The Mirena IUD is one of the most popular contraceptives in the United States, used by over 2 million women in this country alone.

Unfortunately, this product has been linked to numerous side effects, including the painful occurrence of pseudotumor cerebi or idiopathic intracranial hypertension — commonly referred to as a false brain tumor.

Pseduotumor cerebri is caused by increased pressure inside the skull, which causes patients to feel symptoms similar to brain tumor. The cause of this condition is largely unknown, but it has been linked to different types of birth control including the Mirena IUD.

Medical experts speculate that the hormone released by Mirena, levonorgestrel, may be behind the occurrence of pseudotumor cerebri and/or idiopathic intracranial hypertension but this link is not fully understood.

Pseudotumor Cerebri Symptoms

It is important to note that pseduotumor cerebri is a progressive condition, and that it can cause permanent damage if not diagnosed in time. Symptoms of pseduotumor cerebri will become worse as time goes on and may include:

• Headaches: At first they will be dull and at the back of the head, but will become more frequent and painful. Women have reported that the headaches are most intense during late night or early morning.
• Whooshing noises: As spinal fluid build in the skull, some women report hearing strange noises supposedly caused by the excess fluid.
• Blurred vision: This is a sign the condition has worsened, as it means the spinal fluid has started to put pressure on the patient’s optic nerves, causing either blurred or double vision.
• Temporary blindness: As the condition progresses, women may experience periods of temporary blindness or even succumb to blackouts.
• Permanent blindness: Ultimately, if this condition is not treated the patient will become permanently blind.

Pseudotumor Cerebri Overview: Diagnosis, Treatment

These pseudotumor cerebri symptoms are similar to those of a false brain tumor, leading to a possible misdiagnosis. It is important for women who present these symptoms to tell their doctor they are using the Mirena IUD or other birth control products shown to cause PTC.

Luckily, pseudotumor cerebri is a treatable condition and the damage is minimal if diagnosed early; surgery may be needed in more serious cases.

Patients respond differently to treatment options, but each of the methods surround the purpose of stopping the spinal fluid from further building up and repairing the damage done to the brain. Oftentimes, surgical shunts are implanted to help drain the excess spinal fluid, to reduce the vision or pain symptoms.

Mirena Lawsuits

The manufacturing company of the Mirena IUD, Bayer Pharmaceuticals, is currently contending with thousands of Mirena lawsuits filed by women who were injured after the IUD spontaneously migrated. The additional pseudotumor cerebri complications only add to the company’s worries, giving way to the possible need for a separate category of Mirena IUD litigation.

Currently, nine women have petitioned to have their own multidistrict litigation (MDL) established in the Middle District of Tennessee for the consolidation of all Mirena pseudotumor cerebri lawsuits. Bayer objected to this petition, stating that the number of complaints was not sufficient enough for MDL status.

Since then, the number of Mirena pseudotumor cerebri lawsuits has risen to 10 and lawyers estimate this number will rise to at least 60 complaints. Women who believe they have suffered a brain injury such as a false brain tumor caused by Mirena IUD side effects are encouraged to consult a specialized lawyer to see if they may have a claim.