A recent study has linked the popular Mirena IUD with the potential development of pseudotumor cerebri (PTC), also known as idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH). However, this risk is not included on the warning label for the product. 

Mirena is a hormonal intrauterine device (IUD), a small, flexible product implanted in the uterus as a long-acting form of birth control. 

The Mirena device slowly releases a birth control hormone called levonorgesterel into the uterus over time. Mirena uses a lower level of hormones than birth control pills taken orally, because the hormones for IUDs are released directly into the uterus. 

Mirena and Skyla, the only other levonorgesterel system like Mirena, are both manufactured by Bayer Pharmaceuticals. 

Skyla is made with a lower dose, intended to be used by women who have not had children. Mirena, on the other hand, is recommended for women who have had one child or more. 

Mirena was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2000. It is intended to be used for a maximum of five years, and then must be replaced. 

In 2009, Bayer Pharmaceuticals began marketing Mirena to treat heavy menstrual bleeding for women who already use an IUD. Skyla is a more recent addition to the IUD market and was approved as recently as 2013. 

Since the 2015 study, some consumers have filed Mirena lawsuits against Bayer Pharmaceuticals for failing to warn in their advertising or labeling of the potential risk of developing pseudotumor cerebri as a result of using Mirena. 

Pseudotumor cerebri (PTC) or idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) exists in the brain when the brain fails to properly absorb spinal fluid.

Though the name contains the word ‘tumor,’ the condition is not actually related to cancer or even a real tumor. “Pseudotumor” is used because the symptoms of PTC are very similar to that of a brain tumor, though there is no actual tumor involved in the condition. 

However, there is danger involved with pseudotumor cerebri. The brain’s inability to properly absorb the fluid increases the pressure inside the brain, and the increased pressure can cause swelling of the optic nerve and result in loss of vision. 

In many cases, medications can reduce the damaging pressure, but in other cases, surgery is needed. PTC is most common in women of childbearing age, and especially so for those who are either overweight or have experienced a sudden weight gain. 

Because it is a birth control device, Mirena is exclusively prescribed to women who fit the parameters for PTC, and thus injured parties find it even more essential that Bayer Pharmaceuticals take proper measures to make their consumers adequately aware of the potential increased risk of using their product. 

Mirena and other devices like it are popular birth control options. Approximately 150 million people across the globe use IUDs. 

If you or someone you know has used a Mirena or a similar IUD and has suffered from PTC as a result, you may be able to file a Mirena lawsuit.