In addition to the Mirena IUD lawsuits mounting in U.S. courts, Bayer Healthcare Pharmaceuticals has other news to share.

The medical device manufacturer has announced the unveiling of its new intrauterine birth control device, Skyla--an IUD otherwise known as a leveonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system.

Recently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Skyla is aimed at younger women who have not yet had any children in preventing pregnancy for up to three years. This new birth control IUD will soon be made available to the public.

This is the first intrauterine IUD device marketed by Bayer in 12 years, since its predecessor Mirena. Mirena, a t-shaped device, is encouraged for use in women who have already had at least one child. Mirena was approved as a contraceptive by the FDA in 2000. In 2009, its list of approved uses expanded to include the treatment of heavy menstrual bleeding in women.

News of the Skyla IUD comes amidst talks of coordinating a federal multidistrict litigation (MDL) for Mirena IUD lawsuits.

These cases have been filed on behalf of patients who say they suffered abscesses, infection, uterine perforations, embedment in the uterine wall, obstruction or intestinal perforations, pelvic inflammatory disease and ectopic pregnancy.

Mirena side effects can potentially harm a young woman's fertility since revision surgeries are often required to correct complications.

Bayer Healthcare Pharmaceuticals issued the following statement to announce Skyla: "Skyla is more than 99 percent effective at preventing pregnancy and may be appropriate for women who want a birth control method that they do not have to take daily. Further, Skyla may be used by women whether or not they have ever had a child, representing an important new choice for women who don't want to become pregnant for up to three years."

Meanwhile, plaintiffs in Mirena IUD lawsuits filed a motion to streamline proceedings by consolidating cases in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio. The request filed Jan. 16, 2013 with the U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation states that eight Mirena lawsuits are pending in federal court.

Mirena lawsuits say the birth control device can spontaneously migrate within a woman's body, causing a host of complications. If this occurs, Mirena is also no longer effective in preventing pregnancy and may cause ectopic pregnancies in women who are able to conceive.

Call an attorney at Bernstein Liebhard LLP to learn more about Mirena IUD lawsuits by calling (877) 779-1414.