Potential side effects of the NuvaRing

Women in Kentucky have many options on the table when it comes to potential birth control methods. One choice that is gaining popularity is the NuvaRing, a small ring that is inserted into the vagina once a month for three weeks in order to stop a woman from becoming pregnant. However, these devices can come with some side effects that potential users should be aware of.

Planned Parenthood states that these vaginal rings are largely safe to use. However, they do have some side effects associated with them even if these don’t affect most women. Common side effects can include spot bleeding, nausea, vomiting or breast tenderness. These generally clear up within two to three months. However, there are some long-lasting side effects like increased potential for infection or vaginal irritation.

While those side effects are generally negligible, there are some much more severe ones that can indicate serious health problems like stroke. These issues can include aching or soreness in the leg, pain in the chest or abdomen, bad headaches, breast lumps, difficulties breathing, jaundice, or seeing auras. NuvaRing itself notes that blood clots are the number one potential serious risk of their product. Taking combination birth control pills offers similar risks of clotting, though people who have taken pills with desogestrel have a higher chance. Clots can lead to issues such as heart attack, stroke, pulmonary embolus, loss of vision, and deep vein thrombosis.

A person should keep these potential side effects in mind when looking at birth control pills. While these side effects are not extremely common, they can still potentially impact any user.