Nuvaring Side Effects

NuvaRing emerged on the market in 2002 as an alternative form of birth control for women. It was marketed as a once a month vaginal ring that could be inserted or removed on a regular schedule in order to control menstrual cycle and ovulation. This vaginal ring has an effective rate of over 98 percent at preventing pregnancy; however, it has been shown to cause a number of very serious side effects including death in some cases.
 

Complications of NuvaRing

Serious complications have been reported and some can lead to death or be life threatening due to the severity. Some of the complications NuvaRing has been shown to cause includes but is not limited to:

* gallbladder disease
* stroke
* pulmonary embolism
* heart attack
* blood clots
* deep vein thrombosis

If these conditions have been observed they require immediate medical attention to prevent further or more serious complications. The product should be immediately removed and a doctor or emergency medicinal facility contacted depending upon the problem caused by the NuvaRing.
 

NuvaRing Side Effect Symptoms

Due to the nature and severity of some of the side effects of NuvaRing in women, it is important to understand the symptoms that can occur. If any of these conditions occur, consult a physician or seek emergency medical care in the case of the more severe side effects. The following conditions can occur on their own with regular NuvaRing use or can occur in combination with other side effects:

* vision problems such as blurred or double vision
* migraines or an increase in severity of headaches
* nausea or vomiting
* breathing problems
* chest pain, especially sudden
* coughing that produces unusual mucus or blood that is not related to a common cold or other illness
* swelling in the feet, hands or legs
* hives
* fever not related to an illness
* loss of sensation in the body, or on one side of the body
* facial or tongue swelling
* fatigue, especially extreme unexplained fatigue
 

Other NuvaRing Side Effects

There are some side effects caused by NuvaRing that are considered more mild and not life threatening. They may occur on a regular basis or infrequently as the body adjusts to the hormones and placement of the ring. If they become bothersome, remove the ring and consult a doctor, or if they become more severe, seek immediate medical attention.

* spotting or menstrual irregularities. This is often common during initial usage.
* slight hair loss or thinning of hair
* nausea
* changes in appetite
* bloating or cramping that is slight to mild
* headaches
* breast tenderness
 

Risk Factors For NuvaRing Users

Some women may be more likely to experience complications and side effects while using the NuvaRing. Women who smoke or have a history of smoking may be at a higher risk than others. A history of blood clot disorders, deep vein thrombosis or high blood pressure may also put women at higher risk as well as being over the age of 35. If any of these conditions exist, a physician should be consulted prior to beginning NuvaRing use in order to go over the entire health history and understand the risks.

Women who use the NuvaRing as their form of birth control should understand the potential risks and complications that can arise. If any of the side effects become severe or bothersome they should consult a doctor and consider an alternative to the ring as a form of birth control.