Depression is not listed as one of the potential side effects of the Paragard intrauterine device (IUD), but it does have a number of other potentially severe side effects.
According to the official website and Paragard safety information, side effects may include:
- Developing pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
- Perforation of the uterine wall/uterus perforation
- Expulsion of the Paragard device from the uterus
- The necessity for surgery to remove a Paragard device that has become lodged in the uterus
These are only the side effects that the manufacturers of Paragard list on their website. You may be subject to additional side effects from the IUD and may want to investigate further, especially if you thought, “Can Paragard cause depression?”
You May Have Grounds for a Paragard-Related Lawsuit
While many women turn to Paragard as a means of family planning, the device is known to pose hazards to women’s health in various ways. Some claimants are reporting that the IUD has the potential to tear the lining of the uterine wall, which may require surgery for the piece to be removed. Many complaints about the copper, T-shaped implant focus on how it affects the body physically.
Some Paragard users say the device is defective and unreasonably dangerous. There have been reports of cervix injuries, infection or allergic reactions, and infertility. There have also been reports of the IUD’s parts breaking inside the body after the device was implanted and copper toxicity. Many Paragard complaints focus on the device’s physical effects on the body.
Our Lawyer Can Help You Hold the Liable Parties Accountable
If you or a loved one was injured by the implementation of the Paragard IUD, you have legal options. You may be able to hold the device’s manufacturer, your doctor, or another party responsible for your injury. During this time, you may want to consider working with a lawyer who can identify the liable parties and pursue the cost of your losses.
You may be able to recover costs associated with:
- Medical bills, including the cost of surgical intervention and removal
- Lost income, if you had to take time off work due to your condition
- Reduced earning capacity, if you were unable to return to your former place of employment
- Pain and suffering and inconvenience
Depending on the details of your case, you may be eligible to pursue compensation for damages that we have not listed here.
Chronic Pain Can Cause Depression
While depression is not a direct side effect of Paragard, it is possible that experiencing pain, discomfort, and medical complications after using the IUD can affect one’s mood. Per Mayo Clinic, there is a link between pain and depression, and one can cause the other and vice versa. It can be challenging to think clearly, sleep well, stay active, and maintain a mentally and emotionally healthy balance when you are experiencing depression.
Other symptoms of depression include:
- Nagging sadness or lingering feelings
- Irritability, restlessness, or anger
- Tiredness, low energy
- Sleep problems (e.g., insomnia)
- Loss of interest in activities once enjoyed
- Little to no motivation to remain active
- Increased isolation from others
- Feelings of worthlessness or guilt
- Thoughts of dying by suicide
If you have any of these symptoms for two or more weeks, you could be diagnosed with clinical depression, also known as major depressive disorder (MDD). A mental health professional is the proper person to make this formal determination. They can also advise you on what treatment you will need to manage depression.
Your damages could include compensation for medication, therapy, rehabilitation, and if you can clearly show how using Paragard caused or worsened depression. A medical or mental health professional may be able to offer a professional opinion on how the IUD has affected you.
Per Paragard’s website, however, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recommended that the drug can be used with no restriction by people who have 20-plus pre-existing conditions and medical conditions, and depression is one of those conditions. Our legal team can review your Paragard situation and advise you of any legal options you may have.
How We Can Help Your Paragard Case
While depression is not listed as a side effect of the Paragard IUD, women have wondered if the device can cause it. Medical devices must be cleared of any hazards before entering the marketplace, but possible unexpected side effects might be discovered later. After diligently taking measures to promote your sexual health, you should not be subject to any hazards posed by a faulty product.
At the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine, we understand the flurry of emotions you must be feeling as you consider your legal options. Our goal is to prove that you were ultimately injured due to another party’s negligence and that, as a result, they should be financially responsible for your damages.
A lawyer from our firm can:
- Help you determine who is at fault for your injuries
- File your lawsuit to the appropriate venue
- Collect evidence, including any proof that negligence contributed to your damages and subsequent losses
- Obtain testimony from experts in relevant fields
- Handle all of your legal needs through the completion of your lawsuit
- Protect your rights and ensure you exercise your legal options
We will review your medical records and evidence and explain how the legal process works in product liability cases. We will file your lawsuit on time and seek your financial recovery in court if it comes to that. We want you to worry about getting better while we take care of everything else. We can start on your case as soon as possible. We charge no upfront fees and work on contingency. We don’t get paid unless we recover money for you.
Call Our Team at the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine Today
We offer responsive legal care that looks out for you at all times, and we may be able to assist you with your Paragard-related lawsuit. If you’re wondering how or if Paragard can cause depression, call our team at the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine today at 1-800-747-3733 for a free consultation.
