The number of individuals that have filed Mirena intrauterine device (IUD) lawsuits against Bayer Healthcare has increased to about 2,500.

Plaintiffs claim that the Mirena IUD, a birth control implant, has caused severe pain and damage such as a perforated uterus, pelvic inflammatory disease and ectopic pregnancy. The Mirena IUD lawsuits accuse Bayer, the manufacturer, of failing to warn women about the risks associated with the birth control implant.

The Mirena IUD is a T-shaped plastic device that claims to prevent pregnancy for up to five years once inserted. According to Mirena IUD lawsuits, Bayer has heavily promoted Mirena as being “hassle-free.” This makes it an appealing choice for women of all ages.

Mirena IUD Safety Problems

One of the problems listed in Mirena IUD lawsuits is that the Mirena moves out of place. This is because the body has rejected the Mirena as a foreign plastic object. The Mirena IUD then can move and cause problems in the uterus.

It could also potentially move outside of the uterine cavity and cause problems such as scarring and infertility. Women have complained of a punctured uterus, pelvic pain, and infections.

Furthermore, Mirena lawsuits have alleged that Bayer’s product can lead to ectopic pregnancies (a life threatening situation in which the pregnancy occurs outside of the womb) and intrauterine pregnancies (a normal pregnancy), which should be prevented by the birth control device. 

The risk of Mirena puncturing the uterus is on the warning label, but Mirena IUD lawsuits claim that the information suggests the risk is only relevant at the time of insertion.

Plaintiffs claim that had Bayer adequately warned users about the risks associated with Mirena IUD they never would have used the product and would have avoided the alleged injuries.

Mirena IUD Lawsuits

Currently, nearly 2,500 Mirena IUD lawsuits have been filed against Bayer. Half of these cases have been consolidated into a Mirena IUD multidistrict litigation (MDL) which seeks to streamline the legal proceedings.

U.S. District Judge Cathy Seibel in the Southern District of New York is presiding over the Mirena MDL involving over 1,000 cases.

Roughly 1,250 Mirena IUD lawsuits are being processed in New Jersey. Judge Brian R. Martinotti is scheduled to hold a case management conference with the Mirena lawsuit lawyers.

The number of Mirena lawsuits is expected to increase. Mirena bellwether trials are expected to begin in March 2016. Bellwether trials allow both plaintiffs and defendants to gauge jury response and to decide what evidence might be needed. 

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has had over 70,000 adverse events reported to them since 2000 concerning the Mirena IUD. About 5,000 of these reports (since 2008) claim that Mirena has moved out of place and 1,300 claim that the Mirena punctured the uterus.

All plaintiffs involved claim have had similar negative experiences with the Mirena IUD. Many have had to undergo surgery in order to remove the device.

Bayer has been accused of knowing about the risks named in Mirena IUD lawsuits and is being charged with damages.