Bayer HealthCare is facing a growing multidistrict litigation (MDL) from women who say they suffered Mirena pseudotumor cerebri (PTC). One of the most recent claims was filed by an Arkansas woman alleging the long term contraceptive causing her serious headaches.

According to the claim, plaintiff Kay P. developed Mirena pseudotumor cerebri soon after having the Mirena device implanted and opted to file legal action soon after discovering the alleged correlation. Kay alleges her Mirena pseudotumor cerebri was caused by the hormones released by the device.

According to the Mirena PTC lawsuit, Kay had the intrauterine system (IUS) implanted on Aug. 29, 2013 and experienced no initial complications after the insertion procedure. The Mirena IUS had been implanted by a medical professional, with Kay following all post procedure care instructions after the device was implanted.

However not long after the device was implanted, Kay started developing unusual symptoms and was diagnosed with pseudotumor cerebri in 2014. Kay alleges she has sustained permanent injuries and will most likely needed chronic medical treatment.

Kay opted to file legal action against Bayer HealthCare, alleging the company failed to warn her against potential Mirena pseudotumor cerebri.

Overview of Mirena PTC Lawsuit

Similar to other patients, Kay opted for the Mirena IUS for long term contraceptive purposes. The Mirena IUS is a small and flexible T-shaped device that is implanted directly into the uterus. Once inside the uterus, the synthetic progestin levonorgestrel hormone is released from the device’s endpoints into the body.

This hormone directly counteracts fertility, and is meant to last up to five years inside the patient. However numerous women have reported developing Mirena pseudotumor cerebri, also known as idopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH), which is caused by a buildup of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain.

Cerebrospinal fluid flows through open spaces within the skull and is constantly cycled through the body. However, when the cycling process slows down, a buildup can occur and caused migraine-like headaches and other tumor like symptoms.

Pseudotumor cerebri means “false brain tumor.” This name reflects the fact that symptoms of this condition mimic those of a brain tumor. These symptoms may include:

• Frequent and Severe Headaches or Migraines
• Ringing in Ears (Pulsatile Tinnitus)
• Fatigue
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Blurred or Double Vision
• Vision Loss

There have been numerous injury reports suggesting that certain contraceptives like the Mirena IUS may be linked to the development of pseudotumor cerebri. It is currently suspected that levonorgestral may increase the risk of Mirena pseudotumor cerebri, but no exact cause has been found.

For severe cases of Mirena pseudotumor cerebri, the patients may have to undergo a spinal tap to drain excess cerebrospinal fluid to alleviate skull pressure. Even though this can be very painful for patients, Kay and other patients claim Bayer HealthCare failed to warn the general public against Mirena pseudotumor cerebri.

Kay is filing her Mirena PTC lawsuit in MDL No. 2767, where it will stand alongside other claims alleging similar injuries. By joining an MDL, Kay will avoid potential problems like conflicting rulings from different judges and will be streamlined through the litigation process.

Kay alleges that she had relied on the marketing materials provided by Bayer, which allegedly failed to warn against Mirena pseudotumor cerebri.

This Mirena PTC Lawsuit is Case No. 1:18-cv-01095-UA, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.