NuvaRing Dosage: An Introduction

There is only one standard dose of NuvaRing^® (etonogestrel/ethinyl estradiol vaginal ring). As always, do not adjust your NuvaRing dose unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.

 

One NuvaRing should be inserted vaginally once a month. Three weeks later (on the same day of the week you inserted the ring), you should remove the ring for a seven-day ring-free break. You will usually start your period during this week. After seven days, you should insert a new NuvaRing, even if you are still having your period.

 

If you did not use hormonal birth control (such as the birth control pill, patch, or injection) for the cycle before starting NuvaRing, you should start NuvaRing at the beginning of your cycle. If you start NuvaRing on the first day of your period, you do not need any backup birth control. If you start NuvaRing on day two to five of your cycle, you should use a backup method (such as condoms) for seven days.

 

If you are switching from a different hormonal birth control, you can start NuvaRing on any day. You should not wait more than seven days after your last birth control patch or pill to start NuvaRing. If you are switching from a combined oral contraceptive pill or patch (which contain both an estrogen and a progestin), you do not need any backup birth control. However, if you are switching from a progestin-only contraceptive (the "mini pill", injection, or implant), you should use backup birth control (such as condoms) for seven days. When switching from an implant or injection, you should start NuvaRing on the day the implant is removed or the day you would have received your next injection.

 

Talk to your healthcare provider about when to start NuvaRing after a miscarriage, abortion, or birth.