Trials Starting 2026·3,900+ people have filed

Had a Paragard IUD break during removal? Thousands of women are reporting the same thing.

A routine IUD removal turned into a nightmare when the device snapped — leaving pieces inside.

vs. Teva Pharmaceuticalsvs. CooperSurgical

The story

Getting an IUD removed is supposed to be quick and simple. Your doctor pulls a string, the device slides out, and you're done. For thousands of women with the Paragard copper IUD, that routine procedure turned into a medical emergency.

The Paragard's plastic arms are snapping during removal, leaving broken pieces lodged inside the uterus. When this happens, what should have been a 30-second office visit can turn into invasive surgery — hysteroscopy, laparoscopy, or in some cases, a full hysterectomy. Some women have been left with embedded fragments that can't be safely removed, causing ongoing pain, infection, and in some cases, infertility.

The Paragard was marketed as a simple, hormone-free birth control option that could be easily inserted and removed. The lawsuits allege that the manufacturers knew the device's arms were prone to fracture — a design defect — but failed to warn women or redesign the product.

“Women describe the shock and pain of feeling something break inside them during what was supposed to be a routine procedure. Some have needed multiple surgeries. Others have lost the ability to have children.”

Reports from affected people

Health problems linked to this

●IUD fracture or breakage during removal

●Embedded plastic or copper fragments in the uterus

●Need for surgery (hysteroscopy, laparoscopy) to retrieve broken pieces

●Hysterectomy caused by IUD complications

●Uterine perforation

●Severe infection from retained fragments

●Infertility resulting from device complications

●Ectopic pregnancy linked to device failure

Who's affected

✓You had a Paragard IUD

✓The device broke or fractured during removal

✓You needed medical treatment for complications from the breakage

Probably doesn't apply if

✕Paragard was removed normally without any breakage or complications

✕IUD was a different brand (Mirena, Skyla, Kyleena — these are different cases)

What you'd need to file

1Medical records from IUD insertion and removal attempt

2Documentation of device fracture or breakage

3Records of follow-up procedures or surgeries

Timeline

1988

Paragard approved by the FDA

The copper IUD enters the US market as the only non-hormonal IUD option.

2010s

Reports of breakage emerge

Growing numbers of women report the device fracturing during routine removal.

2020

Lawsuits consolidated

Cases combined into a federal proceeding in Georgia.

2025

Nearly 4,000 cases pending

Litigation continues to grow as more women come forward.

Early 2026

Bellwether trials begin

Three test cases scheduled for January, March, and May 2026.

People are asking

I currently have a Paragard. Should I have it removed early?

Talk to your gynecologist. Not every Paragard will fracture, and the decision to remove it depends on your individual situation. Your doctor can discuss the risks and use appropriate techniques to minimize fracture risk.

My Paragard was removed without problems. Could I still be affected?

If your IUD was removed without fracture or complications, you likely don't have a case. The lawsuits focus specifically on devices that broke during removal and caused injury.

I have a Mirena/Skyla/Kyleena IUD. Does this apply to me?

No. This litigation is specifically about the Paragard copper IUD. Other IUD brands may have their own issues, but they're not part of this particular lawsuit.

Named products & brands

Paragard T 380A copper IUD

Could this affect you?

Quick check · 30 seconds

1.Did you have a Paragard IUD?

2.Did the device break or fracture during removal?

3.Did you need surgery or additional medical treatment because of the breakage?

Not legal advice. Informal screening only.

Community

View all →

Heads up: This is not legal advice. We're not lawyers. This is educational info to help you understand what's going on. Talk to an actual attorney about your situation.