Overview

The vaginal ring is a hormonal birth control (contraceptive) device for women. It's a flexible, latex-free plastic ring that's inserted into the vagina. It contains the hormones estrogen and progesterone, which are released over a three-week period. You wear the vaginal ring for three weeks, and then remove it — allowing menstruation to occur — and then insert a new ring after a week.

Similar to combination birth control pills, the vaginal ring prevents pregnancy by releasing hormones into your body. The hormones suppress ovulation — keeping your ovaries from releasing an egg.

The hormones in a vaginal ring might also:

• Thicken cervical mucus to keep sperm from reaching an egg
• Thin the lining of the uterus (endometrium) to prevent implantation of a fertilized egg

There are two vaginal ring hormonal contraceptives approved by the Food and Drug Administration and available in the United States: NuvaRing and Annovera. To use these products, you'll need a prescription from your health care provider.