Vaginal Ring

What Is the Vaginal Ring?

The vaginal ring, with the brand name of NuvaRing®, is a reversible prescription method of contraception. It is a small, flexible ring inserted into the vagina once a month. It is left in place for three weeks and taken out for one week. After one week without the ring, a new ring is inserted for the next three weeks.

What is the vaginal ring?
Effectiveness
Getting & Using the Ring
Advantages
Common Side Effects and Disadvantages

The ring releases synthetic estrogen and progestin to protect against pregnancy for one month. These hormones are similar to those used in birth control pills and the contraceptive patch. Because of this, the ring works the same three ways the pill and patch work: (1) Prevents ovulation (ovaries releasing an egg), (2) thickens the cervical mucus, which prevents sperm from joining with an egg, and (3) makes the uterine wall extremely thin and weak so that if an egg were to be released and fertilized, it would not be able to implant in the uterus.

The cost of the vaginal ring may or may not be covered by your insurance company. Please check with them directly. The cost is usually comparable to the cost of birth control pill or the contraceptive patch.

Effectiveness

The ring is a very effective reversible method of birth control. Fewer than 1 out of every 100 women who use the ring will become pregnant with perfect use. Because the ring is so new, rates of typical use are unknown. The ring requires less user involvement and there is less possibility for user error; therefore, it is assumed that the ring will be more effective than birth control pills.

Certain medicines or herbal remedies may decrease the effectiveness of the ring. As with any medication, ask your clinician for advice and inform them of all prescribed and over-the-counter medications you are taking. You may need to use an additional method of birth control while taking a medicine that decreases the effectiveness.

The regular use of oil-based vaginal anti-fungals (medicines for yeast infections) while the ring is in place may increase the level of hormones released into the blood. This will not reduce the effectiveness of the ring.

It is very important to remember that the ring does not protect against sexually transmitted infections. Always use a latex male condom with the ring to reduce the risk of infection.

Pregnancy can happen if an error is made in using the ring — especially if

the unopened package is exposed to very high temperatures or direct sunlight
it slips out of the vagina and is not replaced within three hours
it does not stay in the vagina for three weeks in a row
it is left in the vagina for more than three weeks

If any of these things happen, follow the directions in your package insert, and call your clinician.

Getting and Using the Vaginal Ring

The University Health Center prescribes the vaginal ring. An annual examination by a clinician in the Women’s Clinic is required. Please call 706-542-8691 to make appointment. Your clinician will discuss the advantages and disadvantages to ensure that the vaginal ring is the right contraceptive method for you.

Once you have obtained the ring, you will insert one new ring into the vagina and keep it in place for three weeks in a row. Then remove it for one week. The following steps will help you use the vaginal ring as correctly as possible.

Check the expiration date of each ring package before insertion.
Count the first day of your menstrual period as "day one" and plan to insert the ring between day 1 and day 5 of your cycle.
Wash hands with soap and water.
Use your fingers to press the sides of the ring together.
Insert the vaginal ring gently into the vagina.
The hormones are released through the vaginal walls so the exact position of the ring doesn't matter.
Do not remove the vaginal ring during vaginal sex.
Remove it in three weeks on the same day of the week that it was inserted.
Hook your finger under the forward rim and gently pull out of the vagina
Wrap it up in the original foil wrapper, and throw it out in the trash — do not flush.
After one week without the vaginal ring, insert a new one — on the same day of the week that the previous one was inserted in your last cycle.

During the one-week break, you will usually have your menstrual period. You may still be bleeding when it is time to insert a new ring; this is normal. Even if you are still bleeding, you must insert the vaginal ring on the same day of the week as it was inserted in the last cycle or you will not be protected from pregnancy.

Advantages

Using the vaginal ring is simple, safe, and convenient. The vaginal ring protects against pregnancy for one month. It does not involve taking a daily pill, require the use of spermicide, or require a "fitting" by a clinician.

Many women who use the vaginal ring have more regular, lighter, and shorter periods. A woman's ability to become pregnant returns quickly when use of the ring is stopped.

