Etonogestrel-Ethinyl Estradiol Vagl
In Depth
- Uses and How to Use
- Dosage and Storage
- Precautions and Side Effects
- Drug Interactions
- Drug Images
If this is the first time you are using this ring, insert it on the first day of your period. For the first cycle of use only, if you insert the ring on days 2-5 instead of the first day, use an additional form of non-hormonal birth control (e.g., male condom or spermicide) for the first 7 days to prevent pregnancy until the medication has enough time to work. A diaphragm is not recommended as a back-up method of birth control with this ring because it may interfere with the correct placement of the diaphragm. If you start on the first day of your period, you do not need to use back-up birth control the first week.
Remove the ring after the 3rd week on the same day of the week and about the same time as you placed it. Put the used ring in the foil pouch and discard in the trash. Do not flush the used ring down a toilet. If you have pain/bleeding when trying to remove the ring, or if you cannot remove it, tell your doctor immediately. Rarely, the ring can become attached to the vagina. If this occurs, your doctor will need to remove the ring.
Do not wear a ring for 1 week (7 days). You should get your period within 2 to 3 days after the ring is removed. If your period does not begin during the ring-free week, consult your doctor. Do not go longer than 7 days without a ring. Doing so may increase your risk of pregnancy.
After 1 ring-free week, insert a new ring on the same day of the week and about the same time as during the last cycle. You must insert the new ring one week after the last one was removed, even if your period has not stopped. If you need to insert a new ring during your period, you may use tampons at the same time as the ring without affecting how well the ring works. Do not go longer than 7 days without a ring. Doing so may make this product less effective.
The vaginal ring may accidentally fall out during intercourse, during a bowel movement, or while removing a tampon. If the ring falls out of the vagina, rinse it with cool to lukewarm (not hot) water and re-insert as soon as possible, within 3 hours maximum.
