured by the IUD. Contact us today for your free and confidential consultation.