An Arizona woman recently filed a lawsuit against Bayer Healthcare, alleging she suffered from serious Mirena IUD complications after implantation with the company’s birth control device.

The plaintiff, Laura G., says she was implanted with a Mirena IUD device in her early 30s, back in December 2010. While the insertion of the device went without complication at the time, she says that in the following years she began to experience serious Mirena IUD complications.

In December 2014, Laura says, she was diagnosed with bilateral papilledema, or swelling of the optic disc caused by intracranial pressure. She was also allegedly diagnosed with intracranial hypertension, also called pseudotumor cerebri. Because of these issues, Laura underwent a lumbar puncture procedure to alleviate the tension. She reports suffering from other symptoms, including hair loss and increased testosterone levels.

Laura believes that these injuries were the direct result of her implantation with Mirena and subsequently had the device removed. Laura’s lawsuit alleges that, had she been adequately warned about the possible Mirena IUD complications associated with the popular birth control device, she would have chosen a safer option.

Laura filed her Mirena IUD complications lawsuit on June 29, 2018, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. The lawsuit was filed on multiple counts, including negligence, design defect, failure to warn, breach of express and implied warranties, fraud, and several others.

Mirena Birth Control Device

The Mirena IUD is a popular form of permanent birth control, manufactured and distributed by Bayer Healthcare. Mirena birth control was approved in 2009 by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Mirena is a small and flexible long-acting IUD that is implanted in the uterus. Over time, the Mirena device slowly releases a birth control hormone known as levonorgestrel.

Unfortunately, use of the Mirena IUD has been linked with a number of serious Mirena IUD complications, including an increased risk of developing intracranial hypertension, also known as pseudotumor cerebri (PTC).

Mirena IUD Complications

Pseudotumor cerebri, also known as intracranial hypertension (ICH), is not actually a tumor, though its symptoms resemble those of a tumor. Patients that suffer from pseudotumor cerebri symptoms like Mirena birth control headaches can experience pain and even permanent damage.

Essentially, pseudotumor cerebri is caused by the buildup of excess cerebrospinal fluid in the skull, which can cause serious problems. Excess cerebrospinal fluid can result in several symptoms, including extreme pressure inside the skull, causing headaches and migraines. As the pressure builds, it may begin to affect a patient’s vision, causing partial vision loss or even total blindness. Treatment should be sought as soon as possible.

Symptoms of pseudotumor cerebri include headaches, migraines, dizziness, vision changes, nausea, and depression, among others.

Filing a Mirena IUD Complications Lawsuit

If you or someone you love has suffered from Mirena IUD complications like pseudotumor cerebri, you may be able to file a lawsuit. While filing such a lawsuit cannot take away the pain and suffering caused by these complications, it may help to compensate for the pain and suffering that the condition can cause.

The Mirena IUD Complications Lawsuit is Case No. 1:18-cv-05917-PAE, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.