How to get Nuvaring prescribed online in Canada
Nuvaring
With Felix, you can get a Nuvaring prescribed by a licensed healthcare practitioner and delivered to your door for free.
At a glance
- 11.4 mg/2.6 mg
- Etonogestrel/Ethinyl Estradiol Slow Release Vaginal Ring
Why Felix
- Prescribed by a Canadian healthcare professional
- Support and resources along your journey
- Free and fast shipping to your door
Felix pharmacy patients only. Coverage may vary by province and plan.
About Nuvaring
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
How it works
Loved by 1,500,000+ Canadians across Canada.
Simple to follow and all without having to leave the house. I like the quick responses from my nurse practitioner if I have any questions or concerns.
Patricia
Fast service. Excellent, well informed doctors who help you. Love you Felix! You have saved me time and money.
Samantha M.
The physician I was writing with went over and above . He was empathetic and also provided tips along with the prescription.
Leslie S.
I'm very happy with my current and previous experiences and interactions with Felix and the health care professionals. The service has always been quick and easy to use.
Emily
Easy access to medical professionals, much faster than through my GP, quick approval, shipment and treatment, and weekly instructions plus the ability to ask my nurse anything and receive a quick reply.
Brenda
Experience from start to almost finished in terms of getting things set up has been dreaming professional and rewarding and feeling like someone was taking care of me and my issues. Which I have to say was a nice feeling. I would recommend Felix to anyone as I think they're a very helpful service.
Steven M.
I recently moved to a smaller city in British Columbia. I had a family doctor in my last community but after moving I no longer have one. Felix Health has been a great resource. The clinicians are consistently kind, thoughtful, encouraging and clearly dedicated to making sure that my overall well-being is the focus – not just my physical self
Robert
The platform is really user friendly and my doctor has responded with compassion and informatively to all my questions, in a very timely fashion.
Anonymous
The best service!!! So happy I never have to try and get myself to the pharmacy anymore. This is the future!!!
Paige
Super convenient, and amazing customer service! The team always responds +++ fast and answers every question and concern. Very pleased with Felix!
Nicole
Frequently asked questions
Are Nuvarings Covered by Insurance in Canada?
This is a question that’s impossible for Felix to answer generally, because every private insurance company and benefits package will look a little different from one another. We’d suggest reaching out to your insurance rep directly, before you make your request with Felix.
This way, if you do have any coverage to get Nuvarings online in Canada, you can provide it to your practitioner during the assessment process, so that Felix can bill your insurer for you!
That’s right! It’s just another way we’re helping you seamlessly take back control of your health and happiness.
In regards to provincial health coverage for Nuvarings, this will vary from province-to-province, depending on where you live in Canada. What’s available for some coverage in some provinces may not be available in others.
Also, any provincial coverage will only be available to those that meet certain criteria for eligibility, so if you check your local government page for more information, you can see whether there is coverage in your area and what is required to access it.
Can I Buy Nuvarings Online in Canada?
You may be able to buy Nuvarings online in Canada through Felix, but before you can request a prescription for ring contraceptives, you’ll need to get evaluated by one of our licensed healthcare practitioners.
It only takes a few minutes to complete your online assessment through our secure platform, and then one of our clinicians will respond to your request, usually within 24 hours of its submission.
If they believe hormonal vaginal rings are the right choice for you, not only can they provide you with a prescription, but if you want, Felix’s pharmacy partners can fill and ship your rings to you at no cost!
We can even arrange ahead of time for ring refills to be delivered (discreetly) to your doorstep, before you need them. This way, you’ll always have the protection you need, when you need it.
This is just one of the ways that Felix is helping Canadians take back control of your health and quality of life, so that you can get back to living life on your terms – the way it should be.
How Can I Get a Ring Prescription Online in Canada through Felix?
Before you can access prescription hormonal vaginal rings online in Canada through Felix, you’ll need to get assessed by a licensed clinician, who can determine whether a ring is right for you (based on your health and medical history).
If they believe that ring contraceptives make sense for you, based on your individual needs, they can provide you with a prescription for it.
Best of all, Felix and our pharmacy partners can then fill your prescription for you and deliver your ring, at no additional cost to you! You’ll just have to pay a small initial assessment fee, as well as the cost of any prescribed medications offered by your assigned practitioner.
Can I be accurately assessed remotely?
Absolutely. Our online assessments have been designed to ask all the necessary questions required for diagnosis. We’ve worked with specialists to create an assessment process that can provide sufficient information for the healthcare practitioner to determine whether or not you are eligible for a prescription and craft an appropriate treatment plan.
Does Felix replace my doctor?
