How to use EluRyng
Each EluRyng has a four-week cycle. For the first three weeks, you’ll insert it into your vagina where it remains there for three continuous weeks. Then you’ll remove it for one week during which you’ll have withdrawal bleeding. Once the ring-free week is up, insert a new EluRyng and start the cycle again.
During the ring-free week, you’ll typically start bleeding on days two to three. Even if you haven’t stopped bleeding within the week, it’s important to insert the new ring in as soon as the seven days are over. This will ensure maximum effectiveness throughout the month.
To insert EluRyng:
- Choose a position where inserting the ring is comfortable. This might be squatting, lying down or standing with one leg up.
- Take EluRyng and compress it.
- Insert it into your vagina.
- Leave it for three weeks.
- After three weeks, remove it on the same day around the same time. So if you inserted it on Sunday at 3 pm, remove it three weeks later on Sunday at 3 pm.
- Place the removed ring in a foil pouch and discard it in the bin. Don’t flush it down the toilet.
- After seven days, insert a new ring on the same day around the same time.
You can check the patient leaflet for detailed instruction with pictures.
How to start using EluRyng
If you haven’t used hormonal contraception in a month or longer
Insert EluRyng on the first day of your period cycle. No additional contraceptive is needed.
It can also be inserted on days two to five, but you’ll need to use a barrier method, like a condom, for seven days.
Switching from a combined hormonal contraceptive (CHC)
You can switch from a previous CHC any day, but at the latest on the day following the usual hormone-free interval.
Switching from a progestin-only pill (POP), implant, injection or progestin-releasing intrauterine system (IUS)
- You can switch on any day if you use the mini pill.
- If you’re switching from the implant or IUS, insert EluRyng on the day of its removal.
- If you’re switching from the injection, insert EluRyng on the day you would have your next injection.
In each of these cases, you should use an additional barrier method, such as a condom if you have sex during the first week when your EluRyng is in place.
How long does EluRyng take to work?
This depends on the day you start using EluRyng and if you were using previous hormonal contraception. If you insert it on the first day of your period, you’ll have 99% protection right away. However, if you insert it on days two to five, you’ll need to use an additional contraceptive method for seven days as it takes time for the protection to build up.
My EluRyng accidentally came out, now what?
What you need to do depends on how long the ring has been out of your vagina and which week of your cycle you are in:
Out for less than 3 hours (Weeks 1, 2, or 3):
You are still fully protected against pregnancy. Rinse the ring with cool or lukewarm water (avoid hot water) and reinsert it as soon as possible.
Out for more than 3 hours during Weeks 1 or 2:
Reinsert the ring (or insert a new one) right away. Your contraceptive protection is reduced, so you must use an additional non-hormonal backup method (like condoms) for the next 7 consecutive days.
Out for more than 3 hours during Week 3:
Throw the ring away. Your next step depends on how consistently your ring was worn during the previous week:
- If you wore the ring continuously for the preceding 7 days, you can choose one of two options:
- Insert a new ring immediately. This begins a brand-new 3-week cycle. You may not get a full withdrawal bleed, but you might experience light spotting.
- Start your 7-day ring-free break early. Allow your withdrawal bleed to occur, and insert a new ring no later than 7 days from the exact time the original ring came out.
- If you did NOT wear the ring continuously for the preceding 7 days (e.g., if it came out or was missed earlier in the cycle), you must insert a new ring immediately and use an additional backup method (like condoms) for the next 7 consecutive days.
I left my EluRyng in for too long, now what?
If you left your EluRyng for an additional week—so four weeks in total—you’ll still be protected from pregnancy. But you should remove it and wait one week before inserting a new ring. You might get some withdrawal bleeding during that week,
If you leave the ring in for longer than four weeks, remove it and take a pregnancy test. This is because EluRyng doesn’t contain enough hormones to work for longer than four weeks. After removing it, reinsert EluRyng and use an additional form of contraception for the next seven days.
