NuvaRing Side Effects
NuvaRing side effects including blood clots, stroke and heart attack have been reported by women using this relatively new form of birth control. Side effects of NuvaRing are associated with the hormone desogestrel which can cause changes in the blood clotting system allowing blood clots to form more easily. NuvaRing birth control was approved by the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) on October 3, 2001 and first marketed in the United States in July 2002. Nuva Ring is used by approximately 1.5 million women worldwide.
NuvaRing is a flexible polyethylene vinyl acetate ring around 2 inches in diameter. Nuva Ring is considered a third generation combination hormonal contraceptive. It contains a combination of the hormones estrogen and etonogestrel which is a synthetic form of the progestin desogestrel. NuvaRing uses a different form of progestin compared to older contraceptives. Third generation contraceptives containing desogestrel have recently come under fire due to the increased risk of blood clots (venous thrombosis). The newer progestins (desogestrel) in third generation contraceptives were intended to lessen the adverse effects caused by older contraceptives such as hirsutism, weight gain, and acne.
Combination hormonal contraceptives contain both estrogen and progestins. NuvaRing contains the progestin desogestrel which, according to studies going back to 1995, doubles the risk of blood clots compared to second generation oral contraceptives. Organon, the manufacturer of NuvaRing is aware of the increased risk of blood clots associated with third generation oral contraceptives. The NuvaRing warning label states:
The hormones in NuvaRing® may cause changes in your bloodclotting system which may allow your blood to clot more easily. If blood clots form in your legs, they can travel to the lungs and cause a sudden blockage of a vessel carrying blood to the lungs. Rarely, clots occur in the blood vessels of the eye and may cause blindness, double vision, or other vision problems. The risk of getting blood clots may be greater with the type of progestin in NuvaRing® than with some other progestins in certain low-dose birth control pills. It is unknown if the risk of blood clots is different with NuvaRing® use than with the use of certain birth control pills.
The side effects of Nuva Ring can increase depending on several risk factors. Increased risk factors include: women over age 35, smoking more than 15 cigarettes a day, diabetes, and high levels of blood cholesterol or fat. Warning signs of potentially more serious NuvaRing side effects include:
- sharp chest pain, coughing blood, or sudden shortness of breath (possible clot in the lung)
- pain in the calf (back of lower leg - possible clot in the leg)
- crushing chest pain or heaviness in the chest (possible heart attack)
- sudden severe headache or vomiting, dizziness, or fainting, problems with vision or speech, weakness, or numbness in an arm or leg (possible stroke)
- sudden partial or complete loss of vision (possible clot in the eye)
Currently there are no non-industry sponsored studies showing that third generation contraceptives such as NuvaRing are more effective when compared to second generation contraceptives especially given the increased risk of blood clots associated with desogestrel.
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Labels: birth control, Nuva Ring, NuvaRing, side effects
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posted by BirthControlBuzz @ 9:41 AM
30 Comments:
I had problems with the Nuvaring both times I tried it (6 weeks ppd and 2 years ppd). It was not reliable for me - the last one I put in fell out... which I didn't realize until I started getting my 2nd period of the month.
I will never use this form of birth control again. I only used it for 3 weeks, but it caused me to be severely irritable and depressed. It also caused me to have discharge and spotting the second and third week. It's convenient only if you don't mind thick discharge and spotting, on top of being extremely emotional. NO THANKS.
I took the NuvaRing for about 5 months. I was sick the entire time. I lost 22 pounds, which I cant really complain about, however, I lost it in an unhealthy manner...because I was so sick. I vomitted about 40 times within those 5 months. Everytime I started a new cycle I felt as if I was having morning sickness. Once I even vomitted 13 times in a day. It was horrible. I also felt pain in my pelvic area, but not similar to cramps. It was a pain that made me feel like I had to take it out immediately. A good friend of mine was on the Ring and she started loosing feeling in her right arm and had to go off it immediately. Not a fan...
I was just released from a week of being in the hospital because I have blood clots in my lungs from the nuva ring. I am a non-smoker and I do work out. I kept getting sick and sicker and I had no idea why. The only reason I found out that it was the nuva ring is because I couldnt talk or breathe, and the pain was horrible.I thought I pulled a muscle in my leg,and the pain ran up into my rib cage.It has been the worst time of my life, and Im not out of the clear yet. NEVER AGAIN. This birth control should be taken off the market!
