Did Bayer Minimize the Risk of Mirena IUD Migration?

Did Bayer Minimize the Risk of Mirena IUD Migration?

By Robert J. Boumis

Millions of women have chosen the Mirena IUD as their form of birth control. However, mounting evidence suggests that the manufacturer, Bayer, may have downplayed the risks of using Mirena. As such, many women may not have had the information that they needed to make an informed decision regarding this device.

The Mirena IUD

The Mirena intrauterine device or IUD is a device that is inserted into the uterus by a physician. Once inserted, it slowly releases levonorgestrel at a rate of 20 micrograms per day. This works like other hormone-based birth control and prevents ovulation. The IUD can be removed later by a physician. It is intended as a reversible form of birth control and is designed to remain effective for up to five years.

However, problems with this IUD have been reported. Mirena can become dislodged, and cause serious problems. A dislodged IUD can perforate the uterus, punching holes in the sides. Once it has perforated the uterus, the IUD can “migrate” around the abdomen, damaging other organs. At this point, it may require surgical intervention to remove the device. Additionally, in some patients, the device does not show up on ultrasound. In these cases, doctors are forced to resort to laparoscopic surgery to located and remove the IUD.

Additionally, some users have other serious complications. Some people have reported serious complications after using the Mirena IUD that are related to infection. In these cases, patients reported severe pain hours after the device was inserted. In some of these cases, the pain was followed by sepsis, or blood infection. This type of infection can be life-threatening, and lead to sterility.

One of the most unsettling side effects of Mirena is pregnancy complications. Per an FDA fact sheet on Mirena, there is a very low risk of pregnancy. However, when pregnancies do occur, they have a roughly 50 percent chance of being a life-threatening ectopic pregnancy. In ectopic pregnancy, the fertilized embryo implants outside of the uterine cavity. In these pregnancies, the mother’s life is in serious danger. The most common type of ectopic pregnancy is the tubal pregnancy, where the embryo implants in the Fallopian tubes of the uterus.

Mirena Litigation

Various lawsuits have been filed against Bayer for its marketing practices around the Mirena IUD. These lawsuits allege that Bayer failed to give patients adequate warning about the risks of the device perforating the uterus, migrating from the uterus, and the subsequent complications stemming from this. Further, one lawsuit by a woman from Missouri alleges that Bayer’s marketing materials for Mirena claimed the IUD could help women “look and feel great,” and increase sex drive.

In 2009, the Department of Health and Human Services’ Division of Drug Marketing and Advertising or DDMAC contacted Bayer stating that their marketing materials did not adequately warn patients of the risk of serious complications from Mirena and made claims that could not be verified.

If you or someone you know was harmed by a Mirena IUD, you may feel helpless and daunted by the idea of seeking recourse against a large pharmaceutical company like Bayer. You are not helpless, and you have options. You can start by visiting the Mirena IUD Injury Class Action Lawsuit Settlement Investigation Lawsuit Settlement Investigation. Here, you will find a form where you can submit your information, free of charge, for review by a lawyer who specializes in this type of lawsuit. After the review, you may receive guidance on your next steps.