Birth Control Lawsuit [2025 Guide]

The Birth Control Lawsuit Is An Active Lawsuit

See If You Qualify!

Thousands of women have filed lawsuits after experiencing serious and life-altering complications from birth control. Some of the birth control products that have caused injuries include oral contraceptives, shots/injections, intrauterine devices (IUDs), birth control pills, and implantable devices. Consumers and their surviving loved ones allege pharmaceutical companies failed to disclose the risks of their birth control products and failed to design safer alternatives.

In this 2025 guide to birth control lawsuits, we will review birth control options that have harmed women and the resulting lawsuits. We will also discuss the types of injuries women are experiencing and share information about the lawsuits against the makers of Depo-Provera, Paragard, Essure, Drospirenone (Yaz), NuvaRing, and Mirena.

Current Status of Birth Control Lawsuits and Settlements

June 17, 2025: Depo-Provera Judge Clarifies Procedures for How Women Can Join the Federal MDL 

The judge entered an administrative order in the federal lawsuit against the manufacturers of Depo-Provera. Dozens of women claim that this injectable birth control caused them to develop intracranial meningiomas. The court order explains how women can join in the lawsuit and seek compensation for their physical and financial injuries. One of the clarifications offered is that women may be able to transfer their previously filed state claim or directly file into the MDL. 

May 17, 2025: Plaintiffs Ask Teva Employee to Appear for Questioning in Paragard Lawsuit

The lawsuit against Teva Pharmaceuticals, which manufactured Paragard, is moving forward. Dozens of women have sued Teva because the Paragard Copper IUD implant broke off when their doctors were removing the device. Studies have shown that Paragard devices have a much higher likelihood of breaking than other, comparable devices. The plaintiffs in the Paragard lawsuit have asked Joseph DeVito, a Teva employee, to attend a deposition. During the deposition, the attorneys for the plaintiffs plan to ask Joseph about his knowledge of Paragard products and his time working at Teva. The attorneys hope to discover information they can use as evidence to strengthen the plaintiffs’ cases.

February 7, 2025: Over Two Dozen Depo-Provera Lawsuits Transferred to Federal District Court in Northern Florida

Twenty-seven cases have been transferred to the federal group lawsuit against Pfizer and other companies that manufactured Depo-Provera. Many women developed intracranial meningiomas (a noncancerous brain tumor) after taking the Depo-Provera shot for years. While women in other countries, such as Canada, were warned about the increased risk of meningiomas after using Depo-Provera, many women in the United States were not. Women and their surviving loved ones are standing up against the negligence they believe Pfizer and other pharmaceutical companies have committed.

September 3, 2021: Federal NuvaRing Lawsuit Reaches a Final Settlement

The parties involved in the massive federal lawsuit against the NuvaRing manufacturer, Merck, have entered into a settlement. Women who used NuvaRing claim the product caused them to develop severe blood clots in their lungs and brains. Sadly, some passed away from complications. The women and their surviving loved ones combined their lawsuits in a multidistrict litigation in August 2008, and they eventually reached a settlement with Bayer. Even though this MDL ended in a settlement, women who used NuvaRing and suffered side effects may be able to file their own individual lawsuits.

August 20, 2020: Bayer Settles Nearly 39,000 Lawsuits Against It Because of Defective Essure Device

Bayer has reached an agreement to settle the almost 39,000 lawsuits against it. The claimants in these lawsuits alleged that they were severely injured because of the now-recalled Essure device, a permanent birth control product. Essure was recalled by the FDA in 2019 due to an unacceptably high number of adverse event reports. Injuries contained in these reports ranged from significant pain to device breakage to organ perforation. Thousands of women received a payout in Bayer’s $1.6 billion settlement agreement with them. However, others who were harmed by their Essure birth control implant and were not part of the original settlement may still qualify to file a lawsuit.

