What is NuvaRing?

The NuvaRing is a contraceptive containing a combination of ethinyl estradiol and etonogestrel. The NuvaRing is a small, flexible, clear ring that either you or a doctor will insert into the vagina for 3 weeks at a time to prevent pregnancy. The NuvaRing is effective in preventing pregnancy due to the female hormones that are found inside the ring; ethinyl estradiol and etonogestrel prevent ovulation (the release of an egg during the menstrual cycle). These two hormones are also responsible for the thickening of vaginal fluid to make it more difficult for sperm to reach an egg while also altering the lining of the uterus to prevent a fertilized egg from attaching. In order for pregnancy, the fertilized egg must attach to the lining of the womb or else it will pass out of the body.

Follow instructions on the prescription bottle carefully. If you are unsure how to use this product, contact your doctor.

You must wear the NuvaRing for 21 days (3 weeks) with the following 7 days (1 week) with no ring. You must take this one week break from the NuvaRing.

Choose a comfortable insertion position

Most people will either lie down on their back, squatting, or standing with one leg up.

Prepare for insertion

Take the NuvaRing between your thumb and index finger; press the side of the ring together so the sides of the ring touch.

Inserting the NuvaRing

Insert the NuvaRing and gently push it into your vagina using your index finger.

If the NuvaRing feels uncomfortable, it may caused by not pushing the ring in far enough; ensure you have pushed it all the way in.

The NuvaRing should not be used by pregnant women or by women who have recently given birth (within 4 weeks).

Some conditions may make the NuvaRing dangerous for you to use. You should find an alternative birth control if you have uncontrolled high blood pressure, heart disease, coronary artery disease, circulation problems (especially with diabetes), vaginal bleeding (undiagnosed), liver disease, liver cancer, severe migraine headaches, or if you have ever had a heart attack, a stroke, a blood clot, or cancer of the breast, cervix/uterus, or vagina.

Other factors that make it dangerous to use the NuvaRing include certain hepatitis C medications, if you are about to have major surgery, or if you smoke and are over the age of 35. If these apply to you; find an alternative contraceptive.

Dose adjustment or special precautions may be required

Other conditions may also have an effect on the NuvaRing and you may need special cautionary instructions before using this product. Tell your doctor if you have ever had heart disease, high blood pressure, or if you are prone to blood clots, high cholesterol or triglycerides, liver or kidney disease, depression, diabetes, underactive thyroid, gallbladder disease, a seizure or migraine headaches, irregular menstrual cycles, toxic shock syndrome, or easy vaginal irritation, jaundice caused by pregnancy or birth control pills, a family history of breast cancer, fibrocystic breast disease or an abnormal mammogram, or if you have recently had a miscarriage or abortion.

Risks

Using the NuvaRing can cause an increase risk for blood clots, stroke, or heart attack. During your first year of using NuvaRing, your risk for blood clots is the highest, or after inserting a ring after 4 or more weeks of not using one.

You should not breastfeed while using the NuvaRing.

This contraceptive will not be effective if you wear it only during the time of intercourse. You must wear the ring for 3 weeks (21 days) at a time.

The NuvaRing can sometimes cause a bacterial infection called toxic shock syndrome. Watch for signs and contact your doctor if you think you may have this infection. (See side effects)

Common side effects of NuvaRing may include:

headache, mood changes, decreased sex drive; vaginal irritation or discharge, pain in your cervix; menstrual cramps, breast pain or tenderness; nausea, vomiting, stomach pain; acne or weight gain.

The above side effects should not alarm you.

Serious side effects of NuvaRing may include:

lumps in the breast; severe stomach/abdominal pain; or dark urine

If you have any of the above side effects, contact your doctor right away.

Contact your doctor if you notice signs of…

inserting the ring into the bladder: urgent/frequent/burning/painful urination and cannot find the ring in your vagina;

a stroke: sudden numbness or weakness (especially on one side of the body), sudden severe headache, slurred speech, problems with vision or balance;

a blood clot: sudden vision loss, stabbing chest pain, feeling short of breath, coughing up blood, pain or warmth in one or both legs;

a heart attack: chest pain or pressure, pain spreading to your jaw or shoulder, nausea, sweating;

toxic shock syndrome: sudden fever, body aches, skin rash, vomiting, diarrhea, and feeling dizzy or light-headed;

depression: mood changes, thoughts about hurting yourself; or

liver problems: loss of appetite, upper stomach pain, tiredness, dark urine, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

How to insert NuvaRing?

First, you should choose an insertion position that you feel the most comfortable with.  This position can be lying down, sitting on a stool or chair, or standing with one leg lifted up on a stool. Then hold the NuvaRing between your thumb and index finger and press the sides of the ring together. When ready, insert the NuvaRing into your vagina and gently push it further up your vagina using your index finger. Once inserted, it may move around slightly in your vagina, however this is normal. And while some women may be aware of the NuvaRing in the vagina, most women do not feel it when it has been set in place.

How does NuvaRing work?

The NuvaRing stops sperm from joining with an egg. Like most other birth control pills, the ring contains the hormones estrogen and progestin.  These are similar to the hormones your body naturally creates. You wear the ring inside your vagina, and you absorb the hormones into your body through the vaginal lining. The hormones in the NuvaRing stop ovulation.  This means there is no egg for sperm to fertilize. So pregnancy can’t happen.

How long does it take for NuvaRing to work?

If you begin to use the ring on or before the day fifth of your menstrual cycle, the ring will provide pregnancy protection seven days later.

How effective is NuvaRing?

The NuvaRing is 91% to 99% percent effective, meaning that when use of the NuvaRing is exactly as prescribed, less than 1 out of 100 women who use the birth control ring will become pregnant in one year.

How long after taking NuvaRing out should period start?

If you are using the NuvaRing in a cyclic way, you may remove the NuvaRing after 3 complete weeks of use and then wait one full week before you insert a new ring. During this “ring free” time you are likely to have your period.

How much is NuvaRing?

While you can buy the NuvaRing locally for a fair price, My Drug Center can offer something a little more affordable. We sell the NuvaRing at a starting price of 1 ring for $39.00; we also have the option of 90 day supply, which is 3 rings.

What happens if you take your NuvaRing out early?

It is suggested by many medical professionals that you do not take the ring out early. Removing it early will interfere with your menstrual pattern, and you will not be protected during sexual intercourse. Your best bet is to leave it in for the 21 days, and then once taken out, leave it out for 7 days, then insert a new ring.