Nuvaring Blood Clot Statistics

by Steve Fields on July 7th, 2010

Otherwise healthy women may be exposed to deep vein thrombosis (DVT), stroke, heart attack, and pulmonary embolism due to Nuvaring side effects causing blood clots. These clots can form in the veins and arteries as the result of the hormones released into a woman’s body. Estrogen and etonogestrel – an active metabolite of desogestrel – enter the bloodstream through the vaginal wall. Nuvaring blood clot statistics shows that both hormones sharply increase the risk of abnormal clotting over older generation contraceptive solutions.

When women suffer from blood clots, doctors normally prescribe blood thinners. These are available in the form of anticoagulants and antiplatelets. Despite what many people believe, blood thinners can only prevent further clotting; they do not dissolve or break apart existing clots. Below, you’ll learn how each type of medication works and the risks associated with their long-term use.

How Anticoagulants Work

Your body’s natural clotting system depends on two main elements: thrombin and platelets (discussed below). Thrombin is the main protein necessary for coagulation, especially in the veins. It triggers chemical reactions in your body that result in the production of fibrin. Fibrin is a sticky strand of material that adheres to the venous lining, and forms a clot.

Anticoagulant drugs are given to inhibit the thrombin system, and thus slow the production of fibrin. With less fibrin in your blood, clots are less likely to form.

If your doctor wants to produce an immediate effect, he or she will prescribe heparin or low molecular weight heparin (LMWH). The former needs to be given intravenously and monitored closely to prevent bleeding. Its level must be adjusted according to regular partial thromboplastin time (PTT) blood tests. LMWH, on the other hand, can be introduced through injection. Because its effects are more predictable than natural heparin, constant monitoring is unnecessary. This makes it a convenient outpatient option.

If there is no need to produce an immediate effect, your doctor may only prescribe warfarin (Coumadin). This is taken in pill form and requires several days to begin inhibiting the thrombin system. Like natural heparin, its level must be closely monitored. In this case, however, adjustments in dosage are done according to prothrombin time (PT) tests.

In the case of severe Nuvaring problems involving blood clots, warfarin is typically given together with heparin or LMWH. Heparin is stopped once warfarin begins having an effect.

How Antiplatelets Work

Recall that platelets are the second element required to form clots. They are produced in your bone marrow when blood cells form, and migrate through your bloodstream in search of venous injuries. When such an injury occurs, platelets undergo a chemical reaction during which their surface becomes sticky. In this newly-sticky state, they clump together on the wall of the blood vessel, forming a clot and stopping the bleeding.

While your body’s thrombin system is the main catalyst for blood clots in your veins, platelets play a key role in clotting within your arteries. That said, both are necessary.

There are a few antiplatelet medications your doctor may prescribe when treating Nuvaring blood clot problems. These drugs are given to reduce the “sticky” quality on the platelets’ surface. In doing so, they help slow the pace of clot formation.

Aspirin is commonly prescribed and has a milder effect than other drugs. Ticlopidine and clopidrogel are also common. These medications are slightly more aggressive and may be given if you are unable to tolerate aspirin.

Another class of antiplatelet drugs is represented by IIb/IIIa inhibitors. They are so named because they interact with the IIb/IIIa receptor on the platelets’ surface. These drugs are the most aggressive and include tirofiban, abciximab, and eptifabitide.

Potential Risks With Taking Blood Thinners

The primary risk with taking anticoagulant or antiplatelet medications is internal hemorrhaging. Many of these drugs, such as aspirin, heparin, and clopidrogel, are known to pose a high risk of intestinal bleeding. Others, such as warfarin (Coumadin), can also cause bleeding in the eyes. This is the reason your doctor will want to monitor the level of these chemicals in your blood at all times (LMWH is a notable exception). If hemorrhaging persists, it can be fatal.

Seeking medical attention for Nuvaring blood clot side effects is important because they can cause DVT, stroke, and pulmonary embolism. These are a few of the many Nuvaring side effects many women have experienced. If you have suffered abnormal clotting after using the contraceptive ring, you may have a right to file a claim for compensation against the manufacturer. Contact a Nuvaring lawsuit 2010 attorney to discuss your options.