December 18, 2018: Bayer Reaches a Settlement for Nearly 19,000 Yazmin and Yaz Birth Control Lawsuits

The Yazmin and Yaz MDL against Bayer has reached a settlement. Thousands of women claimed that Bayer’s drospirenone-based oral contraceptives, Yazmin and Yaz, caused them to develop gall bladder injuries, venous thromboembolism (blood clots in a vein), and arterial thromboembolism (blood clots in an artery). The multidistrict litigation against Bayer began in 2009 and allowed many women the chance to pool their resources and share in the fact-gathering process. Bayer and the plaintiffs eventually negotiated settlements to cover each type of injury experienced by Yazmin and Yaz users in that MDL. More women may be able to file lawsuits if they believe drospirenone caused them harm and they were not involved in the prior agreement.

About the Birth Control Lawsuit:

Why Are People Filing Birth Control Lawsuits?

Women are filing birth control lawsuits because of the serious and often life-long injuries they experienced due to birth control methods. For example, hormonal contraceptives like Depo-Provera have caused women to develop intracranial meningiomas, a type of brain tumor. Some of the other injuries that women have suffered from after using birth control include:

• Blood clots
• Device migration
• Organ tears
• Neurological complications
• Device breakage
• Tumors

Contraceptives have a variety of uses, including preventing pregnancies, regulating hormones, managing perimenopause symptoms, and lowering cancer risks. However, thousands of women who have taken these drugs or had devices implanted were unknowingly exposing themselves to dangerous complications.

List of Birth Control Lawsuits, Their Injuries, and Complications

Due to some of the severe side effects of birth control, there are several different lawsuits against pharmaceutical companies. Many people believe they have evidence to show these companies were aware of the severe risks of these contraceptives, but they did not warn or protect consumers in the United States. Some of the lawsuits have ended in a settlement, while other lawsuits are ongoing.

Depo-Provera Increases Risk of Developing Brain Tumors and Meningiomas

Depo-Provera (medroxyprogesterone acetate) is an injectable contraceptive used to prevent pregnancies and treat hormone-related medical conditions in women. Researchers have discovered that women who receive Depo-Provera injections are 5.55 times more likely to develop intracranial meningiomas. Intracranial meningiomas are non-cancerous brain tumors that are sensitive to hormones, like the ones present in Depo-Provera and its generics.

Pfizer, one of the manufacturers of Depo-Provera, included a warning about intracranial meningiomas on its Canadian product monograph (label). Likewise, women in the United Kingdom were warned about the increased risk of meningiomas after long-term use of Depo-Provera. However, Depo-Provera’s U.S. warning label does not mention an increased risk of meningiomas. Because of this, many women developed intracranial meningiomas after using an injectable contraceptive they thought was safe. Many of these women have filed lawsuits against Depo-Provera’s manufacturers.

Paragard Copper IUD Device Breaks Causing Injury

The Paragard copper intrauterine device is a form of birth control that is inserted into the uterus to prevent pregnancy. A copper IUD helps prevent pregnancy in two ways: copper creates a hostile environment for sperm and the device sweeps implanted eggs off the uterine wall.

The Paragard copper IUD has resulted in women reporting over 7,000 adverse events through the FDA’s website. Studies revealed that this non-hormonal contraceptive device has nearly a 10% chance of fracturing during removal. In contrast, other devices have a 1 to 2% chance of breaking during removal. The broken pieces may get stuck in a woman’s body and require surgery to remove them. Some women have had their reproductive systems permanently damaged or needed to have hysterectomies due to complications with Paragard.

Essure Birth Control Implant Malfunctions Causing Complications

Essure is a permanent birth control implant that was manufactured by Bayer. The Essure device was inserted in a woman’s fallopian tubes to permanently prevent pregnancy. The FDA removed Essure from the market on December 31, 2019, due to a high rate of severe complications experienced by consumers.

