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Birth control ring contraceptives, also sometimes simply called vaginal rings, are a form of protection against being pregnant. They are inserted into the vagina, where it is left for 3 weeks at a time.
Vaginal birth control rings contain two different female hormones, estrogen and progestin.
For those searching for a specific type of birth control ring, the brand name Nuvaring is available through Felix’s pharmacy partners across Canada. The generic name for this type of birth control is Haloette.
If you’d like to learn more about birth control ring contraceptives, or the brand Nuvaring, you can click here for more valuable information.
For those asking “how does a vaginal ring work?”, they function in the same two ways as other combination hormonal contraceptives:
- Hormonal vaginal birth control rings inhibit the release of eggs by your ovaries.
- Birth control rings also change the cervical mucus in your body, which helps slow the movement of sperm through the passage, and in turn, makes it harder for sperm to reach eggs to achieve fertilization.
Nuvaring specifically has been shown to have a 98-99% effectiveness rate as a vaginal ring contraceptive. This makes it one of the most effective forms of protection against unwanted pregnancy; especially when used in combination with other barrier-method contraceptives (i.e., condoms, spermacide, etc).
What is Nuvaring used to treat?
How long does Nuvaring last after you take it?
The most common side effects that could be experienced when using hormonal birth control rings include:
- Weight gain
- Headaches
- Vaginal discomfort (including potential infection)
- Vaginal excretion
- Nausea
- Breast pain
- Abdominal pain
- Decreased libido
- Migraines
- Painful menstruation
- Acne
- Mood changes (i.e., depressive, mood instability, etc.)
These side effects of birth control rings are normal, and they may lessen as your body adjusts to this form of contraceptive over time.
Most people don’t experience any kind of side effects from birth control ring contraceptives, but those that do typically find that side effects disappear within 1-3 months of presenting.
There are some more serious side effects to be mindful of, so be sure to let your practitioner know right away if you start to experience:
- Enlarged abdomen
- Dizziness
- Anxiety
- Rashes or allergic reactions
- Urinary tract infections
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Back pain
- Breast discharge
- Itchiness in the genital area
- Cervical inflammation
- Fatigue
- Vaginal injury (associated with broken rings)
- Penis discomfort of your partner (i.e., itching, rashes, and/or irritation)
In these scenarios, your practitioner may want to suggest an alternative contraceptive to birth control rings, which could still provide you with protection against unwanted pregnancy, with less negative interactions.
There are a number of people who shouldn’t use hormonal vaginal rings, including those who:
- Have or have had blood clots in their legs, lungs, eyes, or elsewhere
- Have a history of heart attack, strokes, chest pain, or any circulatory disorders in the brain
- Smoke and are over the age of 35
- Have severe high blood pressure
- Have diabetes with damaged blood vessels
- Have heart valve disease with complications
- Have a known risk of blood clots occurring
- Have very high cholesterol or triglyceride levels
- Have a liver tumour that’s associated with estrogen-producing products
- Have just had major surgery, or your ability to move around is severely limited
- Known or suspected cancer of the breasts or sex organs
- Have liver disease or jaundice
- Have Hepatitis C and are taking treatments for it
- Have any cancer that is known to be caused by or enhanced by estrogen
- Have eye disease, lesions, or any loss of vision
- Have had a migraine ‘with aura’
- Have undiagnosed unusual vaginal bleeding
- Have pancreatitis
- Have ever had an allergic reaction to any of the active ingredients in Nuvaring
- Are pregnant or think you might be pregnant
In addition to these people, there are others that should be extra cautious when using hormonal birth control rings. Be sure to let your practitioner know before starting birth control ring contraceptives if you:
- Are taking any other hormonal forms of birth control or medications that could interact with Nuvaring
- Are about to have or have just had major surgery
- Have breast conditions
- Have a family history of breast cancer
- Have breast disorders (i.e., pain, discharge from nipples, thickening, and/or lumps)
- Have heart disease
- Have kidney disease
- Have diabetes
- Have a family history of circulatory disorders (i.e., blood clots, heart attacks, and/or strokes)
- Are overweight (BMI of 28 or higher)
- Have high blood pressure
- Smoke tobacco products
- Have gallbladder disease
- Have pancreatic disease
- Have a history of depression
- Have migraine headaches
- Have high cholesterol or triglycerides
- Have a history of liver disease or jaundice
- Have ever had an allergic reaction when using Nuvaring, or other hormonal birth control methods
If any of the above apply to you, your practitioner may want to suggest an alternative birth control contraceptive method than rings, which may reduce your chances of experiencing negative side effects or symptoms.
SIDE NOTE: There are a substantial number of prescription medications that could cause interactions with Nuvaring, so be sure to let your practitioner know about any/all other medications or treatments that you’re using, prior to requesting a prescription for birth control rings.
Benefits of Using Birth Control Rings
In addition to the high levels of protection that are offered by using vaginal birth control ring contraceptives (98-99% effective), the fact that these rings only need to be changed once every 3 weeks, makes it much easier to take your prescription accurately.
With oral birth control pills that need to be taken at the same time daily, it can be a challenge to ensure you take them at the same time, each day, without fail. Missing doses can lead to reduced protection, and in some cases, unwanted pregnancy.
In fact, even birth control patches need to be changed every week, so apart from birth control injections and intrauterine devices (IUDs), hormonal vaginal rings are one of the best ‘set it and forget it’ type of birth control.
How Effective is the Birth Control Ring?
Vaginal birth control ring contraceptives are between 98-99% effective, when used accurately as per its directions.
This medication follows a 28-day cycle, where you insert the birth control ring, leave it in for 3 weeks, and then remove it for a 7-day period before replacing it.
In order to achieve the maximum vaginal ring effectiveness, this usage schedule needs to be followed effectively.
Also, if you’re concerned about small chances of pregnancy with hormonal vaginal rings, you can also combine with other barrier forms of contraceptives, such as condoms, spermacide, etc.
Other Treatment Options for Birth Control
Vaginal birth control rings aren’t the only contraceptives in town. There are lots of other options, if you don’t think that hormonal vaginal rings are the right choice for you. Birth control is an incredibly personal thing, so you should try to find something that makes you feel the most comfortable and protected.
There are a number of different options you can consider within the family of hormonal birth control, such as: birth control patches, birth control pills, hormonal IUDs, and even injections.
There are also a number of non-hormonal birth control methods that you can try, such as:
- Condoms
- Copper IUDs
- Diaphragms
- Cervical caps
- Spermacide
- Permanent sterilization
- The ‘pull out’ method
These non-hormonal birth control methods may not offer 99% protection like hormonal vaginal rings, but in combination with hormonal treatments or multiple barrier methods, you can increase your protections against unwanted pregnancy.
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