NuvaRing
Contraceptive ring
Etonogestrel and ethinylestradiol
A soft plastic ring that you leave in your vagina for 21 days
Can make periods more regular, lighter and less painful
When you order we'll ask you for a recent blood pressure reading.
What happens next
Order online
We’ll ask you questions about your health, family history and current contraceptive use. Our prescribers will review your answers before prescribing.
Free discreet delivery
Tracked 1st Class postage is included. Your order will arrive in plain packaging. And we'll include our advice on using your ring.
Clinical support by text
Get support from our specialist clinicians at any time. Reply to one of our texts to ask a question. We’re here to help.
Top up reminders
We make it easy to reorder. A few weeks before you are due to run out, we'll send you a text message reminder.
About NuvaRing
How NuvaRing works
The vaginal ring is a small, soft plastic ring that you place inside your vagina. It releases the hormones oestrogen and progestogen.
These hormones work in 3 ways to prevent pregnancy:
they stop ovulation
they thicken the mucus that sits at the entrance of the womb, which makes it harder for sperm to get through and reach an egg
they thin the lining of the womb, so in the unlikely event that an egg does get fertilised, it's hard for it to attach to the womb and become a pregnancy.
When used perfectly, the vaginal ring is more than 99% effective at preventing pregnancy. With average use, it's 91% or more.
How to use NuvaRing
First, check the dispensing date on the ring packaging. If it’s over 4 months since this date, do not insert the ring. After 4 months, the Nuvaring will not work correctly.
You can insert the ring yourself. Squeeze it between your thumb and forefinger and push it gently into your vagina until you reach a place that feels comfortable. It cannot get 'lost' inside you, as the cervix stops it from moving into your womb.
Leave it in place for 21 days. Once you take it out, you can either have a 7 day break or you can put in a new ring immediately.
You’re protected against pregnancy during the break as long as you put a new ring in after the break and wear this new ring for at least 7 days.
You can miss out on having a ring-free week if you prefer not to have monthly bleeding. You may still have some bleeding or spotting. It's safe to use rings back to back but you need to remember to take one out after 21 days and insert a new one.
You can wear the ring during sex, or you can take it out - it’s up to you. If you do take it out for sex, you must remember to replace it within 3 hours or you risk losing the protection. You might then need emergency contraception.
Side effects of NuvaRing
Some women notice more breast tenderness, mood changes, nausea and changes in their desire for sex in the first few months after starting the NuvaRing. These symptoms can ease as your body gets used to the hormones.
The NuvaRing may not be suitable if you are taking certain medications.
Why choose NuvaRing
NuvaRing can give you a withdrawal bleed that's more regular, lighter and less painful than your usual periods. The withdrawal bleed is a period-like bleed that happens during the ring-free break as a response to the lower levels of hormones in your body. The ring can also help with premenstrual symptoms.
One ring provides continued contraception for a month, so you don't have to think about it every day. And when you stop using it, your fertility returns immediately.
Health risks and benefits
Sometimes using the ring can cause your blood pressure to rise. In very rare cases, women develop a blood clot (thrombosis) when using the ring. We’ll assess your risk of this when you order.
The ring can slightly increase your risk of breast cancer. And it can lower your risk of cancer of the womb and cancer of the ovary.
Do you need help with something else?
Find your local sexual health clinic.
Find your local pharmacy.
