Contraception in Grand Rapids, MI: Vaginal Ring (NuvaRing®)

The vaginal ring (commonly known by the brand name NuvaRing® in the United States) is a popular, convenient birth control option for many people in Grand Rapids, Michigan. It is a soft, flexible plastic ring that you place inside your vagina, where it slowly releases two hormones:

  • Estrogen
  • Progestin (a synthetic form of progesterone)

These hormones are similar to the ones produced by your ovaries and are also used in many combined birth control pills.

How Effective Is the Vaginal Ring?

  • Perfect use: At least 99% effective at preventing pregnancy.
  • Typical use (real life): About 93% effective, because people sometimes:
    • Forget to insert a new ring on time
    • Leave the ring out too long
    • Take certain medications that interfere with it

For people in Grand Rapids, the vaginal ring is a reliable option when used correctly, and it can be a good choice if you want low-maintenance contraception.

How the Vaginal Ring Works

The vaginal ring helps prevent pregnancy in two main ways:

  1. Stops ovulation
    It prevents your ovaries from releasing an egg each month.

  2. Thickens cervical mucus
    It thickens the fluid around your cervix (the opening to the uterus), which:

    • Makes it harder for sperm to enter the uterus
    • Helps prevent sperm from reaching an egg

This combination greatly reduces the chance of pregnancy.

How to Use a Vaginal Ring

Step-by-Step Use

  1. Insert the ring

    • With clean hands, squeeze the ring between your fingers.
    • Gently insert it into your vagina (similar to inserting a tampon).
    • Push it up until it feels comfortable.
      Most people cannot feel the ring once it is in place.

  2. Leave it in for 3 weeks

    • The ring stays in your vagina continuously for 21 days.
    • You do not need to remove it for sex, bathing, or exercise.

  3. Remove it for 1 week

    • After 3 weeks, gently hook a finger around the ring and pull it out.
    • Throw it away in the trash (do not flush).
    • You then have a 7-day ring-free break.

  4. Insert a new ring after 7 days

    • On the same day of the week and around the same time, insert a new ring.
    • This starts your next cycle.

Your Period and the Vaginal Ring

  • You will usually have withdrawal bleeding (like a period) a few days after removing the ring.
  • To skip your period, you can:
    • Remove the old ring and insert a new ring immediately, without the 7-day break.
    • This is called continuous use and is safe for many people (check with your Grand Rapids healthcare provider).

When Does the Vaginal Ring Start Working?

When you first start using the vaginal ring (or after a break), it may take up to 7 days to become fully effective.

  • During those first 7 days, use backup contraception such as condoms.
  • Ask your Grand Rapids OB/GYN, family doctor, or nurse for specific instructions based on:
    • When in your cycle you start
    • Whether you are switching from another method

What Can Make the Vaginal Ring Less Effective?

A vaginal ring may not work as well if:

  • You insert a new ring more than 24 hours late
  • You leave the ring out of your vagina for more than 24 hours during the 3-week use period
  • You are taking certain medications or herbal supplements, such as:
    • Some seizure medications
    • Certain HIV medications
    • Rifampin-type antibiotics
    • St. John’s wort

Always check with your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist in Grand Rapids about medication interactions.

Benefits of Using a Vaginal Ring

Many people in Grand Rapids and West Michigan choose the vaginal ring because it offers several advantages:

  • Highly effective when used correctly
  • Low maintenance – only think about it once a month
  • Can be used to skip your period
  • May make periods:
    • Lighter
    • More regular
    • Less painful
  • May improve acne
  • May reduce your risk of:
    • Cancer of the uterus (endometrium)
    • Cancer of the ovaries
  • Can help with symptoms of:
    • Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
    • Endometriosis
  • Fertility returns quickly after you stop using it
  • Partners are usually not bothered by the ring during sex

For many Grand Rapids residents with busy schedules, winter driving, and seasonal changes, the ring can be easier to manage than a daily pill.

Possible Side Effects of the Vaginal Ring

Most people tolerate the vaginal ring well, but some may notice side effects, especially in the first few months:

  • Increased vaginal discharge
  • Irregular vaginal bleeding or spotting
  • Nausea
  • Breast tenderness or soreness
  • Headaches
  • Bloating
  • Skin changes (including acne changes)
  • Mood changes

These side effects often improve with time. If they are severe or do not go away, talk with your Grand Rapids healthcare provider.

Weight Gain and Cancer Risk

  • The vaginal ring has not been shown to cause weight gain.
  • The risk of developing breast cancer due to vaginal ring or pill use in people under 35 is about 1 in 50,000.
  • There is a small increase in the risk of:
    • Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) – blood clots in the legs
    • Heart attack
    • Stroke

These risks are higher if you smoke, are over 35, or have other health conditions.

Serious Health Risks: Who Should Avoid the Vaginal Ring?