No. Felix provides a faster, hassle-free way for you to get a treatment plan for certain conditions, but our service does not replace your primary care provider. For matters that extend beyond obtaining a lifestyle treatment safely and easily, we encourage you to consult your primary health practitioner in person — whether for checkups, personal health concerns, or to inform them about your current treatments or treatment plans.
It’s an emergency. What do I do?
Call 911 or proceed to your nearest emergency room immediately. Felix is not intended for medical emergencies. Once the emergency has been addressed or resolved, contact your prescribing practitioner to inform them of your experience as this may impact your current treatment plan.
What is Felix?
Felix is Canada’s first truly integrated healthcare platform. We provide on-demand treatment for everyday health needs like weight loss, mental health, sexual health, and more. Founded in 2019, our digital-first approach to healthcare includes everything from diagnosis to prescription — all accessible from the comfort of home.
Who can use Felix?
Anyone who is 18 years or older (16 or older for acne and birth control prescriptions), and is located in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Saskatchewan or Ontario. We cannot ship treatments outside of these provinces at this time.
Can I just get the treatment and skip the online visit?
No. A visit with a licensed healthcare practitioner is required for all treatments currently provided through Felix’s service.
Please email our Customer Support team at [email protected] and they will be able to assist you with the transfer.
Do I need to complete my online visit at a scheduled time?
No. We use an asynchronous telemedicine model so you can complete your online visit in your own time and we save your progress so you can come back later to finish it.
If you are completing a visit in the mental health or weight loss categories, your healthcare practitioner may require a phone or video call to discuss your medical profile further during the assessment process.
Does the online visit require a phone or video appointment?
Most assessments do not require a phone or video conversation. Once a prescriber has reviewed the info in your assessment they will respond to you via secure instant messages that you can access within your Felix account.
If you are completing a visit in the mental health or weight loss categories, your healthcare practitioner may require a phone or video call to discuss your medical profile further during the assessment process.
How does the visit work?
After creating an account, you will complete a medical assessment for evaluation by one of the Felix healthcare practitioners.
During your assessment, you will have the opportunity to send your practitioner questions via secure messaging.
In most cases, practitioners will complete your assessment with secure messaging alone but sometimes they may determine you require an audio or video visit and/or further diagnostic testing to help determine the best treatment plan for you.
If your practitioner has determined a prescription treatment is appropriate, they will approve your visit and write you a prescription. Our pharmacy will then ship your prescription to your home.
You’ll be able to message your healthcare practitioner if you have questions or want to make changes to your treatment at any time.
How quickly will a healthcare practitioner review my online visit?
You can expect to receive a response from a healthcare practitioner within 24 hours of submission. If you’ve been waiting longer than this, please reach out to our Patient Support team through the chat bubble in the bottom right corner of your account or our Contact Us page.
I completed my online visit. Now what?
Great, you’ve already taken the first step! Next, a healthcare practitioner will review your assessment and if necessary, will send you a link to book an online audio or video appointment with them. This appointment will help them determine the best treatment plan for you. If your healthcare practitioner thinks you will benefit from an available medication, they will write you a prescription. Our pharmacy can ship your medication to your home if you would like your medication dispensed through the Felix Pharmacy network.
Do I have to be home to receive my package?
A signature upon delivery may be required.
How and when can I update my shipping address?
Your address can be updated from the Shipping tab of your account. Kindly note that any changes need to be made 48hr ahead of your refill date.
How long will it take to get my medication?
Not long. After completing your assessment, a practitioner will generally respond within 24 hours, and often much sooner.
The pharmacy will process and fill your prescription within 2-3 business days of your prescription approval date if there is nothing blocking them from doing so.
All packages are shipped via Express Post, which usually takes 2-3 business days. You will receive an email with your tracking number once your treatment has been shipped.
How many days do I have to notify you of an undelivered or lost package, or damaged medication?
You have 14 days from the date your tracking link was sent to notify us of an undelivered or lost package, or damaged medication.
How much does it cost for shipping my medication?
There is currently no cost to have your medication sent to you from our Felix Pharmacy network.
How much does it cost to ship my treatment?
There is currently no cost to have your treatment shipped to you from our Felix Pharmacy network.
I received an email with a tracking number but it doesn’t seem to be working!
Your tracking number will be activated when the courier picks up your shipment from the pharmacy. Please allow until 6 pm the following business day, and you should then be able to see the status of your package. If the tracking number still isn’t working, please reach out to our Patient Support team through the chat bubble in the bottom right corner of your account or our Contact Us page and we’ll look into it.
Is your packaging discreet?
