Contraceptive Vaginal Ring:

It is a flexible ring releasing hormones placed inside the vagina for three weeks and removed during the fourth week. A new ring is placed after 7 days.

How it works:
– Preventing ovulation.
– Thickening cervical mucus preventing sperms from reaching the uterus.
– Thinning your endometrium so it is harder for the egg to grow in it.

In case you forgot to remove the ring:
– If left for extra 7 days or less:
1. Take it out as soon as possible
2. Do not put a new one, and start your ring-free week.
3. Put a new ring after finishing the ring – free week.

– If left for more than 7 extra days:
1. Take it out as soon as possible.
2. Put a new ring immediately.
3. Use another birth control method like male condoms for 7 days.

In case of the ring falling out:
Less than 3 hours:
– wash it with cool water and put it back as soon as possible in three hours. No need to use another birth control method.

More than three hours in the first or second week:
– wash it with lukewarm water and put it back as soon as possible
– use another birth control method for 7 days.

More than 3 hours in the third week:
– put a new ring immediately

Contraceptive vaginal ring side effects:
Some women do not experience any side effects, but if any, they are rare and it goes away by time:
– Discomfort during placing and removing
– Headache and dizziness
– Pain in breasts
– Spotting
– Nausea and vomiting
– Mood swings
– Blood clots

Best to avoid using contraceptive vaginal rings in case of:
– Above 35 and smoking.
– Having diabetes.
– High blood pressure.
– Blood clots.
– Severe heart problems