Thousands of women are now facing the horrible side effect of a Paragard arm break. Yet, the manufacturer of this birth control never warmed women that this could happen. Now, thousands of women are facing horrible side effects.
About Paragard
Manufactured by Teva Pharmaceuticals, Paragard IUD provides a long-term birth control approved by the FDA since 1984. The ParaGard® Intrauterine Copper Contraceptive is a small, T-shaped intrauterine device (IUD) used to prevent pregnancy for up to ten years. Unlike other IUDs that use hormone progestin to prevent pregnancy, the ParaGard IUD is a non-hormonal IUD that releases copper to prevent fertilization. Literature brags of a pregnancy rate of less than 1 per 100 women each year.
Paragard Arm Break Study
In 2015, the Open Journal of Clinical & Medical Case Reports published a study of physicians within a three-year time frame in a single gynecological practice in Chicago. This study found seven issues over the course of three years with all but one requiring hysteroscopic removal of the IUD’s arm. One 28-year old client was unable to completely remove the broken arm, despite the use of operating room procedures.
This Chicago study suggested that, while still rare, the complications from Paragard are under-reported. Furthermore, this study found that broken IUDs present a unique challenge to practitioners because the blind removal anticipated by the manufacturer is not possible.
Steps after a Break
The first thing you should do if you suspect a Paragard arm break is to contact your OBGYN. He or she will need to do an exam to determine the severity of the break. Then, you will need surgery to remove it. During the surgery, your uterus can contract making retrieval difficult. Many women need multiple surgeries to try and remove the broken pieces. Serious risks from the surgery exist, too. These include infection, bleeding, PID, tearing of the uterus or damage to the cervix, and complications from fluid or gas used in the procedure.
Yet, Teva never warned women this could happen.
Get Compensation for Paragard IUD Breaks
If you or someone you love had a Paragard IUD that had a T-arm break, help is available. Financial compensation could be available. Contact us today to set up a free consultation during which we will listen to your story and discuss your legal rights and options. If you choose us to represent you, we will work with you on a contingency fee basis; this means you pay nothing until we have secured compensation for you, either through a jury verdict or settlement.