Mirena is an intrauterine device (IUD) device for women seeking a simple method of birth control. It consists of a T-shaped plastic frame housing a reservoir containing the contraceptive hormone levonorgestrel. However, Mirena has been linked to serious health problems, including:
- Perforation of the uterus
- Migration outside the uterine cavity
- Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
- Hospitalization and surgery for removal and repair
- Unwanted pregnancy
- Internal bleeding
- Death
A recent study has linked Mirena to a neurological condition called pseudotumor cerebri (PTC), also known as idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH). This condition, caused by fluid buildup and increased pressure in the skull, can affect the brain like a tumor. Side effects can be debilitating and may include:
- Severe migraines
- Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
- Blurred or double vision
- Temporary blindness or blind spots
- Other vision problems
If left untreated, this condition may lead to permanent vision loss and even blindness.
Mirena Lawsuits Filed Across the Nation
Bayer HealthCare offered Mirena as a simple hassle-free method of birth control that was effective for five years after its insertion. Because of Mirena’s side effects, as of October 2015, there were over 1,000 lawsuits filed in federal court alleging product defects and personal injuries. Plaintiffs are claiming, among other things, that Mirena didn’t work as promised, and that Bayer understated the inherent risks involved. In particular, Bayer failed to warn how Mirena can migrate from the uterus and enter the abdomen or perforate other organs.
Thousands of Adverse Mirena Effects Reported
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Mirena in 2000, the first such hormonal IUD to be marketed in the United States. Since then, more than 2 million U.S. women have had it implanted (15 million women worldwide); these women primarily are aged 25-39, and have already had one child.
Since Mirena’s introduction, it has been connected with over 45,000 reports of serious adverse events—primarily device expulsion/dislocation and vaginal hemorrhage. In fact, in January 2010, the FDA warned Bayer Healthcare about giving misleading information in Mirena advertising. Additionally, the FDA claims Mirena is responsible for one ectopic pregnancy per 1000 users annually.
