HEALTH SERVICES

The Ring (NuvaRing®)

What Is It?
The NuvaRing is a reversible prescription method of birth control. It is a small, flexible ring that is inserted into the vagina once a month. It is left in place for three weeks and taken out for the remaining week. The ring releases synthetic estrogen and progestin to protect against pregnancy for one month.

The combination of hormones works in two ways. Usually, it keeps the ovaries from releasing an egg (ovulation). Less often it thickens the cervical mucus, which prevents sperm from joining with an egg.

How Effective Is It?
99%

Upside

• The ring protects against pregnancy for one month.

• Using the ring is simple, safe, and convenient.

• Many women who use the ring have more regular, lighter, and shorter periods. And a woman's ability to become pregnant returns quickly when use of the ring is stopped.

Downside

• Not effective against sexually transmitted infections

• Increased vaginal discharge

• Vaginal irritation or infection

Possible complications
Serious problems do not occur very often. In general, using the pill is much safer than pregnancy and childbirth. Combination-hormone users have a slightly greater chance of certain major disorders than nonusers. The risk is increased by being age 35 or older, smoking, and by having conditions associated with heart attack, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol, and certain inherited conditions that increase the risk of blood clotting.

The most serious complication of combination pill use is having a blood clot in the legs, lungs, heart, or brain. It is important to tell your surgeon that you are using the NuvaRing when planning a major operation. Follow your clinician's advice about when you can take begin using the NuvaRing again.

Serious problems usually have warning signs.
Report any of these signs to your clinician as soon as possible.

• Eye problems such as blurred or double vision

• Pain in the abdomen, chest, or arm

• Severe headaches

• Sudden shortness of breath or spitting up blood

• Unusual swelling or pain in the leg

• Worsening depression

• Yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice)

• A new lump in your breast

• Unusual heavy bleeding from your vagina