1.   The woman then inserts the tube into her vagina, much like a tampon, where it incubates for two days.

2.   After that, as long as the woman properly inserts a new ring each month, contraception should be continuous.

3.   Microbicides are gels or films that women would insert into the vagina before sex to protect against sexually transmitted diseases.

4.   The female condom is a thin, polyurethane sheath that a woman can insert into her vaginal canal hours before sex.

5.   The woman inserts the ring and it stays in place for three weeks.

6.   The woman inserts the ring anytime during the first five days of her menstrual period, Hixon said.

7.   Women insert the flexible device, remove it after three weeks to allow menstruation and then discard it.