If you're a woman and want to avoid pregnancy and until you are ready to become a parent, one of the actions you have available to you is the birth control ring. Unlike birth control pills, the birth control ring is a relatively new option and thus far is only produced by one company, NuvaRing.

The birth control ring is made of soft and flexible material, about 2 inches in diameter and about a quarter-inch thick. It is inserted into the vagina for 21 days and then removed for seven to allow a menstrual cycle to occur. Then, a new ring is reinserted for the next 21 days and then removed for seven, and so on. In this way, a woman is protected against pregnancy but is still allowed a natural menstrual cycle. During the seven days the ring is not used, secondary pregnancy prevention protection, such as a condom, should be used.

Unlike the pill, the ring is inserted vaginally and directions must be followed exactly so that it is properly placed in order to get the most benefit. Once the birth control ring has been successfully inserted, a low-level dosage of estrogen and progesterone will be continually released into the body through the walls of the vagina. These hormones at these levels prohibit pregnancy and in fact put your body into a state of "false pregnancy." Because of this, ovaries will not generally release an egg. If an egg is released, the progestin or progesterone will prevent the egg from being fertilized by sperm. The progestin causes the cervical mucus to become thicker so that it does not allow the sperm to pass into the uterus. In the event the egg does somehow get fertilized, the hormones further prevent pregnancy by preventing the fertilized egg from attaching to the uterine wall.

One of the biggest conveniences of the birth control ring is that women who use it do not have to remember to take a pill every day, as they do with the birth control pill. Instead, protection is provided once you insert the ring without having to think about it, for the next 21 days. One drawback, however slight, is that you must use other protection for the seven days the ring is not used