Paragard Heavy Bleeding: When It May Lead To A Lawsuit

Paragard is a form of birth control. It’s a non-hormonal copper intrauterine device (IUD) that provides long-term contraception without altering hormone levels. 

Patients may experience heavy bleeding and irregular periods during the first couple of months after inserting Paragard. The bleeding tends to improve over time. But some individuals may experience heavier periods overall while using Paragard. 

Heavy or irregular bleeding can also occur after Paragard is removed.

Researchers theorize that copper IUDs cause heavier periods due to prostaglandins. These are fats produced when tissue damage occurs. Inserting and placing a copper IUD may cause minor tissue damage, releasing prostaglandins that induce inflammation to aid healing.
 

Vaginal bleeding lasting several hours to several days after IUD removal is common. Abnormal heavy bleeding may include bleeding more than on a normal period, bleeding requiring the changing of menstrual products more than normal, or bleeding that you cannot keep up with. The following symptoms require medical attention:

• Bleeding that does not resolve on its own
• Extended heavy bleeding
• Light-headedness due to blood loss
• Severe pelvic pain
• Signs of infection such as bad-smelling discharge, fever or pain

If the IUD perforates the uterus near critical blood vessels before removal, this may lead to bleeding and issues with blood flow to vital organs. If the IUD leaves the uterus and moves into the abdominal cavity, it can cause inflammatory reactions, bowel adhesions or perforations. 

People who have experienced severe complications and medical conditions from IUD removal may be eligible to pursue legal action.

Paragard can cause serious harm if it breaks in utero or during removal. This harm may include serious pregnancy complications, such as miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy. Many patients required surgery or hysterectomy to retrieve broken pieces of the IUD. In some cases, the procedures lead to infertility.

If you are experiencing heavy bleeding or severe pain due to Paragard removal, seek medical attention immediately. If you were forced to undergo additional medical procedures, including a surgery, because of complications during Paragard removal, you might be eligible to file a Paragard lawsuit. 

A birth control defect lawyer can help you determine your eligibility for this type of claim.
 

The attorneys at Motley Rice have extensive experience representing people alleging harm by defective medical devices, including:

• Acting as court-appointed lead counsel for coordinated cases involving the permanent birth control device Essure®
• Acting as court-appointed co-lead counsel for the Mirena IUD multidistrict litigation (MDL)
• Serving on the Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee (PSC) for NuvaRing® MDL

Medical attorney Fidelma Fitzpatrick is a member of the plaintiffs’ executive committee (PEC) of the Paragard MDL. She has also served as court-appointed lead counsel and a member of the PEC for more than 32,000 Essure cases consolidated in California state court. She also serves as a court-appointed co-lead in the federal hair relaxer MDL that is focused on women with three specific reproductive cancers.

In 2024, Kristen Hermiz was court-appointed to the Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee (PSC) for MDL 2974 In re: Paragard IUD Products Liability Litigation.

Read more on our birth control litigation experience.

Do not stop taking a prescribed medication without first consulting with your doctor. Discontinuing a prescribed medication without your doctor’s advice can result in injury or death. Paragard, Mirena, and NuvaRing remain approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.