Absolutely. All Felix shipments arrive in a nondescript blister package so you can have your treatment shipped wherever makes sense for you as long as there is someone there to sign for it.
What do I do if my package was returned to Felix?
We’ll contact you via email if your package is returned to us!
For most treatments, your meds will be destroyed 1 month after your fill date should you fail to respond to Felix Customer Support or contact the partner pharmacy. Temperature controlled medications may have a reduced reshipment eligibility window due to their limited shelf life, in accordance with product guidelines. All reshipments are at the discretion of a pharmacist’s professional judgment.
If you require assistance with a returned package, please reach out to our Patient Support team through the chat bubble in the bottom right corner of your account or our Contact Us page.
What happens if there isn’t anyone available for the delivery?
Depending on your province of residence and the treatment being dispensed, your Felix packages may require a signature on delivery. If this cannot be collected where necessary, your package will be available at the closest post office for pick up. Usually, packages are available for up to 14 days after the first attempted delivery. If you don’t pick up your package within the allotted time, it will be returned to the sender, which may cause a further delay in your delivery.
When is my medication shipped?
Status updates for your prescription will appear in the Upcoming tab. You’ll be able to see if your prescription is being processed by our pharmacists or if it’s en route for delivery.
Refill schedule (drug dependent)
- Monthly: refill is processed approx. every 20 to 23 days
- Every 2 months: refill is processed approx. every 50 to 53 days
- Every 3 months: refill is processed approx. every 76 to 84 days
Will I be able to receive my medication on time during the holidays?
Yes, the pharmacy will process your prescription to account for any expected delays due to the holiday season.
Can I have my medical records with Felix shared with my primary care provider?
We are happy to facilitate a release of your medical records with Felix to your primary care provider. Please send a request message through the chat bubble in the bottom right corner of your account or our Contact Us page, and our clinical operations team will be happy to help.
How is my privacy protected?
Your privacy is our top priority. All your data is 256 bit SSL/TLS encrypted, and we take significant steps to keep your data secure. You can read our Privacy Policy for more information.
Is my information private and secure?
Yes, your security is paramount to Felix’s mission. Personal health information provided during your medical assessment is strictly and legally confidential between you and the Felix healthcare practitioner.
Beyond that, all your account information (including the medical assessment, credit card, and shipping information, etc.) is also stored safely and securely. Felix is compliant with all federal and provincial health privacy legislation. It is our duty to protect your data with comprehensive security infrastructure and stringent data policies to ensure it stays private and secure.
Read more on our Privacy Policy.
Is this legal?
Yes! In Canada, only a licensed healthcare practitioner can write a prescription, and only a registered pharmacist can fill that prescription. We are supported by leaders in the Canadian pharmacology and specialized medical fields. Felix adheres strictly to all the regulations set forth by all applicable Colleges of Pharmacists and Colleges of Physicians and Surgeons in which we operate.
Is this safe?
Absolutely. All prescriptions obtained via Felix are provided by licensed Canadian healthcare practitioners—the same as you would get at a hospital, doctor’s office, or clinic. These practitioners do not provide prescriptions unless they deem it medically safe and appropriate to write them based on your medical profile and assessment answers. Our assessments have been crafted by the practitioners on our medical team. Finally, all Felix Pharmacies are provincially accredited just like any retail pharmacy.
How do I change my credit card information?
Go to Billing, and you will be able to update the credit card information on file.
How much does a checkup visit cost?
The cost of the checkup visit varies by category, but in many cases there is no charge, so long as you complete your checkup visit before your current prescription expires.
How much is the online visit?
Felix charges a fee for the online visit. In most cases the fee is $40 but varies by treatment category. The visit fee includes a prescription valid for up to a year (depending on the condition) and on-going support from the healthcare practitioner or pharmacist.
How much will my treatment cost?
It depends. Treatment costs vary but will be in line with what you would pay at a pharmacy in person. You will see the estimated cost of your treatment before insurance, during the online visit but will only be billed for medication costs for your prescription once it is approved and sent to our pharmacy. Once approved, your treatment and payment will be processed within one to two days.
Keep in mind that you won’t necessarily need to pay the full price yourself. If you have insurance, Felix’s partner pharmacies will bill your insurer directly. You may also be eligible for financial support in your province.
What payment methods do you accept?
We accept all major credit cards for any aspect of your treatment not covered by insurance or other financial support
Why can’t I see medication prices on the website?
While it is illegal in Canada to display market pricing for prescription medication, you will be able to see the estimated cost of medication during the online visit. The price shown is an estimation and will vary if the healthcare practitioner prescribes you a different medication, or if you have insurance or benefits coverage. All estimated prices shown during the online visit include the pharmacy fill fee based on the refill schedule of your choice.
