Expert: Norman Solberg - 12/30/2008

Question
I think that I ovulated while on the Nuvaring. My last period was Dec 10. The one before that was Nov. 13. I got "egg whitey" discharge on Dec 21, 22, 23rd. Had sex Dec. 21 and 22nd. Every day it seems to be a new symptom. From sore breasts (sharp pain in left breast), bleeding gums (very light), rash, stuffy nose, and hot flashes. Is it likely that I could be pregnant or are these just side effects of the nuvaring?

Answer
If you've been on the Nuvaring for a while and haven't had these symptoms before, it's unlikely the symptoms are from the ring, since the hormones in the ring will be fairly constant.  Pregnancy is pretty unlikely as long as that Dec. 10 period was a normal one.  Even if you got pregnant around Dec. 22 you usually wouldn't feel symptoms of pregnancy yet (unless you were already pregnant Dec. 10 and it was not a real period - unlikely).  It's more likely your symptoms are something else, such as stress, viral illness, etc.  If you think you might be pregnant I'd do a pregnancy test, realizing it won't be positive until 2 weeks after you conceive.  Otherwise I'd take good care of yourself and see if your next period comes normally.