I just took the Nuvaring out after only three weeks. I started having very sharp vaginal pain that was not attributable to any infection or STD. Additionally, all my friends and boyfriend noticed that I became extremely depressed while on the Nuvaring. I'm still having vaginal pain but hopefully it will subside in a few days now that I stopped using the ring. I even feel happier in the few days I have been off it. I don't recommend this form of bc.
I was very excited to try the NuvaRing. It was my first BC method and I started it in January 2008. It was convenient and I didn't have to worry about pills everyday, which was great for me because I'm on all kinds of meds.
Within the first month I experienced light spotting, which was normal when first starting BCs. And every now and then I would vomit and my legs and arms would have a painful numb feeling. This went away eventually.
But later on, I began to lose my sex drive and that was horrible. So I began to think why do I need BC if I don't wanna have sex! OMG I was so upset. Followed by loss of sex drive, I began to get seriously depressed. I was always depressed. Words cannot explain how I was feeling. All I know is that I had a problem and thank GOD I had a wonderful boyfriend who supported me because crying everyday all day is not cool, especially when you cry for no reason. It was terrible.
My mother brought it to my attention that it was most definitely the BC. I was so relieved to find that out because I didn't know what was going on in my life lol. But I took it out immediately. But the next morning, it felt like I had been drinking ALL NIGHT LONG! Only ten times worse. There was this annoying spot that blocked my vision and made me sensitive to light and sound. That lasted throughout the week, but eventually it stopped.
I am so happy that I don't take the Ring anymore. IT BROUGHT ME HELL!! I can honestly say that. I just got a new BC today and its called LEVORA. I haven't started yet, however, unlike the Ring, there are a lot of great reviews from it. I hope this information really helps someone:-).
I am 18, have never smoked, and have no clotting disorders and was recently hospitalized for a blood clot in my lung! My only risk factor at all was that I was on NuvaRing! I know this method of birth control is convenient but it's not worth the risk. Everyone in the hospital said I was really lucky to get to the hospital as soon as I did. I'm on coumadin (a blood thinner) for a year now. Don't try this birth control!
The only reason I'm posting this is because I'm currently on the NuvaRing and am considering switching to Mirena. I've been on the NuvaRing for 6 months and the only problem I have seen is the little bit of weight gain in my stomach (about 5-10 pounds). Honestly, I'm not sure if the weight gain is the NuvaRing or not because I don't eat the healthiest all the time and it started right after I quit breastfeeding. So far, no pregnancy and, other than the weight, no problems, especially no hair loss. I keep hearing all these horror stories, but I wanted everyone to know that it works for some people!
I've been using nuvaring for two years now and I think it's great. Not everyone has trouble with it. Every kind of BC can cause depression in some people, and the NuvaRing has actually made my moods better. After trying many other kinds of BC, including the patch, I like this one the best.
I have had a great experience with Nuva Ring. However, I am considering switching with all the news of side effects. I haven't experienced these but lately for some reason my blood pressure has been extremely high for my age (22). I would just be aware of side effects if you are interested in taking this.
some one please explain to me how this is better than a little pill you take everyday! I just don't get it!
You have to remember to take the ring out after 3 weeks, keep it out for a week, and then put a new one in.
Not to mention the fact that it can fall out from everyday activities (exercise, tampons, sex, BMs...am I supposed to "rinse it off in cold water and reinsert even then????)
crazy!
I've been on the Nuvaring for over a year and havent exsperienced any side effects after the first week! I had horrible nausea but after seeing it help my acne! I didn't care! It is a good BC method for some people its great and stays in and I dont have to take a pill everyday!
I had the most awful experience on nuvaring. I started to feel ill within one hour of inserting it. I felt nauseous and developed a headache, i just told myself that it would pass as i had been on harmonett ( by mouth) six minths previously and for the first two days had felt a little sick nd it had passed. My Doctor only recommended nuvaring as on harmonett i was experiencing spotting and lack of sex drive.
