Explaining How to Use

Explain how to insert the ring

She can choose the position most comfortable for her—for example, standing with one leg up, squatting, or lying down.

She should press opposite sides of the ring together and gently push the folded ring entirely inside the vagina.

The exact position is not important, but inserting it deeply helps it to stay in place, and she is less likely to feel it. The muscles of the vagina naturally keep the ring in place.

Explain that the ring must be left in place for 3 weeks

• She should keep the ring in place all the time, every day and night for 3 weeks.
• She can take the ring out at the end of the third week and dispose of it in a waste receptacle. 

She should take out the ring for the fourth week

• To remove the ring, she should hook her index finger inside it, or squeeze the ring between her index and middle fingers, and pull it out.
• She will probably have monthly bleeding this week.
• If she forgets and leaves the ring in for as long as a fourth week, no special action is needed.

Ring should never be left out for more than 3 hours until the fourth week

The ring can be removed for sex, cleaning, or other reasons, although removing it is not necessary.

If the ring slips out, she should rinse it in clean water and immediately reinsert it.

Supporting the user

Instructions for Late Replacement or Removal

Left ring out for more than 3 hours during weeks 1 or 2?

Put the ring back in as soon as possible. Use a backup method for the next 7 days. Backup methods include abstinence, male and female condoms, spermicides, and withdrawal.

Tell her that spermicides and withdrawal are the least effective contraceptive methods.

If possible, give her condoms.

Left ring out for more than 3 hours during week 3?

Stop the current cycle and discard the ring.

Insert a new ring immediately and keep it in place for 3 weeks, starting a new cycle. Use a backup method for the next 7 days.

(Another option, if the ring was used continuously and correctly for the past 7 days: Leave the ring out and make the next 7 days the week with no ring. After those 7 days, insert a new ring, starting a new cycle, and keep it in place for 3 weeks. Use a backup method for the first 7 days with the new ring.)

Waited more than 7 days before inserting a new ring, or kept ring in longer than 4 weeks?

• Insert a new ring as soon as possible and begin a new 4-week cycle. Use a backup method for the first 7 days of ring use.
• Also, if a new ring was inserted 3 or more days late (ring was left out for 10 days or more in a row) and unprotected sex took place in the past 5 days, consider taking emergency contraceptive pills (see Emergency Contraceptive Pills).

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