NuvaRing® is purported to be a once-a-month, combined contraceptive vaginal ring that provides month-long birth control by emitting a continuous dose of estrogen and progestin for 21 days. NuvaRing® is manufactured by Organon and Akzo Nobel (now divisions of Schering Plough).
Studies have shown that NuvaRing® has been found to carry more severe side-effects than its oral contraceptive counterparts. This disparity in the levels of reported side-effects has been attributed to the direct method of hormone introduction. Studies also show that the major side-effect of NuvaRing® is deep vein thrombosis, or blood clots. These blood clots form in the deep veins of the legs, pelvis, or arms causing major discomfort. It has been found that, if the clot dislodges, it can lead to sudden, and many times fatal, stroke, heart attack, myocardial infarction or pulmonary embolism.
Currently, NuvaRing® claims are the subject of a Multi-District Litigation in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri, having been consolidated for discovery purposes in August of 2008. More recently, NuvaRing® claims have been selected for Mass Tort treatment in the New Jersey Superior Court, Bergen County.