Within a few hours of taking it i had completely lost my apetite and for the next three days i managed to eat just a few slices of toast. That night before going to bed i felt sensitive to light and sound and touch. My skin felt like it was crawling with insects. I had pains in my calves and my right breast. Sharp abdomen pain and lower back pain, an excruciating headache and nasea that can only be likened to the worst kind of pregnancy sickness ( fantastic contraceptive, u sure dont want sex when you feel like that!) I still told myself to persevere and kept it in all night hoping it would pass, i felt worse in the morning and by now was really weak, so weak it was an effort to pull the ring pull on a can of coke! I then did some research on the internet on my laptop from my bed and read all the horror stories and pulled the ring out. It still took two days to feel back to normal! There is something seriously wrong with this medication. NO THANKYOU
Hi Girls~
Below is my experience with NuvaRing………………
I have only been on NuvaRing for a week, but I just took it out. I woke up in the middle of the night with itching hands and feet. The itching is most prominent on my hands, but I have itching on my scalp, ears and neck. Other things have been happening to me, but I didn't think it was because of the NuvaRing until I started to read this blog site. I have been very tired and sleeping way more too. I am never like this, but I just had a major death in my family, so I was attributing some of my symptoms to the death of my dad. Now, I know it is not due to the death in the family, but NuvaRing.
I have been needing a nap during the day, becoming tired by 7pm at night and not wanting to do anything. I have been getting way more sleep too. I never sleep late, but this morning I slept to 9am and I went to bed early. I never sleep that long and I woke up feeling very fatigued. I am a 44 year old woman who is always on the go with a ton of energy!
I also had some tightness in my chest last night. I have not had any energy to go to the gym. My lips have been very chapped and dry too. I have tried many lip balms too, but nothing has alleviated the dryness.
I am not waiting for my body to adjust to NuvaRing either. There are plenty of birth control pills (options) to choose from, so I plan on going back to the pill I was on in the past. The pill I used in the past never caused me one side effect!
NuvaRing is horrible. I first came to use this form of BC because I am very forgetful and didn't feel confident in my abilities to take the pill everyday. First of all let me say, I am a very energetic fun, happy person who has goals and a extreme zest for life. I have been on NuvaRing for 3 weeks now and for the past 2 weeks I have been HORRIBLEY depressed, and severely irritable, I have isolated myself from my friends and my roommates. Until reading this site I had no idea why the sudden change on my out look on life, and I mean severe change, crying everyday and thinking that the worst part about going to bed at night was knowing I would wake up in the morning, was not who I am! After reading this I KNOW why I've been so incredibly depressed and irritable, it's the Ring. This is the 3rd form of BC I've tried and BY FAR the worst. Do not take this unless your idea of a good time is sitting in your room by yourself crying FOR NO REASON! I have yet to take it out, but am doing so immediately following the publication of this comment. NuvaRing has caused me severe depression, angst, isolation, irritability, and general disgust for everything. All I can say is that I am thankful that my side effects were mood/emotion related, and I really feel for those women who've suffered hospitalization from blood clots etc. NuvaRing is terrible and really should be taken off the market IMMEDIATELY!
I must say that I love nuvaring. I was on the pill and kept forgetting to take it everyday and got pregnant. I have not had any problems with it. I had bleeding on the pills and kept switching pills. I have not had any bleeding with nuvaring..
Why all the negative? It works for alot of us..My friends and I at the dorm love it...We are all on it..
I am a nuva ring user for over a year and a half and I love it. However, I have been getting these migraines and told my gyno about it and that I get this feeling (aura) a day before it strikes. She suggested a neurologist. I had an mri done and found white spots on the brain. Checked for ms and came back fine. Did extensive blood work and found that I have a protein c & s deficiency. I am seeing a hemotologist on Monday to determine if it is a genetic thing or the ring causing a problem. I will keep you updated.
I tried Nuvaring on for 3 months, had minimal problems except for time of removal - it seemed to be stuck in my cervix. I went back on it for another 3 months at the urging of my doctor - who claims it is safe. I gained weight, had bad times during my cycle,kind of usual BC issues. But then my friend and I compared notes, and found that we both have extreme pain in the heels. My doc chalked it up to needing to stretch,which I accepted, but now question. My friend is very active, and this pain started after we both started Nuvaring.
Dear Anonymous,
If the pain really bothers you, even when you stretched, ask your doctor to prescribe a different birth control (ie. oral contraceptives, patch, injections, etc).
The ring is what seems to work the best for me. No nausea, weight gain, spotting, and I have light, comfterble periods....I do notice that 2 weeks before I have to take the ring out, I have episodes of bad period cramping that last a few seconds but go away in about a week. I've also noticed that certain months about a week before I have to take the ring out, I have increased vaginal sensitivity/irritation. I have to be careful with certain sexual positions because even though I may be lubricated, I seem to tear a little. I seem to get very irritated vaginally after this and have a little more discharge than usual for about a week until it's time to take the ring out. I did not have this experience before the ring. Have any ladies had similar experiences?
yes at the time of removal, the ring seems to stick to my cervix a little too...no biggie.
