Talking to Your Doctor
Choosing a birth control method can be a difficult decision. With so many options, how should you decide what’s best for you? Well, it’s not something you should decide alone. Choosing a birth control method should be a joint decision between you and your doctor.
Don’t be shy. Some women may find it uncomfortable to talk honestly with their doctors. But your doctor is depending on you to share your feelings and concerns. Remember, nobody knows your needs like you do. And you are your biggest advocate.
Questions about birth control
Ask yourself the following questions. Print them out and take them with you to your next doctor's appointment as conversation starters:
Prescription NuvaRing is a flexible vaginal ring approved for the prevention of pregnancy in women.
Important Safety Information
Cigarette smoking increases the risk of serious cardiovascular side effects when you use combination oral contraceptives. This risk increases even more if you are over age 35 and if you smoke 15 or more cigarettes a day. Women who use combination hormonal contraceptives, including NuvaRing, are strongly advised not to smoke.
- The use of combination oral contraceptives is associated with increased risks of several serious side effects, including blood clots, stroke, or heart attack. NuvaRing is not for women with a history of these conditions. The risk of getting blood clots may be greater with the type of progestin in NuvaRing than with some other progestins in certain low-dose birth control pills. It is unknown if the risk of blood clots is different with NuvaRing use than with the use of certain birth control pills.
- NuvaRing is not for women with certain cancers or those who may be pregnant.
- NuvaRing does not protect against HIV infection and other sexually transmitted diseases.
- The most common side effects reported by NuvaRing users are: vaginal infections and irritation, vaginal secretion, headache, weight gain, and nausea.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA.
Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Please read the Patient Information for NuvaRing, including the information about the increased risk of serious cardiovascular side effects, especially in women who smoke, and discuss it with your doctor. The physician Prescribing Information is also available.
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