Bayer HealthCare is facing over 100 different Mirena IUD claims, alleging the long term contraceptive caused them to develop Mirena migraines.

These women and their lawyers have asked federal judges to centralize these Mirena IUD lawsuits, with each of these claims alleging similar injuries such as Mirena migraine and other injuries related to pseudotumor cereberi (PTC).

The Mirena IUD (intrauterine device) is a long term birth control device that is meant to prevent sperm to egg pregnancy for up to five years. Since the release of the product millions of women have opted for the long term birth control device, but many have complained of various side effects like Mirena migraine.

This small T-shaped device is directly implanted inside the uterus, wherein the device releases a small amount of the synthetic hormone levonorgestrel on a daily basis. However this synthetic hormone has been linked to the condition pseudotumor cerebri, sometimes referred to as a Mirena migraine.

Overview of Mirena Migraine and Psuedotumor Cerebri

Pseudotumor cerebri (PTC) is a medical condition often characterized by symptoms similar to a brain tumor, without the harmful mass actually forming.

Patients who suffer PTC often complain of severe headaches or migraines, often experience vision problems and hear whooshing sounds in their ears. This condition can also be referred to as Mirena migraine, as patients have complained of suffering serious headaches soon after the device has been implanted.

Pseudotumor cerebri is caused by an overproduction of cerebrospinal fluid, causing inner cranial pressure to build up. Cerebrospinal fluid is the protective spongy fluid surrounding the spine and skull, and is ultimately meant to help protect these vital body parts from damage.

This fluid is constantly produced by the brain and reabsorbed into the bloodstream, but a buildup may occur due to poor absorption or increased product. When cerebrospinal fluid builds up, it creates intense inner cranial pressure and puts pressure on the optic nerve, resulting in brain tumor like symptoms including:

• Severe Migraines or Headaches
• Ringing in Ears
• Nausea and Vomiting
• Vision Loss in One or Both Eyes
• Peripheral Vision Loss
• Double Vision
• Flashing Lights
• Hearing “Whooshing” Sounds

At this point in time, scientists are unsure why the Mirena IUD may be inducing pseudotumor cerebri but believe it is linked to levonorgestrel exposure. Levonorgestrel is often combined with estrogen in birth control pills, but some scientists believe that levonorgestrel alone may increase the hormonal side effects which may lead to a Mirena IUD migraine.

Evidence of this alleged correlation has been present since the 1990s, when scientists found that levonorgestral may bind other hormone receptors together. The increased focus of the hormones may lead to biological imbalance, which contributes to Mirena migraine.

Even though these side effects can be harmful to patients, Bayer HealthCare allegedly failed to warn patients against the risk of Mirena migraine. Mirena IUD patients who experienced Mirena migraine or other PTC symptoms should contact a lawyer to determine eligibility for legal action.