Mirena is an Intrauterine Device (IUD) that contains 52-mg of the hormone levonorgestrel. More than 100 lawsuits have been filed by women who say this hormone in Mirena can increase pressure in the brain and cause severe neurological side effects.
What is Mirena?
Mirena is an intrauterine contraceptive device (IUD) invented by Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals, Inc., and approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2000. The device is meant to be implanted in a woman’s uterus by a trained healthcare professions. It works by slowly releasing levonorgestrel, a hormone found in many birth control pills. It is more than 99.9% effective at preventing pregnancy for up to five years.
Mirena Brain Injury Lawsuits
More than 100 lawsuits have been filed by women who accuse Bayer of downplaying the risk of brain injuries from levonorgestrel, the hormone in Mirena. These conditions can elevate cerebrospinal fluid levels, which increases pressure in the skull. Side effects typically include chronic headache, migraines, double-vision, vision problems, and blindness.
Mirena brain injuries include:
Mirena and Uterus Perforation
One of the most serious side effects of Mirena is uterus perforation. This complication may occur during insertion of the Mirena, or after insertion, if it erodes into the uterus. Bayer estimates that uterus perforation occurs in about one per 1,000 or 10,000 insertions. Because millions of women have the Mirena, it is likely that there are hundreds, perhaps thousands of cases of uterus perforation.
Other Serious Mirena Side Effects
Although Mirena has been linked to severe side effects, many women were unaware of the risks before deciding to get the Mirena IUD. Serious side effects of Mirena may include:
- Infection
- Perforation of the cervix
- Intestinal perforation
- Abscesses
- Migration outside the uterus
- Scarring
- Ectopic pregnancy
- Miscarriage
- Infertility
- Embedment or erosion into the uterus
- Inflammation of the uterus or abdominal cavity
- Surgery to remove the Mirena