NuvaRing®

What is NuvaRing?

NuvaRing is a flexible, donut-shaped ring that contains both estrogen and progestin and is inserted into the vagina. It is a combination hormonal contraceptive and may have similar side effects found in oral contraceptives.

What does NuvaRing contain?

The NuvaRing contains similar ingredients to the birth control pill-- an estrogen and progestin component. It releases a controlled amount of 15mcg of ethinyl estradiol (estrogen) and 120mcg etonogesterol (progestin) each day. It is made of ethylene vinylacetate copolymers, not latex.

Effectiveness:

Similar to the pill-- 99% effective!

How It Works:

NuvaRing is placed in the vagina for 3 weeks and removed for 1 week so a withdrawal bleed can occur. A new ring should be used every 4 weeks.

For new users: Insert NuvaRing between day 1 and 5 of your menstrual cycle, but no later than day 5. During the first cycle of use, a back-up method must be used for the first 7 days of use. The diaphragm is not recommended as a back-up method with the ring.

1. For women switching from the pill : NuvaRing can be inserted during the placebo week, but no later than the day that a new pill pack would have been started. No back-up method is required.
2. For women switching from Lunelle or DMPA: NuvaRing can be inserted on the day that the next injection is due.
3. For women switching from an IUD: Insert NuvaRing following the IUD removal.
4. For women who have had a first trimester abortion: Insert the Sunday after surgery.
5. For women who have had a second trimester abortion : Insert during the first five days of your next period.

When should a new ring be inserted?

NuvaRing should be removed on the same day that it was inserted (3 weeks later) as close to the same time as possible. For example, if NuvaRing was inserted on a Saturday at 11pm, it should be removed 3 weeks later, Saturday evening at 11pm.

Bleeding should begin 2-3 days after NuvaRing is removed. Even if bleeding has not stopped, a new ring should be inserted a week after the last one was removed to avoid a possible pregnancy from occuring. The ring is removed the same way a diaphragm is removed.

On rare occasions, the NuvaRing can slip out of the vagina if not inserted correctly, while removing a tampon, and moving the bowels. If it comes out of the vagina and it has been out for less than 3 hours, the patient will be protected from pregnancy if the ring is reinserted. The ring that has slipped out can be rinsed with warm (not hot) water and reinserted as soon as possible. If the ring has been left out of the vagina for more than 3 hours, the patient may not be protected and should use a back-up method for 7 days.

Contraindications

• Heavy smokers
• Same as combination oral contraceptives
• Allergic reaction to components
• Prolapsed uterus
• Breastfeeding

Advantages

• Extremely effective
• Use controlled by the woman/user
• Quick return to fertility (same as combined oral contraceptives)

Disadvantages/Side Effects

Similar to combination oral contraceptives: Same contraindications hold true. Use of the NuvaRing may increase blood clots, heart disease, and stroke. Women who desire to use NuvaRing should be encouraged not to smoke. Common side effects reported by women include:

• Vaginal infection and irritation
• Vaginal discharge
• Headache
• Weight gain
• Nausea
• NuvaRing does not offer protection against HIV and STDs

Source: Family Planning Council (12/14/01), Organon, Inc. Customer Service 1-800-241-8812, and NuvaRing's official website http://www.nuvaring.com