Contraceptive vaginal ring

A contraceptive vaginal ring is a flexible plastic ring that releases an oestrogen-progestogen association. The woman places it deep in the vagina herself. It remains in place for exactly 3 weeks (it is taken out on the same day of the week as it was put in). After 7 days without the ring, during which the woman has her menstrual bleed, she reinserts a new ring.

In practice, if the ring is inserted on a Tuesday, it is removed 3 weeks later, on a Tuesday, and a new ring is inserted 7 days after the previous one was removed, still on a Tuesday.

The vaginal ring is dispensed in pharmacies on prescription but is not reimbursed by the French health insurance system.