Bayer Hit with New Lawsuit Alleging Mirena IUD Embedded in Uterus

Bayer Hit with New Lawsuit Alleging Mirena IUD Embedded in Uterus

By Courtney Coren

An Ohio woman is suing Bayer Healthcare Pharmaceuticals Inc. for injuries she sustained from the company’s Mirena IUD, which she says became imbedded in her uterus and caused her permanent injuries.

Columbus, Ohio, resident Dorena Borders, 32, had the Mirena IUD inserted on December 12, 2008. There were no complications reported during the IUD insertion procedure and her doctor verified through ultrasound that it had been inserted properly, according to the Mirena lawsuit. During Borders’ follow-up appointments over the next two years, the Mirena IUD remained in place until about October 12, 2010, when the plaintiff asked to have the intrauterine device removed. 

Borders requested the Mirena IUD removal because she was experiencing pain during sexual intercourse. At that time, her doctor informed her that the IUD had become embedded in her uterus. 

On April 20, 2011, Borders had the Mirena IUD surgically removed. 

As a result of the IUD migration and embedment, Borders suffered permanent injuries and a substantial amount of pain, her lawsuit says. Due to the surgery, she incurred a lot of medical expenses, and she will incur more medical costs due to necessary follow-up appointments. She also had to take time off work and lost wages at that time as well. 

Borders is seeking actual and punitive damages from Bayer for the Mirena IUD complications she suffered. Her Mirena lawsuit says her injuries were caused by “wanton, willful, fraudulent, reckless acts of the Defendants who demonstrated a complete disregard and reckless indifference for the safety and welfare of the general public.”

Bayer Criticized for Mirena IUD Marketing

Bayer was cited in 2009 by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration for misleading customers in their promotions of the Mirena IUD by downplaying the risks associated with the device. 

“Since its approval in 2000, the most serious adverse reactions reported in patients using Mirena for any indication include: ectopic pregnancy (a pregnancy in which the fertilized egg grows outside of the uterus); intrauterine pregnancy (a pregnancy with Mirena in place); group A streptococcal sepsis; an infection called pelvic inflammatory disease; embedment of the device in the uterine wall; and perforation of the uterine wall or cervix,” the FDA warning states.

In February of this year, the San Jose Mercury News published a study that was originally featured and written by Reuters Health. The survey was done by researchers in the United States. The researchers looked at women between the ages of 18 and 50. They found that when it comes to using IUDs to prevent pregnancy that many women misunderstand the safety and effectiveness of IUDs, and there are many inaccurate perceptions about them.

There are more than 40 Mirena IUD lawsuits currently filed against Bayer, but that number is expected to grow as the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has received more than 40,000 complaints of Mirena side effects. 

IUDs are small, T-shaped devices that are inserted into the uterus as a form of birth control. One of the advantages of the IUD is that it can prevent pregnancy for several years. The Mirena IUD is effective for five years. 

Borders filed her Mirena IUD lawsuit in the U.S. District Court in the District of New Jersey on August 26, 2013.

If you or someone you know has been injured by a Mirena IUD, legal options are available. Learn more and get a free legal consultation regarding a claim’s eligibility at the Mirena IUD Injury Class Action Lawsuit Settlement Investigation. Experienced legal professionals have access to medical experts to assess whether or not a Mirena IUD may be playing a role in your current pain, discomfort or other serious side effects, so act now.