While there are various forms of birth control options, IUDs stand out as one of the more popular choices. There are certain advantages that IUDs can provide, including being highly effective, easy to use, and the ability to act as an emergency contraceptive. However, certain brands like Paragard have been problematic for women.

Initially, Paragard was an appealing option largely due to its being a nonhormonal birth control option. Instead, it relied on copper components within its design to repel sperm. So, women that wanted an IUD without hormonal side effects felt that Paragard was safe and viable. However, issues began to emerge with the Paragard IUD.

Complaints About Paragard IUDs

As The Cooper Companies and Teva Pharmaceuticals began producing Paragard, complaints started gathering from many women that used it. Common claims and reports about the IUD include the following:

• Flaws in Design: Paragard IUDs are T-shaped devices. Women have claimed that the plastic arm of the IUD broke and, subsequently, embedded itself within the uterus. One of the resulting dangers was the perforation of the uterine wall. Uterine damage and infection pose serious health risks that require immediate treatment.
• Enhanced Risk of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID): PID is a persistent inflammation of the pelvic region, affecting a woman’s reproductive organs. Without treatment, PID can become chronic and difficult to treat. It can also lead to other major medical conditions, including infertility.
• Anemia: Studies have shown a direct tie between copper IUDs and anemia, a medical condition where red blood cells lack adequate hemoglobin, causing a person to become weak and fatigued. Many Paragard users have complained about this issue.

Other complaints about Paragard are that once it is inserted, it also becomes hard to remove. This is counterintuitive as far as IUDs go. Part of the appeal of using an intrauterine device is that it is supposed to be as easy to remove as it should be to insert. This gives women a lot of power over their personal birth control methods. Therefore, an IUD that is unremovable and increases the odds that surgical removal is the only remedy becomes two things: a lot less attractive birth control option and a bigger problem than it should be.

Users Taking Legal Action

As voices grew louder about the negative effects of Paragard, legal complaints began building. Dozens of women have filed lawsuits about common complaints, all of whom have suffered from at least one of the dangers of using Paragard. Learn more about the Paragard IUD lawsuit here.  

Currently, lawsuits have been filed individually by dozens of women that have used the device. However, as more complaints roll in, the realm of possibility for a class action lawsuit grows. Complaints lodged against Paragard are similar to massive claims made against Mirena, another IUD brand that caused similar issues. The thousands of claims about Mirena eventually resulted in the manufacturers settling by offering over 12 million dollars to claimants. If history offers lessons about accumulating complaints, Paragard may be next in line.