What Are the Risks Associated with Paraguard and Copper IUDs

IUDs or intrauterine devices have become popular forms of contraception. Among IUDs there are a variety of sizes and types that use different hormones at different levels in order to prevent pregnancy and in some cases to treat other symptoms. While IUDs are largely considered safe, Paraguard and Copper IUDs were some of the first to fall under criticism after people began to come forward describing painful and serious complications caused by the devices.

Risks associated with the Paraguard and Copper IUDs include:

• Organ perforation: Organ perforation may occur when an IUD penetrates the organ causing pain and potential infection and/or scarring, which could even affect fertility.
• Device migration: Device migration may occur when the organ has been perforated, and the IUD travels outside of the uterus to damage surrounding organs, resulting in pain, infections, scarring, and other potential health complications.
• Breakage upon removal: The Paraguard and Copper IUDs specifically can allegedly break upon removal, leaving pieces inside the body which can cause further damage.
• Pelvic inflammatory disease: Similar to the above, pelvic inflammatory disease is somewhat unique to the Paraguard and Copper IUDs. This condition is in an infection of the uterus and reproductive organs and can lead to premature birth, ectopic pregnancies, and even death.
• IUD expulsion: Some users have experienced expulsion with the Paraguard, Copper, and some other IUDs. Expulsion occurs when the IUD literally falls out of the body, obviously no longer preventing pregnancy in addition to being frightening and sometimes painful.
• Inflammation: The copper used in these IUDs to prevent pregnancy can cause serious inflammation, especially when copper is left inside the body following removal. While the inflammatory effects of copper are partly credited with the effectiveness of the device, severe inflammation can be painful and damaging.
• Embedding in the uterus: When an IUD becomes embedded in the uterus, it may require surgery to have the device safely removed, and may also put the user at higher risk of permanent organ damage.

Paraguard and Copper IUD manufacturers are facing serious scrutiny in court.

Not only are pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturers required to meet certain standards of safety in their product’s design, but they are also required to honestly inform doctors and patients of any risks associated with their devices. The current spate of lawsuits faced by the manufacturers for Paraguard and Copper IUDs alleges that not only are the overall designs of these devices defective and dangerous, but that also the companies knowingly marketed the IUDs as safe to users and their medical providers.

Anyone who has suffered as a result of one of these IUDs may be eligible to join ongoing class action litigation against the manufacturers to seek compensation for their resulting damages, including physical and emotional injuries. Pharmaceutical companies and medical device manufacturers are required to deal honestly, safely, and fairly with their customers; when a breach of this obligation occurs, legal action may be the only means left to correct the violation and help the injured patients recover. If you were injured by a Paraguard, Copper, or other IUD, reach out to a product liability attorney in your area to discuss your options for recovery.