Beyond the Pill

NuvaRing®, a monthly contraceptive, is a flexible, clear ring that you insert into your vagina, leaving it in place for three weeks. At the start of week four, you remove it and will have your period. NuvaRing® works by emitting low and continuous amounts of estrogen and progestin into the bloodstream, halting the maturation of eggs, thus preventing pregnancy.

Because of lower amounts of hormones, side effects are not as prevalent as with other hormonal contraceptives. It's also a good choice for women who have difficulty remembering to take a pill daily or change a patch weekly.

NuvaRing® is held in place by the muscles in the vagina and is not affected by exercise or sex. As long as it is in the vagina somewhere, it is working. Dr. Wilder says the ring is easily placed into the vagina by pinching it together and inserting. "I always advise women that if they can insert a tampon they can insert the ring," says Dr. Wilder.

The product's website, www.nuvaring.com, is an interactive site where you can compare other contraceptives to the ring. The site allows the viewer to use the mouse to "feel" the ring's flexibility and also displays an illustrated demonstration of how to insert and remove NuvaRing®.