NuvaRing Side Effects
Serious Nuvaring side effects include pulmonary embolism, stroke, and heart attack. These life-threatening events can occur as the result of estrogen and etonogestrel that are released by the birth control ring. Proponents of the ring argue that the consistent release and immediate absorption of these hormones through the vaginal wall membrane reduces the hormonal peaks and valleys associated with oral contraceptives. However, this does not address the dangerous problems that have impacted the lives of thousands of healthy women who are now looking at their legal options including filing a Nuva ring lawsuit.
All estrogen-based contraceptives are known to increase the likelihood of developing blood clots. It is the inclusion of etonogestrel that deserves closer focus. Etonogestrel is a synthetic derivative of the progestin desogestrel, a hormone that is suspected of posing a significant risk of abnormal clotting. Recent research conducted in the Netherlands has revealed that desogestrel poses a 7.3-fold increase in the risk of blood clots over non-use. These blood clots can trigger the NuvaRing side effects discussed below.
Nuva Ring Blood Clots And DVT
Blood clots can form within superficial veins or deep veins. While clotting within your superficial veins poses few risks, clots that develop within your deep veins can become problematic. This is a condition called deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
Deep veins are surrounded by muscles. The contractions of these muscles squeeze the veins and send blood flowing toward your heart and lungs. If blood clots have formed within the veins, the muscles’ contractions can dislodge them, allowing them to be carried along with your bloodstream. Once the traveling blood clots (i.e. emboli) pass through the vena cava, they can expose you to pulmonary embolism, heart attack, and stroke.
Pulmonary Embolism, Heart Attack, And Stroke
Your pulmonary arteries deliver blood from your heart to your lungs. If a clot creates a blockage within one of these arteries, the lung tissue supplied by that blood vessel will starve. You will suffer pulmonary embolism. Left untreated, the affected lung tissue will sustain permanent damage. That impairs its ability to properly oxygenate your blood before your heart circulates it throughout your body.
Your coronary arteries supply blood to your heart muscle. Emboli that travel through your heart’s atria and ventricles can enter your aorta and flow into your coronary arteries. If they form a blockage, you will experience a heart attack. Your heart muscle will begin to starve and die. Its ability to pump blood efficiently to your organs may be severely impaired, causing long-lasting side effects.
In rare cases, NuvaRing blood clots may travel from your heart to a carotid artery. These arteries supply your brain with blood, oxygen, and nutrients. A blockage will trigger ischemic stroke and starve the nerve cells in the surrounding area. These nerve cells die within minutes of starvation and are not regenerated. As a result, lost function due to stroke is often permanent.
Filing A NuvaRing Lawsuit
The dangerous side effects of NuvaRing, including pulmonary embolism, heart attack, and stroke, are potentially life-threatening. It begins with the formation of blood clots within your deep veins (typically in the calves or thighs). If you or someone you know has suffered abnormal clotting or DVT after using the birth control ring, you may be able to file a NuvaRing lawsuit. Contact a NuvaRing lawyer to discuss your options, including whether you should seek just compensation for your injuries.