Ive been on nuva ring for 2 months...the only problem i have with it is that it can fall out during sex and my partner can actually feel it inside me, which is kinda creepy. but other than that no problems
My experience with the nuvaring in the beginning was hurtful due to the fact that i didnt have it in far enough. I experienced cramps. Over the next few months i learned how to insert it and remove it. Then after a couple of months i started to become depressed. Couldnt work. Cried everyday and anything my boyfriend did to me made me emotional and cry all day non stop. My belly began to grow uncontrollably. Of course due to the fact that i was too depressed to get out of bed to go to the gym. My sex drive was low as well. I couldnt stand my boyfriend and hes a great guy that didnt understand what i was goin thru. Now that i am off the ring we have a better relationship. I would not reccommend this bc to anyone. Ican now have my family/boyfriend relationship back and am looking forward to it.
I switched to the NuvaRing from Alesse because of intolerable side effects of too much estrogen. Since being on the NuvaRing, all of my side effects are gone, and I feel much healthier. The NuvaRing delivers LESS hormones than the oral contraceptive pill as it does not need to go through your stomach and liver. If inserted properly, it doesn't come out;
Just be aware that people that are happy with the NuvaRing don't report it on forums. I encourage you to try it for yourself, for at least 3 months before dismissing the idea. It may work for you too!
So many problems on the nuva ring...I used to take the Depo shot but it became way to much so I'm trying the ring. I've had so many of the problems these other woman experienced but I'd like to caution that NOT all women react to it this way... Lots of women REALLY love the ring .. but here are my symptoms after three weeks-
- lost my apetite within the first week but it seems to be slowly coming back making me even more hungry.
-My skin too felt like it was crawling with insects the first week at night I put it in
-I'm having sharp abdomen pain and lower back pain, major bloating, sharp pain in my left lung??!
- No sex drive, no vag moisture at all- very dry- awful sex which was not the case AT ALL before the ring.
- EXTREMELY Depressed- had to get a friend to drag me out of the house last Saturday night, I felt almost suicidal. Boyfriend is being very understanding .. but I've been awful towards him..I'm getting off ASAP !
- I can totally relate to the women who say that their "zest" for life is zapped. I'm MISERABLE on it.
Must find another option !
YUCK !
I was on the ring for about 6 months. I recently switched to Yaz at the suggestion of my gyno to improve my acne which i have been fighting for over 15 years. On the ring I had light periods and minimal pms. My acne was the same as it had always been though. I never realized until reading the BC forums that It actually caused me to be VERY depressed, downright suicidal. Looking back I know this was the cause as on Yaz I have a noticably better disposition after onlt 11 days, acne has already improved...but I'm experiencing some other side effects that I never had on the ring. Like others suggest...keep trying until you find one that works. Honestly though. Coming from an otherwise healthy 28 yr old female with no health problems...really makes me wonder if female BC is really the only option out there. Where's this male bc that should have been produced years ago???
I wore the Nuvaring for 1 year before I started having symptoms. I started having an extremely heavy discharge, I went to the doctor 8 times in 6 months thinking I had an STD. Everything kept coming back normal but the discharge was still there.
Finally one of the ladies in the Doctors office told me she stopped using the Nuvaring because of this same side effect. She was the first one to tell me what was going on. 1 year later I still can not get rid of this discharge and I absolutely hate it. It has ruined my sex life completely
I've used Nuvaring for over a year now and it's worked great for me. It cleared up my skin really nicely and I haven't experienced any mood differences (besides the normal ones that come with PMS). Not too much weight gain and it's SO MUCH EASIER than taking a pill at the same time everyday. I've read reports about it falling out and I'm really confused on how that can happen because it stays up and in perfectly for me. I take it out when I'm having sex, rinse it off an put it back in- no big deal. ITS GREAT!!
I used the Nuvaring for 3 years after my son's birth. It was great, or so I thought. I never had any real problems until I stopped using it. Once I stopped using the Nuvaring, I felt better mentally and emotionally. I was happy again! Even my husband has noticed the change in my attitude. I'm not angry, irritable and depressed all the time anymore. BUT, now since I've stopped, I have serious itching on my limbs, specifically, my hands and feet. I can only attribute this to the hormones getting out of my system because there is nothing else different in my life. I have no idea what BC I will try next, but I don't think it'll be the Nuvaring.
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