The FDA approval of ANNOVERA brings a new user-controlled, reversible, vaginal contraceptive ring that can be used for up to one year without refrigeration. ANNOVERA is a soft, flexible silicone ring, roughly 2 inches in diameter releasing an average of 13 mcg of estrogen (ethinyl estradiol) and a new progestin (segesterone acetate). This makes ANNOVERA one of the lowest estrogen dose methods available and the new non-androgenic progestin it contains, means fewer changes in lipid profile, acne, and weight gain. In clinical trials, ANNOVERA was 97.3% effective in preventing pregnancy when used correctly and 9 out of 10 of those who used ANNOVERA found that it was easy to use, comfortable, and did not affect their sex life.
The basics of using ANNOVERA
- ANNOVERA is placed in the vagina by the user and removed after 21 days. It is replaced after 7 ring-free days (it comes with a small case for storage while it’s out).
- Each ANNOVERA ring is reusable for 13 cycles, up to one year.
- Unlike NuvaRing, the current vaginal contraceptive ring, ANNOVERA never needs to be refrigerated.
- ANNOVERA does not need to be removed during sex or at any time during the 21 days. If it is out of the vagina for more than two hours total during any 21 day cycles, a backup method of birth control is needed for seven days after putting it back in.
- Before reinserting ANNOVERA, it should be washed with mild soap and water and pat it dry.
Starting ANNOVERA
You can encourage patients to start using ANNOVERA anytime you can be reasonably certain that they aren’t pregnant. If ANNOVERA is quick started after day 5 of the menstrual cycle, advise patients to use a backup method of birth control, like condoms, or abstain for the first seven days of use.
Like other methods that contains estrogen, such as the patch, the combined birth control pill, or the NuvaRing, it may not be a good option for anyone with high risk of arterial or venous thrombotic diseases, current or history of breast cancer or other estrogen- or progestin-sensitive cancer, liver tumors, acute hepatitis, or severe (decompensated) cirrhosis, undiagnosed abnormal uterine bleeding, or use of Hepatitis C drug combinations containing ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir, with or without dasabuvir.
How to get ANNOVERA
ANNOVERA is now available from all commercial pharmacies, so you should be able to send a prescription to a local pharmacy or mail-order pharmacy, like PillPack. Patients can also get their ANNOVERA delivered after a telehealth visit from SimpleHealth, Favor, or PlushCare, skipping the in-person visit altogether.
Many commercial insurance plans nationwide now cover ANNOVERA with no out-of-pocket cost. But for those who do not have coverage, the ANNOVERA savings program is available to ensure that people with a copayment pay as little as $60 for their ANNOVERA.
Bottom line
Since each ANNOVERA is good for a year, it could be a good option for anyone who wants an easy-to-use, long-lasting birth control option that can be started and stopped without a procedure. For more information, patients can read more on Bedsider.
