The new methods of contraception: vaginal rings, contraceptive patches, combined injectables, male hormonal contraception and a new kind of hormonal contraception for women called anti-progestins.
What is a vaginal ring? A vaginal ring is a donut-like ring of silastic, which is a type of soft plastic, containing hormones. It is about 5.5 cm in diameter. The ring is placed in the vagina to prevent pregnancy.
How does the vaginal ring work? The vaginal ring contains hormones like the ones in contraceptive pills, but instead of having to be taken as a daily pill, the hormones are slowly released into the woman’s body through her vaginal skin. Vaginal rings will be available with either the combined hormones, oestrogen and progestogen, or with progestogen only. The hormones act in the body to prevent pregnancy in a similar way to oral contraceptive pills.
How effective is the vaginal ring? The combined vaginal ring will be as effective as the combined oral contraceptive pill and the progestogen-only ring will be as effective as the progestogen-only pill. They might be even more effective, because you don’t have to remember to take them every day.
Why would I want to choose the vaginal ring? A vaginal ring could be suitable for you if you like the oral contraceptive pill because it is so reliable, but have trouble remembering to take the Pill every day (or even if you have trouble remembering to take the Pill at the same time every day). It might be an alternative for those people who find it hard to swallow tablets. The vaginal ring could also be a good alternative if you have an illness that stops you absorbing medications from the gut. If you use the Pill and it’s not absorbed into the body very well, the hormone level may not be high enough to stop a pregnancy from happening. Whereas with the vaginal ring, the hormones do not go through the digestive system, but are absorbed into your body through your vagina.
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