The vaginal ring is a flexible ring about 2 inches in diameter that
is inserted into the vagina. It releases progestin and estrogen
into the body to avoid pregnancy. The woman inserts it herself and
it stays in the vagina for 3 weeks. Then, she takes it out for one
week to have her period. Like other hormone methods, a prescription
from a doctor is required.
Review Date: 03/30/2010
Reviewed By: Susan Storck, MD, FACOG, Chief, Eastside Department of Obstetrics
and Gynecology, Group Health Cooperative of Puget Sound, Redmond,
Washington; Clinical Teaching Faculty, Department of Obstetrics and
Gynecology, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also
reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)
