Mirena & Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension
When it comes to birth control protection, an increasing number of obstetricians and gynecologists are recommending patients opt for an intrauterine device (also known as an IUD). A recent study published in the journal Contraception reveals IUD and implant use is now the No. 3 most commonly-used form of reversible contraception for women between the ages of 25 and 44 – after “the pill” and the condom. Planned Parenthood reports a 91 percent increase in the number of implants and IUDs used by patents in just the last five years. 
Mirena IUD injury lawyers recognize the popularity is because IUDs have generally been deemed convenient and effective – long-acting (some models up to 10 years), don’t require daily action and can be removed at any time. Unlike copper IUDs, Mirena is hormone-based, designed to release a set amount of the hormone for up to five years.
Unfortunately, the Mirena IUD has not been without the potential for serious risk, including the development of a condition called intracranial hypertension. The formal medical term is “pseudotumor cerebri.” This condition has been linked before to women who had taken: Depo-Provera, Norplant and certain types of emergency contraception. Now, there is evidence Mirena too may be a catalyst for intracranial hypertension. This is not a minor side effect, but often extremely painful and sometimes resulting in permanent blindness. Thousands of lawsuits have followed, alleging patients were not adequately warned of this potential danger.
While Bayer, the manufacturer of Mirena, warns about more common side effects, such as embedment, perforation and expulsion, the official warning makes no mention of intracranial hypertension. Our Salt Lake City Mirena IUD injury lawyers know from a Utah product liability standpoint, these are the grounds on which lawsuits may prevail.
Utah Mirena IUD Injury Lawyer Explains What is Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension?
As defined by the Intracranial Hypertension Research Foundation, intracranial hypertension (IH for short) describes a condition wherein the pressure of cerebrospinal fluid in the skull is too high. Although the medical jargon can quickly get convoluted, think of it this way: “Intracranial” means “within the skull,” while “hypertension” means “high fluid pressure.”
IH occurs when the body is unable to effectively absorb cerebrospinal fluid, the pressure inside the skull builds, but the skull can’t expand because it’s made of bone. This creates a dangerous condition.
Patients taking Mirena who suffer the condition are often diagnosed with “idiopathic intracranial hypertension,” meaning health care workers can’t identify a detectable cause. As our Mirena IUD injury layers know, that doesn’t mean there isn’t one.
How Do I Know If I’ve I have Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension?
There are a number of signs and symptoms Mirena birth control patients should take seriously. Immediate medical treatment and quick diagnosis is key in helping reduce the risks of intracranial hypertension.
- Pay attention to your eyes. One of the most common signs of IIH is a swelling of the optic nerve, a condition known as papilledema. One who suffers this may have short disturbances in vision, a headache, vomiting or some combination. Some with optic nerve swelling also suffer something called an afferent pupil defect, in which the pupil in the eye is slow to react to light. Another condition that can indicate optic nerve swelling is sixth nerve palsy, in which the eyes aren’t tracking well together and one may suffer double vision. If you start experiencing abnormalities in your field of vision, you should seek medical attention right away.
- Empty sella. This is one your doctor will need to identify. The sella turcica the space wherein your pituitary gland resides. If a person suffers from intracranial hypertension, doctors may see on MRIs, CAT scans, X-rays and other imaging tests that the pituitary gland will appear flat against the skull, giving the appearance that the sella is “empty.”
- Posterior scleral flattening. Doctors will find this one too. It’s when the outer white covering of your eye will appear flattened on the back in an MRI or CT scan.
Headaches and ringing in your ears could also be a symptom of intracranial hypertension linked to the Mirena IUD.
If you have been diagnosed with pseudotumor cerebri and you are also a user of Mirena IUD, our Utah Mirena injury lawyers will help determine whether you have a viable product liability claim.
Contact the James Esparza Law Group in Salt Lake City, Utah for more information on filing a Mirena IUD injury lawsuit. Call (800) 745-4050.
Additional Resources:
Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension (IIH), May 17, 2017, By Dr. Mark S. Gans, MedScape
More Blog Entries:
Mirena & Intracranial Hypertension, Nov. 17, 2017, Mirena IUD Injury Lawyer Blog