Pediatricians IUDs Endorsed for Teen Birth Control, But Concerns Over Mirena IUD Continue in Court
The American Academy of Pediatrics stated on Monday, September 29th, that they recommend IUDs Endorsed for Teen Birth Control who do not plan to practice abstinence. However, the suggestion of using implants raises questions about IUD safety in light of recent studies and personal injury lawsuits involving the Mirena IUD.
Currently, most sexually-active teenagers use birth control pills or condoms as their forms of birth control. However, pediatricians recommended in the latest publication of Pediatrics that slow-release hormone birth control methods, such as the Mirena IUD, should be the first line of defense for teenage girls.
“I’m happy to see that every major medical or public health organization in the United States agree that IUDs and implants should be the ‘default’ first-line contraceptive methods for all women and girls who want them,” said Dr. David Eisenberg, an assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Washington University in St. Louis. He was not involved in writing the guidelines.
The hormone-releasing Mirena IUD claims that it can prevent pregnancy for up to five years. However, numerous personal injury lawsuits have been filed recently against the manufacturer, Bayer, because the device damaged women’s internal organs, or the device simply migrated to a place where it was no longer effective in preventing pregnancy.
Many women have joined multidistrict litigation (MDL) against Bayer Pharmaceuticals, alleging that the company’s intrauterine birth control device, the Mirena IUD, not only does not prevent pregnancy as advertised but can perforate surrounding organs and cause severe internal damage and pain.
In addition to the consolidated personal injury lawsuits against the Mirena IUD, a new study has linked breast cancer to use of the hormonal birth control device. The study was published in Obstetrics & Gynecology. The Finnish team tracked 94,000 women between the ages of 30 and 49, who used the Mirena IUDs birth control device between 1994 and 2007.
All of the women involving in the study used the Mirena device to treat heavy menstrual bleeding, and not specifically for birth control. Of the 94,000 patients in the study, 2,781 cases of breast cancer were detected. Although the Mirena IUD was associated with a higher risk of breast cancer than the average for the Finnish population, the birth control device was associated with a lower risk of other types of cancer, including endometrial cancer, ovarian cancer, pancreatic cancer, and lung cancer.
Although pediatricians believe that devices like the Mirena IUDs can help prevent pregnancy in teenagers, it will not stop the spread of STDs, and with Mirena’s questionable track record, could lead to chronic illness, pregnancy, or damage to internal organs. In addition, the recent recommendation conflicts with prior recommendations that an IUD is only appropriate for a woman who has already given birth.
The Strom Law Firm Defends Consumers Against Dangerous Devices Like the Mirena IUDs
Since the Mirena IUD was originally approved for use, numerous exceptions to its use have been discovered. Bayer claimed the Mirena IUD should be used in women who have at least one child and only one sexual partner, but reportedly, some doctors in the Boston area say that the device is only safe for women who have never had children. The Mirena device is also not recommended for use in women with uncontrolled pelvic inflammation, breast, cervical, or uterine cancers (past or present), liver disease, or a weak immune system.
If you or a loved one have used the Mirena IUDs for contraception and have experienced pain, infection, bleeding, ovarian cysts, intrauterine pregnancy, kidney stones, pelvic inflammatory disease, or organ perforation due to the device, you are not alone. The Strom Law Firm offers free, confidential consultations to discuss the facts of your Mirena personal injury case. Contact us today for a free consultation. 803.252.4800.
