IUDs Continue to Wreak Havoc on Women: What You Should Know

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In August 2021, Katv.com reported on a previous investigation conducted by Spotlight, which exposed severe complications in many women due to a specific type of birth control. Over 3,200 women experienced health issues as a result of the Paragard IUD (intrauterine device) breaking.

The investigation indicates that the manufacturer was aware of this concern, as evidenced by the changes made to Paragard’s label after numerous complaints. Despite the label change, several women who used the device remained unaware of the risk of it breaking during removal.

One such woman, Ashley Gilbert, found herself among the unfortunate individuals who faced side effects from using the IUD. At the age of 18, she chose the Paragard IUD for birth control and used it for nearly a decade. She learned about the possibility of the device breaking during removal.

Ashley’s experience is not the only instance of women suffering from the side effects of IUDs. There are plenty! In this article, we will discuss the potential negative effects of IUDs and how women can file legal complaints to seek compensation for the damages they have suffered.

The Dangers of Using IUD For Women

Close to 4.5 million women in the United States use IUDs as a method of birth control. However, over the years, different women have been experiencing various kinds of side effects. There’s no distinctive way to predict it.

But a few of the probable side effects that women have faced include:

● Menstrual Cramps

Once the doctor inserts the IUD into the body, women can expect to have cramps similar to their menstrual cycle for a few days. Mild cramping is expected, but things become challenging when the pain increases and becomes intense. Consulting a doctor is essential before things go out of hand.

● Fainting

There have been instances of women feeling completely dizzy immediately after they got the IUD inserted into their bodies. Chances are that some women will even faint. Doctors suggest in order to not pass out, women should lie down till such time they feel better. After that, they can get up slowly and move around. However, women who don’t want to face this can think of other birth control methods.

● Heavy or Irregular Periods

In most cases, women will find a change in their periods when they have inserted the IUD. The hormonal IUDs at times can make the periods shorter and lighter. There are times when the periods become absent for a while, which is not a good sign.

Women who have used the Paragard copper IUD shared that their periods were heavy during the initial months of injecting the device inside the body. Some women have experienced bleeding and spotting between their periods.

● Ovarian Cysts

In most cases, 1 out of every 10 women will develop fluid-filled sacs inside their ovaries during the first year of using the IUD. It is said that these cysts disappear on their own within 3 months. Generally, these cysts are benign. However, there have been instances of women experiencing pain, swelling, and bloating in their lower belly region because of the IUD. The pain can start abruptly and become severe as a cyst ruptures.

Additionally, inserting an IUD in the body increases the chances of infection in the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and uterus known as pelvic inflammatory disease. At times, there can be the danger of perforation, where the IUD device pokes through the uterus wall. And finally, there are times when there is an expulsion, where the IUD will fall out of the body.

Walking the Legal Path for Facing IUD Side Effects

Even though the IUDs are labeled safe, there have been both medical and anecdotal accounts of them being unsafe and causing multiple side effects. The most prominent one is the device getting broken inside the body.

Such is the story of Anna Speaks! In March 2021, 13wham.com stated that Anna thought using an IUD would be a low-maintenance affair that wouldn’t have any complications. Later, she realized that the healthcare provider didn’t inform her about the device’s probability of breaking inside her body, which could lead to expensive surgeries.

When she tried to remove the device, she realized that the T-shaped device got broken, and a piece was inside her body. She needed surgery to resolve that. Women who have faced similar situations like Anna or any other extreme health hazards from IUD use can file a Paragard IUD lawsuit to get compensated for the damages, medical expenses, and suffering.

TorHoerman Law states that medical assistance is the first thing women should count on when they face an IUD health hazard. That acts as vital medical evidence to build a strong case. And depending on the earlier mass tort cases, the victims can get a settlement amount between $10,000 and $400,000.

However, this is not a guaranteed estimation and the final settlement varies based on individual case and suffering. Working with a lawyer can help victims get the justice and compensation they deserve.

Conclusion

Women today should be empowered enough to use the birth control method they want to use. However over the years, IUDs have been a preferred medium of birth control in women, but they gave rise to several health issues. Conducting in-depth research and knowing about the side effects of IUDs is essential to avoid health hazards that can cause havoc to the body later.

There have been instances of IUD manufacturing brands not informing users about the probable dangers of device breakage. Therefore, women who have witnessed side effects of IUDs and have undergone IUD-induced ailments, like ovarian cysts and infections, should opt in for medical and legal assistance.