Progesterone vaginal ring

Not to be confused with Ethinylestradiol/etonogestrel.

Progesterone vaginal ring, also known as progesterone-only vaginal ring, is a form of vaginal ring used for birth control when breastfeeding.^[1] Use can begin at four weeks and continue for at least up to a year following childbirth.^[4][3] Failure rates with usual use is about 1.5 per 100 women.^[1] It is used within the vagina with one ring lasting three months.^[4] The woman is able to place and remove the ring herself.^[3] It is sold under the brand names Progering among others.^[5]

Progesterone vaginal ring
NuvaRing, a similar birth control vaginal ring
Background
Type	Hormonal
First use	1998
Trade names	Progering, Fertiring, others
Failure rates (first year)
Perfect use	?
Typical use	1.5%[1]
Usage
Duration effect	3 months
User reminders	?
Advantages and disadvantages
STI protection	No[2]
Period advantages	Periods may not occur while ring is inserted
Benefits	Easy insertion and removal[3]

Side effects include vaginal discharge and pain with urination.^[3] It does not appear to be associated with serious side effects.^[3][6] With use menstrual periods often do not resume.^[1] It was specifically made for use with breastfeeding as it does not affect milk production.^[1] It works by gradually releasing the hormone progesterone.^[1]

Progesterone vaginal rings have been approved for medical use since 1998.^[2] It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines.^[7][8] As of 2014, they are available in a number of South and Central American countries.^[1] As of 2016, it is not available in the United States.^[4] It was developed by the Population Council.^[5][2]

See also

• Pharmacokinetics of progesterone § Vaginal administration