Many of the commonly prescribed birth control medications, including the Mirena IUD and Yaz, have been linked to a rare but serious medical condition known as pseudotumor cerebri. Recent studies show that women taking a hormonal birth control medication may develop PTC as a side effect.

PTC is a medical condition that occurs when cerebrospinal fluid builds up within the skull and shows similar symptoms of having a brain tumor. While pseudotumor cerebri can cause blindness if not treated immediately, it has not been known to be fatal.

What is Pseudotumor Cerebri?

Pseudotumor cerebri literally means “false brain tumor” because the symptoms mimic having an actual brain tumor. PTC places extra pressure on the optic nerves, brain and eyes when the cerebrospinal fluid builds up around the skull.

Medical experts believe the build up occurs when the body cannot properly absorb the fluid into the bloodstream leaving excess amounts around the brain. If left untreated, pseudotumor cerebri can cause permanent damage, so patients who experience symptoms should seek medical attention immediately.

PTC patients have reported the following symptoms:

• Migraines
• Blurred or double vision
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Ringing in the ears
• Headaches
• Neck pain
• Depression
• Difficulty seeing to the side
• Seeing light flashes (photopsia)
• Neck stiffness
• Problems walking
• Forgetfulness

Pseudotumor cerebri most often occurs in women between the ages of 20 and 50. In addition, women under the age of 44 who are obese and taking a birth control contraceptive have almost a 20 percent increased risk of developing PTC.

Pseudotumor Cerebri Diagnosis and Treatment

When pseudotumor cerebri is suspected, a physician may perform a CT scan or MRI to get a clear image of the cerebrospinal fluid build up. Once it’s determined to be PTC and not a brain tumor, a doctor may prescribe medications that help with fluid retention in order to relieve some of the pressure around the skull.

In some extreme cases or if symptoms persist, physicians may decide to surgically drain the fluid around the brain. Although surgery is only recommended in severe cases, the Mayo Clinic reports that it has an 85 percent success rate of relieving PTC symptoms.

Long-term treatment of pseudotumor cerebri often requires patients to change their diets in order to prevent a recurrence. Physicians often recommend PTC patients limit high amounts of sugar, salt and fat in an effort to prevent the condition from happening again.

PTC Lawsuits

Pharmaceutical manufacturers Bayer, Pfizer and Merck are facing numerous lawsuits across the United States as patients who develop PTC allege they were never warned of the birth control side effect. In addition to Yaz and Mirena IUD, some of the other birth control medications that may be linked to pseudotumor cerebri include:

• Yasmin
• NuvaRing
• Ortho Evra
• Paragaurd
• Ocella
• Beyaz
• Implanon
• Nexplanon
• Depo Provera

In general, plaintiffs who file PTC lawsuits seek compensation for medical bills and loss of wages, as well as the pain and suffering they have endured.

Contact a birth control attorney to see if you qualify to join a pseudotumor cerebri class action lawsuit.