Pill, patch, ring, shot? Lots of terms, but one basic concept: this category of BC uses hormones to trick a woman’s body into not getting pregnant. How? By making sure that no egg is released from the ovary or that the cervix prevents the sperm from reaching the egg. Hormonal methods are great for preventing pregnancy, but do not protect against HIV or other sexually transmitted diseases.
Click a question to compare methods. Or, read up on a specific method by clicking the boxes below.
The ring is a thin, flexible, plastic ring that is worn inside the vagina to prevent pregnancy. It is sometimes referred to by its brand name, NuvaRing. It comes in one size that works for most women. The ring has two hormones in it: estrogen and progestin. The hormones slowly go into the body through the skin in the vagina. The ring works on a 4-week cycle. A new ring is inserted once a month.
People who don’t want to take their BC every day but don’t mind changing out a ring once a month; people who are comfortable with inserting a ring into their vagina (similar to tampon insertion).
Insert a new ring into your vagina every month to prevent pregnancy. The hormones in the ring go through the body to prevent ovulation, or release of an egg. The ring must be removed after 3 weeks. During the fourth week you will get your period. After that fourth week a new ring is inserted to protect against pregnancy for one more month.
You can get a prescription for the ring at a clinic near you. A prescription normally covers several months’ worth of rings.
The Ring is 92-99% effective.
NO. For STD protection use condoms with this method.
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