There is a myriad of choices that women have when it comes to their choices for birth control methods. According to statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the most common method is birth control pills, which is the choice of approximately 11 million women. Other choices include intrauterine devices (IUD), injections, and vaginal rings.
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One of the most important factors that a woman may consider when choosing is the risk factors that are associated with the method. In doing so, she depends on the information provided by the pharmaceutical company that manufactures the medication or device. However, it has been found over the past several years that some companies have failed to warn consumers of the serious health issues that using their product can cause; in some cases, this failure was intentional. The following products have proven to be dangerous to many women who used them, resulting in serious injuries or medical conditions, as well as product liability lawsuits.
Mirena Intrauterine Device (IUD)
Many women choose an IUD as birth control method because they feel it is safer than oral contraceptives. However, one product, the Mirena IUD produced by Bayer Healthcare Pharmaceuticals, has caused many women to experience dangerous side effects, resulting in serious health issues. In its original packaging, Bayer failed to warn consumers of many of these potential side effects. In fact, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) accused the company of running misleading ads. These side effects include:
- The IUD shifts and penetrates for perforates the wall of the uterus.
- The IUD moves through the wall of the uterus into the abdomen, causing damage to organs. Surgery is required to remove the device.
- Vaginal hemorrhage
- Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
- Ectopic pregnancies
Not only have victims suffered from these painful side effects, but many women have been left with infertility issues because of the permanent damage done by the device.
NuvaRing
The NuvaRing, manufactured by Merck & Company, is a vaginal ring that prevents pregnancy. The company markets the convenience of the device – the need to change the ring only once a month – yet failed to warn users of the dangerous side effects women face using the product, including:
- Blood clots
- Chest pain
- Eye and vision issues
- Heart attack
- Severe pain in the abdomen
- Stroke
- Death
The only side effects the company warned users about was possible breast tenderness and headaches.
Yaz and Yasmin Birth Control Pills
The manufacturer of Yaz and Yasmin birth control pills is also Bayer Healthcare Pharmaceuticals. In addition to preventing pregnancies, Bayer also touts the pills as a product which will ease the symptoms of premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), as well as a treatment for acne. What they failed to warn consumers about include:
- Blood clots
- Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
- Gallbladder disease
- Heart attack
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Liver cancer
- Pulmonary embolism
- Stroke
Contact a Va. Personal Injury Attorney
Have you or a loved one suffered an injury or serious illness caused by a dangerous drug? Contact a seasoned Virginia dangerous product attorney to discuss what legal options you may have against the drug company and any other parties that may be responsible. We have successfully advocated for many clients who have been injured because of a dangerous or defective product and will use all available resources to get you the outcome you deserve.