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 all three of these cases, you should use an additional barrier method, such as a condom.
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?
If you accidentally removed EluRyng in the last three hours, you should still be fully protected. Simply rinse it with lukewarm water and reinsert as soon as possible.
If, however, it’s been outside your vagina for longer than three hours during weeks one or two, the contraceptive effect is reduced. So you’ll need to use an additional barrier method, like a condom, for seven days.
If it’s accidentally removed during week three, discard it and do one of the following:
- Insert a new ring immediately and restart the three-week cycle. Although you won’t have withdrawal bleeding, you may see some spotting.
- Have your ring-free week now and insert a new ring seven days after it was accidentally removed. You may not have withdrawal bleeding, but you might see some spotting.
In both options, you’ll need to use an additional barrier method like a condom for seven 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.
