NuvaRing

NuvaRing (Vaginal Ring) is a flexible transparent ring which is used as a birth control device in women.

This device basically works by releasing a hormone that will suppress the process of ovulation and will also help in the thickening of the cervical mucus so that the sperms do not reach the eggs to fertilize them.

A woman will have to wear this ring for three weeks after which it has to be removed so that normal menstruation could occur. After approximately one week of menstruation, a new ring is needed to be used.

This is the only hormonal contraceptive device that has got approval from the Food and Drug Administration but for using it one should get it prescribed by the doctor.

As mentioned earlier, the main reason of using NuvaRing is to prevent pregnancy.

There are also certain other benefits associated with using this device which include:

• Using NuvaRing is more comfortable than other precautions.
• Easy removal at any time can be an another benefit which is usually followed by returning of the fertility.
• No personalized fitting is required.
• The use of NuvaRing also abolishes the necessity to interrupt sex for contraception
• The women having allergies due to latex can also use this product safely.
• No chance of gaining weight.

The product usually delivers a small amount of the hormone into the body and therefore, will not produce any side effects.

Despite all these benefits, the use of the ring is not suitable for everyone. It is not a suitable method of contraception if a woman:

• Has to be immobilized for an extended period of time because of the major surgery undergone.
• Is breastfeeding her child.
• Is a smoker and is above 35 years.
• Is having sensitivity for any of the component in the ring.
• Is diabetic and has a complication related to blood vessels.
• Has any history of blood clotting, heart attack or stroke.
• Is having breast, uterine or liver cancer and other liver diseases.
• Is suffering from a migraine.
• Is having unrestrained high blood pressure
• A woman is having unexplained vaginal bleeding

Along with undergoing NuvaRing comes potential risks. There are certain limitations to the use of vaginal ring which include:

• There are chances that one in 100 women will get pregnant in a year of using the ring.
• It does not offer protection from sexually transmitted infections.

The use of ring is well tolerated by most of the women but it may still have certain side effects that include:

• More bleeding or spotting.
• Infection or irritation in vagina
• Excessive vaginal secretion.
• Problems like Headache, Nausea, and Depression
• May result in a decrease in sexual activity.
• Breast tenderness
• Increase in the problems associated with blood clotting, heart attack, stroke, liver cancer, gallbladder disease and toxic shock syndrome.
• A woman should immediately call up her doctor if she is experiencing
• Foul smell or itching in the vagina
• Irregular bleeding
• Severe headache

In preparing for your NuvaRing, you must follow your doctor’s orders. The doctor will examine and confirm the health status of the woman before prescribing NuvaRing as an appropriate method of contraception for her. The doctor will also tell the appropriate time when it is to be used.

Read on to learn more about what to expect before, during, and after your NuvaRing.

One should follow the following steps for using NuvaRing:

• Firstly, a woman should decide a specific position that is comfortable, like standing on one leg or lying down accordingly.
• Then she needs to separate the labia with the help of one hand and will gently push the ring deep into the vagina with the help of the other hand .
• It is not necessary to place the ring at the exact position, the thing that matters is how comfortable a woman is.
• If a woman feels any kind of discomfort, then she should try pushing the erring deeper into the vagina. This ring is kept in place for 3 weeks.
• During sex, there is no need to remove the ring.
• After 3 weeks one need to remove the ring and discard the ring.
• One should wait for a week to reinsert a new ring.

If the ring somehow falls out, then one should wash it water and then reinsert it. If the ring remains out of the vagina for more than 3 hours then an alternative backup contraceptive should be used.

If this happens in the third week of use then one can simply discard the ring. An alternative contraceptive can be used for seven days until a new ring is inserted.

One can use a tampon while using the NuvaRing but don't use a diaphragm as a backup method of birth control while using NuvaRing. If a ring breaks somehow, discard it and use a new ring.