Birth Control and Blood Clots: Is NuvaRing Safe?

By Shelley Blas

May 18, 2012 – A new study, published earlier this week in the British Medical Journal shows that NuvaRing carries a higher risk of blood clots than combined oral contraceptives (COCs) based on oestrogens and progestins. Women who used the vaginal ring or transdermal patches had around a 6- to 8 fold increased risk of venous thromboembolism compared with women who used no hormonal contraception.

The NuvaRing is a small and flexible vaginal ring introduced by Merck & Co. in 2001 as a once a-month contraceptive. NuvaRing uses a high dose of what is known as a third generation progestin, which has been linked to deadly blood clots. In 2007, Public Citizen petitioned the FDA to ban oral birth control pills that contain this third generation hormone since it was shown to double the risk of blood clots when compared to second generation oral contraceptives. The Nations Law Firm has represented women across the country for their injuries resulting from the Ortho Evra patch and the Yaz/Yasmin birth control pills. We are currently reviewing NuvaRing cases. Please contact our offices for a free case evaluation with one of our experienced attorneys.