Birth control

[Bh1234]

I had abnormal liver function tests in December but had a high fever. An ultrasound revealed no apparent liver disease. I have not had my liver enzymes tested since then, but I went on an unprescribed nuvaring because I did not want my parents to know that I was sexually active. I then discovered that I should not have taken the nuvaring because of a potential active liver disease. My question is, should I take it out? It has been in for a little over a week and I had a day 1 start. Also, if I do take it out, will it offer protection up to this point? I have been having unprotected sex.

[Elaine Brown, MD]

Hi!
If you were my patient, I would do a complete exam and pap, and then a pregnancy test and liver enzyme studies.  I would want to test you for hepatitis a,b and c.  I would also do a complete STD panel for you during the exam.

You REALLY need to get in to a doctor (Planned Parenthood?).

If you were my patient, I would tell you:

If a home pregnancy test is positive, the Nuva ring definitely needs to be removed.
If the test is negative, DO NOT remove the ring; DO use condoms, and DO get some follow up for your liver tests, because if you do have chronic liver disease, you will need to switch to a different method.

Good luck!

[Bh1234]

Also, before I started the Nuvaring (11 days before and 16 days before) I had taken plan B. I used a day 1 start, but now that I am reading the Nuvaring website I probably should have used protection for the first 7 days, but did not because I believed that I was not switching from another birth control. What is my chance for pregnancy? Please please respond, I am under terrible stress.