The Vaginal Ring’s Effectiveness
Though, the efficiency of the Vaginal Ring has not been evaluated completely yet, it is considered to be as effective, as the birth control pills - about 92 – 99.7 % effective in protection against an unplanned pregnancy. However, you are to be aware, that the Vaginal Ring’s efficiency may become less, if you:
• combine it with some medications: (these are mostly antibiotics), St. John’s Wort, some anti – seizure, migraine and tuberculosis drugs;
• are wearing the Vaginal Ring for more than three w•eeks;
• your Vaginal Ring has been outside of your body for more than three hours (in case, if it slipped out from the vagina, and you had to take it out).
What Can You Do, if the Vaginal Ring Has Slipped Out From the Vagina?
If you feel your Vaginal Ring slipped out from its place, and if it has been outside of the body for less than three hours, you may simply rinse it with cold to lukewarm water (but you are never to do it with hot water), and insert it again. If more than three hours passed after you have removed the Vaginal Ring from your vagina, the risk of getting pregnant decreases. In order to regain its effectiveness, you will have to wear a new ring for seven days continuously. During these days, it would be better for you to apply some additional method of contraception.
How to Insert the Vaginal Ring?
You may feel somewhat awkward, if you are inserting the Vaginal Ring for the first time. However, there is nothing to be afraid of, as in case if you insert it incorrectly, as it is not a barrier method of contraception. The best way to do it right is to keep to the instructions, provided. Still, there are the general rules of how to insert the Vaginal Ring correctly:
• sit with your knees being apart, or stand with one leg raised, or simply lie on your back and spread your knees;
• squeeze the ring with your fingers from both side in such a way, that it would have the form of an oval, and push it into your vagina;
• keep pushing the ring into your vagina, until you stop feeling it.
How to Remove the Vaginal Ring?
As a rule, you should keep the Vaginal Ring inside of you for three weeks. Removing it, simply hook the Ring with a finger of yours and pull it out. After that you must wrap it into its original wrapper and dispose in the trash, so that no hormones would be released into the surrounding. You are to have your menstrual period during the following seven days after the Ring’s removal. If you want to apply this method of contraception during the following month, insert a new Vaginal Ring seven days after the removal.
In What Conditions Should the Unpacked Vaginal Rings Be Stored?
The Vaginal Rings, obtained for the future usage, should be kept in rooms, where the temperature is about 77 degree F (25 degree C), but not warmer. You should also keep them away from direct sunlight.
What, if the Vaginal Rings are Used Continuously?
It is not a problem, if you decide to use the Vaginal Ring constantly, without having your menstrual periods. To do it, you should wear the Ring for three weeks, remove it, and insert a new Ring right away. You may keep changing the Vaginal Rings every three weeks without interruption.
The Advantages of the Vaginal Ring
o your menstrual period becomes shorter and lighter;
o the risk of having endometrial and ovarian cancers is decreased;
o the Vaginal Ring is easy to use;
o you can wear it up to three weeks, without thinking about any method of contraception’s application;
o you do not have to interrupt your sex play, and you may have sex spontaneously;
o the risk of acne appearance is decreased;
o the Vaginal Risk provides some (though, not much) protection against pelvic inflammatory diseases and ectopic pregnancy;
o Vaginal Ring is a reversible method of contraception (if you wish to become pregnant in the future, you may simply stop using it, and your fertility will come back to you in several months);
o You can insert it by yourself.
The Disadvantages of the Vaginal Ring
• you have to have your doctor’s prescription in order to get the Vaginal Ring;
• you have to remember to remove it every month;
• people, who smoke are in the risk group of health complications;
• the long – term effects of the Vaginal Ring have not been studied yet, as it is a new contraception method
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