Popularity of the Mirena IUD Increases Despite Risks

Safety concerns, regarding the use of the intra-uterinedevice (IUD) that began in the 1970’s with the scandal involving the Dalton shield, have waned. The IUD has become the contraceptive of choice for 6.4 percent of American women of child bearing age during the period from 2011 through 2013. These numbers were published in February of 2015 in a report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  A number of factors are reasons for the increase in usage.

Reasons for IUD Popularity

The IUD still trails in popularity behind the pill and condoms, but the effectiveness and security of the device make it an attractive option. The IUD as a birth control device has a 99 percent effective rate, coupled with a five year life span. Medical societies have implemented policies recommending that doctors consider IUDs more broadly, while advertising and marketing by IUD manufacturers have brought the method back into the foreground for women seeking a reliable and long lasting contraceptive method. In addition, the Affordable Care Act of 2012, that requires health insurance to cover contraceptive devices of all kinds, has made the IUD easily obtainable for women of all economic levels. The current cost of an IUD insertion is over $1000 which, prior to the Act would have been an out of pocket expense.

Under Emphasized Risks

The most popular of the IUDs in the past 10 years is the Mirena, marketed by Bayer Pharmaceutical. The Mirena IUD is recommended and implanted by physicians for women who have already given birth to at least one child. It has also been the subject of countless lawsuits against the pharmaceutical giant due to several related adverse effects along with alleged deceptive marketing and advertising practices. The lawsuits brought by women, who have received injuries from the IUD migrating within and outside of the uterus, claim that Bayer knew about the risks and did not provide adequate warnings or “under emphasized” the risks of uterine perforation and also ectopic pregnancy. Ectopic pregnancy is a dangerous or even life threatening, pregnancy outside of the fallopian tubes.

Aside from uterine perforation and ectopic pregnancy, other health risks have also been indicated including:

- Migration of the IUD outside of the uterus.

- Damage to organs from migration outside the uterus including the colon and liver.

- Intestinal perforation or obstruction.

- Pelvic Inflammation

- Laparoscopic or manual surgical removal

Despite great attempts by attorneys and public interest groups to increase public awareness of the dangers associated with the Mirena IUD, popularity of the device continues to grow. Many women view the IUD as an ultra-effective, affordable and convenient long term solution. Those women are either willing to take the chance that nothing will go awry, are still unaware of the risks, or do not believe what they hear. Unfortunately many more will suffer from pain, undergo emergency surgery and even face sterility due to the use of the device.

Using the Mirena IUD?

If you are one of the millions of Mirena IUD users in the US, it is important that you check the length of the attached strings monthly. If the strings are no longer within reach, contact your physician immediately. That is the first indication that the device has begun to migrate. Ignoring that warning can lead to serious internal injury.

Dolman Law Group is representing many women who have received injuries or required surgery due the Mirena IUD. If you have experienced any abdominal pain after using the device, seek medical help right away and then contact Dolman Law Group for a free legal evaluation of your case. You could become one of the thousands of women seeking monetary damages against Bayer for pain and suffering, emotional stress, financial loss and more. Contact Dolman Law Group today and speak to an experienced bad drug attorney. 

Dolman Law Group
800 North Belcher Road
Clearwater, FL 33765
(727) 451-6900