The vaginal ring does not interrupt sexual activity.

Results of long-term studies aren’t available, but researchers assume that the non-contraceptive advantages associated with the vaginal ring are similar to those associated with other combined hormonal methods. These health benefits may include some protection against:

irregular or painful menstrual cycles
infection of the fallopian tubes (pelvic inflammatory disease), which often leads to infertility
ectopic pregnancy (in the fallopian tubes)
ovarian cysts
ovarian & uterine cancer
iron deficiency anemia that results from heavy menses
acne

Common Side Effects and Disadvantages

As with all medications, there may be some undesirable side effects for some women taking combined hormone contraceptives. Because the vaginal ring contains hormones similar to birth control pills, the side effects and risk are also similar.

Side effects that usually clear up after two or three months of use include: bleeding between periods, weight gain or loss, breast tenderness, nausea, and changes in mood. Other possible side effects include increased vaginal discharge and vaginal irritation or infection.

Serious problems do not occur very often while using hormonal contraceptives. Women who use combined hormone contraceptives have a slightly greater chance of certain major disorders than nonusers. The most serious is the possibility of blood clots in the legs, lungs, heart, or brain, and/or liver tumors. The risks are increased by being over 35, smoking, and having conditions associated with heart disease — such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or high levels of cholesterol — and certain inherited conditions that increase the risk of blood clotting.

Most experts agree that using combined hormone contraception will not increase the overall risk of developing breast cancer — no matter how long a woman uses a combined hormonal contraceptive or even if she has a close relative with breast cancer.

While serious problems are rare, if you do experience any of the following, contact your clinician as soon as possible: sudden or constant pain or redness and swelling in the leg; pain in the abdomen, chest, or arm; sudden shortness of breath or spitting up blood; severe headaches; eye problems such as blurred or double vision; worsening depression; yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice); unusual heavy bleeding from the vagina; a new lump in your breast; no period after having a period every month.

Overall, the vaginal ring is a great option for women who are interested in hormonal methods of birth control who like the convenience of a monthly birth control. Check with your clinician if it's the right method for you.

