There is no shortage of commercials with happy women dancing, carefree, because they decided to get an IUD. Despite its popularity on TV and word of mouth alike, IUDs may be the cause of serious injury in some women. Intrauterine devices, or IUDs, fit inside the uterus and prevent pregnancy by stopping sperm from reaching and fertilizing eggs. There are five kinds of IUDs available in the U.S., and all come with their own unique benefits and problems:

Mirena

The Mirena IUD releases the hormone levonorgestrel to prevent pregnancy for up to five years and is also used to treat heavy menstrual bleeding in some women. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has received over 70,000 adverse event reports related to Mirena, and it has been linked to uterine perforation, migration, bleeding, pain, and an increased risk of pseudotumor cerebri (PTC), a serious brain injury. A 2017 study revealed that women using IUD devices containing levonorgestrel were seven times more likely to develop PTC than those not using hormonal IUDs.

Liletta

Another hormonal IUD, Liletta slowly releases 52 mg of levonorgestrel into the uterus over a period of three years. Although most women do not experience severe problems with Liletta, some common side effects associated with the IUD include vulvovaginitis, painful intercourse, pelvic pain, irregular periods, and depression or mood changes. Some serious complications include ectopic pregnancy, ovarian cysts, sepsis, and perforation or expulsion.

Skyla

The Skyla IUD is a reversible birth control method that uses levonorgestrel to prevent pregnancy for up to three years. Skyla users have reported certain side effects, including abdominal pain, vomiting, breast lumps, irregular periods, allergic reactions, and severe headaches. Skyla can also increase the risk for pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), a serious pelvic infection that can cause infertility and permanent damage to the reproductive organs.

Kyleena

Kyleena is a hormonal IUD that was specifically tested in women who have never given birth, although the labeling states that the IUD can be used whether or not a woman has had a child. Some users have reported experiencing bleeding, pain, or dizziness during or after Kyleena insertion, and serious complications – ectopic pregnancy, sepsis, perforation, or expulsion – are possible.

Paragard

The Paragard IUD is a hormone-free form of birth control made of polyethylene wrapped in copper wire. Approved for use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1984, since 1994, Paragard has been approved for up to 10 years of use. The copper in Paragard causes a spermicide effect that is said to have more than a 99 percent effectiveness rate for preventing pregnancy and also functions as emergency contraception if implanted within five days after unprotected sex.

This IUD is plastic, hormone-free, and wrapped in copper wire that prevents pregnancy for up to ten years, even when inserted up to five days after unprotected sex. Although no recalls have been issued related to Paragard, in the last decade, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has received thousands of adverse event reports from healthcare providers alleging that the device migrated from its intended position, broke apart inside patients’ bodies, and led to complications during removal. These injuries have led to dozens of Paragard IUD lawsuits, which were combined into multidistrict litigation in the Northern District of Georgia.

Do any of these complications caused by Paragard hit home? Give us a call at 1-800-641-0098 or contact us online to discuss your potential Paragard claim.

CSS is only pursuing claims against Paragard at this time, the rest of the information is for educational purposes only.

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