Certain oral and IUD birth control products have been recently linked to intracranial hypertension, also known as pseudotumor cerebri, a serious and painful brain condition in which the cerebrospinal fluid becomes abnormally elevated within the skull, causing tumor-like symptoms.

Most popular birth controls in the American drug market come with consumers warnings of potential side effects, including side effects that certain women are at a higher risk of developing which may result in more serious health complications. However, intracranial hypertension goes beyond the commonly reported side effects of birth control like nausea, mood swings, breast tenderness, and minor blood clots. As the pressure of the cerebrospinal fluid increases in an individual’s skull, the resulting condition mimics brain tumor symptoms.

What is Intracranial Hypertension?

Intracranial Hypertension (or pseudotumor cerebri) is a painful medical condition characterized by increased brain pressure that mimics the symptoms of a brain tumor. While the exact factors that cause intracranial hypertension are currently unknown, researchers theorize the condition is likely caused by a buildup and/or poor absorption of cerebrospinal fluid in the bloodstream.

The cerebrospinal fluid is an important element in the skull, which acts as cushion and injury protection for the delicate human brain and spinal cord. However, too much fluid due to lack of absorption or buildup can become problematic and may result in intracranial hypertension presenting as a pseudotumor (also referred to as a false brain tumor).

Certain birth control pills and IUD products have been found to have a high number of adverse incident reports claiming the patients are exhibiting intracranial hypertension symptoms.

Popular birth control products that have been linked with intracranial hypertension include:

• Yaz
• Yasmin
• Beyaz
• Ocella
• Mirena IUD
• Depo-Provera
• Implanon
• Nexplanon
• NuvaRing
• Ortho Evra
• ParaGard

Many of these birth control products are manufactured and distributed by popular drug companies including Pfizer Inc. and Bayer Pharmaceutical.

Intracranial Hypertension Symptoms

Based on current research and recorded pseudotumor cerebri cases, some intracranial hypertension symptoms allegedly exhibited by birth control consumers include:

• Frequent headaches/migraines that start behind the eyes and increase in intensity with eye movement
• Pulsatile tinnitus
• Dizziness or nausea
• Vomiting
• Blurred vision, double vision, blind spots
• Vision loss in one or both eyes
• Difficulty seeing to the side (decreased peripheral vision)
• Seeing light flashes (photopsia)
• Neck stiffness
• Neck, shoulder or back pain
• Problems walking
• Forgetfulness
• Depression

According to some women allegedly suffering from intracranial hypertension, the symptoms of this condition tend to increase when an individual exerts energy.

Many consumers allege their birth control pills or IUD packaging, instructions, and warning labels failed to warn women of the possible intracranial hypertension risk.

Because of this alleged lack of consumer warning and the resulting pain and suffering experienced by women using various types of birth control, many female consumers are choosing to file intracranial hypertension lawsuits or joining intracranial hypertension class action lawsuits.