Questions About NuvaRing: Use, Side Effects, And More - Healthline

Maybe your like

HealthlineSubscribe

Sexual Health

NuvaRing 101: What You Need to Know

Medically reviewed by Stacy A. Henigsman, DO — Written by Nicole Galan, RN — Updated on February 18, 2025

Benefits
How to use
Side effects
Risk factors
FAQs
Takeaway

NuvaRing is a lightweight, flexible ring inserted into the vagina for up to 5 weeks at a time. It contains a combination of synthetic estrogen and synthetic progesterone.

When used exactly as directed, NuvaRing is over 99% effective in preventing pregnancy. However, it’s about 91% effective with typical use. The more closely you follow the instructions on the package, the more effective it is.

NuvaRing releases a small amount of hormones into the uterus. These hormones protect against pregnancy by:

Preventing ovulation: Ovulation is when one of your ovaries releases an egg. If you don’t ovulate, sperm will not be able to fertilize an egg.
Thickening cervical mucus: Thick mucus makes it harder for sperm cells to swim through the vaginal canal. This means it would be difficult for sperm to reach an egg if your body released one.
Thinning the endometrium: The endometrium is the lining of your uterus. Changes to this lining make it harder for a fertilized egg to implant.

What are the benefits of using NuvaRing?

NuvaRing is discreet, lower maintenance than other hormonal methods, and can be stopped at any time. Plus, research shows that supplying hormones directly to the uterus may cause fewer side effects than taking the pill.

Using NuvaRing may also help prevent or reduce the risk of a variety of hormone-related conditions such as:

acne
bone disease
breast or ovarian cysts
iron deficiency (anemia)
premenstrual syndrome (PMS)

How do you use NuvaRing?

Talk with your prescribing physician about the best time in your menstrual cycle to start using NuvaRing.

Insertion

Wash and dry your hands. Open the resealable NuvaRing pouch and remove the ring. Keep the pouch to dispose of your ring later.
Fold the ring in half so that two sides of the ring are touching.
Insert the ring as far as you can into your vaginal canal. You may need to use your index finger to push it deeper. Don’t worry, there’s no risk of losing the ring or pushing it in too far. It doesn’t have to be in a certain position to work, either.
Relax. You’re done!

Some people can feel it, but most don’t if it’s inserted correctly. The ring will stay comfortably in your body and will not dissolve. You’ll remove it after a few weeks and reinsert it again after another week.

Removal

Find the resealable foil pouch that came with your NuvaRing.
Wash and dry your hands.
Gently insert your index finger into your vagina and hook it into the ring.
Slowly pull the ring out of your vaginal canal.
Put the used NuvaRing in the resealable foul pouch and throw it away. Never flush it down the toilet.

Storage

Store your NuvaRing box at room temperature between 68°F (20°C) and 77°F (25°C) for up to 4 months. Keep the box away from direct sunlight. Discard if the expiration date has passed.

What side effects are possible with NuvaRing?

Some of these effects are temporary and only occur as your body adjusts to the ring’s hormones. If your side effects are severe or don’t go away after a few months, contact your prescribing physician.

Common side effects include:

vaginitis (irritation of your vagina or cervix)
headache
migraine
mood changes
nausea
vomiting
vaginal discharge
increased weight
vaginal discomfort
chest pain or tenderness
dysmenorrhea
abdominal pain
acne
decreased libido

Rarely, people can have serious side effects from using NuvaRing. In some cases, these problems can be fatal. Serious side effects from NuvaRing can include:

blood clots
high blood pressure
liver problems
reproductive or breast cancer
gallbladder disease
high cholesterol
inflammation of the pancreas
toxic shock syndrome

Who should avoid using NuvaRing?

NuvaRing may not be the best choice for everyone, especially those with certain risk factors. One of the more serious possible side effects of NuvaRing is blood clots.

These are rare, but if they occur, they can be serious and even fatal. Risk factors for blood clots from NuvaRing include:

being over age 35
smoking traditional cigarettes, vaping nicotine, or using other tobacco products
having a history of migraine headaches with aura
having a history of blood clots or a blood clotting disorder

To learn about other risk factors or to find out if NuvaRing is a safe option for you, talk with a healthcare professional. Be sure to discuss your full health history, especially if you have any of the risk factors listed above.

People who have a history of, or currently have, the following conditions should avoid using NuvaRing:

inflammation in the veins
deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
vascular or coronary artery disease
heart disease
very high blood pressure
diabetes with an impact on the veins
headaches with neurological symptoms
immobilization from recent surgery
breast cancer or reproductive cancer, such as of the uterus, cervix, or vagina
abnormal genital bleeding
jaundice
liver tumors or disease
pregnancy

The bottom line

NuvaRing is a highly effective form of birth control. Talk with a doctor or other healthcare professional to learn more about it and determine if NuvaRing is a good choice for you.

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesHistoryHealthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

How do I get the birth control ring? (n.d.).https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/birth-control/birth-control-vaginal-ring-nuvaring/how-do-i-get-nuvaring
How effective is the birth control ring? (n.d.).https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/birth-control/birth-control-vaginal-ring-nuvaring/how-effective-birth-control-ring
NuvaRing (etonogestrel/ethinyl estradiol vaginal ring). (2024).https://www.organon.com/product/usa/pi_circulars/n/nuvaring/nuvaring_pi.pdf
Rafiei F, et al. (2021). Development of hormonal intravaginal rings: Technology and challenges.https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8277443/
What are the benefits of the birth control ring? (n.d.).https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/birth-control/birth-control-vaginal-ring-nuvaring/what-are-benefits-nuvaring

Share this article

Medically reviewed by Stacy A. Henigsman, DO — Written by Nicole Galan, RN — Updated on February 18, 2025

Health Conditions

Condition Spotlight

Wellness Topics

Product Reviews

Featured Programs

Featured

Lessons

Newsletters

Lifestyle Quizzes

Health News

This Just In

Top Reads

Video Series

Find Your Bezzy Community

Follow us on social media

Sexual Health

What are the benefits of using NuvaRing?

How do you use NuvaRing?

Insertion

Removal

Storage

What side effects are possible with NuvaRing?

Who should avoid using NuvaRing?

Other frequently asked questions

How much does NuvaRing cost?

What should you do if your NuvaRing comes out?

Can you take out NuvaRing before penetrative sex?

Can you feel NuvaRing during sexual activity?

The bottom line

How we reviewed this article:

Read this next

Contact