A vaginal ring may not be a good option for you if you:

  • Have certain types of migraine headaches (especially with aura)
  • Have high blood pressure, heart disease, or liver problems
  • Have a high BMI or are obese (risk depends on other factors; discuss with your provider)
  • Are over 35 and smoke
  • Have had a deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or pulmonary embolism
  • Have a close family member with a history of blood clots
  • Have been treated for breast cancer
  • Are unable to move around for a long time (e.g., after major surgery or due to disability)
  • Are taking medications that interfere with hormonal contraception

Always review your medical history with a Grand Rapids doctor or nurse before starting the vaginal ring.

What If You Forget to Insert or Replace a Vaginal Ring?

If You Forget to Insert a New Ring

  • Insert a new ring as soon as you remember.
  • Use condoms for the next 7 days.
  • If you had sex without a condom in the 7 days before the missed ring:
    • You may need emergency contraception.
    • Contact your Grand Rapids clinic, OB/GYN, or urgent care for advice.

If the Ring Has Been Out Too Long

What you need to do depends on how long the ring has been out or how late you are inserting it. Because this can be complex:

  • Call your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist in Grand Rapids for personalized instructions.
  • In most cases, you will:
    • Insert a new ring
    • Use condoms for 7 days
    • Consider emergency contraception if you had unprotected sex

Vaginal Ring, Pregnancy, and After Having a Baby

If You Get Pregnant While Using the Ring

  • The vaginal ring will not harm an existing pregnancy.
  • If you become pregnant:
    • Remove the ring
    • Contact your healthcare provider in Grand Rapids
    • It is safe to continue the pregnancy or to discuss abortion options if desired.

Using the Vaginal Ring After Birth

  • If you are not breastfeeding:
    • You can usually start using the vaginal ring when your baby is 3–6 weeks old.
  • If you are breastfeeding:
    • Combined hormonal methods (like the ring) are usually delayed until at least 6 weeks postpartum.
    • Other options (like the progestin-only pill, IUD, or implant) may be better early on.

Always check with your Grand Rapids OB/GYN, midwife, or family doctor for timing that is safe for you.

Vaginal Ring and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)

  • The vaginal ring does not protect against STIs.
  • To lower your risk of infections such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, HIV, and others:
    • Use condoms with all new or casual sexual partners.
    • Get regular STI testing, especially if you have multiple partners.

The ring is safe to use with condoms.

Living in Grand Rapids: Local Health Considerations

In Grand Rapids and West Michigan, seasonal changes and cold winters can affect health and access to care:

  • Winter weather and icy roads can make it harder to get to appointments, so:
    • Consider getting several months’ supply of vaginal rings when possible.
    • Use phone reminders or apps to track insertion and removal dates.
  • Many residents rely on local hospital systems and clinics for reproductive health:
    • Corewell Health (formerly Spectrum Health)
    • Trinity Health Grand Rapids
    • Metro Health – University of Michigan Health
    • Mercy Health–affiliated practices
  • Public health support is available through:
    • Kent County Health Department
    • Grand Rapids Public Health programs
    • Community health centers and youth-friendly clinics

Where to Get Vaginal Rings in Grand Rapids, MI

You can access vaginal ring contraception through:

  • Primary care doctors and family medicine clinics
  • OB/GYN offices at:
    • Corewell Health/Spectrum Health
    • Trinity Health Grand Rapids
    • Metro Health – University of Michigan Health
  • Planned Parenthood and other reproductive health clinics in West Michigan
  • Kent County Health Department and community health centers
  • Pharmacies (with a prescription), including:
    • Meijer
    • Walgreens
    • CVS
    • Local independent pharmacies

Who Can Help

  • Your GP or family doctor
  • OB/GYN or midwife
  • Nurse practitioner or physician assistant
  • Pharmacist (for information on use and medication interactions)
  • Local sexual health and family planning clinics in Grand Rapids

Ask about costs, insurance coverage, and financial assistance programs. Many clinics offer sliding-scale fees or reduced-cost contraception for those without insurance.

Practical Tips for Using the Vaginal Ring

  • Set reminders
    Write down the dates or use your phone calendar to:

    • Mark when to remove the ring
    • Mark when to insert the next one

  • Check placement if unsure
    If you cannot feel the ring, it is usually fine as long as it was inserted into the vagina. It does not need to be in an exact position.

  • Sex and the ring

    • You do not need to remove it for sex.
    • If you choose to remove it during sex, it should not be out for more than 3 hours (check your product instructions and talk to your provider).

Key Points to Remember

  • The vaginal ring:
    • Prevents ovulation and thickens cervical mucus to stop sperm from entering the uterus.
    • Has not been shown to cause weight gain.
    • Carries a very small risk of breast cancer; in people under 35, the risk is about 1 in 50,000 from ring or pill use.
  • It is highly effective when used correctly.
  • It does not protect against STIs – use condoms for STI protection.
  • Your fertility returns quickly after you stop using the ring.
  • Always discuss your health history, medications, and lifestyle with a Grand Rapids healthcare provider to see if the vaginal ring is right for you.

If you live in or near Grand Rapids, Michigan, and are considering the vaginal ring, schedule an appointment with your local clinic, OB/GYN, or family doctor to talk through your options and find the contraception that best fits your health, lifestyle, and future plans.