NuvaRing is a vaginal ring which is a type of female contraception that protects against pregnancy. It is a small, circular ring, measuring 5cm in diameter, that’s made of soft, clear plastic which is easily inserted into the vagina.

NuvaRing contains the active ingredients etonogestrel (a synthetic progesterone) and ethinylestradiol (a synthetic oestrogen) which are steadily released into your bloodstream to stop you getting pregnant. The ring contains small amounts of these female hormones, so is classed as a low-dose, combined hormonal contraceptive.

You can insert a NuvaRing yourself and your doctor will advise when you should insert it for the first time. Each ring is left in place for 3 weeks followed by a 7-day break in which you have your period before a new ring is inserted.

NuvaRing works by releasing man-made versions of the female sex hormones, oestrogen and progesterone into your bloodstream to prevent pregnancy. NuvaRing prevents pregnancy in the following 3 ways:

1. prevents ovulation (an egg being released by the ovaries)
2. thins the womb lining making it hard for any fertilised egg to attach and grow
3. thickens mucus in the cervix making it difficult for sperm to reach an egg

How long does NuvaRing take to work?

If you start NuvaRing from day 1 to day 5 of your period, you should be protected from pregnancy straight away. If you insert a NuvaRing after day 5 of your period, you’ll need to use additional contraception, like condoms, for 7 days.

How effective is NuvaRing?

If used correctly, NuvaRing will offer 99% protection from becoming pregnant. Studies have shown that NuvaRing has a Pearl Index of 0.96 which means that fewer than 1 in 100 women will get pregnant while using the NuvaRing per year.

The following steps should be followed for a successful insertion:

1. Wash your hands with warm, soapy water and dry them thoroughly.
2. Choose the most comfortable position for you to insert the ring, standing with one leg up, squatting, or lying down.
3. Carefully remove the NuvaRing from its packet.
4. Holding the ring between your thumb and index finger, gently squeeze the opposite sides together and insert the ring into the vagina. You can use the NuvaRing applicator to make insertion easier. When NuvaRing is in place you shouldn’t feel anything. If it is uncomfortable, you may need to insert it a bit further until it is comfortable. It doesn’t matter where it is placed in the vagina.
5. After 3 weeks, remove the NuvaRing from your vagina by hooking your index finger under the front rim of the ring or grasping the rim and pulling it out. If you locate the ring, but are unable to remove it, contact your doctor.
6. Once removed, place the ring in the reclosable sachet and throw it away in your household rubbish.

The NuvaRing should be left in your vagina uninterrupted for 3 weeks, then:

• it should be removed on the same weekday and time it was put in – if you inserted it on Monday at 9pm, you should remove it 3 weeks later on Monday at 9pm
• once removed, you should not use the NuvaRing for 1 week and you should experience a bleed 2 to 3 days after it was removed
• insert a new ring exactly 1 week after the week-long break on the same day and at the same time, even if you have not stopped bleeding

Should I use the NuvaRing during my period?

Yes, ideally you should start the NuvaRing on days 1 to 5 of your period to be protected against pregnancy straight away. You should also insert a new NuvaRing after the 1-week break, even if you are still experiencing a withdrawal bleed.

What if the NuvaRing slips out?

If the NuvaRing slips out and it has been out of the vagina for:

• Less than 3 hours, rinse it in cold to lukewarm water and reinsert it.
• More than 3 hours during the 1st or 2nd week, rinse it in cold to lukewarm water and reinsert it and leave it in place for at least 7 days. You’ll need to use condoms for the next 7 days.

Important: If your NuvaRing has slipped out during your first week of using it and you have had sex in the past 7 days, you may be pregnant. In this case, speak to your doctor.

If the NuvaRing has been out of your vagina for more than 3 hours during the 3rd week, you should throw it away and either:

1. Insert a new ring immediately to start a new 3-week use period, or;
2. Have your period and then insert a new ring no later than 7 days from the time the previous ring fell out.

If you are unsure about anything (including how long the ring has been out of your body) contact your doctor or if you think you may be pregnant, you should do a pregnancy test.

NuvaRing is only available with a prescription from a doctor or registered healthcare professional. You can request NuvaRing from reputable online services like Superdrug Online Doctor without the need for a face-to-face appointment.

Can I buy NuvaRing online?

Yes, you can request NuvaRing easily from Superdrug Online Doctor by:

1. Filling out a brief health and lifestyle questionnaire.
2. Requesting your preferred treatment and making payment.
3. One of our doctors will review your treatment request and questionnaire answers.
4. If approved, your treatment will be posted to your address or made available for collection at your local Superdrug Pharmacy.
5. If your request is not approved, one of our doctors will contact you via your account with other treatment options.

Can I buy NuvaRing over the counter?

No, NuvaRing is a prescription-only contraceptive, so you will need approval from a doctor to obtain it.

If you are looking for an over the counter contraception method, Hana is available without a prescription.

Can I get NuvaRing on the NHS?

Yes, NuvaRing should be available on the NHS, but you will need to speak to your doctor to see if it is suitable for you. You may be offered a generic (non-branded) version of the NuvaRing if you request it from the NHS.

