Woman's Health Centers

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nuvaring

The Nuva Ring

The Nuva Ring works by releasing a small amount of synthetic progestin and estrogen. Like the birth control pills, the Nuva Ring prevents you from releasing an egg and also thickens the cervical mucosa which may prevent the sperm from reaching the egg.

The Nuva Ring is a small flexible ring which you insert in the vagina once a month. The Nuva Ring does not interfere with sexual intercourse. Once in place, neither you nor your partner will feel the Nuva Ring in the vagina.

After 21 days, you remove the ring and replace it with a new one after one week. With proper use, the Nuva Ring, though relatively new, should be as effective as birth control pills at preventing pregnancy.

The Nuva Ring does not protect you from sexually transmitted diseases.

Many women report shorter, lighter, more regular periods while using the Nuva Ring. Many of the benefits associated with birth control pills are similar with the Nuva Ring, including a reduction in: non-cancerous breast growths, ovarian cysts, cancers of the lining of the uterus and cervix, pelic inflammatory disease, heavy menses, vaginal dryness and pain on intercourse associate with menopause.

Some reported side effects of the Nuva Ring include: weight loss or gain, bleeding or spotting between periods, breast tenderness, changes in mood, vaginal irritation and infection and increased vaginal discharge. These side effects though mild may clear up within two or three months of continued use. In clinical trials involving 2,500 women, one 1% to 2 1/2% of women discontinued the use of the Nuva Ring due to side effects. As with birth control pills, you are not protected until the Nuva Ring has been in place for seven consecutive days.