Birth control allegedly contributes to the likelihood of acquiring the injury also commonly called idiopathic intracranial hypertension. Excess fluid in the brain can contribute to severe headaches, blurry vision or double vision, permanent blindness and other injuries.
San Diego, CA, September 8, 2015 (Newswire.com) - Hormonal birth control pills and implants like Yaz, Yasmin and Mirena IUD (intrauterine device) may be associated with an increased risk of pseudotumor cerebri and idiopathic intracranial hypertension according to the Pseudotumor Cerebri Lawsuit Help Center, serious medical conditions affecting the brain that can result in severe headaches and permanent vision problems if not treated promptly and properly.
If you have suffered pseudotumor cerebri, idiopathic intracranial hypertension or another serious medical complication, and you believe hormonal birth control to be the cause, contact a reputable product liability lawyer today for legal help. With a qualified attorney on your side, you can protect your legal rights and seek fair and timely reimbursement for your injuries and medical bills.
What is Pseudotumor Cerebri/Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension
Pseudotumor cerebri (PTC), a term that means “false brain tumor,” is a medical condition in which excessive levels of cerebrospinal fluid inside the skull results in increased pressure on the brain. People suffering from pseudotumor cerebri, also known as idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) or benign intracranial hypertension, typically exhibit symptoms that are similar to those associated with a growing brain tumor, including:
· Severe headaches
· Migraine headaches
· Vision loss
· Permanent blindness
· Vomiting
· Ringing or “whooshing” in the ears
· Problems walking
· Pulsating sounds inside the head
· Blurry vision or double vision
According to research, PTC can cause severe eye injuries and permanent blindness because it puts pressure on the optic nerve, which is responsible for transmitting visual information between the eyes and the brain. The main goal of treatment for PTC and IIH is to reduce pressure on the brain and prevent permanent blindness, and in severe cases of the condition, brain surgery may be necessary to drain excess fluid from the skull.
Link Between Birth Control Implants and Brain Injury
The potential for Mirena IUD and other hormonal birth control devices to cause severe brain injuries has been evident for years. In a 1995 study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, researchers found a link between intracranial hypertension, or pseudotumor cerebri, and the use of contraceptive implants containing the hormone levonorgestrel, like Mirena IUD, and other studies have linked the condition to the use of drospirenone-containing birth control pills, like Yaz and Yasmin. It’s not always clear what causes PTC or IIH, but some risk factors for the condition include recent weight gain, the use of certain medications or supplements like antibiotics and steroids, and narrow veins that direct blood flow from the brain, although there are some cases in which women without any of these risk factors have developed PTC.
Mirena IUD is a hormonal birth control device that is implanted in the uterus and gradually releases a small amount of the hormone levonorgestrel into a woman’s body over time. Plaintiffs involved in Mirena IUD litigation allege that it is the levonorgestrel itself that results in a build-up of spinal fluid, putting pressure on the brain and optic nerve, and possibly resulting in pseudotumor cerebri or idiopathic intracranial hypertension. Although the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has yet to issue an official warning about the alleged link between IIH and Mirena IUD, the agency has required warnings about the potential risk of IIH to be added to the labels of other types of birth control that contain the same hormone as Mirena IUD.
Contact an Experienced Product Liability Lawyer Today
Women who have used levonorgestrel-containing birth control pills or implants, like Mirena IUD, or drospirenone-based oral contraceptives like Yaz and Yasmin, may be at risk for severe and potentially irreversible complications like pseudotumor cerebri and idiopathic intracranial hypertension. The makers of Mirena IUD and other implantable birth control devices are already facing hundreds of lawsuits filed over organ perforation and other serious injuries, and now a small group of women have come together to create a separate Mirena IUD litigation regarding the alleged risk of brain injury side effects from the medical device. If you used Mirena IUD in the past, and you have suffered pseudotumor cerebri or idiopathic intracranial hypertension, you can get a free case review at http://drug-lawsuits.com/pseudotumor-cerebri/
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