IUD Injury and Side-Effects
Over two-thirds of women in the United States are using birth control according to the CDC. Female birth control is one of the most common ways to prevent pregnancy.
Forms Of Birth Control
There are several common forms of birth control available today. They include:
- barrier methods i.e. condoms
- oral contraceptives i.e. ‘the pill’
- abstinence
- sterilization
- intrauterine devices (IUD)
Of the most common birth control methods, the pill and IUDs are the most popular. However, IUDs have begun to cause problems in wearers.
Here is everything you need to know about IUDs:
What is an IUD?
An intrauterine device (IUD) is a removable implant that is placed inside the uterus. The t-shaped device is made of plastic and can prevent pregnancy for up to 10 years.
Two Types of IUD
Progestin IUD
Progestin IUDs are an all-plastic device that use the hormone progestin. There are 3 brands of progestin IUDs. Mirena, Skyla, and Liletta are all progestin IUDs.
Copper IUD
A copper IUD does not use hormones to prevent pregnancy. Instead, this device is made of plastic and copper. The copper prevents pregnancy. In the US, there is one approved copper IUD – ParaGard.
IUD Side Effects
Many women experience side effects after an IUD is implanted. The most common side effects are:
- pain upon implant
- cramps
- fainting
- heavier periods
- irregular bleeding
- spotting
- ovarian cysts
IUD Complications
While the common side effects are not considered serious, severe complications can occur. These complications can include:
- broken IUD
- surgery to remove broken pieces
- lost or missing pieces
- hysterectomy
- embedded pieces within the uterine wall
- pregnancy
These complications can be very dangerous for a woman. Additionally, they are painful and can cause permanent damage. You can learn more about IUD complications, side effects, and injuries on WebMD.
Can IUDs be trusted?
IUDs are designed to prevent pregnancy—but they can cause serious damage. The complications, while known to the manufacturers, were hidden from women. IUDs can cause:
- pelvic inflammatory disease
- perforated uterus
- migration of the device to other areas of the body
- pregnancy complications
- miscarriages
- infertility
- and more
Informed Decision
IUDs can even fall out of the uterus and must be replaced by a doctor. IUDs do work to prevent pregnancy. But, is the benefit worth the risk? When medical device makers fail to disclose known risks, patients can’t make an informed decision about their health.
Lawsuits Against IUD Manufacturers
There are thousands of lawsuits against multiple manufacturers of IUDs. Women are enraged by the severe complications they were never warned about. Now, these women have permanent complications and they deserve compensation.
Duty of Care
Manufacturers have a standard duty of care to provide safe, effective products. When products cause harm to users, negligence and product liability may be involved. Medical device manufacturers are held to a higher standard.
IUD Manufacturer Negligence
A higher standard means medical device manufacturers must disclose any and all known side effects and complications. Patients use this information to decide if the benefit of using the device is worth the possible risks.
Irresponsible Advertising
IUD manufacturers and sellers have irresponsibly marketed their products. Advertisements shine the spotlight on the intimacy between partners and the product benefit. They fail to properly disclose the inherent risks of the product.
Information Missing in Patient Materials
The FDA states the patient materials also did not properly disclose the risks of using the products. Medical device manufacturers are required to disclose known risks and keep consumers safe.
When to Talk to Injury Attorney
If you or a loved one are harmed by an IUD, contact a personal injury attorney today. Discuss your experience with an experienced injury attorney for free. Learn how much your case is worth in a free consultation.