Nuvaring & weight question - Birth Control Message Board

NerdQueen · 10-03-2006, 04:54 PM

Hello,

I have heard that Nuvaring, like the patch, "may be" less effective for women who weigh more than 200 pounds. My OBGYN said the same. However, I cannot find any statistics that indicate HOW MUCH less effective it might be; all my doctor said was that the manufacturer doesn't guarantee the same effectiveness for women who weigh more than 200 pounds.

I have a lot of questions about this. For example, do every 10 pounds over 200 reduce the effectiveness by a certain percentage? Have any studies been done on this? Would the risk be comparable to the risk of failure for someone who was bad about taking the pill correctly? Also, would it differ for someone who was 200 pounds and overweight, vs. someone who was closer to their ideal weight at 200 pounds (like someone who is tall and big-boned)?

There is nothing official from the makers of Nuvaring in their package insert, on the web site, or in the "risks" or "disadvantages" information I can find on any web site. If my doctor hadn't mentioned it I wouldn't know anything about it.

I am concerned that there seems to be so little information anywhere about this risk - I know that they say the same about the patch, and everything is similar - this vague, "it may be less effective" stuff. Scary to think that this could be a potential risk but women aren't being informed about it!

Thanks to anyone who may have more info!

mayam · 10-05-2006, 02:32 PM

Yes the b/c is sometimes test on women who are a lighter weight than caucasian women such as those from Thailand. i dont know about ht patch, ring etc but i do know withe implant, people are advise to have it changed 6 months earlier if they are over a certain weight.
Good luck