Women looking for a birth control solution have many options to choose from, including an IUD. The use of such a device, however, could present unknown risks if the woman decides to use Mirena. Side effects of Mirena have reportedly developed into serious medical issues and women are accusing the manufacturer of not warning them properly.

The Mirena device was marketed as a safe and effective IUD for women. However, many different side effects are associated with the use of Mirena, including a possible pseudotumor cerebri diagnosis. If not caught quickly, a PTC diagnosis might leave the patient suffering with significant pain and other symptoms.

Many of the women who have taken legal action against the manufacturer of Mirena claim that these side effects were not properly disclosed upfront, blocking them from being able to make an educated decision about their next steps.

Who Should Get the Mirena IUD?

Non-contraceptive benefits are associated with the use of the Mirena IUD. It is often prescribed to women with endometriosis, fibroids, pain with periods, heavy menstrual bleeding and abnormal growth of the lining of the uterus.

The manufacturers of Mirena state, however, that it is not for everyone and that a health care provider might discourage use of this IUD if the patient has liver disease, cervical or uterine cancer, breast cancer, unexplained vaginal bleeding or a pelvic infection.

What Are Some of the Side Effects of Mirena?

Mild side effects reported by those patients who have used Mirena include mood changes, breast tenderness, acne, headaches, irregular bleeding and pelvic pain. However, there are more serious side effects of Mirena that consumers need to be aware of.

For example, it is possible to expel the Mirena IUD from the uterus. This is more likely to happen to women who have previously expelled an IUD, are younger than age 20, have prolonged or heavy period and have never been pregnant, but it can happen to any woman using this IUD. In women who are unaware of expulsion, risk of pregnancy is higher.

Another possible side effect is PTC.

What is Pseudotumor Cerebri?

One of the lesser known but serious side effects of the Mirena IUD is pseudotumor cerebri , or PTC. A woman who has recently received a pseudotumor cerebri diagnosis might be interested to learn that this could be connected to her use of Mirena.

Pseudotumor cerebri, also known as intracranial hypertension, occurs when the pressure inside the skull increases for no obvious reason. Some of the symptoms of pseudotumor cerebri include dimmed or blurred vision, moderate to severe headaches, a ringing in the ears, difficulty seeing to the side, double vision, back pain, shoulder pain, neck pain and seeing light flashes.

Some risk factors are linked to a higher chance of receiving a pseudotumor cerebri diagnosis, including certain medications, obesity, and existing health problems like kidney disease, sleep apnea, anemia, lupus and underactive parathyroid glands. Some people who have advanced pseudotumor cerebri could develop severe vision loss and could even eventually become blind.

Women who have suffered PTC from the intrauterine device have filed Mirena lawsuits against Bayer, the IUD manufacturer. If you or someone you know has already been diagnosed with problems because of using the Mirena IUD, you may be eligible to participate in a class action lawsuit investigation.