Vaginal Ring for Birth Control

What Is a Vaginal Ring?

A vaginal ring is a birth control option for women. It’s a small, flexible contraceptive ring, about the size of a silver dollar. There are two options available at this time, Annovera and NuvaRing.

NuvaRing was the first vaginal ring approved for use. It delivers etonogestrel (a syntheic progestin) and ethinyl estradiol and requires use of a new ring each month.

Annovera is a contraceptive vaginal ring that releases segesterone acetate, a synthetic progestin, and ethinyl estradiol. It is the first product to contain segesterone. The Annovera ring can be used for an entire year, but it must be removed for one week each month.

How Does the Vaginal Ring Work?

The vaginal ring contains the same hormones as many birth control pills. You put it in your vagina, where it sends a steady, low dose of hormones into your system. There are two ways to use it:

Cyclic use. Insert it and leave it in place for 3 weeks, then remove it for 1 week, during which you have a period. If you use NuvaRing, you’ll put a new ring in at the end of week 4. If you use Annovera, you’ll use the same device for a year. Remove, wash, and store it during your period.

Continuous use. Leave the ring in for 4 weeks, then put a new one in. This is what’s called an off-label use. Your doctor might suggest it if you want fewer days of bleeding and maximum protection.

How to Use a Vaginal Ring

It’s similar to using a tampon. Follow these steps:

• Wash and dry your hands.
• Lie down with your knees bent, squat, or stand with one leg on a chair.
• Open the foil and remove the ring. If you use disposable rings, you can save the foil package to wrap it in and throw it away later. 
• Hold the ring between your thumb and index finger.
• Pinch the sides together so they touch in the center.
• Insert the ring as far into your vagina as it will go.
• NuvaRing makes a tampon-like applicator you can order to make inserting it easier. Or you can put the ring in an empty tampon applicator.