New Delhi, Nov. 18 The world's first vaginal birth control ring, NuvaRing, was launched in India on Wednesday.

The introduction of a product is expected to augment the contraception options currently available to Indian women.

NUVARING is a once in a month vaginal ring that offers the same benefits as 'the Pill' but with the added convenience of not having to be used daily.

It is a flexible and transparent ring containing hormones that are dispersed throughout the ring's core and absorbed through the vaginal lining directly into the bloodstream, when inserted.

The exact positioning of the ring is not critical for it to work. Additionally, the ring works, like 'the Pill', by inhibiting ovulation.

In order to prevent pregnancy for a full month, NUVARING must be inserted and left in place for three consecutive weeks. After a one week ring-free interval, a new ring must then be inserted in order to have continued contraceptive effect.

"NUVARING heralds a new era in contraception in the Indian market," said K.G. Anathakrishnan, managing director of Organon (India) Limited.

"It offers the busy, multitasking Indian women of today, the convenience of a monthly regimen and a self-controlled method in terms of insertion and removal of the ring," he added. (ANI)