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Ethinyl estradiol and segesterone (vaginal ring)

Generic name: ethinyl estradiol and segesterone (vaginal ring) [ ETH-in-il-es-tra-DYE-ole-and-se-JES-ter-one ]
Brand name: Annovera
Dosage form: vaginal ring (0.013 mg-0.15 mg/24 hours)
Drug class: Contraceptives

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com on Oct 24, 2024. Written by Cerner Multum.

What is ethinyl estradiol and segesterone?

Ethinyl estradiol and segesterone vaginal system (ring) is used as contraception to prevent pregnancy. One vaginal ring may be reused for up to 1 year.

Ethinyl estradiol and segesterone may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Ethinyl estradiol and segesterone side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Ethinyl estradiol and segesterone may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

Common side effects of ethinyl estradiol and segesterone may include:

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Warnings

You should not use this medicine if you have: uncontrolled high blood pressure, heart problems, coronary artery disease, reduced blood flow to your brain, long-term diabetes (or health problems caused by diabetes), undiagnosed vaginal bleeding, liver disease or liver cancer, severe headaches, if you also take certain hepatitis C medication, if you will have major surgery, if you smoke and are over 35, or if you have ever had a heart attack, a stroke, a blood clot, or cancer of the breast, uterus/cervix, or vagina.

You should not use this medicine if you smoke and are older than 35 years of age.

Do not use the vaginal ring if you are pregnant or if you have recently had a baby.

Before taking this medicine

You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to ethinyl estradiol or segesterone, or if you have:

You should not use this medicine if you smoke and are older than 35 years of age. Using this medicine can increase your risk of blood clots, stroke, or heart attack, especially if you smoke.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

Do not use a vaginal ring if you are pregnant, or if you had a baby within the past 4 weeks. Call your doctor if you miss a period or think you may be pregnant.

You should not breastfeed while using this medicine.

Ethinyl estradiol and segesterone is not approved for any woman who has not yet had a menstrual period, or a woman no longer having periods.

How should I use ethinyl estradiol and segesterone?

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed. Read and carefully follow any Instructions for Use provided with your medicine.

The vaginal ring will not prevent pregnancy if you wear it only during intercourse. You must wear the ring around-the-clock for 3 full weeks (21 days).

After 21 days, remove the ring and wait 7 full days before inserting the ring again. Try to stay on your schedule of inserting and removing the ring.

Do not leave the ring out of the vagina for longer than a total of 2 hours during the 21-day wearing time.

If a ring falls out, wash it with mild soap and warm water, pat dry with a clean cloth, and reinsert it.

You may need to use back-up birth control (condoms or spermicide, but not a female condom) for 7 days in a row:

You may have breakthrough bleeding. Tell your doctor if this bleeding continues for longer than 7 days or is very heavy.

If you need major surgery or will be on long-term bed rest, you may need to stop using ethinyl estradiol and segesterone for a short time. Any doctor or surgeon who treats you should know that you are using the vaginal ring.

Ethinyl estradiol and segesterone will not protect you from sexually transmitted diseases--including HIV and AIDS. Using a condom can help protect you from these diseases.

Whenever the ring is out of the vagina, wash the ring with mild soap and warm water, pat dry, and store in the case provided. Store at room temperature. Protect from heat, sunlight, and freezing. Follow the provided instructions for cleaning the vaginal ring when not in use.

After using this medicine for 1 year, dispose of the used vaginal ring in the case or pouch it came in and throw it away where children and pets cannot get to it. Do not flush the ring down a toilet.

norethindrone, medroxyprogesterone, levonorgestrel, Provera, Yaz, Depo Provera

What happens if I miss a dose?

Call your doctor if you get off schedule, or if you have trouble removing a vaginal ring.

What happens if I overdose?

An overdose of ethinyl estradiol and segesterone is not expected to be dangerous, but may cause nausea or vaginal bleeding.

What should I avoid while using ethinyl estradiol and segesterone?

Avoid leaving the ring in place for longer than 3 weeks.

Do not use an oil-based vaginal product, such as a cream, gel, a suppository. You may use a water-based vaginal lubricant but not one that contains oil or silicone.

Ethinyl estradiol and segesterone may cause dark patches on the skin of your face. Avoid sunlight or tanning beds. Wear protective clothing and use sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) when you are outdoors.

You may need to avoid drinking grapefruit juice while using ethinyl estradiol and segesterone with certain other medicines. Ask your doctor or pharmacist.

What other drugs will affect ethinyl estradiol and segesterone?

Some drugs can make birth control less effective, which may result in pregnancy. Use a barrier form of birth control (a male condom with spermicide, but not a female condom) with the vaginal ring if you also use any of the following medicines:

Keep using the barrier birth control for at least 28 days after your last dose of any of these medicines.

Ethinyl estradiol and segesterone can affect your blood levels of other drugs you take, which may increase side effects or make the medications less effective. Some drugs can affect your blood levels of ethinyl estradiol and segesterone if you take them with grapefruit juice.

Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using. Many drugs can affect ethinyl estradiol and segesterone, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed here.

Does ethinyl estradiol/segesterone interact with my other drugs?

Enter medications to view a detailed interaction report using our Drug Interaction Checker.

Frequently asked questions

Further information

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.