NuvaRing
"A small contraceptive ring that is soft and flexible which you place inside your vagina. It steadily releases hormones to prevent pregnancy. You’ll need an annual blood pressure and weight check to use NuvaRing."
What is NuvaRing?
NuvaRing is a small contraceptive ring that you place inside your vagina. It steadily releases hormones (ethinylestradiol or etonogestrel) to prevent unwanted pregnancy.
How does it work?
NuvaRing is a type of contraceptive vaginal ring. It’s a small, flexible ring you insert into your vagina for 3 weeks, followed by a 1-week break. When inside, it provides a slow, controlled release of hormones (ethinylestradiol or etonogestrel).
As long as the ring stays inside your vagina, the exact position isn’t important. NuvaRing should allow you to have sex and use tampons as normal.
Does NuvaRing prevent STIs?
While NuvaRing works to prevent pregnancy, it doesn’t protect you against sexually transmitted diseases (STIs). NuvaRing can be used with condoms to stop you getting STIs.
How to use NuvaRing
- Most women choose to put NuvaRing in for 3 weeks, then remove it and take a 1-week break before putting a new one in. To make sure NuvaRing can be most effective, note the exact day and time you put a ring in or take it out.
- Extended use also works. Put a new ring in every 3 weeks for 9 weeks (that’s 3 rings in total). Then go without a ring for the next 4 or 7 days.
- You can choose continuous use, putting a new ring in every 3 weeks with no break.
Our clinicians will advise you on the best way to take this contraceptive ring.
To insert the ring, press the opposite sides together to make an oval. Now push the ring into your vagina until it feels comfortable.
To remove the ring, hook one of your fingers under the ring and gently pull it out.
Can I use tampons with NuvaRing?
Yes, you can put tampons in while using NuvaRing. However, always make sure the NuvaRing is in place before inserting a tampon. Be careful when removing a tampon. You don’t want to accidentally pull the NuvaRing out at the same time. If it does come out, rinse the ring in cool to lukewarm water and immediately put it back inside.
Effectiveness
NuvaRing is around 99% effective, as long as it’s used properly.
While it doesn’t need to be in a particular position, it does need to stay in place inside the vagina to be effective. When you’re using NuvaRing, this is the main thing to be aware of.
Side effects of NuvaRing
Most women experience no side effects when using NuvaRing. However, some women have reported skin irritation, discharge, mood swings, irregular bleeding, and sore breasts. This contraceptive also carries a slightly higher risk of blood clots than others.
For full details of side effects and correct use, please see the NuvaRing patient information leaflet. And if you’re worried about side effects, including blood clots, you can contact us in your Patient Record.
Product features
99% effective when you use it correctly
No need to remember to take a daily pill
Easy to insert and remove yourself
What is NuvaRing?
NuvaRing is a small contraceptive ring that you place inside your vagina. It steadily releases hormones (ethinylestradiol or etonogestrel) to prevent unwanted pregnancy.
How does it work?
NuvaRing is a type of contraceptive vaginal ring. It’s a small, flexible ring you insert into your vagina for 3 weeks, followed by a 1-week break. When inside, it provides a slow, controlled release of hormones (ethinylestradiol or etonogestrel).
As long as the ring stays inside your vagina, the exact position isn’t important. NuvaRing should allow you to have sex and use tampons as normal.
Does NuvaRing prevent STIs?
While NuvaRing works to prevent pregnancy, it doesn’t protect you against sexually transmitted diseases (STIs). NuvaRing can be used with condoms to stop you getting STIs.
How to use NuvaRing
- Most women choose to put NuvaRing in for 3 weeks, then remove it and take a 1-week break before putting a new one in. To make sure NuvaRing can be most effective, note the exact day and time you put a ring in or take it out.
- Extended use also works. Put a new ring in every 3 weeks for 9 weeks (that’s 3 rings in total). Then go without a ring for the next 4 or 7 days.
- You can choose continuous use, putting a new ring in every 3 weeks with no break.
Our clinicians will advise you on the best way to take this contraceptive ring.
To insert the ring, press the opposite sides together to make an oval. Now push the ring into your vagina until it feels comfortable.
To remove the ring, hook one of your fingers under the ring and gently pull it out.
Can I use tampons with NuvaRing?
Yes, you can put tampons in while using NuvaRing. However, always make sure the NuvaRing is in place before inserting a tampon. Be careful when removing a tampon. You don’t want to accidentally pull the NuvaRing out at the same time. If it does come out, rinse the ring in cool to lukewarm water and immediately put it back inside.