Will I be charged for the visit fee, even if a prescription is denied?
Yes, the visit fee is charged when you submit your visit and is generally refunded if the visit is denied by your healthcare practitioner.
Exceptions apply: Weight Loss visit fees are refunded only if you are deemed clinically ineligible. Visit fees for Diagnostic categories (Metabolic Health, STIs) and Menopause are non-refundable. For these complex health categories, the visit fee covers the practitioner’s time to review your medical assessment, issuing a lab requisition, reviewing your lab results with you, and making a diagnosis if applicable.
Am I covered by my insurance?
Treatment coverage varies greatly between different insurance plans.
The good news is that if you are covered, Felix can bill your insurer directly, and then process your treatment plan at no additional cost to you. We recommend that you upload your private and/or provincial benefit card during the online visit so that our pharmacy partner can apply any coverage you are eligible for before processing your treatment plan.
Insurance coverage for treatment plans through Felix doesn’t include the cost of your visit.
I didn’t have insurance when I first got my prescription, but now I have it. What do I do?
Go to Billing where you can add or update your insurance information on file.
I forgot to upload my insurance information before my first fill was charged. What can I do now?
You will find the official receipt for your medication costs within your package from the pharmacy. This receipt can be used to submit a manual claim directly to your insurance/benefits provider. Future refills will be direct-billed directly to your insurance provider, once you have uploaded your insurance information from the Billing tab of your account.
I uploaded my insurance information during my online visit but still see a cost for the medication in my profile.
The coverage you are eligible for will not be deducted until the pharmacy processes your refill, so the price you see in your profile is the estimated maximum medication cost before benefits. Once the pharmacy ships your meds, the actual cost will be displayed for the respective refill.
Is birth control covered by OHIP in Ontario?
OHIP+ covers some birth control for eligible residents of Ontario who are under 25 years old and do not have private insurance. You can check if your birth control medication is covered here. Make sure to upload your Ontario health card during your online visit so our pharmacy partners can apply your coverage directly.
Is the medication covered by my insurance or provincial health plans?
Medication coverage varies greatly between different plans, provinces, and has specific criteria that determine eligibility. For private insurance, we recommend contacting your benefits administrator with your details and the Drug Identification Number (DIN) and the drug name to determine your coverage.
For more details on provincial health plan coverage see below:
Alberta: Learn more about AHCIP here. Search for covered drugs here.
British Columbia: Learn more about MSP here. Search for covered drugs here.
Manitoba: Learn more about MHSIP here. Search for covered drugs here.
Newfoundland and Labrador: Learn more about MCP here. Search for covered drugs here.
Nova Scotia: Learn more about MSI here. Search for covered drugs here.
Ontario: Learn more about OHIP+ here. Search for covered drugs here.
Prince Edward Island: Learn more about Health PEI here. Search for covered drugs here.
Saskatchewan: Learn more about Saskatchewan Health Coverage here. Search for covered drugs here.
Is the online visit covered by my insurance or provincial health plans?
A Felix online visit is considered asynchronous since it is conveniently completed through a secure chat bases system. Currently, asynchronous visits are not covered by insurance or provincial health plans so you will be charged a visit fee, depending on the category of treatment you are requesting.
Is the treatment covered by my insurance or provincial health plans?
Treatment coverage varies greatly between different plans, provinces, and has specific criteria that determine eligibility. For private insurance, we recommend contacting your benefits administrator with your details and the information associated with your treatment.
For more details on provincial health plan coverage see below:
Alberta: Learn more about AHCIP here. Search for covered treatments here.
British Columbia: Learn more about MSP here. Search for covered treatments here.
Manitoba: Learn more about MHSIP here. Search for covered drugs here.
Newfoundland and Labrador: Learn more about MCP here. Search for covered treatments here.
Nova Scotia: Learn more about MSI here. Search for covered treatments here.
Ontario: Learn more about OHIP+ here. Search for covered treatments here.
Prince Edward Island: Learn more about Health PEI here. Search for covered treatments here.
Saskatchewan: Learn more about Saskatchewan Health Coverage here. Search for covered treatments here.
My insurance provider needs a physician to fill out a form before they will cover my medication costs. Can this be done through Felix?
Yes, but at the discretion of our medical team. Please submit your insurance request form here. If the healthcare practitioner agrees to complete the form, a $35 fee per insurance form will apply.
Read more here for full details about the Insurance Special Authorization Form process.
If you run into any issues, please reach out to our Patient Support team through the chat bubble in the bottom right corner of your account or our Contact Us page.