More than 2 million women today use the Mirena intrauterine device (IUD) as their birth control solution. Approved by the FDA in 2000, the product has been advertised as a more convenient, no-hassle alternative to regular birth control pills, yet according to the FDA’s Adverse Event database, over 45,000 women have submitted complaints about Mirena IUD side effects.
One of the most serious problems is Mirena IUD migration, which is where the device actually moves from the place it was initially implanted. Such movement can result in serious complications like organ perforation, infections, and bleeding.
Mirena IUD Side Effects Can Lead to Life-Threatening Complications
The Mirena IUD is a small, T-shaped plastic object that is inserted into the uterus by a healthcare professional. Once in place, it gradually releases small amounts of the progestin “levonorgestrel” to help prevent pregnancy. The device is intended to stay put for up to five years, providing a steady supply of low-dose hormonal birth control.
According to FDA reports, over 3,000 women have been hospitalized because of Mirena IUD side effects and 42 women are reported to have died because of complications.
Mirena IUD Migration
On July 26, 2012, a 24-year-old woman filed a Mirena IUD lawsuit in New Jersey. The plaintiff stated that after she was implanted with the Mirena, it migrated away from her uterus to another part of her body, eventually moving into her abdominal wall. She had to have it surgically removed, and now seeks to recover damages in court.
The spontaneous migration of the Mirena IUD device is one of the most serious of the potential Mirena IUD side effects. In addition to potentially puncturing the uterus, it can move to other areas of the body. In August 2011, physicians published a case report in the Journal of Emergency Medicine, stating, “The extrauterine migration of an intrauterine device (IUD) can be life threatening and require emergent surgical intervention and treatment.”
Symptoms of Mirena IUD migration may include abdominal pain, missing Mirena “strings,” unusual bleeding, and unexplained infection.
Considering a Mirena IUD Lawsuit
Bayer is already facing lawsuits from a number of women who have filed Mirena IUD lawsuits seeking to recover damages from serious injuries. Mirena lawyers have petitioned the U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation to consolidate all federal cases into one court, expecting an explosion of lawsuits in the future.
Women who are seeking a settlement or jury award from Bayer typically claim the company should have done more to warn women and doctors of the potential risks. The FDA has already admonished the company for overpromoting the Mirena, stating they presented unsubstantiated claims and minimized the risks of the device.
A Mirena IUD Lawyer Can Help
Women who have suffered from Mirena IUD migration may be eligible to file a Mirena IUD lawsuit. Large medical device companies like Bayer are responsible for taking appropriate precautions to protect public safety, and should be held accountable for failing to do so.
Chaffin Luhana LLP has years of experience defending women in personal injury lawsuits, and will work aggressively to help you obtain the compensation you deserve. Call today for a free and confidential case evaluation at 1-888-480-1123.