According to the FDA, 40,901 women with the Essure implant reported having serious pain, and 10,493 had a piece of the device remain in their bodies. A startling 9,838 women had one of their organs torn by the Essure implant. Bayer had recalled all of its unused Essure implants and faced numerous lawsuits filed by women who were harmed by this device.

Drospirenone (Yaz) Birth Control Pills Cause Blood Clots, Stroke, and Pulmonary Embolism

Drospirenone birth control is a combination oral contraceptive (birth control pill) containing estrogen and progestin (drospirenone).  Name-brand versions of this pill were sold under the names Yaz and Yasmin. These pills were manufactured by Bayer. Researchers discovered that women who take drospirenone were at a much higher risk of venous thromboembolism (blood clots in a vein) than women taking other forms of birth control.

The FDA also conducted thorough testing and found an increased risk of venous blood clots when taking drospirenone, and it encouraged medical professionals to talk to their patients about these complications. Bayer faced and settled thousands of lawsuits from consumers who experienced blood clots and gallbladder injuries.

NuvaRing Users Report Blood Clot and Stroke

The NuvaRing is a small flexible ring that a woman inserts into her vagina to prevent pregnancy. The hormonal vaginal contraceptive ring, caused women to experience a range of severe side effects. For example, women who used the NuvaRing experience thrombotic strokes at a rate that was 2.5 times higher than for those who do not use this device. Thrombotic strokes are clots that form in a vein in the brain and block the blood flow. NuvaRing users also suffer from other types of blood clots, like ones that form in a deep vein and move to the lungs, more often than women who use another form of birth control or none at all.

Merck, the company that manufactures NuvaRing, was sued by hundreds of patients and their surviving loved ones. Those filing the lawsuits blame Merck for their injuries or their loved ones’ deaths due to cardiovascular events caused by NuvaRing. Merck entered into a $100 million settlement to resolve many of the claims against it.

Mirena IUD Device Migration and Intracranial Hypertension Claims

Mirena is an intrauterine device (IUD) used to prevent contraception and heavy periods (menorrhagia). Mirena is inserted into a woman’s uterus, and the device can remain for up to eight years. However, Mirena can cause several serious side effects. For example, researchers indicated that many patients reported intracranial hypertension while using Mirena. Intracranial hypertension is a “build-up of pressure around the brain,” and it can cause painful headaches, disorientation, and sensory problems.

The Mirena IUD is also known to move from where it was originally implanted (migrate) and puncture or tear organs. People have sued Mirena because of the complications they or their loved ones experienced while using the IUD. They believe Mirena’s manufacturer, Bayer, should have warned the public about the risks of intracranial hypertension and other dangerous and painful side effects.

Hormonal vs Non-Hormonal Birth Control Lawsuits

There are many active lawsuits involving hormonal and non-hormonal birth control options. Hormonal contraceptives work by using chemicals to change a woman’s hormones and make it harder for her to get pregnant. Non-hormonal contraceptives can prevent sperm from entering the woman’s uterus, incapacitate sperm that enter the uterus, or remove an egg that implants on the uterine wall. Some hormonal birth controls are also used to treat heavy or irregular menstruation or hormone imbalances. Both types of birth control have caused dangerous and lifelong injuries in women.

Common Hormonal Birth Control Injuries and Complications

Hormonal birth control can disrupt bodily functions and injure a woman’s body in many different ways, including:

• Unusually heavy or light periods
• Irregular menstrual cycles
• Headaches
• Fatigue
• Mood fluctuations
• High blood pressure
• Blood clots
• Cramping
• Tender breasts or breast pain
• Cardiovascular disease
• Bone density loss
• Stroke
• Heart attacks
• Intracranial meningiomas
• Certain cancers (like breast, thyroid, and cervical)

Some of these injuries are more common when women take hormonal contraceptives for a long period of time or at higher doses. Additionally, specific types of hormonal birth control have a higher chance of leading to a particular injury. For example, taking Depo-Provera for a long period of time can raise the chance of the woman getting an intracranial meningioma.

