Having a Mirena IUD birth control implant has led patients to suffer several side effects including Mirena pseudotumor cerebri. Several lawsuits filed against Bayer, the birth control’s manufacturer, have accused the company of failing to warn women about the adverse effect.

Mirena pseudotumor cerebri, a neurological condition, results from increased levels of cerebrospinal fluid in the skull that increases pressure. Symptoms of Mirena pseudotumor cerebri may include migraines, changes in vision, dizziness, headaches, nausea and/or vomiting, neck stiffness, depression, forgetfulness, ringing or “whooshing” in the ears.

What is Mirena?

Mirena is a hormonal intrauterine device (IUD) used for long-term pregnancy prevention. It may prevent pregnancy for up to five years, and is a “T” shaped device which becomes inserted into a woman’s uterus. If used correctly, Mirena can decrease the risks of pregnancy to less than 1 percent. It is also classified under a type of IUD that releases a controlled amount of the hormone, levonorgestrel.

Since the IUD’s introduction to the market, the device has been sold to more than 2 million women in the United States. However, there have also been approximately 70,000 patient complaints made to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

In April 2009, the FDA warned Bayer Pharmaceuticals that their representations and prior marketing of the device that it did not need to be replaced after five years was incorrect.

In addition to Mirena pseudotumor cerebri as an adverse side effect to the IUD, other complications have included:

• Expulsion- the device moves away from its origin of implantation
• Required Hysterectomy
• Embedment- Also known as uterine perforation, where the device embeds itself into the wall of the uterus
• The buildup of pressure causing pseudotumor cerebri, or Idiopathic intracranial hypertension.

Mirena Pseudotumor Cerebri

According to the Mayo Clinic, Mirena pseudotumor cerebri is similar to the symptoms of a brain tumor, but no tumor is present. The pressure inside the skill increases caused by the buildup of cerebrospinal fluid in the skull that is not reabsorbed into the bloodstream.

Although the fluid is known to help protect and act as a cushion for the brain and spinal cord, too much cerebrospinal fluid may increase the pressure creating a pseudotumor or “false brain tumor.” The exact cause is not known, but Mirena UID including certain birth control pills are some of the risk factors. Patients with Mirena pseudtumor cerebri may also notice increased symptoms of the condition during exercise as increased pressure in the skull increases with exerted energy.

According to the Mayo Clinic, symptoms include:

• Shoulder, back, or neck pain
• Diplopia, or double vision
• Photopsia, or seeing flashes of light
• Dimmed or blurred out vision
• Vomiting, dizziness, or nausea
• Visual obscurations, or brief episodes of blindness
• Ear ringing
• Moderate to severe headaches

Mirena Pseudotumor Cerebri Lawsuits

There are currently three different consolidated class action lawsuits being filed against Bayer Pharmaceuticals accusing the company of causing a range of unknown adverse effects and complications. One class action lawsuit includes cases consolidated into a multidistrict litigation (MDL) in the New Federal Court. Separate cases were consolidated into an MDL claiming Mirena caused the development of pseudotumor cerebri also in New York federal court.