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The Mirena Intrauterine Device is an IUD designed to provide contraceptive protection for five years. However, it has been facing multiple lawsuits from women who have allegedly been suffering from medical issues caused by its placements and continued usage. While Bayer Healthcare Pharmaceuticals, the company that manufactures the device, has yet to announce any official, definite defects, they have disclosed a settlement for $12 million for around 4,800 plaintiffs in the case.
The Mirena IUD has been associated with some extremely severe side effects for some of its users, including embedding into the uterine wall, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), perforation of the uterus, and other serious complications. If you have or had the Mirena IUD surgically implanted and have since suffered from medical conditions that you believe may have been caused by the IUD, then you should immediately seek legal advice.
At The Law Place, our personal injury lawyers have over 75 years of combined experience in dealing with the Florida legal system and are qualified to pursue damages against large pharmaceutical companies on your behalf. We can guarantee a thorough approach to your claim and will do everything possible to ensure that you receive the justice you deserve. So don’t hesitate to reach out for help: call The Law Place today at (941) 444-4444 to book a free case evaluation.
What Is a Mirena IUD?
An IUD is a type of physical birth control that is placed on the uterine wall to prevent pregnancy. A Mirena IUD is a small, T-shaped device, slightly bigger than a quarter, that also releases a hormone called levonorgestrel in 20mg/daily doses for five years. If inserted and used correctly, the chances of getting pregnant when using an IUD are less than 1%.
In 2000, the FDA approved the Mirena IUD made by Bayer, which is significant as it is the only FDA-approved IUD that also provides a hormone-delivery system. It is one of the most common IUDs in the United States, with over two million women having used it. However, since it was released, approximately 70,000 complaints about the dangerous side effects associated with it have been made to the FDA.
Possible Side Effects of the Mirena IUD
According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the following are some possible side effects of the Mirena IUD:
- Ectopic pregnancy – Up to half of the pregnancies that occur with Mirena in place are ectopic. An ectopic pregnancy is where the fetus develops outside the uterus and can be life-threatening for the woman.
- Sepsis – This is potentially life-threatening.
- Pelvic Inflammatory Disease – The use of IUDs is thought to increase the risk of PID, which can cause tubal damage, leading to ectopic pregnancy, infertility, require a hysterectomy, or even cause death.
- Irregular bleeding – The device can cause spotting, irregular bleeding, heavy bleeding, oligomenorrhea, and amenorrhea.
- Embedment – The Mirena may embed itself further into the uterine than it should be. This may decrease the effectiveness of the contraceptive and result in pregnancy. An embedded Mirena should be removed, but it can be difficult to do so, and in many cases, surgical removal may be necessary.
- Perforation – During insertion, the IUD may penetrate the uterine wall or cervix, although this may not be detected for some time. If this occurs, then there is a risk of pregnancy. If the perforation is not detected for a while, then it could result in migration outside the uterine cavity, which can cause serious internal injuries, including adhesion, abscesses, intestinal obstruction, perforation of the intestine or abdominal cavity, and infection. This can be severe and may require surgical removal.
- Expulsion – Partial or complete expulsion of the Mirena may occur, which can cause bleeding or pain and will decrease the effectiveness.
- Ovarian cysts – An ovarian cyst is a sac that develops on an ovary. Around 12% of the women using Mirena reported developing ovarian cysts, and while they usually are harmless and go away on their own, some can be much more serious and painful and require surgery to remove.
- Wrongful death.
Some less severe, but still serious, side effects include:
- Depression.
- Anxiety.
- Mood swings.
- Painful menstruation.
- Pelvic pain.
- Breast tenderness or pain.
- Vomiting.
- Weight gain.
- Dizziness.
- Headache/migraine.
- Acne.
If you have experienced any of the above side effects or any other injuries that you think may be related to your IUD, then you should call a personal injury lawyer now. Our attorneys have experience in dealing with Florida law and working alongside victims just like you, so phone us today to book a free case evaluation and discuss all of your options.
Damages Commonly Claimed for in Mirena IUD Birth Control Defect Cases
If you have experienced any injury because of your Mirena IUD placement, then you may be entitled to compensation. If the personal injury lawyers at The Law Place believe it’s possible to prove that your injuries are the fault of Bayer Pharmaceuticals, then we would recommend you file a lawsuit against them with help from our law firm to ensure you have the best chance at receiving compensation. You could be compensated for the following:
- Medical bills.
- Lost wages.
- Depression.
- Physical anguish.
- Anxiety.
Typically, the fault of cases of this nature lies with the manufacturer, in this case, Bayer Pharmaceuticals; however your injuries could also have been caused by the improper placement of the device by your doctor. If this applies to your case, then it is possible to pursue damages against them and their practice.
If you have the Mirena IUD implanted and our suffering from side effects that you think may be caused by the device, then you should call The Law Place today and book a free consultation. You should not have to suffer in silence; phone us today to take a step closer to winning the justice you deserve.
The Law Place
If you or someone you know has been experiencing some of the side effects of a Mirena IUD implant or another birth control device, then you need to take action now.
At The Law Place, our Fort Myers personal injury lawyers have the resources and experience required to handle cases involving the Mirena IUD and are passionate about getting you the justice that you deserve. Our law firm can offer you a free case evaluation to assess whether your claim is valid and, if so, what the best next steps are for you to take, so phone us today to schedule one. No one should have to suffer through this; call us at (941) 444-4444.
