Contraception- Vaginal Contraceptive Ring ("NuvaRing")
- Before I started using the NuvaRing® I occasionally used vaginal yeast treatments. Can I still do this with the NuvaRing®?
- Can I overdose when using it?
- Can NuvaRing get lost inside of me?
- Does the vaginal contraceptive ring interfere with sex?
- How do I stop using NuvaRing if I want to get pregnant?
- It is safe to use a tampon with NuvaRing?
- It is safe to use a tampon with NuvaRing?
- What does it feel like when it's in my vagina?
- What happens if I miss a menstrual period when I'm using NuvaRing?
- What should I avoid while using it?
- What should I do if I forget to put a new contraceptive ring in?
- What should I do if I keep a contraceptive ring in for too long?
- What should I do if it slips out?
- Will it cause an infection?
- Will it fall out?
- Will my partner or I feel it?
Before I started using the NuvaRing® I occasionally used vaginal yeast treatments. Can I still do this with the NuvaRing®?
Yes, you may safely use vaginal yeast treatments or spermicides with the ring in place and the effectiveness of the treatments and the NuvaRing® will not be compromised.
No. The ring is designed to release a small amount of hormone every day. However, do not use more than one ring at a time.
Can NuvaRing get lost inside of me?
No, it cannot. The vagina is a bit like a sock, with an opening at one end and closed at the other. There is nowhere for the ring to go, so it cannot get lost. At worst, it can fall out, but it cannot go into your abdomen.
Does the vaginal contraceptive ring interfere with sex?
Although many women are hesitant to try the vaginal contraceptive ring (NuvaRing®) because they don't like the idea of a foreign object in the vagina, it is rare for the contraceptive to cause women problems related to intercourse. A male partner will not usually notice the ring and if he does, it generally is not bothersome. Only 1-2% of women using the NuvaRing® will stop using it because of problems related to intercourse, such as the ring falling out.
How do I stop using NuvaRing if I want to get pregnant?
Just remove the ring. Your period should come within the next 2 weeks. The birth control hormone is out of your system in 1-2 days. There is no impact on future fertility after you stop using the Nuva Ring.
It is safe to use a tampon with NuvaRing?
Tampons are safe to use with the ring, although you have to be careful not to pull the ring out with the tampon. If the ring does come out with the tampon, simply rinse the ring off under the tap (lukewarm water) and reinsert it.
It is safe to use a tampon with NuvaRing?
Tampons are safe to use with the ring, although you have to be careful not to pull the ring out with the tampon. If the ring does come out with the tampon, simply rinse the ring off under the tap (lukewarm water) and reinsert it.
What does it feel like when it's in my vagina?
If it is sitting in the right place, you do not know it is there. If you can feel it, it is probably too close to the outside of the vagina. Gently push it up higher with your finger, and you will likely not feel it any more.
What happens if I miss a menstrual period when I'm using NuvaRing?
It is possible that you might be pregnant. Although Nuva Ring is not harmful if used while pregnant, you should make sure you aren't pregnant before inserting a new one. If you left the ring out for more than three hours, took more than a 7 day break between rings, or left the ring in for more than four weeks, or have missed two or more periods in a row, you need to do a pregnancy test.
What should I avoid while using it?
You should avoid smoking while using Nuva Ring. It can increase your chance of events like stroke or heart attack, especially if you are over the age of 35.
If you are breastfeeding, you may want to delay using the Nuva Ring as it may interfere with breast milk production. Speak to your health care provider.
If you are on any other medications, let your doctor know about them before starting Nuva Ring. Some medications may interfere with the ring, possibly making one or the other less effective.
Do not use a diaphragm for contraception with Nuva Ring in place. It will not fit properly.
What should I do if I forget to put a new contraceptive ring in?
If it has been less than seven days since you took the last ring out, you can go ahead and put in the new ring right away. If has been more than 7 days, insert the new ring right away and use another backup method of birth control (like condoms or abstinence) for 7 days. If you think you might be pregnant, do a pregnancy test and see your health care provider as soon as possible.
What should I do if I keep a contraceptive ring in for too long?
If it has been in for more than three weeks, but less than four weeks, take the ring out and take a 7 day break. Re-insert the next ring within 7 days. If the ring has been in longer than four weeks, it is possible that you were not protected against pregnancy. Consider emergency contraception (now available from pharmacies without a prescription) if you have the ring in for more than 4 weeks and you had sexual intercourse. You need to confirm you are not pregnant before inserting the next ring. If you are not pregnant, insert the next ring right away, and use a backup method of contraception for 7 days.
What should I do if it slips out?
If the ring has been out for less than 3 hours, rinse it off under lukewarm tap water and put it back in the vagina.
If it has been out for more than 3 hours:
During Weeks 1 and 2: Contraceptive effectiveness may be reduced. Re-insert ring as soon as you remember and use a back-up method of birth control, such as male condoms or abstinence, until the ring has been used continuously for seven days.
During Week 3: Throw the ring away and choose one of the following two options:
1. Insert a new ring immediately. Inserting a new ring will start the next three-week use period. You may not experience a period from your previous cycle. However, breakthrough spotting or bleeding may occur. Use a back-up method of contraception for the next 7 days.
2. Wait up to seven days and then put a new ring in. You will probably have a period during the time when you don't have the ring in. Do not go for more than 7 days without having the ring in. If you do, you will need to use a back-up method of birth control for the first seven days after the ring has been inserted.
No. The studies have shown that there is no increase in bacterial or sexually transmitted infections when using Nuva Ring. It does not protect against sexually transmitted infections, so consider using a condom if you might be at risk.
It will not fall out with regular activity, like walking, running, or even swimming. However, some women have had it fall out during intercourse. When you have intercourse the first few times with the Nuva Ring in, check to be sure that it has not fallen out. If it has (and it has been out for less than 3 hours), rinse it under warm tap water and put it back in.
During intercourse, women do not usually notice the ring. When the men were asked, 8 out of 10 did not feel the ring during sex. Those that did, however, did not mind it or find it uncomfortable.
