NuvaRing dosage: A detailed guide

This article describes NuvaRing’s dosage and strength and gives details on how to use it. You’ll also find information on cost savings and coupon options for NuvaRing. If you want to know more about NuvaRing, see this overview article. It covers details about the drug’s uses and side effects, ways to save on cost, and more.

NuvaRing is a brand-name medication that comes as a vaginal ring. It’s available in a generic version called ethinyl estradiol/etonogestrel. This article describes dosages of NuvaRing.

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Boxed warning: Risk of serious heart and blood vessel problems and smoking

NuvaRing has a boxed warning for the risk of serious heart and blood vessel problems if you smoke cigarettes. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

See the end of this article for more information about this warning.

Form and strength of NuvaRing

NuvaRing comes as follows:

• Form: vaginal ring
• Strength: each ring contains 11.7 milligrams (mg) etonogestrel and 2.7 mg ethinyl estradiol

Dosage of NuvaRing

This article describes the recommended dosage for NuvaRing. The drugmaker provides these dosages.

If your doctor prescribes this medication, you should follow the dosage they prescribe. Your doctor will determine the dosage that best meets your needs. Do not change your dosage of NuvaRing without your doctor’s recommendation.

Usual recommended dosage of NuvaRing in adults

NuvaRing comes as a ring that you insert into your vagina. For preventing pregnancy, the recommended dosage is one ring inserted for 3 weeks. NuvaRing should remain in place throughout the 3 weeks. Then, you’ll remove the ring for 1 week. Withdrawal bleeding typically happens during this time. After the 1-week break, you’ll insert a new NuvaRing.

Each NuvaRing contains 11.7 mg etonogestrel and 2.7 mg ethinyl estradiol. Over 3 weeks, the ring will release about 0.120 mg per day of etonogestrel and 0.015 mg per day of ethinyl estradiol.

Dosage of NuvaRing in adolescents

Adolescents can use NuvaRing, who have had their first period, to prevent pregnancy. Doctors recommend a dosage that’s the same as for adults.

How to start using NuvaRing

Your doctor will tell you how to start using NuvaRing when they first prescribe it. NuvaRing use depends on a few factors, such as whether you were previously using hormonal birth control or were recently pregnant.

Be sure to follow your doctor’s advice when you start using NuvaRing. They’ll advise you on the specific day to insert the first ring.

Missed dose of NuvaRing

NuvaRing is inserted into the vagina every 4 weeks. You’ll leave the ring in for 3 weeks, then remove it for a 1-week break.

It’s very important that you insert a new ring at the end of the 1-week break. If you forget to insert a new ring after the 1-week break, you’ll need to use another method of birth control (such as condoms) until the new NuvaRing has been in place for at least 7 days.

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist right away if you have questions about using NuvaRing and whether you need to use additional birth control after replacing a ring.

Frequently asked questions

Below are answers to some commonly asked questions about NuvaRing and its dosage.

How does the dosage of NuvaRing compare with the dosage of birth control pills?

Each NuvaRing contains 11.7 mg etonogestrel and 2.7 mg ethinyl estradiol. Various birth control pills are available. Some offer a lower dose of estrogen, while others offer a higher dose. Some only contain progestin and don’t contain any estrogen. How the dosage of NuvaRing compares depends on the specific birth control pill you’re comparing it with.

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist to learn more about how the dosage of NuvaRing compares with the dosage of various birth control pills. They can help you decide which birth control option may be best for you.

Is NuvaRing considered a low dose birth control?

Each NuvaRing contains 11.7 mg etonogestrel and 2.7 mg ethinyl estradiol. Over 3 weeks, the ring will release about 0.120 mg per day of etonogestrel and 0.015 mg per day of ethinyl estradiol. This is considered a low dose of ethinyl estradiol.

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist to learn more about what’s considered low dose birth control.

What should I do if my NuvaRing accidentally comes out?

NuvaRing may accidentally become displaced. Depending on how long the ring is out of your vagina affects what you need to do next.

If NuvaRing is outside the vagina for less than 3 hours, it can be rinsed with cool or lukewarm water. Then, reinserted as soon as possible after rinsing.

If NuvaRing has been outside the vagina for more than 3 hours, follow these steps based on the week of NuvaRing use:

• Week 1 or 2: Reinsert the ring as soon as possible, after rinsing it with cool or lukewarm water. The effectiveness of NuvaRing will be reduced. That’s why it’s important to use a barrier birth control method, such as condoms, until the ring has been back in place for at least 7 consecutive days.
• Week 3: Discard the old ring and choose one of the following options:
  • Insert a new ring immediately. This will start a new 3-week cycle. You may not experience withdrawal bleeding but may notice some breakthrough spotting or bleeding.
  • Insert a new ring no less than 7 days after your prior ring fell out. You may have withdrawal bleeding at this time. Use this option only if the original ring was in place for at least 7 consecutive days before it dislodged.

If you have questions about what to do if NuvaRing accidentally comes out, talk with your doctor or pharmacist right away.

Can NuvaRing be used long term?

Yes, doctors typically prescribe NuvaRing as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that it’s safe and effective for your condition, you’ll likely use it long term.

If you have questions about how long you should use NuvaRing, talk with your doctor.

How is NuvaRing used

You’ll insert NuvaRing into your vagina and leave it in place for 3 weeks. Then, you’ll remove the ring for a 1-week break. You’ll likely experience withdrawal bleeding during this time. After the 1-week break has passed, you’ll insert a new NuvaRing.

Also, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you’re having difficulty using NuvaRing. They can offer recommendations about how to use it.

NuvaRing coupon

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Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with insurance copays or benefits.

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What to ask your doctor

This article describes the usual recommended dosage for NuvaRing. If your doctor prescribes this medication, they’ll determine the dosage that’s best for you.

Do not change your dosage of NuvaRing without your doctor’s recommendation. You should take NuvaRing exactly as your doctor prescribes it. Let your doctor know if you have concerns or questions about your treatment plan.

Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:

• How should I start using NuvaRing following pregnancy?
• Does it matter which day of my cycle I begin using NuvaRing?
• If I’ve been using a birth control pill and want to switch to NuvaRing, when should I stop taking the birth control pill?
• How does the dosage of NuvaRing compare with other birth control options?

Boxed warning for NuvaRing

NuvaRing has a boxed warning for the risk of serious heart and blood vessel problems if you smoke. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA.

You should not use NuvaRing if you’re older than 35 years of age and you smoke cigarettes. Smoking cigarettes while taking some types of hormonal birth control, such as NuvaRing, greatly increases the risk of serious heart and blood vessel problems. This risk increases with increasing age.

If you are over 35 years of age and smoke cigarettes, your doctor will likely recommend other birth control options that are safer for you.

You can talk with your doctor to learn more.

Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.