Common Non-Hormonal Birth Control Injuries and Complications

Non-hormonal birth control, like IUDs and the NuvaRing, can also cause women to get injured. Some of the complications women may experience include:

• Blood clots
• Stroke
• Device migration
• Organ perforation (puncture or tearing)
• Cancer
• Heavy bleeding
• Cramping
• Pain
• Infections
• The device breaking off in the woman’s body
• Ectopic pregnancy
• Irregular periods

Women may experience some of these symptoms right away or during device removal. For example, the Essure birth control implant broke off and migrated in many women’s bodies, causing severe complications. Likewise, NuvaRing users had a higher chance of developing blood clots in their lungs and brains.

Who Qualifies For a Birth Control Lawsuit?

If a woman took birth control and experienced serious complications, she may qualify to request compensation if:

• She used one of the birth control products that are part of the lawsuits
• She suffered from severe side effects, like a brain tumor, stroke, blood clot, or organ perforation
• Her medical team diagnosed her with an injury that is related to her birth control use

For some types of claims, the birth control product must have been the brand-name version. However, there are exceptions. Your attorney can help you review your medical records and determine if your contraceptive methods are what harmed you and whether you are entitled to a settlement because of it.

Women who develop brain tumors after receiving Depo-Provera injunctions have multiple options to file a lawsuit. They can pursue an individual lawsuit or join the group lawsuit (multidistrict litigation) against Depo-Provera manufacturers.

What Damages Can I Recover From a Birth Control Lawsuit?

If you were injured or your loved one died after taking a hormonal or non-hormonal birth control product, filing a claim may be in your best interest. Doing so can allow you to request damages to reimburse you for your losses. Here are some examples of compensation you may receive if you win your case:

• Medical bills
• Rehabilitation services or physical therapy
• Medication costs
• Lost wages
• Loss of quality of life
• Loss of consortium (partnership)
• Pain and suffering

If your loved one died because of complications from birth control, you may be able to bring a wrongful death claim. Damages you may seek could include loss of companionship, loss of support, and mental anguish.

How to File a Birth Control Lawsuit

You can bring a birth control lawsuit if you think your losses were caused by the contraceptives you were taking or had implanted. Here are some of the steps involved in taking legal action:

• Step One: Call a personal injury lawyer to discuss your losses and birth control use.
• Step Two: Gather evidence (with the help of your lawyer) to determine if you qualify to sue.
• Step Three: Request and send in information to help build your claim.
• Step Four: File a complaint with the court that has the authority to hear your case.
• Step Five: Negotiate an out-of-court settlement or prepare for trial.

Women harmed by Depo-Provera may qualify to join a group lawsuit called a federal multidistrict litigation (MDL). The group lawsuits for women who developed brain tumors from the birth control shot is called Depo-Provera (Depot Medroxyprogesterone Acetate) Products Liability Litigation. Women who join the group lawsuit can benefit from shared resources and fact-finding.

The legal team at King Law has many years of hands-on experience helping clients navigate the legal process and navigating MDLs. We can handle the legal matters on your behalf so you can focus your attention and energy on healing and rebuilding.

King Law Is Accepting Depo-Provera Birth Control Lawsuits

King Law is actively accepting claims for women who have been hurt by birth control methods such as Depo-Provera and Paragard. We have the resources and knowledge to investigate your case and build strong arguments in your favor. We have a long history of fighting for consumers and patients who have been harmed by defective drugs, devices, and products. We work on a contingency-fee basis, which means you only pay our team if we recover compensation on your behalf.

Contact a Birth Control Lawyer Today

If you were hurt or your loved one was killed by defective birth control products, reach out to our legal team today. You can reach us by filling out an online contact form or by calling (585) 496-2648. Our intake specialists are standing by to schedule an appointment for you to get a free case evaluation from one of our knowledgeable attorneys. We can work with you to create a plan to move you closer to the compensation and justice you deserve.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)