Annovera (segesterone acetate / ethinyl estradiol) is a combination birth control that contains a progestin (segesterone acetate) and an estrogen (ethinyl estradiol). It's a vaginal contraceptive ring that’s inserted vaginally for 3 weeks, removed for 1 week, and then reinserted. Each ring contains enough hormones to be reused through 13 cycles (about 1 year). Annovera (segesterone acetate / ethinyl estradiol) is 97% effective at preventing pregnancy when used as directed. Some common side effects include headaches, nausea or vomiting, and vaginal yeast infections.
Prevent pregnancy
Annovera (segesterone acetate / ethinyl estradiol) is a combination birth control that contains two hormones: segesterone acetate (a progestin) and ethinyl estradiol (an estrogen). These two medications work together to lower your chances of becoming pregnant by:
Preventing the release of an egg (ovulation)
Thickening the cervical mucus so sperm has a harder time traveling through the uterus to get to and fertilize the egg
Thinning the uterine lining so the fertilized egg can’t implant
Source: DailyMed
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
Can be reused for a year, so less trips to your pharmacy
Might be more convenient to use compared with birth control pills (don’t need to take a pill daily)
Stored at room temperature, so convenient while traveling
Can't be used by people with certain medical conditions, such as high blood pressure and blood sugar (higher risk for blood clots)
Not recommended for those sensitive to vaginal irritation/ulceration
Needs to be cleaned before and after each use
Annovera (segesterone acetate / ethinyl estradiol) can be used through 13 cycles (about a year). When you’re done using it, place your ring into its case, and find a drug take-back location. If you’re unable to find a location, throw away your ring and case in the trash. Don’t flush your ring down the toilet.
Annovera (segesterone acetate / ethinyl estradiol) shouldn’t fall out by itself. But doing certain activities such as having sex or removing a tampon might make it more likely for your ring to come out. If your ring comes out, just wash it and reinsert it within 2 hours.
Annovera (segesterone acetate / ethinyl estradiol) should be inserted into the vagina for 3 weeks, then removed for a week. If the ring has been outside the vagina for a total of 2 hours or more within the 3-week period, you should reinsert the ring and use a non-hormonal birth control as back up (e.g., condoms) until the ring has been inside your vagina for a week.
Headaches are a common side effect of Annovera (segesterone acetate / ethinyl estradiol). But if you’re experiencing a headache or migraine that’s hard to manage, very painful, keeps coming back, or doesn’t seem to go away, call your your healthcare team. This can be a sign of a more serious problem.
While using Annovera (segesterone acetate / ethinyl estradiol), you might notice dark patches on your face or other areas of your body that are exposed to the sun. Protect yourself from the sun by wearing protective clothing and applying sunscreen while outside.
Annovera (segesterone acetate / ethinyl estradiol) can interact with other medications. Before starting Annovera (segesterone acetate / ethinyl estradiol), talk to your healthcare team if you’re taking levothyroxine (Euthyrox) or steroids like prednisone. They might need to adjust your medication dose.
Though rare, it’s possible for Annovera (segesterone acetate / ethinyl estradiol) to trigger a serious swelling attack called hereditary angioedema. You’re at a higher risk for swelling attacks if someone in your family has this condition. Get medical help right away if you experience swelling in the hands, feet, limbs, and face.
More tips on how to use Annovera
Before you use Annovera (segesterone acetate / ethinyl estradiol), check out this video and guide on how to use your ring. Ask your gynecologist or pharmacist if you’re uncertain about how to use Annovera (segesterone acetate / ethinyl estradiol).
Wash your hands before inserting Annovera (segesterone acetate / ethinyl estradiol) to lower your risk of infections from any germs on your hand.
When you’re ready to insert Annovera (segesterone acetate / ethinyl estradiol), get into a comfortable position such as lying down, squatting, or lifting one leg onto the toilet seat. Squeeze the ring with your thumb and index finger to make a narrow, oval-like shape. Then, insert it into the vagina as far as it can go by pushing it in with your index finger.
When you’re ready to remove Annovera (segesterone acetate / ethinyl estradiol), get into a comfortable position and hook the ring with your index finger to pull down.
Once removed, clean Annovera (segesterone acetate / ethinyl estradiol) with mild soap and warm water, and pat it dry. Store the ring away for 1 week inside its case. Remember to clean the ring again before inserting it back into the vagina when it’s time to start a new cycle.
When you’re not using Annovera (segesterone acetate / ethinyl estradiol) during the ring-free week, store it away from children and pets so they don’t accidentally touch the ring. The ring contains hormones and can get absorbed through their skin and might cause harm.
