Over 45,000 Mirena IUD Complaints Submitted to FDA

Over 45,000 Mirena IUD Complaints Submitted to FDA

By Anne Bucher

An intrauterine device (IUD) is a T-shaped contraceptive device that is inserted into the uterus. An IUD contains either copper or progesterone and provides a long-lasting form of birth control. Because an IUD does not require women to remember to take a daily pill, IUDs have become an extremely popular form of contraception.

The Mirena IUD, manufactured by Bayer, has become one of the best-selling IUDs on the market. Its popularity has much to do with Bayer’s aggressive direct-to-consumer marketing approach. Since Mirena was initially approved by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) in 2000, the company has spent tens of millions of dollars to market the product. Since it has been on the market, more than 10 million women have relied on the Mirena IUD for birth control and to treat heavy menstrual bleeding.

Number of Reported Mirena IUD Injuries Continues to Rise

As Mirena’s popularity skyrocketed, the number of Mirena IUD injuries has also increased substantially.

The FDA has received more than 45,000 reports of Mirena IUD injuries. In 2009, the FDA sent a letter to Bayer warning them that the company’s marketing materials exaggerated the effectiveness of the Mirena IUD and minimized the potential for Mirena IUD complications. The federal agency accused Bayer of using false and misleading tactics to market the product.

Many women have reported the following Mirena IUD complications:

• Pelvic pain
• Perforation of the cervix or uterus
• Infection
• Pelvic inflammatory disease
• Intrauterine pregnancy
• Vaginal erosion
• Infertility
• Ectopic pregnancy

Many of these Mirena IUD injuries occur when a woman’s body rejects the device as a foreign object. A growing number of women are filing Mirena injury lawsuits, alleging that the device has migrated to other parts of their body. When the device migrates, it can perforate the uterus and other organs, causing significant pain and injury. In many cases, the woman will need to undergo surgery to repair the Mirena IUD injury.

Mirena IUD Lawsuits Consolidated in New York Federal Court

Many women have already filed Mirena IUD lawsuits, alleging that they suffered serious injuries from the device. The plaintiffs in these lawsuits are seeking compensation for their lost wages, medical expenses and pain and suffering they experienced from Mirena IUD complications.

More than 40 Mirena IUD lawsuits have been consolidated in multidistrict litigation (MDL). These cases will be heard by Cathy Siebel, a federal judge in White Plains, New York. The first status conference for the MDL has been scheduled for May 17.

If you or someone you care about has suffered Mirena IUD complications, visit the Mirena IUD Injury Class Action Lawsuit Settlement Investigation for more information. When women submit information about their Mirena IUD injuries, an attorney will conduct a free evaluation to determine whether they are eligible to file a Mirena IUD lawsuit. If the lawsuits are successful, these victims may be able to receive significant compensation for their Mirena IUD injuries. They could receive compensation for the pain and suffering, lost wages and medical expenses they suffered from the Mirena IUD.