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Back to Sexual Health page Vaginal Ring What Is the Vaginal Ring? The vaginal ring, with the brand name of NuvaRing®, is a reversible prescription method of contraception. It is a small, flexible ring inserted into the vagina once a month. It is left in place for three weeks and taken out for one week. After one week without the ring, a new ring is inserted for the next three weeks.	What is the vaginal ring? Effectiveness Getting & Using the Ring Advantages Common Side Effects and Disadvantages
The ring releases synthetic estrogen and progestin to protect against pregnancy for one month. These hormones are similar to those used in birth control pills and the contraceptive patch. Because of this, the ring works the same three ways the pill and patch work: (1) Prevents ovulation (ovaries releasing an egg), (2) thickens the cervical mucus, which prevents sperm from joining with an egg, and (3) makes the uterine wall extremely thin and weak so that if an egg were to be released and fertilized, it would not be able to implant in the uterus. The cost of the vaginal ring may or may not be covered by your insurance company. Please check with them directly. The cost is usually comparable to the cost of birth control pill or the contraceptive patch. Effectiveness The ring is a very effective reversible method of birth control. Fewer than 1 out of every 100 women who use the ring will become pregnant with perfect use. Because the ring is so new, rates of typical use are unknown. The ring requires less user involvement and there is less possibility for user error; therefore, it is assumed that the ring will be more effective than birth control pills. Certain medicines or herbal remedies may decrease the effectiveness of the ring. As with any medication, ask your clinician for advice and inform them of all prescribed and over-the-counter medications you are taking. You may need to use an additional method of birth control while taking a medicine that decreases the effectiveness. The regular use of oil-based vaginal anti-fungals (medicines for yeast infections) while the ring is in place may increase the level of hormones released into the blood. This will not reduce the effectiveness of the ring. It is very important to remember that the ring does not protect against sexually transmitted infections. Always use a latex male condom with the ring to reduce the risk of infection. Pregnancy can happen if an error is made in using the ring — especially if the unopened package is exposed to very high temperatures or direct sunlight it slips out of the vagina and is not replaced within three hours it does not stay in the vagina for three weeks in a row it is left in the vagina for more than three weeks If any of these things happen, follow the directions in your package insert, and call your clinician. Getting and Using the Vaginal Ring The University Health Center prescribes the vaginal ring. An annual examination by a clinician in the Women’s Clinic is required. Please call 706-542-8691 to make appointment. Your clinician will discuss the advantages and disadvantages to ensure that the vaginal ring is the right contraceptive method for you. Once you have obtained the ring, you will insert one new ring into the vagina and keep it in place for three weeks in a row. Then remove it for one week. The following steps will help you use the vaginal ring as correctly as possible. Check the expiration date of each ring package before insertion. Count the first day of your menstrual period as "day one" and plan to insert the ring between day 1 and day 5 of your cycle. Wash hands with soap and water. Use your fingers to press the sides of the ring together. Insert the vaginal ring gently into the vagina. The hormones are released through the vaginal walls so the exact position of the ring doesn't matter. Do not remove the vaginal ring during vaginal sex. Remove it in three weeks on the same day of the week that it was inserted. Hook your finger under the forward rim and gently pull out of the vagina Wrap it up in the original foil wrapper, and throw it out in the trash — do not flush. After one week without the vaginal ring, insert a new one — on the same day of the week that the previous one was inserted in your last cycle. During the one-week break, you will usually have your menstrual period. You may still be bleeding when it is time to insert a new ring; this is normal. Even if you are still bleeding, you must insert the vaginal ring on the same day of the week as it was inserted in the last cycle or you will not be protected from pregnancy. Advantages Using the vaginal ring is simple, safe, and convenient. The vaginal ring protects against pregnancy for one month. It does not involve taking a daily pill, require the use of spermicide, or require a "fitting" by a clinician. Many women who use the vaginal ring have more regular, lighter, and shorter periods. A woman's ability to become pregnant returns quickly when use of the ring is stopped. The vaginal ring does not interrupt sexual activity. Results of long-term studies aren’t available, but researchers assume that the non-contraceptive advantages associated with the vaginal ring are similar to those associated with other combined hormonal methods. These health benefits may include some protection against: irregular or painful menstrual cycles infection of the fallopian tubes (pelvic inflammatory disease), which often leads to infertility ectopic pregnancy (in the fallopian tubes) ovarian cysts ovarian & uterine cancer iron deficiency anemia that results from heavy menses acne Common Side Effects and Disadvantages As with all medications, there may be some undesirable side effects for some women taking combined hormone contraceptives. Because the vaginal ring contains hormones similar to birth control pills, the side effects and risk are also similar. Side effects that usually clear up after two or three months of use include: bleeding between periods, weight gain or loss, breast tenderness, nausea, and changes in mood. Other possible side effects include increased vaginal discharge and vaginal irritation or infection. Serious problems do not occur very often while using hormonal contraceptives. Women who use combined hormone contraceptives have a slightly greater chance of certain major disorders than nonusers. The most serious is the possibility of blood clots in the legs, lungs, heart, or brain, and/or liver tumors. The risks are increased by being over 35, smoking, and having conditions associated with heart disease — such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or high levels of cholesterol — and certain inherited conditions that increase the risk of blood clotting. Most experts agree that using combined hormone contraception will not increase the overall risk of developing breast cancer — no matter how long a woman uses a combined hormonal contraceptive or even if she has a close relative with breast cancer. While serious problems are rare, if you do experience any of the following, contact your clinician as soon as possible: sudden or constant pain or redness and swelling in the leg; pain in the abdomen, chest, or arm; sudden shortness of breath or spitting up blood; severe headaches; eye problems such as blurred or double vision; worsening depression; yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice); unusual heavy bleeding from the vagina; a new lump in your breast; no period after having a period every month. Overall, the vaginal ring is a great option for women who are interested in hormonal methods of birth control who like the convenience of a monthly birth control. Check with your clinician if it's the right method for you.
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