CHAPTER 7 - Combined Vaginal Ring: Only the Essentials

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).