The Ring (NuvaRing): Costs, How To Use

Both types of rings are really pretty easy to use. All you need to remember is the schedule for inserting and removing the ring.

Annovera

Once you insert the ring (see instructions below), leave it in for three weeks (21 days). Take it out for the fourth week (that means that you’ll leave it out for seven days). After taking it out, wash it with mild soap and water, pat it dry, and store it in its case at room temperature. When the ring is out, you’ll probably get a withdrawal bleed, which is like a period. After seven days, even if you’re still bleeding, put the Annovera back in again.

If you leave it out for more than seven days, you’ll need to use a backup method of birth control, like condoms, for seven days after putting it back in.

During the three weeks (21 days) that you have the ring in, it’s important not to take it out. And it’s designed to keep it in during sex. But if it ever comes out, make sure to put it back in right away. If the ring is out of your vagina for more than two hours total during those 21 days, you will need to use a backup method of birth control for seven days after putting it back in.

Here’s how to put Annovera in:
Step one: wash your hands.
Step two: squish the ring between your thumb and index finger.
Step three: insert it into your vagina as far up as you can get it with your finger. It’ll sit tucked up against the side of your vaginal wall. The exact position doesn’t affect how well it works to prevent pregnancy, as long as the entire ring is inside your vagina. So you just want to make sure you’re comfortable and no part of it is coming out of your vagina. If you need to, you can take it out and try again or try just pushing it further into your vagina.

Here’s how to take the Annovera out:
Step one: wash your hands.
Step two: insert your finger into your vagina until you feel the edge of the ring.
Step three: hook your finger on edge of the ring and pull down.

Here’s a video showing how to put in and take out the Annovera.

NuvaRing

Just like with Annovera, once you insert the ring (see instructions below), leave it in for three weeks (21 days). Take it out for the fourth week (that means that you’ll leave it out for seven days). After taking it out, put it back in the re-sealable pouch it came in and toss it in the trash. Disposing of it in its pouch will help prevent the hormones in the ring from leaching into the environment. When the ring is out, you’ll probably get a withdrawal bleed, which is like a period. After seven days, even if you’re still bleeding, insert a new ring and start the cycle again.

If you take the NuvaRing out during the three weeks (21 days) that you have the ring in, make sure to put it back in as soon as possible. If it’s out for more than 48 hours, you’re at risk for getting pregnant, and you’ll need to use a backup form of birth control for 7 days after putting the ring back in.

If you leave the NuvaRing out for more than 48 hours during the third week of a cycle, put it back in right away. On the day when you would normally have taken the ring out (day 22 of the cycle, where day 1 is the day you put it in), take it out and put a new one in, skipping your ring-free week. If you don’t put a new one in on that day, you’ll need to use a backup form of birth control until you’ve had a ring in for 7 days in a row.

Here’s how to put the NuvaRing in:
Step one: wash your hands.
Step two: squish the ring between your thumb and index finger.
Step three: insert it into your vagina as far up as you can get it with your finger. It’ll sit tucked up against the side of your vaginal wall. The exact position doesn’t affect how well it works to prevent pregnancy, as long as the entire ring is inside your vagina. So you just want to make sure you’re comfortable and no part of it is coming out of your vagina. If you need to, you can take it out and try again or try just pushing it further into your vagina.

Here’s how to take the NuvaRing out:
Step one: wash your hands.
Step two: insert your finger into your vagina until you feel the edge of the ring.
Step three: Hook your finger on the edge of the ring and pull down.