How Do I Use NuvaRing?
NuvaRing is a small, comfortable vaginal ring that’s easy to insert and remove. The exact position of NuvaRing is not important for it to be effective. Once inserted, NuvaRing should stay in place. NuvaRing can be accidentally expelled, for example, while removing a tampon, during intercourse, or with straining during a bowel movement.
How to insert NuvaRing
After washing and drying your hands, remove NuvaRing from the foil pouch. Holding NuvaRing between your thumb and index finger, press the sides together. Insert NuvaRing while lying down, squatting, or standing with one leg up—whatever is most comfortable for you.
Gently push the folded ring into your vagina. The exact position of NuvaRing is not important for it to be effective. If you feel discomfort, NuvaRing is probably not inserted back far enough into the vagina. Use your finger to gently push the NuvaRing farther into your vagina.
Rest assured, NuvaRing cannot be pushed too far up or get lost in your body. In fact, NuvaRing cannot go farther than the cervix.
Once inserted, keep NuvaRing in place for 3 weeks in a row.
How to remove NuvaRing
Remove the ring 3 weeks after insertion on the same day of the week it was inserted at about the same time of day. Hook your index finger under the forward rim or hold the rim between your index and middle finger.
Gently pull out NuvaRing. Dispose of NuvaRing in a waste receptacle out of the reach of children and pets. Do not throw it in the toilet. To continue to have pregnancy protection, you must insert a new ring 1 week after the previous one was removed, even if your period has not stopped.
Prescription NuvaRing is a flexible vaginal ring approved for the prevention of pregnancy in women.
Important Safety Information
Cigarette smoking increases the risk of serious cardiovascular side effects when you use combination oral contraceptives. This risk increases even more if you are over age 35 and if you smoke 15 or more cigarettes a day. Women who use combination hormonal contraceptives, including NuvaRing, are strongly advised not to smoke.
- The use of combination oral contraceptives is associated with increased risks of several serious side effects, including blood clots, stroke, or heart attack. NuvaRing is not for women with a history of these conditions. The risk of getting blood clots may be greater with the type of progestin in NuvaRing than with some other progestins in certain low-dose birth control pills. It is unknown if the risk of blood clots is different with NuvaRing use than with the use of certain birth control pills.
- NuvaRing is not for women with certain cancers or those who may be pregnant.
- NuvaRing does not protect against HIV infection and other sexually transmitted diseases.
- The most common side effects reported by NuvaRing users are: vaginal infections and irritation, vaginal secretion, headache, weight gain, and nausea.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA.
Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Please read the Patient Information for NuvaRing, including the information about the increased risk of serious cardiovascular side effects, especially in women who smoke, and discuss it with your doctor. The physician Prescribing Information is also available.
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