1. Common Complications
NuvaRing, a unique form of birth control, offers many benefits. Users insert a small flexible ring into the vagina each month to protect against conception. Over the course of the month, it releases a low dose of hormones into your body. Since the NuvaRing works in a similar way as birth control pills, you can expect similar types of common side effects. Patients have reported nausea, headache and weight gain when taking NuvaRing. Additional common side effects involved discomfort after inserting NuvaRing into the vagina. Some patients also suffered vaginal infections and secretions over the course of the month. NuvaRing uses a combination of hormones to protect against pregnancy. Due to these hormones, a woman may also suffer from vomiting, appetite changes, menstrual cycle disruption, cramping, breast tenderness, fluid retention, depression and rash.
2. When It's Time to Say No to NuvaRing
Although most NuvaRing side effects are mild, in rare cases you may experience more serious complications after you start using the birth control device. Lung clots have occurred in NuvaRing patients. Signs of a lung clot includes shortness of breath, chest pain and coughing up blood. Severe chest pain can also indicate a heart attack. Clots can occur from NuvaRing in other parts of the body as well. Pain in the back of the leg can indicate a clot in the calf while loss of vision can mean a clot in the eye. You should also watch out for signs of a stroke, like dizziness, vomiting and speech loss when using this birth control method. Liver problems can occur in patients and symptoms include jaundice, fatigue, appetite loss and dark colored urine. Severe depression symptoms may manifest in patients as well. In extremely rare cases, insertion of the NuvaRing can lead to toxic shock syndrome (TSS). Signs of TSS include sudden fever, rash, vomiting, diarrhea and fainting. If you have any of these symptoms after using NuvaRing, take out the ring and call your healthcare provider right away.
3. How to Deal With NuvaRing Side Effects
Most NuvaRing side effects are mild and go away a short time after starting the contraceptive. Most patients decide to wait out the less severe side effects, like nausea, weight gain and headaches. After your body adjusts to the hormones in the ring, your symptoms will likely disappear. Also, learning how to properly care for the birth control device can help reduce the likelihood of developing many of the side effects. Follow the NuvaRing package instructions to learn how to properly insert the ring into your vagina. Do not store the package in extreme temperatures and make sure to check the expiration date. If you're still having mild NuvaRing side effects after several months, you may want to talk to your doctor about switching birth control methods.
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