Annovera (segesterone acetate / ethinyl estradiol) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Risk factors: Females over the age of 35 years old who smoke cigarettes
If you smoke cigarettes, using CHCs that contain estrogen (such as Annovera (segesterone acetate / ethinyl estradiol)) can raise your risk for serious blood clots. This means you’re more likely to experience heart or blood vessel problems, such as heart attacks or strokes. If you're 35 years or older and smoke cigarettes, talk to your doctor about safer birth control options because you’re at higher risk for serious blood clots.
Risk factors: Females age 35 years and older | People identified as obese | People who smoke | High blood pressure | High blood sugar | History of blood clots | Not moving for a long time | Recent surgery (<2 weeks ago) | Recent childbirth (<1 month ago)
Annovera (segesterone acetate / ethinyl estradiol) can raise your risk for serious blood clots. These blood clots can form anywhere in your body, including the eyes, heart, and brain. If you have medical conditions that put you at higher risk for clots, such as high blood sugar or blood pressure, you might not be able to use Annovera (segesterone acetate / ethinyl estradiol). Before starting Annovera (segesterone acetate / ethinyl estradiol), talk to your prescriber about any family or personal history of clotting problems. Look out for symptoms of clots in any area of your body:
Brain: sudden weakness in one arm, leg, or on one side of the body; face drooping; changes in speech, vision, balance, or coordination; severe headache
Eyes: double vision, partial or complete blindness, trouble seeing
Lungs: shortness of breath
Heart: chest pain, arm pain, dizziness, cold sweat
Legs: swelling or pain in the leg
Get immediate medical attention and call 911 if you have any of these symptoms.
Risk factors: Blood pressure that’s not under control | Older females | Long-term use of CHCs
CHCs, like Annovera (segesterone acetate / ethinyl estradiol), can raise your blood pressure. You shouldn’t use Annovera (segesterone acetate / ethinyl estradiol) if you have blood vessel damage from high blood pressure or if your blood pressure isn’t under control. If you have well-controlled blood pressure and are using Annovera (segesterone acetate / ethinyl estradiol), then continue to monitor your blood pressure at home and at your follow-up appointments. Contact your primary care provider if you notice symptoms of very high blood pressure such as irregular heartbeats, vision changes, confusion, chest pain.
Annovera (segesterone acetate / ethinyl estradiol) might raise your blood sugars and triglyceride (fat) levels. If you have diabetes, check with your primary care provider if Annovera (segesterone acetate / ethinyl estradiol) is safe for you before you start. You won’t be able to use it if you have diabetes plus other risk factors, such as age over 35 years old and high blood pressure, because you’re at higher risk for blood clots. When you use Annovera (segesterone acetate / ethinyl estradiol), your primary care provider might ask you to monitor your blood sugar at home. Inform your primary care provider of any changes in your blood sugar levels.
If you currently have high cholesterol, using Annovera (segesterone acetate / ethinyl estradiol) might raise your risk for pancreatitis. Let your primary care provider know if you have symptoms of pancreatitis, such as nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, and fever.
Risk factors: Long-term use of CHCs | Hepatitis C | Other liver problems | Taking certain medications for hepatitis C
Though rare, you might be at higher risk for liver problems or liver tumors if you use CHCs, such as Annovera (segesterone acetate / ethinyl estradiol). Contact a healthcare professional if you notice symptoms of liver problems, such as yellowing of the skin or eyes, stomach pain/swelling, dark urine color, chronic fatigue,
Don’t use Annovera (segesterone acetate / ethinyl estradiol) if you’re also taking certain hepatitis C medications, like Viekira Pak that contain ombitasvir, paritaprevir, and ritonavir. Doing so can cause further liver damage. You can use Annovera (segesterone acetate / ethinyl estradiol) again once it has been at least 2 weeks since you’ve completed the hepatitis C treatment.
Risk factors: Gallbladder problems | people identified as overweight
Some studies have shown that CHCs, like Annovera (segesterone acetate / ethinyl estradiol), might cause gallbladder problems. You’re at higher risk if you already have gallbladder problems or if you’ve experienced these problems in the past while taking CHCs. If you notice yellowing of eyes or skin, dark urine, fever, chills, nausea, or vomiting, contact a healthcare professional.
