NuvaRingetonogestrel + ethinyl estradiol
According to the FDA label: FOR VAGINAL USE ONLY NuvaRing ® is indicated for use by females of reproductive age to prevent pregnancy. NuvaRing is an estrogen/progestin combination hormonal contraceptive (CHC) indicated for use by women to prevent pregnancy. ( 1 )
21,179 adverse event reports submitted to the FDA (2004–2026)
Top Reported Adverse Events
The most frequently reported events in association with NuvaRing in the FAERS database. These are events reported by patients taking this medication, not necessarily caused by it. A single report may include multiple events.
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Pulmonary Embolism 3,947 reports
A blockage in one of the arteries of the lungs, usually caused by a blood clot. This is a serious condition that needs urgent medical care.
Full definition in the glossary →Deep Vein Thrombosis 2,655 reports
A blood clot that forms in a deep vein, usually in the leg. It can be serious if the clot travels to the lungs.
Full definition in the glossary →Inappropriate Schedule of Drug Administration 2,229 reports
A report that a medication was taken on the wrong schedule, such as too often or at the wrong time. This is a usage category, the same idea as inappropriate schedule of product administration.
Full definition in the glossary →- Device Expulsion 1,353 reports
No Adverse Event 1,189 reports
A report that was filed but did not actually describe any adverse event. This is a record-keeping category.
Full definition in the glossary →Headache 1,133 reports
Pain in the head or upper neck.
Full definition in the glossary → See all drugs reporting this event →- Metrorrhagia 1,130 reports
Incorrect Drug Administration Duration 1,017 reports
A report that a medication was taken for a longer or shorter time than directed. This is a usage category.
Full definition in the glossary →Nausea 999 reports
The feeling of sickness in your stomach that often comes before vomiting.
Full definition in the glossary → See all drugs reporting this event →- Unintended Pregnancy 947 reports
Depression 895 reports
A persistent low mood, loss of interest, or feelings of sadness. If you are struggling, the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (call or text 988 in the US) is available 24 hours a day.
Full definition in the glossary → See all drugs reporting this event →Anxiety 847 reports
A feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease.
Full definition in the glossary → See all drugs reporting this event →Migraine 788 reports
A severe, often throbbing headache, sometimes with nausea or sensitivity to light and sound.
Full definition in the glossary → See all drugs reporting this event →Off Label Use 722 reports
Using a medication for a condition or in a way that the FDA has not officially approved. This is common and often legal, and a report of it does not mean something went wrong. Doctors sometimes prescribe drugs off label based on their judgment.
Full definition in the glossary →- Menorrhagia 621 reports
Ranked by frequency of reports, not severity. The most-reported event is not necessarily the most dangerous or the most common in patients taking this drug.
Who Is Reporting
Demographics of patients in FAERS reports that included this information. Not all reports include patient demographics.
By Sex
View reporter sex data as a table
| Sex | Reports |
|---|---|
| Female | 20,419 |
| Unknown | 175 |
| Male | 140 |
By Age Group
View age group data as a table
| Age group | Reports |
|---|---|
| 0-17 | 258 |
| 18-34 | 7,133 |
| 35-49 | 2,266 |
| 50-64 | 125 |
| 65-74 | 4 |
| 75+ | 8 |
This shows who filed reports, reflecting who takes this drug and who tends to report, not who is at greatest risk.
Reported Outcomes
Outcomes recorded in FAERS reports that included NuvaRing. A single report may involve multiple reactions, each with a different outcome. These categories are defined by FDA reporting guidelines, not by PillSignal.
View outcome data as a table
| Outcome | Reports |
|---|---|
| Non-Serious | 10,811 |
| Other Serious | 7,870 |
| Hospitalization | 5,997 |
| Disability | 1,052 |
| Life-Threatening | 746 |
| Death | 279 |
Serious outcomes are far more likely to be reported than mild ones, so this overstates how often outcomes are serious. A recorded death does not mean the drug caused it.
Report Volume Over Time
Number of FAERS reports received per quarter for NuvaRing. Changes in volume may reflect shifts in prescribing rates, media attention, or reporting behavior, not changes in the medication's safety profile.
View report trend as a table
| Year | Reports |
|---|---|
| 2004 | 1,303 |
| 2005 | 130 |
| 2006 | 255 |
| 2007 | 173 |
| 2008 | 190 |
| 2009 | 482 |
| 2010 | 678 |
| 2011 | 1,018 |
| 2012 | 1,697 |
| 2013 | 2,982 |
| 2014 | 3,782 |
| 2015 | 1,561 |
| 2016 | 1,659 |
| 2017 | 1,512 |
| 2018 | 1,184 |
| 2019 | 746 |
| 2020 | 652 |
| 2021 | 327 |
| 2022 | 304 |
| 2023 | 178 |
| 2024 | 182 |
| 2025 | 157 |
| 2026 (partial) | 27 |
The steep increase around 2004 reflects the FDA's move to electronic submission, not a change in this drug's safety. Trends track reporting volume, not risk.
Medications commonly reported with NuvaRing
In FDA adverse event reports that mention NuvaRing, these medications appeared most often in the same report.
- Ibuprofen (532 reports)
- Oxybate (468 reports)
- Ibupfrofen (382 reports)
- Acetaminophen (352 reports)
- Ergocalciferol (337 reports)
This reflects co-occurrence in submitted reports, not evidence of drug interaction or combined risk. People often report several medications taken for the same condition or for unrelated reasons. Talk to a doctor or pharmacist about your specific medications.
Related Drugs
Other medications with similar adverse event profiles in FDA FAERS reports.
Data Source
This data is sourced from the FDA's Adverse Event Monitoring System (AEMS), formerly FAERS, via the OpenFDA API. PillSignal is not affiliated with the FDA.
View this data on the FDA website →Data last updated: June 2026