A consumer safety group has recently warned the public about the possible hazards of the Mirena IUD hormonal birth control including pseudotumor cerebri or false brain tumor.

The Mirena intrauterine device (IUD) was first marketed in 2000 as a safe and effective long-term birth control alternative to birth control pills. Its intended use is that the birth control effects last for five years.

It is a flexible, T-shaped device that is inserted into the uterus. It prevents pregnancy by releasing levonorgestrel into the uterus over time.

Recently, the Consumer Safety Watch, a consumer safety advocate organization, has indicated that there is a link between the Mirena manufactured IUD specifically and a dangerous condition which increases pressure on the brain.

Pseudotumor cerebri (PTC) is also known as idiopathic intracranial hypertension or false brain tumor. It is characterized by increased pressure inside the skull and the symptoms mimic those of a brain tumor. No tumor is actually present during this condition.

When a patient develops PTC it is often tied to an elevated amount of cerebral spinal fluid. This fluid surrounds the brain and spinal cord and acts as a cushion to protect tissues from injury.

In healthy individuals, cerebrospinal fluid from the brain is eventually absorbed into the bloodstream. When this process is interrupted, it may result in intracranial pressure from PTC.

PTC can also cause swelling of the optic nerve and can lead to blindness.

Some symptoms of pseudotumor cerebri are:

• Nausea, vomiting or dizziness
• Pain in the neck, back or shoulder
• Moderate to severe headaches
• Blurred or dimmed vision
• Ringing in the ears
• Brief episodes of blindness
• Difficulty seeing to the side
• Seeing light flashes

The Consumer Safety Watch encourages all women who experience these side effects to get checked out for PTC.

How is the Mirena IUD Linked to Pseudotumor Cerebri?

Some studies have indicated that birth control products that contain levonorgestrel, including the Mirena IUD, have a possible link to pseudotumor cerebri.

In a New England Journal of Medicine study, the researchers noted nearly 60 reports of pseudotumor cerebri symptoms in those women who had a Mirena IUD device.

If a patient believes that she may be experiencing pseudotumor cerebri from the Mirena IUD, she can visit an ophthalmologist or a neurologist. The physician can physically examine the patient to rule out an actual tumor and determine the causes for pressure inside the skull.

These tests include brain imaging such as MRI or CT scans or a lumbar puncture (spinal tap) to confirm the elevated pressure. The lumbar puncture draws a sample of spinal fluid to rule out infections and inflammatory causes of raised pressure. A physician can also do an eye exam to test pressure.

Mirena IUD PTC Lawsuits

One recent lawsuit against the Mirena IUD device states that Bayer made a practice of over-promoting the positive benefits of the device.

If you believe you may be suffering from pseudotumor cerebri caused by a Mirena IUD, you may be entitled to compensation.