Paragard IUD

What is a Paragard IUD?

Paragard is an intrauterine device (IUD) manufactured by the Cooper Companies made of plastic and coiled in copper. The copper is intended to cause an inflammatory reaction within the uterus that is toxic to sperm and eggs. When working properly, this device is 99 percent effective at preventing pregnancy and will provide the woman wearing it with long term pregnancy prevention. The device is to be implanted for up to ten years before being removed by a doctor.

Many women sought to use Paragard since it is the only copper IUD available in the United States. Since it does not contain hormones, Paragard did not cause common hormonal side effects like blood clots, which made it popular with women seeking to avoid such side effects. This is not to say that Paragard did not cause other complications.

Paragard Removal Complications

Serious complications have been reported as the result of the removal of Paragard IUDs. In some cases, a Paragard device has broken off during removal. This breakage can cause damage to the uterus and surgery may be required to remove the broken pieces. In other cases, the device will become stuck in the uterus, which may require surgery to remove. In some extreme cases, the injuries require a hysterectomy.

Other injuries potentially caused by a Paragard IUD include:

• Organ damage
• Infection
• Scarring,
• Inflammation caused by left over copper wire,
• Ectopic pregnancy
• IUD migration (unintended movement of the device)
• Brain damage

All of these injuries and resulting surgeries can cause mental and physical pain for patients and their families, and the unexpected medical costs can place significant financial burdens on patients and their families.

Brain Damage Potentially Linked to Paragard

Research including a 2015 study has shown a possibly connection between use of IUD devices like Paragard and a serious brain injury known as PTC. PTC, which stands for psuedomotor cerebri, occurs when there is pressure in the skull for no obvious reason. PTC is also sometimes referred to as intracranial hypertension. The recent study, which examined Mirena IUD devices, which are similar to Paragard devices, determined that the number of PTC cases in women using these devices was higher than expected. PTC can cause optic nerve swelling, which may lead to vision loss or blindness among other conditions.

Symptoms of PTC/ICH include:

• Vision loss or blindness
• Nausea, vomiting and dizziness (vertigo)
• Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
• Back, neck or shoulder pain
• Unexplained flashes of light in the vision field
• Headaches of varying degree of intensity and severity

What should you do if you were injured by the Paragard IUD?

Anyone who has been injured by a Paragard IUD should speak to an attorney. Injuries caused by the Paragard IUD are potentially devastating and last a lifetime. Many women who were injured by Paragard are unable to bear children and those who had to undergo a hysterectomy will also have to deal with hormonal imbalances. A medical device manufacturer has a duty to make a product that will not harm patients. When a device is improperly designed and causes severe, life-long bodily injuries, patients have the right to seek compensation. If you have been injured by a Paragard device, you should seek legal counsel. We can assess your claim and determine whether you have legal case and tell you what to expect from the process. Additionally, if you have been injured by a Paragard IUD you should take the following steps:

• Seek medical treatment from a doctor and focus on healing and recovery from your injuries.
• Speak with a lawyer. A firm like Mattleman Weinroth & Miller, that is experienced in representing patients injured by defective drugs and medical devices, can help.
• Gather all of the paperwork related to your Paragard device that you can. Document as much as you can, including dates of doctor’s appointments, when the doctor found the problem and any treatment that you needed to go through as a result of your injuries.

If you have been injured by a Paragard device, you should reach out and speak to us at Mattleman Weinroth & Miller. We understand how difficult it can be to overcome these injuries and the hardships that they can cause you and your family. Our team will evaluate your claim and determine if you have a legal case. Don’t delay; reach out to us and get the help you need and the help you deserve. We look forward to helping you.