Whether you’re contemplating using a Paragard intrauterine device (IUD) as birth control or to curb the effects of a health issue, you might wonder if the cons outweigh the pros. Here’s what you need to know about Paragard, according to warnings in the package insert.
Paragard IUDs are non-hormonal devices that are copper-covered and transform the uterus into a hostile environment for sperm. They work mainly by preventing egg fertilization but don’t protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
Even though IUDs are presented as relatively safe, they still have side effects and potential health risks. For example, when the copper IUD was put on the market, the manufaturers, Teva Pharmaceuticals and CooperSurgical, had a list of warnings of health problems it could cause. The most severe were:
Ectopic and Intrauterine Pregnancy Risks
If you do get pregnant while using Paragard, your risk of ectopic pregnancy is higher. If you’ve ever Googled the term “ectopic,” you’ll know that it means that a fertilized egg has decided to hang out in a place where it just wasn’t meant to be. There are three options for treating an ectopic pregnancy: to let your body resolve the issue on its own under your doctor’s close observation, receive an injection of a drug that prevents the growth of the embryo cells, or undergo surgery.
Life-Threatening Infections (Sepsis)
Sepsis is potentially deadly and has been linked to the Paragard devices. Sepsis occurs when the IUD has become a host to different bacteria. Your immune system will try to overcome the infection, and when it does not succeed, sepsis will emerge. In such cases, device removal and treatment administration is imperative. This severe infection can lead to tissue damage, organ failure and can even be fatal.
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) or Endometritis
Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and endometritis may occur within the first 20 days or in the first three to six months after insertion. PID and endometritis can lead to infertility, chronic pelvic pain, and ectopic pregnancy. Usually, you would receive antibiotics as treatment, but more severe cases may require surgery.
Embedment Into the Uterus Wall
Paragard may become attached to or embedded in the wall of the uterus. Embedment may make it hard to remove, and you may need surgery.
Perforation During Insertion
Paragard may move outside the wall of the uterus during placement. This movement is called perforation. When perforation occurs, you are not protected from pregnancy. Also, perforation can cause scarring, infection, damage to other organs, pain, vaginal bleeding, or infertility, and you may need surgery. In addition, pain or bleeding that gets worse after placement or not feeling the threads may happen with perforation. The risk of perforation is higher if you are breastfeeding.
Expulsion
The copper IUD may fall out of the uterus partially or entirely. This situation is called expulsion, and it occurs in about 2 out of 100 women. Expulsion could come with vaginal bleeding, pain that gets worse, or not feeling the threads. If your Paragard is expelled, you are not protected from pregnancy.
Changes in Bleeding
During the first months, you may experience irregular bleeding or cramping. When your pain persists or gets worse, and you’re soaking through several pads an hour, you’ll need to see your doctor immediately. Irregular bleeding and cramping that hasn’t gone away after more than a couple of months may result in your doctor prescribing a treatment to alleviate pain and decrease bleeding or birth control pills to help regulate your menstrual cycle find out more about the best time to start birth control pills.
Reactions After Placement or Removal
You may suffer reactions such as dizziness, slowed heart rate, or seizures immediately after Paragard is placed or removed. These types of responses may happen, especially when you’ve had these conditions before.
Despite this official list of health risks, you may find that the actual packaging does not list all the dangers. For example, there is no warning that the Paragard often breaks either before removal or during removal and can cause severe, often permanent damage.
Playing Down the Problem?
Although Paragard is being touted in product marketing as “easy to remove,” some women experience breakage during removal and must undergo invasive surgeries to get retained fragments out of their bodies. Studies are suggesting that clinicians should better recognize the possibility of breakage. And to date, more than 3,000 women have reported the Paragard IUD broke in their bodies.
According to some opinions, breakage happens because the T-shaped IUD is defective in design. The device’s arms stick out at rigid 90-degree angles, making them prone to break off easily or get stuck during removal.
When the Paragard breaks, it may lead you to need invasive and expensive surgery to remove broken or fractured pieces. In addition, it can cause injuries that can lead to other problems such as scarring, infections, or damage to nearby organs. Paragard breakage during removal can even cost you your ability to bear a child after being forced to have a hysterectomy. Examples of surgical procedures include:
- Hysteroscopy
- Laparoscopy
- Laparotomy
- Hysterectomy
Of course, birth control is a very personal decision. An IUD is an easy, convenient, reliable method of birth control that’s a safe option for many women. However, what happens when you suffer an adverse effect that was not in the warnings? After suffering the effects of breakage, many women are fighting to recover their medical expenses, damages caused by pain and suffering, and lost wages from manufacturers selling a product with a potential defective design. The manufacturers’ failure to warn about the risk of breakage suggests that your doctor may not be fully informed about the dangers, and they could not, in turn, advise you.
About the Author:
Hilda Oltean takes care of case management at Atraxia Law. Hilda helps women who have suffered Paragard breakage injuries find out if they are eligible to file a claim. In this role, she also organizes and supports them to gather relevant information to evaluate the right to compensation.
