Women who use the Mirena IUD have complained of a number of side effects associated with the use of the contraceptive device.

Much of the complications reported initially were related to problems the device presented structurally.

Recently, more and more reports are coming from women who are experiencing Mirena IUD neurological side effects.

Specifically, women have reported developing idiopathic intracranial hypertension or pseudotumor cerebri (PTC) as Mirena IUD neurological side effects.

What is Mirena?

Mirena is a contraceptive known as an intrauterine device, or IUD. It is a t-shaped device planted into the uterus in order to prevent pregnancy. It does so by releasing a hormone known as levonorgestrel, a progestin (synthetic progesterone hormone).

Mirena Side Effects

Mirena has been linked to pelvic inflammatory disease, an infection of the pelvic area. It can cause pelvic or abdominal pain. Mirena has also been reported to puncture the uterus in some patients. Some users may also develop ovarian cysts.

Though uncommon, some women may still get pregnant while using Mirena. Those who do are at risk of losing their pregnancy or fertility, and pregnancy can be life-threatening to the mother as well. Pregnancy with Mirena occurs outside of the uterus, and is a medical emergency requiring surgery,

These side effects, while rare, are included in the information provided to patients and physicians about using this method of birth control.

Mirena IUD Neurological Side Effects

Mirena IUD neurological side effects are becoming more well-known among patients, due to the ability to share stories over social media.

However,  the information regarding neurological side effects is not widely available like the information regarding the other Mirena IUD side effects that are more commonly known.

Mirena can cause a condition which mimics a brain tumor in users.

Patients complain of severe headaches, ringing in the ears, wooshing heartbeat sounds in the ears, nausea, vision problems such as blurred vision, double vision tunnel vision and transient blindness, flashes of light in the visual field, and pain in the shoulders and neck.

These problems are caused by an increased amount of cerebrospinal fluid within the brain. When the high pressure condition is caused by an unknown reason, the condition is referred to as idiopathic intracranial hypertension.

Pseudotumor cerebri is another name for the condition, acknowledging that the symptoms mimic a brain tumor in patients.

These symptoms can cause permanent damage, especially when there is papilledema involved, or swelling of the optic disc. This causes a lot of the visual issues and can cause the condition to worsen over time.

Mirena neurological side effects may be detected by an ophthalmologist through vision exams, and can also be detected with brain imaging by a neurologist.

Women experiencing these symptoms should seek immediate medical advice to diagnose their condition and to ensure it does not worsen to the point where it can cause lasting damage.

Filing a Lawsuit over Mirena IUD Neurological Side Effects

If you have experienced Mirena IUD neurological side effects, you may be able to receive legal compensation as a result of your injury. Lawyers are currently investigating the potential of a class action lawsuit against the manufacturer.

An attorney can review your Mirena IUD case and can provide you with a free consultation to discuss your legal options.