Millions of women across the country rely on some form of birth control to prevent pregnancy. Some take a pill every day. Others prefer IUDs, or intrauterine devices, a more semi-permanent solution. The Mirena IUD, manufactured by Bayer, is a popular choice among young women. Unfortunately, the Mirena IUD is associated with a host of severe side effects. Many women are opting to have their Mirena IUDs removed to avoid these complications.
However, removing the device appears to come with consequences of its own. Thousands of women have filed lawsuits against Bayer over these complications, known as the Mirena crash. If you have been injured due to a Mirena IUD, you may be eligible to file what is known as a personal injury claim against the manufacturer. Contact a Los Angeles personal injury lawyer at Citywide Law Group today to discuss your case.
What is the Mirena IUD?
The Mirena IUD is a semi-permanent form of birth control. Rather than having to remember to take a pill every day, women simply have the device implanted in their uterus. The Mirena device secretes progesterone, a hormone that thickens the cervical mucus. This prevents sperm from entering the body and fertilizing an egg. The Mirena IUD is available with a 5-year prescription, making it an attractive choice for women who want to avoid pregnancy for an extended period of time.
Mirena IUD Complications
Women with the Mirena IUD implant have reported several adverse complications and side effects, including:
- Device migration
- Organ perforation
- Ectopic pregnancy
- Cramping
- Fatigue
- Neurological disorders
- Mood swings
- Depression, and more.
Rather than risk these complications, an increasing number of Mirena IUD patients have decided to have the implant removed.
What is the Mirena Crash?
Women hoping to avoid the side effects of their Mirena IUD have been shocked to learn that removing the device carries its own risks. The body becomes reliant on the progesterone released by the IUD. As a result, the body decreases the amount of the hormone it produces on its own. Once the Mirena IUD is removed, it takes time for the body to ramp up production again. Many women have experienced unpleasant and dangerous symptoms during this time of extreme hormonal imbalance, which has come to be known as the “Mirena crash.”
Symptoms associated with the Mirena crash include, but are not limited to:
- Depression
- Increased irritability and mood swings
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Breast tenderness
- Fatigue
- Painful intercourse, and
- Decreased sex drive.
The emotional side effects associated with Mirena removal is one of the biggest concerns. One study revealed that more than one-third of the patients who have the Mirena IUD removed suffer from depressive episodes. Depression is more commonly diagnosed in women over the age of 34. Depression can disrupt women’s lives, harm relationships and lead to substance abuse.
Mirena IUD Lawsuits
The Mirena crash can last for anywhere from a few weeks to a few months. Unfortunately, many doctors are unwilling to connect symptoms of the Mirena crash to the removal of the device. Instead, doctors rely on information about the device from the manufacturer. Bayer is adamant that its IUD is safe and that any adverse health effects patient experiences after removal aren’t associated with the device.
Many women have taken matters into their own hands, filing lawsuits against Bayer. The lawsuits argue that the Mirena device is defective and responsible for painful and harmful injuries. in States like California, manufacturers of medical devices have an obligation to make sure that the products patients receive are safe. If a company knows, or should know, about a dangerous side effect, it has a duty to warn doctors and patients.
Anyone who has experienced the Mirena crash should contact a personal injury attorney. You may be entitled to compensation for the harm you have suffered.
For more information, call our law firm at (424) 248-2700 or visit our contact us page to send us an email.