Effectiveness
NuvaRing is around 99% effective, as long as it’s used properly.
While it doesn’t need to be in a particular position, it does need to stay in place inside the vagina to be effective. When you’re using NuvaRing, this is the main thing to be aware of.
Side effects of NuvaRing
Most women experience no side effects when using NuvaRing. However, some women have reported skin irritation, discharge, mood swings, irregular bleeding, and sore breasts. This contraceptive also carries a slightly higher risk of blood clots than others.
For full details of side effects and correct use, please see the NuvaRing patient information leaflet. And if you’re worried about side effects, including blood clots, you can contact us in your Patient Record.
Select a medication and complete our simple, confidential online consultation
A clinician will review your answers and, if suitable, prescribe treatment
Choose next-day delivery, or click & collect from your local pharmacy
NuvaRing FAQs
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How long does NuvaRing take to work?
As long as you haven’t used a hormonal contraceptive during the last month, insert the first NuvaRing on the first day of your menstrual cycle. NuvaRing starts working straight away and you won’t need to use other contraceptives with it.
You can also start to use NuvaRing between days 2 and 5 of your cycle. However, if you have sex during the first 7 days with a NuvaRing, you should also use additional contraception like condoms. You only need to follow this advice when using NuvaRing for the first time.
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Does NuvaRing stop your periods?
The NuvaRing may make periods lighter. While using NuvaRing, some women get unexpected vaginal bleeding between periods. You might need sanitary protection for this, but leave the ring in your vagina if you’re using tampons. If the irregular bleeding continues, gets heavy or starts again, please message our clinicians through your Patient Record for advice.
Your NuvaRing needs to be replaced every 21 days. If you switch to a new ring within 3 hours of taking out the old one, you may just get some spotting rather than a period. If you don’t change the rings within 3 hours, you can go without a ring for 7 days and you’ll get a period-type bleed.
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Who can use NuvaRing?
You should talk to your clinician about alternative birth control options and not use NuvaRing if:
- You have, or have ever had, a blood clot in a blood vessel of your legs (deep vein thrombosis, DVT), your lungs (pulmonary embolus, PE) or other organs.
- You have a blood clotting disorder.
- You have, or have ever had, a heart attack or stroke.
- You have very high blood pressure.
There are other instances where the contraceptive ring is not suitable, and our clinicians can advise on this during your online consultation.
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Can I take NuvaRing while breastfeeding?
When breastfeeding in the first 6 weeks after birth you shouldn’t use the vaginal ring, as it can reduce the flow of your breastmilk.
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Where can I buy NuvaRing?
As NuvaRing is prescription only you’ll need to consult with a clinician before you can buy it, even if you’re using an online service.
We can prescribe NuvaRing for you online, for discreet delivery or to pick up from your nearest Well pharmacy. To make sure it’s safe for you, we'll ask you a series of questions including your height, weight and blood pressure.
Start an online consultation. It’ll only take a few minutes and is completely confidential.
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What should I do if I get NuvaRing side effects?
As with all medications, some women may experience side effects when using NuvaRing. You should talk to your doctor if you get any side effects that you think are related to NuvaRing, particularly if they’re severe and persistent. This includes any side effects not listed on the patient information leaflet.
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NuvaRing warnings
Combined contraceptives can raise your blood pressure, which can be dangerous. So, it’s important to check your blood pressure before starting the treatment, then once a year after that.
As part of your consultation, we’ll ask you if you’ve had your blood pressure checked recently, or checked it yourself at home using a blood pressure monitor. This information is required before we can prescribe combined contraceptives like those in NuvaRing.
Using a combined hormonal contraceptive like NuvaRing also increases your risk of developing a blood clot compared with other birth control options. In rare cases a blood clot can block blood vessels, causing serious problems.
NuvaRing won’t protect you against sexually transmitted infections like Chlamydia or HIV. Only condoms can help with this.
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NuvaRing drug interactions
You should be able to use NuvaRing alongside other medicines.
So our clinicians can prescribe it safely, you’ll need to let us know which prescription, over-the-counter medicines and recreational drugs you’re taking regularly.
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Alternative NuvaRing contraception
NuvaRing is just one of a wide range of contraceptives we can advise you on and prescribe. These include combination pills, Evra Patch, mini pills, and low-dose combination pills.
See our full contraception range here.
You can also get long-acting contraceptives through your GP or family planning clinic. These include the coil, implants, and contraceptive injections.
