What is the vaginal ring?

The vaginal ring is a small, flexible ring that is inserted into the vagina once a month and releases hormones over time to prevent pregnancy. It is left in place for three weeks and taken out for the remaining week each month. The vaginal ring is commonly called NuvaRing, which is its brand name.

How does the vaginal ring prevent pregnancy?

Like other methods of birth control, NuvaRing releases the same hormones that are in the birth control pill — estrogen and progestin. These hormones work by keeping the woman’s ovaries from releasing eggs — ovulation, and also by thickening cervical mucus and the lining of the uterus. Less than 1 out of 100 women will get pregnant each year if they always use NuvaRing as directed.

Certain medicines and supplements may make NuvaRing less effective including:

• the antibiotic rifampin — other antibiotics do not make the ring less effective
• certain medicines that are taken by mouth for yeast infections
• certain HIV medicines
• certain anti-seizure medicines
• St. John's wort

Vaginal ring and side effects

Many women who use the vaginal ring have more regular, lighter, and shorter periods. Since the ring works like the pill, it can help problems such as:

• acne
• bad menstrual cramps
• breast growths that are not cancer
• ectopic pregnancy
• endometrial and ovarian cancers — protection increases with each year of use
• iron-deficiency anemia
• ovarian cysts
• pelvic inflammatory disease, which often leads to infertility when left untreated
• premenstrual symptoms, including headaches and depression

However, similar to the birth control pill, NuvaRing can also have similar disadvantages, such as:

• bleeding between periods
• breast tenderness
• nausea and vomiting
• increased vaginal discharge
• vaginal irritation
• infection
• change in a woman’s sexual desire

Is the NuvaRing safe?

Most women can use NuvaRing safely, but certain conditions increase the risk of serious side effects. Some of the most common side effects usually clear up after two or three months. Women who use birth control with estrogen-like NuvaRing —have a slightly greater chance of certain serious problems than nonusers. The most serious — in very rare cases — may be fatal. These include heart attack, stroke, or having a blood clot in the legs, lungs, heart, or brain, developing high blood pressure, liver tumors, gallstones, or yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice). The risk for these problems increases if you:

• are age 35 or older
• are very overweight
• have certain inherited blood-clotting disorders
• have diabetes
• have high blood pressure
• have high cholesterol
• need prolonged bed rest
• smoke

Serious problems usually have warning signs. Report any of these signs to your health care provider as soon as possible:

• a new lump in your breast
• a sudden, very bad headache
• achy soreness in the leg
• aura — seeing bright, flashing zigzag lines, usually before a very bad headache
• bad pain in your abdomen or chest
• headaches that are different, worse, or happen more often than usual
• no period after having a period every month
• trouble breathing
• yellowing of the skin or eyes

When can I get pregnant after the ring?

The ring works only while it is inside your vagina. It's simple to get pregnant after the ring. All you have to do is to not insert it and you should be able to get pregnant as long as you ovulate. The effect of the ring lasts only while it's inserted. The moment you remove it it's safe to get pregnant. 

Learn more about other birth control methods in our Birth Control Guide!