Key Points for Providers and Clients
  • A woman places a flexible ring in her vagina. She leaves it in there at all times, every day and night for 3 weeks. Then, she removes the ring. Seven days later she inserts a new ring.
  • Start each new ring on time for greatest effectiveness.
  • Bleeding changes are common but not harmful. Typically, irregular bleeding for the first few months and then lighter and more regular bleeding.

What Is the Combined Vaginal Ring?

  • A flexible ring that a woman places in her vagina.
  • Continuously releases 2 hormones—a progestin and an estrogen, like the natural hormones progesterone and estrogen in a woman’s body—from inside the ring. Hormones are absorbed through the wall of the vagina directly into the bloodstream.
  • She leaves the ring in place for 3 weeks, then removes it for the fourth week. During this fourth week the woman will have monthly bleeding.
  • Also called NuvaRing.
  • Works primarily by preventing the release of eggs from the ovaries (ovulation).