NuvaRing Birth Control

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NuvaRing birth control, made by Organon, is a flexible, plastic vaginal contraceptive ring that slowly releases progestin and estrogen over a three week period. First approved in the U.S. in October 2001, NuvaRing is currently the primary form of birth control for about 1.5 million women around the world.

Like other vaginal birth control rings, NuvaRing works via insertion into the vagina, where the ring will stay for three weeks and release hormones. During the fourth week when NuvaRing needs to be removed, a woman will experience menstruation. Despite removal of the plastic ring for menstruation, the contraceptive effects will persist.

When used properly, NuvaRing is 98 to 99 percent effective against conception. However, NuvaRing birth control cannot prevent the transmission of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).

When NuvaRing Birth Control Doesn't Work

The only situation in which NuvaRing will be ineffective is when the birth control device is somehow removed from the body for longer than three hours without the incidence of menstruation. It's important to note that reinsertion of NuvaRing within three hours of removal will not reduce the contraceptive effects.

Common ways NuvaRing can be removed include through:

• conscious removal with the finger
• sexual intercourse
• strained bowel movement
• tampon use

Exercise will not affect the placement of the NuvaRing.

Benefits of NuvaRing Birth Control

There are a few benefits of using NuvaRing birth control, as opposed to other female contraceptives, including:

• Easy use, as NuvaRing only requires one dose per month, as opposed to daily or weekly doses associated with birth control pills or patches
• Lower exposure to estrogen (High levels of estrogen exposure can cause headaches, mood swings, skin rashes and breast tenderness.)
• Reduced chances of irregular bleeding.

Additionally, most women using NuvaRing (as well as their partners) rarely feel the ring. For those who do, most patients report NuvaRing to be a minimal interference.

NuvaRing Birth Control Side Effects

While NuvaRing has some clear advantages, in some cases, this form of birth control can result in some mild to severe side effects. Common mild NuvaRing side effects may include:

• breast tenderness
• headache
• nausea
• weight gain

In rare cases, patients may develop more serious complications after using NuvaRing birth control. Severe NuvaRing side effects include:

• blood clots
• heart attack
• stroke
• deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a condition in which a blood clot lodges in a vein, interrupts normal blood flow and results in pain and inflammation

Those with the highest risk of developing serious NuvaRing side effects include patients who have a history of:

• blood clots, heart attack and/or stroke
• breast cancer
• smoking

To reduce your risk of developing serious NuvaRing complications, be sure to discuss your complete medical history with your doctor before starting this method of birth control.

Have you or a loved one been harmed after using NuvaRing? If so, contact us today to talk to an experienced defective drug attorney who can help you file your legal claim and win a highly deserved NuvaRing lawsuit.