Women are again confronted with concerns their health may have been put in jeopardy by using a dangerous birth control product. The consumer group Public Citizen has petitioned the FDA to ban several contraceptives that contain certain synthetic hormones after a number of studies indicated an increased risk of blood clots and stroke in women using them.
NuvaRing is a flexible vaginal ring placed near the cervix containing etonogestrel, a synthetic progestin to prevent pregnancy. NuvaRing continuously releases doses of etonogestrel and ethinyl estradiol over a three week period which prevents the ovaries from producing mature eggs. Etonogestrel has been associated with a higher risk of venus thrombosis and clotting than other progestins which work just as well. Blood clots, pulmonary embolisms (clots of the pulmonary artery), deep vein thrombosis (blood clot in a deep vein) and ischemic strokes have been associated with NuvaRing.
Over the years women have used approved birth control products such as Norplant implants and Ortho Evra patches which later were removed from the market or had stronger warnings added to their label. Currently there are over 50 lawsuits filed against Organon USA, Inc., the manufacturer of NuvaRing, alleging they not only knew of the risks and potential side effects, but concealed those risks from the FDA during the approval process and from the public in marketing their product.
Women are always looking for a less-stringent contraceptive to prevent unwanted pregnancies. Manufacturers have introduced innovative changes to meet those demands. Unfortunately, a number of these newer birth control products have been rushed to market without sufficient testing and concern for the health of the women who use them. The FDA is undergoing a radical overhaul under the new administration. Hopefully, a revamped FDA will have the resources and manpower to thoroughly test these new contraceptive products before they are approved and sold to an unsuspecting public.
Richard J. Arsenault, 2011
