Bayer HealthCare is facing a growing multidistrict litigation (MDL), from women alleging serious side effects of Mirena IUD.

One of these product liability claims comes from a Virginia woman alleging painful side effects of Mirena IUD, in the form of pseudotumor cerebri (PTC). The claimant alleges the long term birth control device caused long term health complications, including severe migraines and other brain tumor like symptoms.

Plaintiff Kristen C. alleges side effects of Mirena IUD had caused her to develop pseudotumor cerebri, due to the device’s treatment mechanism releasing a harmful synthetic hormone. Like many other women, Kristen opted for the Mirena IUD (intrauterine device) after learning of the device’s benefits.

The Mirena IUD is a long term contraceptive, which is directly implanted into the woman’s uterus and is meant to last up to five years. The device is T-shaped and has two metal end points that contain the synthetic hormone levonorgestrel, which blocks sperm to egg fertilization.

The Mirena IUD is presented as a good option for women looking for long term birth control due to its convenience and low maintenance.

Overview of Mirena IUD Lawsuit

With these benefits in mind, Kristen says she had the Mirena IUD implanted on Jan. 26, 2015 by her physician. While Kristen suffered no initial complications, she says she reported back to her physician on April 4, 2016 complaining of severe headache and eyesight issues like double vision and blurry vision.

After seeing eye specialists just weeks later, Kristen claims, her headaches were getting worse and her eyesight problems evolved into blurry spots and flashes in her visual field. Kristen was diagnosed with optic papillitis in her right eye, the lawsuit says.

She reports that her headaches continued to get worse, and she was officially diagnosed with pseudotumor cerebri in the spring of 2016 and had to undergo a lumbar puncture for treatment. This is a typical treatment process for pseudotumor cerebri, as it drains excess cerebrospinal fluid and relieves pressure in the skull.

Pseudotumor cerebri occurs when the body’s cerebrospinal fluid builds up, due to the body being unable to keep up with the reabsorption process. This causes this spongy material to build up in the skull, leading to severe headaches, eyesight complications, and other symptoms similar to a brain tumor.

Kristen says she discovered pseudotumor cerebri could be apart of the side effects of Mirena IUD in October 2016, with some studies suggesting levonorgestrel increased cerebrospinal fluid production. Bayer Healthcare allegedly knew or should have known the potential side effects of Mirena IUD, but failed to warn the public, she claims.

In addition, Kristen says she did not see any indication of pseudotumor cerebri on the device’s warning label and was not provided any relevant studies. At all times relevant, Kristen says she used the Mirena IUD for its intended purpose and did not deviate from physician instructions.

Kristen states she never would have opted for the long term contraceptive if she had known that pseudotumor cerebri as part of the side effects of Mirena. Kristen is filing her Mirena IUD lawsuit in MDL No. 2767, where it will stand alongside other claims alleging similar injuries.

This Mirena IUD lawsuit is Case No. 1:17-cv-07248-PAE-JLC, in the U.S. District Court of Southern New York.