Nuvaring

About Nuvaring

The Nuvaring is a birth control ring containing a combination of etonogestrel, a progestin, and ethinyl estradiol an estrogen. The contraceptive ring is placed inside the vagina, where it releases hormones to prevent pregnancy.

Nuvaring works like a combined contraceptive pill, preventing ovulation. It also causes changes in cervical mucus and the lining of the uterus, making it more difficult for sperm to reach the uterus, as well as making it more difficult for a fertilized egg to attach to the uterus.

NowPatient offers Nuvaring as a treatment for contraception only, following an online consultation with a prescribing clinician.

Key facts of Nuvaring

• For the prevention of pregnancy
• Nuvaring has some common side effects which include nausea and vomiting
• It can be dangerous if you use the Nuvaring with certain medications. If you’re not sure if it is safe, discuss this with the prescribing clinician
• It is safe to have sexual intercourse and use tampons while the Nuvaring is in your vagina
• The Nuvaring will not prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Make sure you use condoms as well

Who is Nuvaring not suitable for?

The Nuvaring may not be suitable for some people. To make sure it’s safe for you, speak to the prescribing clinician before using the Nuvaring if you:

• Have uncontrolled high blood pressure
• Have heart disease (history of heart attack, stroke, or blood clot)
• Have an increased risk of blood clots
• Have hormone-related cancer, or cancer of the breast, cervix, or vagina
• Have unusual vaginal bleeding
• Have liver disease
• Smoke and are over 35 years of age
• Take any hepatitis C medications
• Have gallbladder disease
• Have depression
• Have diabetes
• Have irregular menstrual cycles, or toxic shock syndrome
• Have jaundice caused by pregnancy or birth control pills
• Have a family history of breast cancer

How and where to get the Nuvaring?

You can buy Nuvaring safely and securely from NowPatient. You can start a consultation today for free and if you qualify for treatment, you only pay for the cost of the medication. Delivery is made to your home or office from our registered pharmacy.

Our service is certified, safe and effective, and we only ever treat conditions. If you book a consultation with a prescribing clinician for a contraceptive, you can discuss if Nuvaring is a suitable treatment option for you.

At the end of the consultation, the clinician will decide if a treatment plan is suitable for you. If it is, the clinician will issue you with a prescription which can then be ordered, paid for and delivered directly to your chosen address by NowPatient.

Dosage and strength for Nuvaring for contraception

The Nuvaring contains 0.12 mg/0.015 mg per del system.

Information about how to use the Nuvaring for contraception

You may need back-up birth control during the first 7 days, unless you insert the Nuvaring on day 1 of your menstrual period, where it becomes immediately effective. You must wear the ring for 3 full weeks (21 days). It will not prevent pregnancy if you only wear it during sexual intercourse. You will need to remove the ring after 21 days and wait 7 full days before inserting a new ring. To remove the vaginal ring insert your index finger into your vagina. Hook your finger through the ring and gently pull it out.

Tell your doctor if you have breakthrough bleeding that continues or is very heavy. Read the patient information leaflet provided with your ring and speak to your healthcare provider if you need further information.

What happens if you use the Nuvaring too much?

If you use the Nuvaring more than prescribed, then it can lead to some unpleasant side effects. You should talk to your doctor or reach out to one of our prescribing clinicians, if you have used the Nuvaring too much and you experience any of the following side effects.

What are the side effects of Nuvaring?

Side effects of Nuvaring are split into common and serious.

Common side effects include:

• Spotting, nausea, vaginal discharge, and breast tenderness
• Vomiting, stomach pain
• Headache
• Mood changes
• Weight gain
• Acne
• Decreased sex drive
• Pain in your cervix
• Menstrual cramps

Serious side effects when using a hormonal contraceptive include:

• Signs of stroke – slurred speech, numbness down one side of the body
• Risk of blood clots – chest pain, shortness of breath, pain in one or both legs
• Heart attack symptoms – chest pain or pressure spreading to your jaw, neck or shoulder, nausea, sweating
• Toxic shock syndrome – body aches, vomiting, dizziness
• Liver problems – tiredness, loss of appetite, upper stomach pain, dark urine, yellowing of the skin or eyes

If you experience any serious side effects, you should contact NHS 111.

If you experience a serious allergic reaction with the signs shown below you should contact emergency services on 999.

• Your lips, mouth, throat or tongue suddenly become swollen
• You’re breathing very fast or feel short of breath (you may become very wheezy or feel like you’re choking or gasping for air)
• Your throat feels tight or you’re struggling to swallow
• Your skin, tongue or lips turn blue, grey or pale (if you have black or brown skin, this may be easier to see on the palms of your hands or soles of your feet)
• You suddenly become very confused, drowsy or dizzy
• Someone faints and cannot be woken up

Always report adverse effects to the MHRA yellow card reporting system. You can read more about this here How and where do I report side effects of my medication? – NowPatient

Information about using the Nuvaring at the same time as other medications or herbal supplements

There is not enough evidence to suggest there are any drug interactions between herbal supplements and the Nuvaring. In any event, you should let your prescribing clinician know if you are taking any herbal supplements or other medications, such as:

• Griseofulvin
• St. John’s wort
• Efavirenz, nevirapine
• Ritonavir, tipranavir
• Rifabutin
• Carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin

Can the Nuvaring be used for contraception long term?

The Nuvaring should be used for 21 days with a 7 day break. You should not use the Nuvaring for longer periods of time. Speak to your doctor if you have not removed the ring after 21 days and suffer side effects.

Is there a herbal Nuvaring?

No. Herbal Nuvaring does not exist. If you have been marketed such a formulation, it may be fake.

Can women use Nuvaring?

Women can use the Nuvaring for contraception, but are recommended not to use the vaginal ring if breastfeeding and the baby is under 6 weeks old, as it may reduce the flow of breastmilk.

Should I avoid any particular food or drink when using the Nuvaring?

You can eat and drink normally when using the Nuvaring.

Alternatives to Nuvaring

Alternative contraceptive methods to the Nuvaring include:

• Intrauterine devices (IUDs)
• Implants
• Injections
• Oral contraceptive pills (combined pill and progestogen only pill)
• Barrier methods
• Vasectomy or tubal ligation

Sources

• NHS contraception-vaginal-ring