Etonogestrel/Ethinyl Estradiol Vaginal Ring Dosing

There is only one standard etonogestrel/ethinyl estradiol vaginal ring dosing -- one flexible ring inserted vaginally once a month. The ring should be left in place for three weeks and then removed for a week, during which you will usually have your period. After seven days, you will need to insert a new etonogestrel/ethinyl estradiol vaginal ring (even if you are still having your period).

 

Etonogestrel/Ethinyl Estradiol Vaginal Ring Dosage: An Introduction

There is only one standard dose of etonogestrel/ethinyl estradiol vaginal ring (NuvaRing®). As always, do not adjust your dose unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.
 

Etonogestrel/Ethinyl Estradiol Vaginal Ring Dosing for Birth Control

One etonogestrel/ethinyl estradiol vaginal ring should be inserted vaginally once a month. Three weeks later (on the same day of the week you inserted the ring), you should remove the ring for a seven-day ring-free break. You will usually start your period during this week. After seven days, you should insert a new etonogestrel/ethinyl estradiol vaginal ring, even if you are still having your period.
 
If you did not use hormonal birth control (such as the birth control pill, patch, or injection) for the cycle before starting etonogestrel/ethinyl estradiol vaginal ring, you should start the vaginal ring at the beginning of your cycle. If you start etonogestrel/ethinyl estradiol vaginal ring on the first day of your period, you do not need any backup birth control. If you start the vaginal ring on day two to five of your cycle, you should use a backup method (such as condoms) for seven days.
 
If you are switching from a different hormonal birth control, you can start etonogestrel/ethinyl estradiol vaginal ring on any day. You should not wait more than seven days after your last birth control patch or pill to start etonogestrel/ethinyl estradiol vaginal ring. If you are switching from a combined oral contraceptive pill or patch (which contain both an estrogen and a progestin), you do not need any backup birth control. However, if you are switching from a progestin-only contraceptive (the "mini pill", injection, or implant), you should use backup birth control (such as condoms) for seven days. When switching from an implant or injection, you should start etonogestrel/ethinyl estradiol vaginal ring on the day the implant is removed or the day you would have received your next injection.
 
Talk to your healthcare provider about when to start etonogestrel/ethinyl estradiol vaginal ring after a miscarriage, abortion, or birth.
 
(Etonogestrel/Ethinyl Estradiol Vaginal Ring Dosing Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;