Health Risks of IUDs
October 23, 2019
There are a range of birth control options available to women today, including the pill, diaphragms, and hormonal patches. The intrauterine device (IUD) has been around for decades, and has become increasingly popular in recent years. This may be due to the fact that it does not require women to take a pill every day or experience the side effects that hormones can cause. IUDs are marketed as a safe and extremely effective method of birth control. However, if the IUD is defective, or it is not properly inserted by a qualified health care professional, it can cause a range of health issues, some of which can be life-threatening.
IUDs are small, T-shaped devices that are surgically implanted into a woman’s uterus. They prevent pregnancy by not allowing the sperm to fertilize the egg. Depending on the type of IUD, they either contain hormones, or are wrapped in copper. Hormonal IUDs are typically effective for three to five years, and copper IUDs are effective for up to 10 years. Side effects can include irregular bleeding, missed periods, and symptoms of premenstrual syndrome, but they generally subside after a few months.
Problems Associated with IUDs
Copper and hormonal IUDs can cause some women to experience menstrual problems. In extreme cases, the IUD can cause organ perforation, usually of the uterus, if the device is not properly implanted, or if it shifts. When this happens, the woman may experience chills, fever, severe abdominal pain, bleeding, low blood pressure, difficulty breathing, and other potentially serious symptoms. If the perforation is not treated, it can lead to permanent organ damage, as well as other symptoms, including:
- Headaches
- Infertility
- Internal bleeding
- Ovarian cysts
- Severe pelvic and abdominal pain
When the physician responsible for inserting the IUD fails to warn the patient about the potential dangers associated with the device, the patient may pursue a medical malpractice lawsuit. In addition, if the physician did not properly insert the IUD, or could not locate the IUD to remove it, this could lead to serious health risks, including internal bleeding, serious infections, or death. These may also be considered examples of negligent behavior.
In September 2015, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released a statement that they would be investigating the Essure IUD product placement and labeling after they received complaints about the product from many women. The complaints included abdominal pain, breakage of the device, fatigue, headache, improper placement, and migration, to name a few. After reviewing the data, the FDA found that there were 11 deaths reported, five of which were fetal deaths after the woman became pregnant. A spokesperson from the FDA said that they will continue to monitor the safety of Essure so that the benefits of this IUD outweigh the risks.
Baltimore Medical Malpractice Lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton Advocate for Victims of IUD Malpractice
If you or a loved one experienced serious health complications from an IUD, contact the Baltimore medical malpractice lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton. If your health care provider did not properly insert the IUD, or failed to discuss the potential side effects, you may be eligible for compensation. Our dedicated team will secure the maximum financial compensation you deserve. To schedule a free consultation, call us today at 800-547-4LAW (4529) or contact us online.
Our offices are located in Baltimore, Columbia, Glen Burnie, and Towson,allowing us to represent medical malpractice victims in Maryland, including those in Anne Arundel County, Baltimore County, Carroll County, Harford County, Howard County, Montgomery County, Maryland’s Western Counties, Prince George’s County, Queen Anne’s County, Southern Maryland, and the Eastern Shore, as well as the communities of Catonsville, Essex, Halethorpe, Middle River, Rosedale, Gwynn Oak, Brooklandville, Dundalk, Pikesville, Nottingham, Windsor Mill, Lutherville, Timonium, Sparrows Point, Ridgewood, and Elkridge.
