IUD Permanent Birth Control Linked to Deadly Side Effects
What should I watch out for?
A number of women have reported serious and sometimes fatal injuries from Intrauterine Device (“IUD”) side effects. In June 2015, medical studies of Mirena IUDs showed a link between the IUD and debilitating injuries of perforation of the uterus, migration to other areas of the body and severe infection. Unfortunately, in recent years, thousands of women and their loved ones have reported dangerous adverse events with IUDs.
What side effects are linked to IUDs?
Side effects include:
- Migraines
- Blindness
- Infection
- Abdominal pain
- Heavy bleeding
- Migration or movement of the IUD
- Perforation of the Uterus
- Removal surgery
- Infertility
- Ectopic or unintended pregnancy
- Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension
- Pseudotumor Cerebri
- Idiopathic
- Death
If you experience any of the side effects listed above, please contact a health-care professional immediately.
Pseudotumor cerebri/idiopathic intracranial hypertension is an increase in cerebrospinal fluid, causing pressure on the skull and resulting in migraines and vision loss.
Uterus perforation occurs when the IUD moves from its original location and punctures the uterus or embeds in the uterine wall. This can result in a need for removal surgery.
Migration of the IUD results when the device moves through the intraabdominal cavity, potentially causing intestinal perforation or obstruction.
Serious infection can also occur from an IUD. Infection can lead to serious scarring of the uterus that may decrease fertility or a woman’s ability to conceive. Infections may be life-threatening and even result in death.
What is an IUD?
An IUD is an intrauterine device made of plastic and/or copper that is inserted into a woman’s uterus by way of the vaginal canal. An IUD is inserted into the uterus by a doctor or health-care professional. The IUD can be a coil, triangle, loop or T in shape made of plastic or metal.
IUDs may contain hormones to prevent the implantation process. IUDs appear to prevent the sperm and eggs from meeting by either paralyzing the sperm on their way to the women’s fallopian tubes or by changing the uterine lining so a fertilized egg is unable to implant in it.
IUDs can be removed at any time by a health-care professional and can be left in a woman for up to ten years. IUDs are marketed by manufacturers as highly effective in preventing conception since the device immediately starts working. IUDs are also quickly reversible.
However, there are several side effects of IUDs. Side effects of the device depends on the type of IUD inserted in the woman.
Who makes IUDs?
There are several manufacturers of IUDs. Bayer Healthcare Pharmaceuticals manufactured the Mirena IUD, which was approved by the FDA in 2000. Mirena IUDs are one of the most popular IUDs on the market. Approximately two million women in the United States have used Mirena IUDs. Unfortunately, Mirena IUDs are linked to several life threatening side effects including uterine perforation, pseudotumor celebi and idoiopathic intracranial hypertension.
In 2013, an analysis reported that the FDA had received more than 47,000 reports of Mirena IUD complications and injuries between November 1997 and August 2012. Most of the reported injuries were expulsion of the IUD, migration to different locations or IUDs causing hemorrhaging.
In January 2018, a report noted that the number of adverse events reported by the Mirena IUD complaints to the FDA outnumbered combined reports of problems linked to all of the other forms of birth control examined.
What types of IUDs are made?
IUDs have been on the market for decades. In the United States, IUDs are available as copper-releasing or progesterone-releasing.
ParaGuard IUDs releases copper from a copper wire that is wrapped around the base. The released copper inflames the uterus and helps prevent the woman’s egg from being fertilized.
Mirena or Skyla IUDs release progestin hormone from the bottom of the T. Progestin creates a barrier to the sperm by thickening the cervical mucus and rendering the uterus lining hostile to implantation of an egg.
Modern IUDs are linked to serious complications, such as perforation of the uterus, abdominal bleeding, pelvic inflammatory disease and cramps. Generally, complications occur during or immediately after the device is inserted.
How is an IUD inserted?
IUDs are only available by prescription by a health-care professional and must be inserted by a health-care professional. Before an IUD can be inserted in a woman, a pelvic exam is required, similar to having a Pap test. A pregnant woman cannot be inserted with an IUD.
The IUD is a small “T” shaped device inserted by a health-care professional into the uterus in an office setting. The device is placed inside the uterus just above the cervix with a short piece of monofilament string attached to it. The string is how a healthcare professional knows if the device is still in the uterus.
As soon as the device is inserted into the woman, it begins working to prevent pregnancy. Full protection is believed to take about seven days, depending on a woman’s menstrual period timing.
How are IUDs removed?
An IUD must be removed by a health-care professional. Serious problems may result if a woman attempts to remove the IUD herself. A health-care professional will remove the IUD with special forceps or clamps after examining the position of the uterus and locating the strings of the IUD. If the string is not visible, a health-care professional will use special instruments to remove the IUD.
Removal can take place at any time, but studies have shown removal is easier during the menstrual period when a woman’s cervix is generally softer.
Removal of the IUD might be necessary due to life threatening side effects including uterine perforation, pseudotumor celebi and idoiopathic intracranial hypertension.
Were any IUD complications reported to the FDA?
In December 2009, the FDA sent a warning label to Bayer due to its promotion of Mirena. The FDA accused Bayer of overstating the efficacy of Mirena, minimizing the risks of Mirena IUDs and using false and misleading presentations.
“Be on Watch”
If you or a loved one were implanted with an IUD and experienced symptoms, you may qualify for financial compensation for medical expenses, loss of income, and injuries suffered.
Call us at (888) 458-6825 or send us an email inquiry to discuss your legal options.
The consultation is free and confidential.
For more information on other pharmaceutical drugs or medical devices that can cause fatal side effects, please visit our in the news section.
Resources:
- Therapeutic Advances in Drug Safety article June 6, 2015 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4519742/
- Web MD https://www.webmd.com/sex/birth-control/iud-intrauterine-device#1
- Bayer Healthcare Pharmaceuticals http://pharma.bayer.com/