Nuvaring Clotting Information

by Steve Fields on July 14th, 2010

Nuvaring releases estrogen and an active metabolite of desogestrel called etonogestrel into the bloodstream. These hormones may increase the risk of abnormal clotting, and thus expose women to an assortment of dangerous health problems. In some cases, these health issues can become life-threatening for women using Nuvaring. Clotting problems can result in pulmonary embolism and strokes.

Nuvaring blood clots problems (also called thrombi) can form within the veins or arteries. Venous clots are more common and pose serious risks. If thrombi form within the deep veins, it is possible for them to embolize (i.e. break away from the venous wall) and migrate into the arteries, obstructing blood flow to major organs. For this reason, it is important to diagnose their presence as soon as possible. Your doctor will conduct some – or all – of the following tests.

Compiling A Patient History

Before your physician orders or performs any diagnostic tests, he or she will review your medical history and ask questions regarding your symptoms. The purpose of doing so is to identify risk factors that increase the likelihood of blood clots. Such factors include high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, habitual smoking, and an existing clotting disorder.

A physical examination is then done to look for signs of clots. These signs often indicate the severity of the clotting disorder.

Doppler Ultrasonography

This is the most common test used to identify blood clots. High-frequency sound waves are emitted from a transducer (a small hand-held device) that is pressed against the skin near the suspected clotting site. The sound waves are reflected by blood vessels and blood cells, and used to construct images that display the flow of your blood through the veins and arteries. Images that show restricted or nonexistent blood flow suggest an obstruction.

Doppler ultrasonography is most useful for examining blood flow within large veins. For smaller blood vessels, the images may be less clear, and thus inadequate for identifying clots. In such cases, your doctor may order a CT scan.

Computerized Tomography (CT) scan

CT scanning is commonly done when a pulmonary embolism (i.e. a blockage in the arteries of the lungs) is suspected. It may also be done when Nuva Ring blood clots are suspected in the deep veins of the calves and thighs.

Traditional CT scans have largely been replaced with helical CT scans. The latter approach takes multiple x-ray images with a scanner that rotates around your body. The x-rays are then compiled by a computer to produce a 3-dimensional image that can reveal venous clots. This test is reasonably accurate and noninvasive, which is the reason many doctors prefer it. However, it is possible to miss clots. If the results of a helical CT scan display no thrombi, yet your doctor suspects they exist, he or she may order a venogram and arteriogram.

Venography And Arteriography

These tests use similar approaches to study the veins or arteries, respectively. A radiopaque contrast dye is introduced by injection or catheter. With venography, the entry site depends on the location of the suspected Nuvaring blood clots. The dye can be injected directly into the blocked vein. With arteriography, the entry site – whether for injection or catheter insertion – is usually the groin.

The contrast dye is allowed to flow into the suspected vein or artery. X-rays are taken to display its progress. Your doctor will be able to identify obstructions in the blood vessels by noting areas in which the flow of the dye is impeded. There is a high likelihood these obstructions represent clots. While both venography and arteriography are accurate, they are invasive, and thus less commonly used.

Nuvaring Lawsuit 2010

Nuvaring clotting events have caused serious health problems for many women. These problems include deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, and stroke. If you have suffered a clotting disorder, DVT, PE, or other Nuvaring side effects, you may have the right to file a claim against the manufacturer. Contact an experienced Nuvaring lawsuit settlements attorney to discuss your options.