Nuvaring Problems News

by Steve Fields on February 7th, 2010

Although people may be familiar with birth control pills, they may not be as familiar with another hormone-based contraceptive: the birth control ring. The NuvaRing contraceptive is a product used by women to prevent pregnancy. Approved by the FDA since 2001, the NuvaRing has a high rate of effectiveness when used as directed, but it may also be responsible for some significant health risks as well. Some women have experienced Nuvaring problems including blood clots and strokes. Nuvaring lawsuits are currently being filed across the country on behalf of women who have developed problems while using this form of birth control.

The NuvaRing is a two-inch wide plastic ring that fits inside the vagina. A combination of hormones are steadily released during a three-week period that basically prevent the egg from being released or if released, fertilized. After that three-week period, the ring is removed to allow for menstruation. Within seven days, a new ring is inserted and the cycle begins again.

Advantages of the NuvaRing are clear—it is 99% effective. Although it requires a doctor’s prescription, it can be inserted and removed by the user, which adds to its convenience. Because the hormones are released over a period of time, women who use the NuvaRing do not need to worry about a daily pill regimen, and may only have to remember to insert and remove the ring each month.

Unfortunately, NuvaRing has also presented some serious health problems to a number of women who use this contraceptive. The cause appears to be one of the hormones used in the ring, called desogestrel. Desogestrel is a progestin, which is a chemical version of the hormone progesterone. Progesterone naturally occurs in the human body, and regulates the menstrual cycle and supports pregnancy.

In the NuvaRing, the combination of hormones desogestrel and estrogen work together to make the body react as if it were already pregnant, so the ovaries are less likely to release eggs. They also alter the body’s chemistry, making it more difficult for sperm to reach an egg that may have been released, and more difficult for a fertilized egg to be implanted in the uterus.

In addition to these chemical changes, desogestrel is believed to alter the body’s mechanisms for clotting blood. Some users of NuvaRing have experienced life-threatening medical conditions including blood clots, strokes, deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism.

Healthy and young, these women have developed serious problems that, at best, resulted in a significant health concerns and at worst, resulted in death.

If you use the NuvaRing and have symptoms such as chest pain, blurred vision, numbness or weakness on one side of the body, severe headache, pain, swelling or warmth in your leg, contact your doctor or emergency room immediately.

Please contact us if you have questions regarding any side effects you may have experienced as a result of using the birth control ring. We are currently representing women in Nuvaring lawsuits throughout the United States who have suffered Nuvaring side effects from using this birth control ring on a contingency basis, so there are no legal fees unless we win compensation on your case.