Common side effects (may affect up to 1 in 10 people) include:

• abdominal pain
• feeling sick (nausea)
• vaginal yeast infection (thrush)
• genital itching
• vaginal discharge
• headache
• migraine
• depressive moods
• low sex drive
• breast pain
• pelvic pain
• acne
• painful periods
• weight gain
• the ring falling out or feeling uncomfortable

Uncommon side effects (may affect up to 1 in 100 people) include:

• dizziness
• disturbed vision
• swollen abdomen
• feeling tired
• vomiting (being sick)
• diarrhoea or constipation
• retaining fluid
• bladder or urinary tract infection
• difficulty or pain when passing urine
• needing to urinate more often
• problems during sexual intercourse, pain, bleeding
• partner feeling the ring during sexual intercourse
• less sensitive skin
• sore or larger breasts
• breast mass
• inflammation of the cervix
• changes to menstrual periods
• pelvic discomfort
• hair loss
• eczema
• itching
• rash
• hot flushes
• hives
• vaginal infections, dryness, odour, pain, or discomfort
• increased appetite
• mood swings or mood changes
• back or limb pain
• muscle spasms
• tiredness
• irritability
• increased blood pressure

Rare side effects (may affect up to 1 in 1000 people) include:

• harmful blood clots in the vein or arteries, including, legs, feet, or lungs
• heart attack
• stroke
• mini stroke
• blood clots in the liver, stomach, intestine, kidneys, or eye
• nipple discharge

How long do NuvaRing side effects last?

Most common or mild side effects should go away within the first 3 months of using the NuvaRing as your body gets used to the medication.

What to do if you get NuvaRing side effects

If you get any mild side effects while using NuvaRing, you should be able to manage them at home by:

• taking over the counter painkillers like paracetamol to manage stomach cramps or headaches
• getting rest
• staying hydrated

If you experience any of the following serious side effects, you should remove the NuvaRing and call 999 or get someone to take you to A&E:

• swollen face, lips, tongue, or throat
• difficulty swallowing or breathing
• hives with breathing difficulties
• signs of a blood clot in your arteries or veins

If you experience any side effects that you find difficult to manage or you are concerned in any way, you should contact your doctor for advice.

You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme.

Do not use the NuvaRing if you:

• have or have ever had a blood clot in a blood vessel in your legs, lungs, or other organs
• have a blood clotting disorder
• need an operation or will be off your feet for a long time
• have ever had a heart attack or stroke
• have or have ever had angina pectoris or a transient ischaemic attack (TIA)
• have severe diabetes with blood vessel damage
• have very high blood pressure
• have a very high level of cholesterol
• have hyperhomocysteinaemia
• experience migraine with aura
• have or have had pancreatitis with with blood fat levels
• have severe liver disease
• have or had a liver tumour
• have or have had breast cancer or any cancer of the genital organs
• experience unexplained vaginal bleeding
• are allergic to ethinylestradiol or etonogestrel or any other ingredients in the medication

The NuvaRing and other medications

Tell your doctor if you are taking any prescribed, over the counter, or herbal medications. Some medications can influence the effectiveness of the NuvaRing or cause unexpected bleeding, such as medications used to treat:

• epilepsy (primidone, phenytoin, barbiturates, carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine, topiramate, felbamate)
• tuberculosis (rifampicin)
• HIV (ritonavir, nelfinavir, nevirapine, efavirenz)
• Hepatitis C (boceprevir, telaprevir)
• other infections (griseofulvin)
• high blood pressure in the blood vessels of the lungs (bosentan)
• depressive moods (St John’s wort)

The NuvaRing may affect the following medications:

• ciclosporin
• the anti-epileptic lamotrigine

There are several different types of contraception methods available if the NuvaRing isn’t suitable for you. They include both hormonal and non-hormonal methods.

Hormonal contraception

Mini pills

The mini pill or progesterone-only pill does not contain oestrogen which may be recommended if oestrogen is not suitable for you. Examples of the mini pill include:

• Cerelle – contains the synthetic progesterone, desogestrel and is similar to other mini pills like Cerazette.
• Norgeston – contains levonorgestrel, another type of synthetic progesterone.
• Noriday – contains norethisterone and has a 3-hour window within which it must be taken each day.

Combined pills

Similar to the NuvaRing, combined pills contain both man-made versions of oestrogen and progesterone to prevent pregnancy. Some examples of combined pills available from Superdrug Online Doctor include:

• Microgynon 30
• Gedarel
• Yasmin
• Rigevidon

Contraceptive patch

Evra patches are small patches that stick to your skin and release oestrogen and progesterone steadily over a week. They are a good option if you struggle to remember to take a daily pill.

Other hormonal contraception methods include:

• contraceptive injection
• contraceptive implant
• intrauterine system (IUS) (the coil)

Non-hormonal contraception

Non-hormonal contraception options include:

• male and female condoms
• diaphragms
• copper coil (intrauterine device)

Does NuvaRing hurt?

If the NuvaRing is inserted correctly, you shouldn’t feel it. If you feel uncomfortable when it has been inserted, it may help to change its position or insert it further inside your vagina.

Can you feel NuvaRing during sex?

No, once the NuvaRing has been inserted correctly, you shouldn’t be able to feel it, including during sex.

How does NuvaRing compare to the contraceptive pill?

When used correctly, the NuvaRing is as effective as the contraceptive pill, preventing 99% of pregnancies.

Does NuvaRing cause weight gain?

Although weight gain is listed as a common side effect, there is no definitive scientific evidence that the Nuva Ring causes weight gain.

Can you smoke or vape while using NuvaRing?

No, you should not smoke or vape while using a NuvaRing if you are aged 35 or over. If this applies to you, the mini pill may be a more suitable contraceptive method for you.

Does NuvaRing help with acne?

Yes, the hormones in the NuvaRing may improve the symptoms of acne in some people.

Can NuvaRingstop periods?

Yes, using the Nuvaring back to back can delay your period. When you use the NuvaRing as prescribed, you will have a withdrawal bleed, similar to a period, during the week-free break.

Can I use tampons while using a NuvaRing?

Yes, you can use tampons while you have the NuvaRing inserted. You should insert the NuvaRing before using a tampon and take extra care when removing a tampon to avoid accidentally pulling out the NuvaRing.