Smoking can elevate the risk factors of blood clots, stroke, or heart attack if you are using a NuvaRing and are above 35. The ring will not protect you from sexually transmitted diseases like HIV-AIDS. So, avoid unhealthy and unsafe sexual practices while using a ring. Diaphragm should also not be used as a backup contraceptive with a NuvaRing as there can be conflict in placements for both. Nuvaring is known to react with certain drugs and medications like acetaminophen; ascorbic acid (vitamin C) griseofulvin; rifampin; modafinil; St. John's wort; seizure medicines like phenytoin, carbamazepine, felbamate, oxcarbazepine, topiramate, or primidone; barbiturate like amobarbital, butabarbital, mephobarbital, secobarbital, or Phenobarbital; HIV drugs like atazanavir, tipranavir, indinavir, saquinavir, lopinavir/ritonavir, fosamprenavir, ritonavir, or nelfinavir. However, this is an incomplete list and NuvaRing may interfere with other drugs as well. You may want to consult your doctor about this. Do not forget to notify your doctor of any current medications and your entire medical history for best results.

Seek urgent medical attention if you witness any of the following severe side effects while using NuvaRing: breast lump, swelling or redness in your limbs, sudden bloody cough, wheezing, rapid breathing, mood disorders, chest pain or heaviness in the chest, nausea, itching, appetite loss, dark urine, clay colored faeces, yellow skin or eyes, body imbalance with problems in vision and speech, confusion, sudden severe headache.

Follow your doctor’s directions exactly and carefully as he/she has told you to do so. Do not use more or less than the directed use. For more details, follow the directions on the prescription label. Nuvaring is available with a detailed list of instructions for safe and effectual use.

Your doctor will indicate the day of your menstrual cycle when you will have to insert the first Nuvaring. You may also need to use an alternative contraceptive method such as a condom or spermicide as a backup for the first 7 days of using your first vaginal ring. A diaphragm however is not recommended with a vaginal ring. Always remember your doctor’s words and strictly adhere to it.

The ring should not be touched for the next 3 full weeks. After that, remove the ring on the same day of the week as it was inserted at approx the same time. Then don’t insert a new ring again for a full week. Your period will commence in the week you don’t have the ring inside. Now insert a new ring on the same day of the week it was inserted in the previous cycle, even if your menstrual cycle is not complete.

The NuvaRing will not be effective and prevent pregnancy if you keep it inserted only during sexual intercourse. The ring must be kept inserted for all the 3 weeks followed by 1 full week without it. The timing and coordination of insertion and removal is a significant factor in its competence as a birth control measure. If you feel uncomfortable during intercourse, you may remove it during the act but do not forget to reinsert after rinsing it with warm water. Do not let the ring out for more than 3 hours.

If you are scheduled for a surgery or medical tests or require bed rest, you may need to avoid using a NuvaRing for that period. Let the person treating you know about the ring. Always store NuvaRing in a cool and dry place away from heat and moisture. Dispose of it off carefully so that children and pets do not get access to it. Avoid flushing the ring in a toilet.

If the NuvaRing falls out of during its 3-week course, reinsert it after rinsing it with warm water. If the ring falls into the lower part of the vagina, push it in with a finger. If you lose a ring by chance, get a new vaginal ring immediately. Remember, you should not be without a ring for more than 3 hours at a stretch for effective birth control. You must use an alternative birth control method until the new ring has been in place for 7 continuous days.