Dr. Kate is an OB/GYN at one of the largest teaching hospitals in New York City who’ll be answering your medical questions here regularly. After her recent post on the NuvaRing, a lot of you asked for more information on this birth control device, so here goes:
The NuvaRing is one of my favorite forms of hormonal contraception — all of the benefits of the Pill, without the daily hassle of remembering to use it. But since the Ring hasn’t been around as long as the Pill, many women have a lot of questions about using it. So I thought I’d address the most common Ring issues that come up in my office. When using the Ring….
What’s okay to put in your vagina:
- A penis. Intercourse will not push the ring up into your pelvis, or to any place where you can’t retrieve it. And semen/sperm will not diminish the ring’s effectiveness.
- A vibrator or other toys. Same as above.
- Tampons. Ditto.
- Medication. It’s fine to treat a yeast infection with over-the-counter creams like Monistat, or to treat vaginosis with prescription MetroGel. You don’t need to rinse the ring off afterward, either — the medication will all absorb eventually.
What’s okay to come out of your vagina:
- The ring before sex. If sex is uncomfortable with the ring in place, just take it out. It sounds counter-intuitive, to take out your birth control before having sex. But the ring works its magic by turning off your ovaries — and the hormones will remain in your system after the ring comes out. You can remove the ring for up to three hours without losing effectiveness (and if anyone is having sex longer than three hours, please share your good fortune with the rest of us!). Just be sure to put it back in before you roll over and go to sleep.
- Increased discharge. It doesn’t mean you have an infection — it’s just your vagina’s way of reducing friction with the ring in place. Think of it as more lubrication for sex.
Still have more questions about the NuvaRing? Then check out Dr. Kate’s follow-up post, “Everything You Need to Know About the Nuva Ring“
Dr. Kate of Gynotalk.com is an OB/GYN at one of the largest teaching hospitals in New York City. She also lectures nationally on women’s health issues and conducts research on reproductive health.
Also I had my period on March 27th and finished on the 31st of March.
Ok well my ring came out March 23, and it was supposed to go in on the 31st of March, but I couldnt make an appointment to get another ring so I’ve been off for 12 days and I’ve had intercourse unprotected. Am I able to get pregnant now? How long does the protectivness of the ring last?
dear Dr.Kate, during my 7 days off of the nuvaring ofcourse I had my mentrual cycle, but only for 3 days out of the 7…. after my cycle was done I had unprotected sex…could I still get pregnant?
By the way, I’ve been on 2 different birth controls before (the pills yaz, and depo) each for more than 3 months….
Dr. Kate,
I have been on the NuvaRing for 4 years with no complications. This month, however, my period started 2 weeks after insertion (yesterday). Normally, I would just keep the ring in until the scheduled removal, however, I am going to the Caribbean to visit my boyfriend in 3 days and had specifically planned the trip during a time when I would NOT be bleeding. Is there anything I can do? I’m tempted to insert a new ring… would that work?
I’m on the nuva ring, but i removed it since it was the last day of my cycle, but my boyfriend and i had sex a few hours prior to me removing the ring. am i still protected? or should i get plan b?
if i have only been on nuvaring for 2 weeks and had sex last night without a condom should i go get the plan b or can i feel safe that i am not going to get pregnant
The Nuva Ring is the best birth control EVER!!!!!! I can’t recommend it hghly enough. 🙂
Dr. Kate –
I started using Nuvaring yesterday, I switched from using orthotricycline. Yesterday I was on the 2nd day of my period, however I have a special occasion this weekend that I do not want to have my period for. The nurse where I got the Nuvaring told me that if I inserted the ring, it would stop my period. Do you think this will actually work? If not, is there anything else I can do to stop my period?
Dear Kate,
I started using the Nuva Ring in Oct. I had my period from the 5th until about the 8th/9th of Feb. I always bleed for about 3-4 days even that and it’s light. I was sick and suppose to put my ring back in on the 10th of Feb and didn’t do so until the 13th. I had sex on Feb 14th with a condom but I am having cramping(or it might just be my mind freaking me out). I just need a professional opinion before I go crazy.
Thank You 🙂
This is my second month on the nuva ring, I took it out the beginning of the second week for intercourse an forgot to put it in until the next day. I put it in an started having some heavy spotting so I took it back out and had a three day period. Now my boobs are killing me and I’m super tired an nasous. If I was pregnant and didn’t kno it an took the ring out would it cause me to have a period even though I ampreggo? I’m afraid to take a test because I’m 21 an married and wAnt a baby but my husband does not. What do you think?
I forgot to put in the ring back in, i was a day late. Am i still protected
hi Dr kate im sure you get this a lot but, i was 3 days late putting my ring back in after the 7 day cycle. i had a bunch of unprotected sex with my partner during this time. is there any chance of pregnancy because of this.thanks for your time.
I have been on the NuvaRing for over 2 years now and I wouldn’t want to use anything else. I love it! No side effects. No worries. No need to remember something daily.
dear kate;
on november 27th i started my period and had sex on the 29th without a condom. i put in my nuvaring on december 2nd like my doctor told me to and she said that i could keep it in for 3 weeks then take it out on the 26th and i did but today is the 28th and i still haven’t started my period; could i be pregnant ?