Patient Services: Vaginal Ring - Nuva Ring

What is a Nuva Ring?

The Nuva Ring is a small, flexible ring containing hormones that a woman inserts into her vagina once a month to prevent pregnancy. It is left for three weeks and removed for the remaining week each month. The vaginal ring method is called Nuva Ring because that is its brand name.

How does the Nuva Ring work?

The Nuva Ring contains the same hormones found in birth control pills—estrogen and progestin. When the Nuva Ring is inserted into the vagina, these hormones are released into the bloodstream and keep a woman's ovaries from releasing eggs, which is called ovulation. Pregnancy cannot happen if there is no egg to join with sperm. The hormones also thicken a woman's cervical mucus, which blocks sperm and keeps it from joining with an egg.

How effective is this method?

When used as directed, the Nuva Ring is 99 percent effective in preventing pregnancy. Less than one out of 100 women will get pregnant each year if they always use Nuva Ring as directed. About eight out of 100 women will get pregnant each year if they don't always use Nuva Ring as directed.

What are the advantages of using this method?

• The Nuva Ring is easy to use, and there is not a daily medication to take.
• Many women experience a lighter period when using the Nuva Ring.
• Because the Nuva Ring contains the same hormones as birth control pills, many women will experience the same health benefits as taking birth control pills, such as protection against acne and premenstrual symptoms.

What are the disadvantages of using this method?

• The Nuva Ring may slip out.
• After ring use is stopped, it usually takes a few months for a woman's period to return to the cycle she had before using it.
• Your clinician will discuss medically-recognized benefits and risks.
• The Nuva Ring does not protect against HIV or other sexually transmitted infections.

Birth Control Methods