what is the vaginal ring?
And you are wondering what a ring has got to do with the vagina. Well a whole lot! Just as there are different ways of preventing conception by a woman, the vaginal ring is one of them. It is not the metal ring you are familiar with. It is plastic. It is soft. It is flexible. It is ‘worn on’ the vagina. It is hormone-based.
How the vaginal ring works
The vaginal ring is commonly called NuvaRing, a brand name, though. It is two inches deep. It contains reproductive hormones. Normally, a woman who is sexually matured needs these two hormones – progesterone and estrogen – to produce matured ova (eggs) every sexual or reproductive cycle. A reproductive cycle represent the changes a woman undergoes in her reproductive organs – uterus (womb), ovaries, ova, fallopian tubes, cervix, breasts, vagina etc. This cycle varies from women to women. Some can be as short as every 24 days and some can be as long as every 36 days. The essence of the cycle is to prepare a woman to conceive.
Back to the two hormones I am interested in – progesterone and estrogen – they are what is in the vaginal ring. For a woman to produce matured eggs from which only one will be released in every cycle, certain amount of these two hormones must be released into the blood. These hormones will then be transported to the ovaries where they will induce certain amount of eggs to begin to grow. Only one egg will eventually grow to maturity and released for fertilization.
So how does the vaginal ring prevent pregnancy if they are actually responsible for bringing about the release of a matured egg every reproductive cycle? It releases more than the normal concentrations of these two hormones continuously. Because of their high concentration, ovum will not be released – there will be no ovulation. Ovulation is the release of that matured egg once in every reproductive cycle. That therefore means there will be no egg for the sperm to fertilize.
Two, their high concentrations will make the fluid normally released by the cervix to become thick. Sperms can only travel to meet the egg in the fallopian tube when the fluid is thin. Fertilization of an egg and a sperm occurs in the fallopian tube. This will mean that the sperms will not have the chance to get to the fallopian tubes.
Using a vaginal ring means you will neither menstruate nor ovulate so long as it is there in your vagina.
How to use the vaginal ring
A vaginal ring once ‘worn’ on the vagina has to remain there for three weeks. At the end of the three weeks, it is removed. And the vagina can rest for a week. After this one week, it has to be worn again.
To wear it ‘on’ your vagina, make sure you have your hands washed well – with soap and water. Then, get the ring, squeeze it until it becomes longer than its original size. With this new length, gently wear it on your vagina. It will be there for three weeks after which it should be removed. Let your vagina rest for a week before you wear another one. A vagina ring is not re-useable. A new one has to be used every time. You have to be consistent on the day you wear and un-wear it. If you had worn it on a Friday, un-wear it on the Friday of the third week. And when it is time to wear it again after the one week break from it, wear it back on the Friday that makes it exactly one week since you removed it.
You will not see your period when you are wearing the ring. But once you un-wear it, your period will return. The ring must be re-worn exactly one week after removal even if there is still menstrual flow.
It is possible for the ring to fall off when you defecate, engage in sex or do away with a tampon. Whenever it does, wash and wear again!
You could actually use this ring for more than three weeks. When you do, please use another contraceptive to be on a safer side.
The ring's effectiveness
In spite of the very high effectiveness of our NuvaRing when properly worn, there are still some 9% risk of disappointments. These disappointments are pregnancies! CDCP (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) reported so!
These drugs can bring about these disappointments – antiepileptic drugs, HIV drugs (although not all), St. John’s wort, rifampin (an antibiotic drug)
God help you, you are using any of these above listed drugs and you not using an alternative contraceptive. Your reward will be an unwanted pregnancy!
The vaginal ring has got some risks
Yes, it is very safe for use. Just that it might increase your chances of having blood clots. Any contraceptive that adopts hormonal method, patches or pills have this peculiarities. Because of the high possibility of your blood forming clots, you might suffer a heart attack, a stroke, an embolism of the lungs, and a thrombosis of veins.
If you are above 25 years and smoke, you risk is extremely high. It is not advisable you use any contraceptive that has estrogen. Talk to your doctor.
Weigh your options
Various contraceptives exist. You only need to decide which you want to use. Your choice will be determined by whether you are done with having the number of children you want or whether you need it for child spacing. Your doctor will help you out. Most times, you might have to experiment on different options until you find the one that is most suitable for you. The vaginal ring can just the most perfect one for you. Who knows? But do well to walk the walk with your doctor.
The pros
But should you be considering using NuvaRing, it is not difficult to use at all. Neither is it with much side effects when placed side by side with other contraceptives particularly oral contraceptives. You can also trust its high effectiveness. Plus, you will have short and less heavy menstrual flow.
The cons
Nausea that might or might not cause vomiting.
Tenderness of the breast
Irritation of the vagina
Vaginal infection
Spotting between periods
Risk of contracting sexually transmitted infections as it is not immune to it.