The Vaginal Ring
Written by Jane Carrasco
Looking For Birth Control You Don't Have To Worry About?
What Is A Vaginal Ring?
The vaginal ring is a soft flexible piece of plastic which contains hormones that provides contraception protection and when used as directed, has been proven to be 99% effective. This small, about 2 inches in diameter, ring is inserted into the woman's vagina where it stays for 3 weeks. Then, she takes it out for one week to have her period.
These are the same usage instructions as the patch and it works in the same manner, releasing progestin and estrogen into the body to avoid pregnancy. But, unlike the patch it is okay to wear the Vaginal Ring constantly and not have a monthly period.
Wear the Ring for 3 weeks, take it out and insert a new one. Continue replacing the Ring every 3 weeks with no interruption. Like other hormone methods, a physical exam and prescription from a doctor are required.
When Can I Switch To The Ring?
If you are using other hormone birth controls, Combination oral contraceptives (The Pill), Progesterone-only oral contraceptives (Mini Pill), Injectable contraceptives (Lunelle or Depo Provera), the IUD or an implant, you can switch directly to a Vaginal Ring without a gap in effectiveness. Make sure to follow the recommended procedures.
# The Mini Pill: Insert a Vaginal Ring on any day and discontinue Mini Pills on that day.
# The Shot: Insert a Vaginal Ring on the day of your next scheduled injection.
# IUD and Implants: Insert a Vaginal Ring on the day of your removal.
Your cervix, which is located at the end of your vagina, prevents the ring from traveling up into your uterus. If it still feels uncomfortable, remove it, read the "How do I insert the ring?" directions again, and then try to insert it once more. If you still can't insert the ring without discomfort, stop and contact your health care provider.
The ring does not prevent STDs, so make sure you use condoms 100% of the time. Using the ring puts you at greater risk of getting Toxic Shock Syndrome. Also, hormonal birth control methods, including the ring, may not be as effective in preventing pregnancy during the first month of use, so it is especially important for you to use condoms the first 7 days.
It is important to talk your physician about the advantages and disadvantages of the ring to see if the ring will work for you. Some of the serious side effects may include:
# Blood clots in your legs or lungs
# Heart problems
# High blood pressure
# Gallbladder or liver disease
# Severe migraine head aches
Disclaimer
The information provided herein should not be used for diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical practitioner should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. The content provided is intended strictly for informational purposes to help patient understanding of medical terms and conditions.