Know the Risks, Know the Symptoms

It Can Happen to You

Half the women who experience serious side effects do not recognize the signs.  The signs can be so subtle that they are easily missed.  As you read the stories of real women who experienced life threatening or fatal outcomes, you will see that the warning signs were not recognized as significant signals that they were in danger.  This is because the signs can be dismissed, rationalized away or thought to be temporary.

If you decide you really want to take the risk of using NuvaRing or other synthetic hormone, it is vital that you understand every single warning sign of cardiac events, strokes and blood clots and seek medical treatment immediately.

Do not fool yourself;  Your life depends on knowing these warning signs.  But we also feel it is important for you to know that even when you recognize that you are in danger, it may still be too late.

Risks and Symptoms

Blood clots are clumps that occur when blood hardens from a liquid to a solid.
Blood clots are healthy and lifesaving when they stop bleeding. However, blood clots can also form abnormally, causing a Pulmonary Embolism, Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT), Heart Attack, Stroke, or other serious medical problems.

Watch videos about Blood Clots
Watch videos about Pulmonary Embolisms and Deep Vein Thrombosis

Pulmonary Embolism - If a blood clot breaks free and travels to your lungs, it's called a pulmonary embolism, and it can be fatal. Pulmonary embolism may not cause symptoms, but if you ever suffer the symptoms below, call 911 or go to an emergency room immediately.

The most common symptoms are:
  • sudden rapid breathing or shortness of breath
  • sharp chest pain that is worse when you cough or take a deep breath
  • a cough that brings up pink, foamy mucus
  • severe lightheadedness
Pulmonary embolism can also cause more general symptoms. For example, you may feel anxious or on edge, sweat a lot, feel lightheaded or faint, or have a fast heart rate or palpitations.

If you have symptoms like these, you need to see a doctor right away, especially if they are sudden and severe.
Deep Vein Thrombosis or DVT, is the formation of a blood clot in a deep vein, usually in a calf or thigh muscle. DVT can partly or completely block blood flow, causing chronic pain and swelling. It may damage valves in blood vessels, making it difficult for you to get around. A blood clot can also break free and travel through your blood to major organs, such as your lungs or heart. There, it can cause damage and even death within hours.
Half of all DVT cases cause no symptoms, however, if you have any of the DVT symptoms below, especially if they occur suddenly, call your doctor right away:

The most common symptoms are:
  • Swelling in one or both legs
  • Pain or tenderness in one or both legs, which may occur only
    while standing or walking
  • Warmth in the skin of the affected leg
  • Red or discolored skin in the affected leg
  • Visible surface veins
  • Leg fatigue
Stroke is caused by a blocked blood vessel or bleeding in the brain. The signs of a stroke include a sudden severe headache, weakness, numbness, vision problems, confusion, trouble walking or talking, dizziness and slurred speech.

If you, or someone with you, exhibits any of the signs of stroke, do not delay because timely treatment is critical to survival and recovery.

The most common symptoms are:
  • Sudden weakness or numbness in the face, arm, or leg on one side of the body.
  • Abrupt loss of vision, strength, coordination, sensation, speech, or the ability to understand speech. These symptoms may become worse over time.
  • Sudden dimness of vision, especially in one eye.
  • Sudden loss of balance, possibly accompanied by vomiting, nausea, fever, hiccups, or trouble with swallowing.
  • Sudden and severe headache with no other cause followed rapidly by loss of consciousness -- indications of a stroke due to bleeding.
  • Brief loss of consciousness.
  • Unexplained dizziness or sudden falls.
Heart Attack
The most common symptoms are:
  • Discomfort, pressure, heaviness, or pain in the chest, arm, or below the breastbone
  • Discomfort radiating to the back, jaw, throat, or arm
  • Fullness, indigestion, or choking feeling (may feel like heartburn)
  • Sweating, nausea, vomiting, or dizziness
  • Extreme weakness, anxiety, or shortness of breath
  • Rapid or irregular heartbeats
  • During a heart attack, symptoms last 30 minutes or longer and are not relieved by rest or nitroglycerin under the tongue.