NuvaRing & Missed Ring Use: What to Do?

Question
Hi!! I'm totally stressed out, I am a senior year nursing student in my very last semester and completely stressed out by the work and like an idiot, I havent been using my birth control as I should. I am on the NuvaRing and I had a normal period beginning on 1/8 and it lasted about 4 days which is my usual, I completely forgot about putting my ring back in, although I thought I had. In that period I engaged in sexual intercourse with my husband three times, I noticed the third time and put the ring in immediately on 1/22...now I'm worried I'm pregnant and because of my medical knowledge I am overthinking this way too much, I took a pregnancy test today 2/6; and it was negative but I also know that Hcg may not show up this early, any advice on my chances of pregnancy??? I did look up some info on the Ring but not enough to give me a direct answer and ur a professional sooo please help to put my mind at ease.

Answer
Hi Amy,

Did you go for more than 7 days without a ring? Whenever wait more than 7 days before inserting a new ring there is a chance you can become pregnant if you have unprotected sex. However, this does not mean you will become pregnant. Going by your dates of 1/22 and 2/6, you took a pregnancy test 15 days after the last time you had unprotected sex. Generally, home pregnancy tests can pick up hcG 14 days after ovulation. Sperm can live up to 5 days in your body which would put the test at 10-14 days after ovulation. While not the ideal time, it is still possible for tests to pick up hcG since implantation occurs on average 6-12 days after ovulation. So I think there is a good chance you are not pregnant. Also check the test's lever of sensitivity (it should be on the box). They can range from detection levels of 20ml/U- 150 ml/U (I think most home pregnancy tests are around 50). The lower the number, the less likely it is that the test was a false negative.

I recommend, however, that you wait a few more days and retake the test to be sure and to ease your mind.

I hope this helps. If you have further questions let me know.

-Mia