Women Have Misconceptions About IUDs Like Mirena, Studies Show

Women Have Misconceptions About IUDs Like Mirena, Studies Show

By Courtney Coren

A survey of 1,600 women in the United States shows there are “perceptions and misconceptions” concerning intrauterine devices (IUD), such as the Mirena IUD.

On February 22, 2013, the San Jose Mercury News published a study that was originally featured and written by Reuters Health. The survey was done by researchers in the United States. The researchers looked at women between the ages of 18 and 50. They found that when it comes to using IUDs to prevent pregnancy, many women misunderstand the safety and effectiveness of IUDs, and there are many inaccurate perceptions about them.

IUDs are small, T-shaped devices that are inserted into the uterus as a form of birth control. One of the advantages of the IUD is that it can prevent pregnancy for several years. The Mirena IUD is effective for five years.

The Reuters Health survey put IUDs such as Mirena in a positive light, emphasizing the benefits of them. The report explains that many of the women surveyed were not aware that IUDs are both more effective than traditional oral contraceptives and that they do not in any way increase the odds of contracting a sexually transmitted disease. They explain that IUDs are 99 percent effective at preventing pregnancy, whereas oral contraceptives are 95 percent effective.

According to the study’s main author, Dr. Lisa Callegari, “It’s not clear whether women have an overly optimistic view of the effectiveness of the birth control pill or an overly pessimistic view of the IUD.”

What the study did not mention was that there are some serious side effects to IUDs such as Mirena, including uterine perforations, vaginal hemorrhaging, device dislocation, device migration, ovarian cysts, and ectopic pregnancy as well as side effects such as nausea, abdominal pain, acne, weight gain, and depression.

The report did not include that the U.S. Food & Drug Administration warning that they issued to Bayer Pharmaceuticals because Bayer had overstated the effectiveness of Mirena, while downplaying the risks of the IUD. Bayer targeted active and busy mothers, selling them on the ease of use of an IUD and an increased libido as a result of using the drug. However, according to clinical trials, libido decreased in 5 percent of users.

The report also excluded the fact that there are more than 40 Mirena IUD lawsuits currently filed against Bayer, but that number is expected to grow as the FDA has received more than 40,000 complaints of Mirena side effects.

If you or someone you know has been injured by the Mirena IUD, legal options are available. Learn more and get a free legal consultation regarding a claim’s eligibility at the Mirena IUD Injury Class Action Lawsuit Settlement Investigation. Experienced legal professionals have access to medical experts to assess whether or not a Mirena IUD may be playing a role in your current pain, discomfort or other serious side effects, so act now.