Annovera (segesterone acetate / ethinyl estradiol) can change your period bleeding patterns. You might experience bleeding in between your periods (also known as breakthrough bleeding or spotting) when you use the Annovera (segesterone acetate / ethinyl estradiol) ring. This is more common within the first 3 months after you start this birth control. It’s also possible that you might have periods less often or none at all for some time. If you’ve missed 2 periods in a row, take a pregnancy test to make sure that you’re not pregnant. If the abnormal bleeding continues or happens again even after you have a normal cycle, let your gynecologist know so they can check your health.
If you’re taking Annovera (segesterone acetate / ethinyl estradiol) and have a history of depression, monitor yourself for any signs and symptoms of depression or changes to your mood. Talk to a healthcare professional if your mood changes while you're using Annovera (segesterone acetate / ethinyl estradiol).
Risk Factors: Using a tampon at the same time
Some people who used vaginal rings have reported having toxic shock syndrome (TSS). TSS is a serious, life-threatening condition caused by bacteria toxin. It occurs when bacteria enters your bloodstream through open wounds, cuts, or abrasions. Your risk for TSS is higher if you’re using a tampon at the same time. While there are no reports of TSS linked with Annovera (segesterone acetate / ethinyl estradiol) use so far, you should still look out for TSS symptoms, such as flu-like symptoms, nausea, diarrhea, and headaches. If you experience any of these, remove Annovera and get medical help right away.
Risk factors: Using CHCs for a long time (8 years or longer) | Family history of breast cancer
Research isn't clear about whether or not CHCs cause breast cancer. A few studies report that CHCs might raise your risk for breast cancer, especially if you've been taking it for a long time. Talk to your prescriber if you have any concerns about CHCs and cancer. Let them know if you notice possible signs of breast cancer, such as new lumps on your breasts, swollen breast, breast pain, or redness or flaky skin on the breast.
Don't use CHCs, like Annovera (segesterone acetate / ethinyl estradiol), if you have or have had breast cancer in the past. It's possible that your cancer is sensitive to estrogen, meaning that it'll grow faster when there is estrogen around. Ask your prescriber for birth control options that don't contain estrogen.
Risk factors: Using CHCs for a long time (8 years or longer)
Although the research isn’t clear, there’s a possibility that CHCs might raise your risk for cervical cancer. It might also put you at risk for having abnormal tissue cells on the surface or lining of certain organs (intraepithelial neoplasia). If you notice symptoms such as more blood spotting than usual, light bleeding between your periods or after your period, bleeding that is longer in duration and heavier, more vaginal discharge than usual, pain during sex, let your gynecologist know right away.
Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
---|---|---|---|
0.15mg/0.013mg | 1 ring | $575.00 | $575.00 |
Each Annovera (segesterone acetate / ethinyl estradiol) ring releases about 0.15 mg of segesterone acetate and 13 mcg of ethinyl estradiol daily.
The typical dose is to insert 1 ring into the vagina and to leave it there for 3 weeks. Then, remove the ring for 1 week. After the ring-free week is over, you’ll repeat this cycle again with the same ring.
Each ring can be used for 13 cycles, which is about 1 year.
History of blood clots, stroke, or heart attack
Females over the age of 35 who smoke or have migraine headaches
Certain medical conditions like uncontrolled high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, coronary artery disease (CAD), or atrial fibrillation (AFib)
Liver tumors or liver disease
Currently pregnant
Currently have or have had breast cancer
Abnormal vaginal bleeding that a healthcare professional doesn’t know about or you haven’t gone to them about
Take certain hepatitis C medications like Viekira Pak, containing ombitasvir, paritaprevir, and ritonavir; with or without dasabuvir
Prevent pregnancy
Prevention of pregnancy
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American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. (2023). Abnormal uterine bleeding.
Archer, D. F., et al. (2019). Efficacy of the 1-year (13-cycle) segesterone acetate and ethinylestradiol contraceptive vaginal system: Results of two multicentre, open-label, single-arm, phase 3 trials. The Lancet Global Health.
Bolanca, I., et al. (2008). Chloasma--the mask of pregnancy. Collegium Antropologicum.
Lee, A. L. (2020). Segesterone acetate and ethinyl estradiol vaginal ring (Annovera). for contraception. American Family Physician.
Loder, E. W., et al. (2005). Headache as a side effect of combination estrogen-progestin oral contraceptives: A systematic review. American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology.
Mayne Pharma Commercial LLC. (n.d.). How to use it.
National Cancer Institute. (n.d.). Intraepithelial neoplasia.
TherapeuticsMD, Inc. (2022). Annovera- segesterone acetate and ethinyl estradiol ring [package insert]. DailyMed.
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