Vaginal ring is worn contained in the vagina to stop undesirable being pregnant. It’s smooth and versatile. Know if vaginal ring could be worn throughout intercourse or not.
The world of contraception has undergone a paradigm shift over time. From medicines to condoms and specialised gadgets, individuals are turning to a number of contraception strategies to stop being pregnant. Individuals additionally use a vaginal ring, which is a skinny, versatile ring inserted into the vagina. As soon as it’s inserted, it releases hormones for about three weeks. It’s an easy-to-use contraception methodology, which has its set of advantages and uncomfortable side effects.
What’s a vaginal ring?
A vaginal ring is a small, versatile, round machine used as a way of contraception. It iss fabricated from plastic and is designed to be inserted into the vagina, the place it releases hormones to stop being pregnant. The ring sometimes releases a mix of estrogen and progestin, much like these present in contraception capsules. “These hormones work by stopping ovulation, making the cervical mucus thick in order that it may block sperm, and thinning the uterine lining to stop implantation,” explains gynaecologist Dr Ritambhara Bhalla. The vaginal ring is normally worn for 3 weeks, adopted by a one-week break throughout which menstruation happens, after which a brand new ring is inserted.
The vaginal ring works by releasing a gentle, low dose of hormones, sometimes estrogen and progestin, into the bloodstream by the partitions of the vagina. These hormones stop being pregnant within the following methods:
- The hormones stop the ovaries from releasing an egg every month.
- The progestin within the ring thickens the mucus within the cervix, making it tough for sperm to swim by the cervix and attain an egg if one had been launched.
- The hormones additionally skinny the liner of the uterus, making it much less seemingly {that a} fertilised egg can implant and develop.
In case you use it in an accurate method, the vaginal ring could be greater than 99 p.c efficient in stopping being pregnant, as per the UK’s Nationwide Well being Service.
What are the forms of vaginal rings?
There are primarily two forms of vaginal rings used for contraception:
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1. Etonogestrel/ethinyl estradiol ring
It’s the most generally recognized and used vaginal ring, which is versatile, and clear, and is about 2 inches in diameter. “It’s sometimes worn contained in the vagina for 3 weeks, adopted by a one-week break throughout which menstruation happens,” says the skilled. After per week’s break, a brand new ring is inserted into the vagina. It releases a mix of estrogen (ethinyl estradiol) and progestin (etonogestrel) to stop being pregnant.
2. Segesterone acetate/ethinyl estradiol ring
It’s a reusable vaginal ring that can be utilized for as much as one 12 months. The ring is created from silicone and has a barely bigger diameter than the etonogestrel/ethinyl estradiol ring. The reusable ring is inserted for 3 weeks and eliminated for one week, throughout which intervals happen. After the one-week break, the identical ring is reinserted. This cycle could be repeated for 13 cycles (one 12 months). A mix of estrogen (ethinyl estradiol) and progestin (segesterone acetate) hormones are launched.
Methods to insert a vaginal ring?
Observe these steps to ensure your vaginal ring works properly:
- Earlier than inserting the ring, guarantee your fingers are clear to stop an infection.
- Discover a comfy place, resembling standing with one leg up, mendacity down, or squatting.
- Squeeze the ring between your thumb and index finger to compress it. Gently insert the ring into your vagina, pushing it up till it feels comfy and is positioned appropriately.
It is very important insert the brand new ring on the identical day of the week because the earlier ring to keep up the contraceptive’s effectiveness. “In case you delay reinserting the ring past the seven-day break, its effectiveness could also be lowered, and also you may want to make use of a backup methodology of contraception, like condoms, for the primary seven days after reinsertion,” says Dr Bhalla.
Can you will have intercourse with a vaginal ring?
Sure, you’ll be able to have intercourse with the vaginal ring in place. “This contraception machine is designed in such a method that it may keep in place even throughout intercourse and so, it doesn’t must be eliminated,” says the skilled. Most girls don’t really feel the vaginal ring throughout intercourse. It’s smooth, versatile, and sits excessive sufficient within the vagina that it sometimes doesn’t intrude with sexual exercise. Some males may really feel the ring, however it’s normally a gentle sensation.
Right here’s what to do if it’s uncomfortable:
- Gently push the ring increased into the vagina to scale back any sensation.
- In case you take away the vaginal ring to have intercourse, it must be put again in inside three hours to keep up its effectiveness. In case you neglect to reinsert it inside three hours, use a backup methodology of contraception.
What are the uncomfortable side effects of vaginal rings?
Frequent uncomfortable side effects of a vaginal ring embrace complications, nausea, and vomiting, in line with analysis printed within the Therapeutic Advances In Reproductive Well being in 2023. Girls can also expertise yeast infections, ache within the stomach, dysmenorrhea or painful intervals, breast tenderness, irregular intervals, and vaginal itching, in line with the US. Meals and Drug Administration.
These uncomfortable side effects could also be skilled by any girl sporting the ring. “However ladies with uncontrolled hypertension mustn’t use the ring because of the threat of additional growing blood strain,” says Dr Bhalla.
The vaginal ring is an efficient methodology to stop being pregnant, however don’t neglect when to reinsert it into the vagina. It may be worn throughout intercourse, as it’s versatile and smooth.
