Bayer HealthCare is facing a growing multidistrict litigation (MDL), consisting of claims alleging a link between Mirena and IIH (idiopathic intracranial hypertension).

One of the most recent Mirena lawsuits comes from a Texas woman, alleging the company failed to warn her and other patients against the potential link between Mirena and IIH.

Plaintiff Christina H. had been prescribed the Mirena IUD, after discussing the option with her doctor and reviewing the company’s marketing materials. These advertisements reportedly emphasized the benefits of the device, while allegedly failing to adequately describe potential side effects and correlations including Mirena and IIH.

According to the Mirena lawsuit, Christina had the Mirena IUD implanted on Aug. 25, 2010 and did not suffer any initial complications. While the device worked well for Christina for several years, she soon began experiencing unusual symptoms similar to a brain tumor including:

• Blind spots in her vision
• Severe headaches
• Vision loss
• Blackouts
• Diminished peripheral vision
• Double vision
• Blurry vision
• Cognitive problems
• Tinnitus
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Pain in back, neck, and shoulders

Christina was diagnosed with idiopathic intracranial hypertension, also known as pseudotumor cerebri (PTC), on Jan. 10, 2013, with her physician later removing the Mirena IUD in March 2017.

After she was diagnosed with IIH, she was prescribed Diamox and had undergone several procedures to help alleviate the IIH, including lumbar punctures and optic nerve sheath fenestrations. Christina had opted to file legal action against Bayer HealthCare, alleging the company failed to warn her against the potential link between Mirena and IIH.

Overview of Mirena and IIH Correlation

The Mirena IUD is an intrauterine birth control device, which is directly implanted into the patient’s uterus. It is a small T-shaped device with two copper endpoints that emit the synthetic hormone levonorgestrel, which is released in small daily amounts inside the body.

This treatment mechanism is designed to prevent sperm to egg fertilization, and is meant to last up to five years. Due to its convenience and longevity, the Mirena IUD has become one of the country’s most popular long term contraceptives, with over two million women using the device in the United States alone.

However, there have been a number of complications reported from Mirena IUD patients, alleging various injuries caused by the device. One of the correlations reported is a link between Mirena and IIH, from women complaining of getting severe headaches and other brain tumor-like symptoms soon after the device was implanted.

IIH is a condition that develops in the skull when the patient’s body produces too much cerebrospinal fluid, building extreme pressure inside the skull. Cerebrospinal fluid is the spongy fluid responsible for protecting the spine and brain, and is constantly reabsorbed throughout the body.

When the body’s reaborsption process cannot keep up with production, it causes patients to develop conditions like IIH. It has been alleged that the Mirena and IIH are connected through levonorgestrel, with some alleging the hormone may be causing this side effect.

Christina filed the Mirena lawsuit, alleging Bayer HealthCare either knew or should have known about the potential Mirena and IIH connection. Her Mirena lawsuit is filed in MDL No. 2767, standing alongside other claims alleging similar injuries.

The Mirena Lawsuit is Case No. 1:17-cv-06584-UA, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.