NuvaRing is inserted into the vagina. We recommend you see your doctor or gynecologist in person before inserting NuvaRing for the first time, as it’s a little tricky and you want to make sure you’re doing it right. After that, you can insert it on your own — once you’ve gotten the hang of it, it shouldn’t take long at all.^[2] The package insert that comes with NuvaRing has more detailed info on how to insert it, but here’s the gist.

With clean hands, compress the ring between your thumb and fingers and carefully insert the tip inside the vaginal canal. Push higher until it’s firmly inside and you’re comfortable. You should be able to feel with your fingers that it’s still in place.

NuvaRing must be removed after exactly three weeks. To remove it, clean your hands and hook the ring onto one of your fingers. Then gently pull it out. NuvaRing comes with a small bag you can use to discard it. Always dispose of your NuvaRing into a trash can and not into the toilet.

If you can’t find NuvaRing when it’s time to remove it, see a doctor. It isn’t possible for the ring to become lost inside the body, so don’t panic — you might just need a little help getting it out.

Like most methods of combined birth control, NuvaRing should be used for exactly 21 days. On the 22nd day, you should take it out. You can do this yourself, at home.

That day is then Day One of your seven-day break from NuvaRing. On the eighth day, insert a new ring and start the cycle again.

For specific advice on switching or changing birth control, talk to the doctor. They can offer tailored guidance and answer any questions you have.

All medications carry the potential risk of side effects. Knowing what they are helps you know what to do if you experience any of them.

When you switch to a specific type of birth control or start using it for the first time, it’s quite common to get some initial side effects. A lot of the time, these go away on their own after a month or two of use.

The most common side effects women get with NuvaRing include abdominal pain, nausea, thrush or other yeast infections, vaginal discomfort caused by the ring, itching, vaginal secretion, headaches or migraines, depressive moods, lower sex drive, breast pain, pelvic pain, painful menstrual periods, acne, weight gain or the ring becoming dislodged and falling out.

Some side effects may be mild and manageable. Taking acetaminophen may help with abdominal pain, for example.

If something doesn’t feel right, see a doctor. If you have side effects that don’t go away after a short time, you may benefit from a different type of birth control. You can speak to the doctor about this by logging in to your EveAdam account.

If you get any serious side effects, you should go to your nearest emergency room.

If the side effects you encounter begin to feel painful or uncomfortable, see a doctor. They will help find a solution that may include prescribing additional medication if, for example, you’re experiencing thrush.

If the side effects cannot be reduced, the doctor may consider switching you to a different form of birth control. The vaginal ring only comes in one dose, so the amount of hormones can’t be adjusted.

Get medical attention right away if you notice any severe side effects. This includes any sign of an allergic reaction, heavy or unexplained bleeding from the vagina, migraine, breast changes or lumps, or any signs of a blood clot.

There are several types of birth control ring available including NuvaRing, Annovera and EluRyng.

NuvaRing and EluRyng are similar in concentration, meaning they have the same active ingredients at the same dosage.

Annovera is slightly different, and has a higher progestin concentration and a lower estrogen level. It’s a better choice for women who want to use the birth control ring but have a slight sensitivity to estrogenic side effects.

One advantage of NuvaRing over combined oral contraceptive pills is that you don’t need to take it every day. One ring lasts for three weeks, followed by a week-long break, which adds up to an entire month of coverage.

But for women who don’t want to use a vaginal ring, the combined pill or the birth control patch may be a better option. They’re just as effective as the birth control ring, but you need to take the pill daily and change the patch weekly.

If NuvaRing falls out, refer to the package insert that came with it and speak to the doctor.

If it has been out for less than three hours, you should still be protected against pregnancy if you reinsert it. If it’s been longer than three hours or you’re not sure when it fell out, you will need to use condoms for a week after reinsertion to stay protected.

Annovera has a different mix of hormones, with a higher progestin level but a lower estrogen level. For women who experienced mild estrogenic side effects such as heavy bleeding, feeling sick, cramps or fluid retention when using combined birth control, Annovera may be a better option than NuvaRing.

NuvaRing may be better for women who want to lower their risk of progestogenic side effects, like vaginal dryness or lower libido.

The doctor will be able to help you find the right birth control and make recommendations for you.