Women across America are reporting suffering persistent and severe headaches in correlation with using their birth control products, with the most extreme cases resulting in possible blindness.

This condition, known as pseudotumor cerebri (PTC), causes women to suffer sudden severe migraines and symptoms akin to brain tumors.  This condition is most common in women who are obese and of childbearing age. Experts estimate that one to two patients out of 100,000 patients will suffer pseudotumor cerebri, but the number was raised to four to 21 women out of 100,000 patients factoring in obesity.

What is Pseudotumor Cerebri?

Also known as idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH), this condition is caused by increased internal pressure of the skull and surrounding brain tissue. The body naturally produces a spongy substance called cerebrospinal fluid that acts as a protective layer for the spine and brain; this fluid is reabsorbed and recycled into the body, to prevent a buildup in the skull. When this buildup happens, intense pain and vision problems occur for the patients, which leads patients to fear they may be suffering from a brain tumor.

Pseudotumor Cerebri Complications

Symptoms of PTC often mimic those of a brain tumor which led to it being named pseudotumor, or literally “false brain tumor”. It is currently unknown for why the body sometimes overproduces cerebrospinal fluid, but experts note that this condition is becoming increasingly common in women who were prescribed the IUD Mirena, Yaz birth control pills, BeYaz, ParaGard, Ocella and other popular birth control prescription products.

Experts theorize that these and other birth control products, interfere with the cerebrospinal fluid production and cause an influx in the process. The excess spinal fluid not only causes pressure to build up in the skull, but also causes swelling of the optical nerve, which can result in vision loss. Other symptoms of pseudotumor cerebri include:

• Headaches
• Migraines
• Dizziness
• Nausea or Vomiting
• Vision Damage
• Ringing in the ears
• Disorientation
• Blindness

Some women report that the symptoms of this condition get worse when they do physically intensive activities like exercise because these actions tend to raise pressure in the skull.

Treatment for Pseudotumor Cerebri

PTC is not fatal, but can result in permanent vision damage or eye damage, so diagnosis should be made as soon as possible. Pseudotumor cerebri can be diagnosed through a variety of medical tests, including MRI or CT scans, or something as simple as an eye exam.

Pseudotumor cerebri can be treated with pain medication for migraines and may involve implementing a shunt to drain the spinal fluid, depending on the severity of the condition. It is important to note that any vision damage incurred from this condition is permanent.

Furthermore, experts also warn that even if pseudotumor cerebri complications are resolved, these symptoms can reappear at any point in the future.  Patients will need to be under constant medical supervision for recurrence.

Despite the severity of this condition, it is not mentioned on the labels for a majority of birth control pills or IUD contraceptives reportedly associated with it. This has sparked public outcry and has spurred numerous patients to consider legal action against the manufacturing companies of these product for failing to warn them of pseudotumor cerebri.