In recent days, the testimonies of women denouncing the many adverse effects of the Mirena IUD have continued to multiply on social networks.

On Facebook, the group "Victims of the hormonal IUD Mirena" lists the stories of sometimes catastrophic experiences of hundreds of women with this IUD. Encouraging each other, many of them have since reported these sometimes disabling side effects to the National Agency for the Safety of Medicines and Health Products (ANSM), in the context of pharmacovigilance declarations.

Mobilization and complaints heard since the health authorities have reacted.

Ongoing investigations according to the ANSM

In a statement, published this Friday, May 12, 2017, the ANSM declares to be "attentive to this increase of the declarations and to the appearance of new signals" and indicates to conduct "investigations at the national level on all the declarations of effects received in connection with the Mirena Intrauterine Device (IUD). "

"New adverse effects (anxiety, vertigo, fatigue, irritability, ...), not currently mentioned in the information documents intended for health professionals (Summary of Product Characteristics) and patients (Notice), have been reported at These undesirable effects are being evaluated by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the results expected from June 2017, "the statement said.

For the victims "a lot of things remain to be done"

For her part, the Facebook group "Victims of the Mirena Hormone IUD" also reacted through one of its administrators, Marie L: "I look forward to all the women who came out of the omerta for us We know that much remains to be done so that we are recognized in our difficulty, listened to, and that we obtain reparation, especially for some who are still suffering heavy consequences. "

On the initiative of this group, a forum has been set up (mirena-action.forumactif.com) and an association is also being created to support women affected by the deleterious effects of the IUD.

Mirena: Patients and professionals to report side effects

The agency recalls that "any adverse reaction suspected to be related to the use of the Mirena intrauterine device may be reported by patients or health professionals as an adverse drug-related event on www. report-health.gouv.fr .

The Bayer laboratory says "attentive"

Updated (May 15, 2017)

The Bayer laboratory, which markets the IUD since 1997 in France, reacted in a statement on Saturday, May 13, 2017: "We are attentive to the testimonies expressed by the patients, whatever the cause, the testimonials call for a listening and Bayer is committed to a proper understanding of the situation regarding the Mirena Intrauterine contraceptive. "

Bayer ensures that the safety and effectiveness of the device "have been confirmed by scientific research, as well as by real life clinical experience, with about 300,000 poses a year in France." He also reminds that he "makes available in each box of Mirena a notice and a patient card to remind, in addition to the lot number, the date of application, the dates of the next appointments and the expected date of withdrawal." Finally, the laboratory ensures the collection and analysis of undesirable side effects and work "in close cooperation with the French and international health authorities, in order to monitor the tolerance profile of Mirena."

To read the full press release of the ansm: www.ansm.sante.fr/S-informer/Actualite/Information-sur-le-dispositif-intra-uterin-Mirena-Point-d-information
To read Bayer's full press release: www.bayer.com/Contraceptif-intra-uterin-Mirena-Bayer-attention-to-the-expressed-expressed-notices