Missed Period & Negative Pregnancy Test: What Could It Mean?

Question
Hi,
My last period was on October 31st and I've been using the NuvaRing consistently for three weeks, then took it out this past week.  I never got my period and about 10 days ago I had a random episode of vomiting, then four days later I threw up again.  Then again today I threw up and have been nauseous all day.  Other than that, I feel fine, except I have been sleeping all the time and have virtually lost my appetite.  I took a pregnancy test the day after I expected my period (first thing in the morning) and it was negative.  Should I have a blood test done?  Is there a possibility I could be pregnant while using the ring?  It has never fallen out or been out except I removed it during intercourse, but always less than three hours.  Thanks for your input!!

Answer
Dear Caroline,

NuvaRing is a birth control method which is purported to be 99% effective when used as directed. If you have only had the NuvaRing out for less than three hours at a time and it was not in more than 4 weeks, it should not have decreased its effectiveness. Nausea is a side effect that can occur with NuvaRing use.

If you want to be absolutely sure so that you are not using the NuvaRing if you ARE pregnant, you will need to re-test. Although some tests claim accuracy on the first day of a missed period, I usually suggest that women wait until the week after a missed or spotty period before testing for pregnancy. This tends to minimize the incidence of false negative results and also avoids wasting money on a test for a simple delay of a period by a few days. Again, when you test make sure to use 1st morning urine to get a concentrated sample for the most accurate results. If you prefer, you can have your doctor's office do a quantitative blood pregnancy test (serum beta hCG). That test will give an actual amount of hCG in your bloodstream rather than just a positive/negative result. Any amount of 25 mIU/ml or more would be considered positive for pregnancy.

I hope this has helped you and answered your question. I wish you well.

Brenda