Experts warn that certain types of birth control are a risk-factor for Benign Intracranial Hypertension (BIH). If you were diagnosed with this disease, suffered from chronic headaches, or blindness after using ParaGard, contact The Clark Firm, LLP.
What is ParaGard?
ParaGard, manufactured by Duramed, is a T-shaped intrauterine device (IUD) that contains no hormones. Instead, it prevents pregnancy with copper, a metal that causes mild irritation in the uterus that interferes with egg fertilization. Once implanted in the uterus, ParaGard can prevent pregnancy for up to 10 years.
What is the problem?
Researchers and doctors do not know what causes Benign Intracranial Hypertension (BIH). There are no studies proving that ParaGard causes BIH. The National Institute of Health (NIH) includes birth control in a list of possible risk-factors, but cases have only been linked to hormonal contraceptives.
For example, Norplant was linked to 56 cases in a study published in 1995. Another contraceptive, Mirena, has been associated with several cases. At least nine lawsuits have been filed by women who were injured. Both of these contraceptives contain levonorgestrel (progestin), but there are also case reports in women on other hormonal contraceptives.
Complications of Intracranial Hypertension
- Headaches: The most common symptom of BIH is also one of the most common side effects of birth control. If left untreated, the headaches can become very painful, debilitating, and progressively more frequent.
- Vision problems: Most people with BIH suffer from double-vision, blurry vision, enlargement of the blind spot, decreased peripheral vision, and other visual problems.
- Blindness: This complication occurs when pressure inside the skull damages the optic nerve. Vision loss associated with BIH is usually permanent.
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