Bayer HealthCare is facing a growing multidistrict litigation (MDL), consisting of product liability claims alleging device complications like Mirena migraine incidents.

One of the most recent Mirena IUD lawsuits was filed by a woman from Georgia, alleging she experienced Mirena migraine incidents soon after the intrauterine device (IUD) was implanted.

Plaintiff Rebecca D. alleges she developed Mirena migraine due to the device’s defective nature, and that Bayer HealthCare did not provide sufficient warning against this possibility.

The Mirena IUD is a small T-shaped device, which is directly implanted into the uterus. The device has two copper endpoints that release levonorgestral, a synthetic progestin hormone that counteracts sperm to egg pregnancy.

The Mirena IUD is a long term birth control device that is meant to last up to five years, with its convenience and hassle free nature often at the focus of Bayer advertisements.

Like millions of other women, Rebecca says she received a Patient Information Booklet explaining Mirena IUD and its potential side effects. However, these side effects allegedly did not include Mirena migraine.

With this information, Rebecca says she had the Mirena IUD implanted on Oct. 8, 2009 and reportedly suffered no initial complications. However several years after the contraceptive was implanted, Rebecca reportedly began experiencing headaches, vision problems, ringing in ears, and extreme cramping.

According to the Mirena migraine lawsuit, Rebecca was eventually diagnosed with pseudotumor cerebri on May 14, 2012, after complaining of Mirena migraine incidents to her physician.

These Mirena migraine experiences reportedly became so severe that she had to undergo a diagnostic lumbar puncture in June 2012, to alleviate the pressure. The Mirena IUD was eventually removed on July 18, 2013, however, Rebecca says that she still continues to contend with long lasting side effects.

Overview of Mirena PTC

Pseudotumor cerebri (PTC) is a medical condition which is caused by an overproduction of cerebrospinal fluid, which is the spongy material cushioning the spine and skull.

Cerebrospinal fluid is constantly reabsorbed throughout the body, but can buildup if this resorption process falls behind. This causes an uncontrollable buildup of cerebrospinal fluid in the skull, which can cause a number of painful symptoms that are similar to having a brain tumor including:

• Headaches
• Migraines
• Dizziness
• Nausea and Vomiting
• Changes in Vision
• Ringing in Ears
• Neck Stiffness
• Forgetfulness
• Depression

Pseudotumor cerebri has become recently linked with the Mirena IUD, with some product liability claims alleging the device’s synthetic hormone may be causing Mirena migraine.

Even though these device complications can be painful for patients, Bayer HealthCare allegedly failed to warn the public against possible Mirena migraine incidents. Rebecca states she would not have agreed to have the device implanted, if she had known she could experience Mirena migraine incidents.

Rebecca’s Mirena IUD lawsuit is joining MDL No. 2767, where it will stand alongside similar claims alleging Mirena migraine incidents. By joining an MDL, Rebecca’s claim will be streamlined through the litigation process and will avoid potential problems like conflicting rulings from different judges.

This Mirena IUD Lawsuit is Case No. 1:18-cv-04327-PAE, in the U.S. District Court of Southern New York.