Vaginal Contraceptive Ring - FPWA Sexual Health Services

Practicing safe sex reduces the riskof contracting HIV and other sexuallytransmissible infections (STIs)Sexual Health ServicesInsertion and removalTo insert the vaginal ring you need to:1. squeeze it between your thumb and index finger2. gently insert it into your vaginaRemember the exact position is not important for the vaginalring to work. If you feel discomfort, simply slide the vaginalring further into your vagina. Your vaginal muscles will keepthe vaginal ring securely in place, even during exercise andsex.To remove the vaginal ring simply put your finger into yourvagina to hook the inside rim of the ring and pull it out.Advantages:• Less likely to experience side effects such as nausea,sore breasts and spot bleeding.• As the hormones don’t pass through the stomach, therisk of pill failure associated with diarrhoea and vomitingcan be avoided.• Women don’t have to remember to take a contraceptivepill every day.Disadvantages:• Women using a vaginal ring may increase the risk ofdeveloping a thrombosis (blood clot in the vein), whichcan lead to stroke or heart attack (this is the same forwomen taking the contraceptive pill).• It is important to drink plenty of water and move aroundregularly when flying, as there is a greater risk of clottingduring long flights.What if I forget to use it?If you are more than 24 hours late inserting a new vaginalring or have removed it for longer than three hours (eg.during sex) then insert the vaginal ring as soon as youremember; and use another form of contraception for thenext seven days (e.g. condoms).Emergency contraception (EC) is available over the counterat pharmacies if you have unprotected sex before youregain your contraceptive cover. EC is most effective whentaken within 24 hours of unprotected sex but can be takenup to 120 hours (five days) after sexual intercourse. ECeffectiveness decreases as time passes.Seek medical help if you develop any of thefollowing:• painful swelling of the calf (lower leg muscle)• severe chest pains or abdominal pain• a cough with blood-stained phlegm or breathlessness• a bad fainting attack or collapse• an unusual, severe or persistent headache• disturbance of speech or eyesight• numbness or weakness in your face or a limbIs there anything else I need to know?At this stage it is unclear whether the contraceptive effectof the vaginal ring is lowered when taking commonlyprescribed antibiotics (as is the case with the contraceptivepill).As a precaution, it is recommended that another formof contraception (e.g. condoms) be used when takingantibiotics. In addition to this, the vaginal ring needs to beworn for the next seven days after finishing the course ofantibiotics to resume contraceptive effectiveness.Although the vaginal ring does have some possible risks,few women actually experience serious health problemsfrom using it.As smoking increases the risk of high blood pressure andheart disease, women using a vaginal ring are stronglyadvised not to smoke.A vaginal ring does not protect against sexuallytransmissible infections (STIs).FPWA Sexual Health Services70 Roe Street, Northbridge, WA 6003Ph 08 9227 6177info@fpwa.org.auQuarry Health Centre for under 25s7 Quarry Street, Fremantle, WA, 6959Ph 08 9430 4544quarry@fpwa.org.auSexual Health HelplineMetro 08 9227 6178Country 1800 198 205sexhelp@fpwa.org.au© © Family Planning Association of of WA WA (Inc) February 2009www.fpwa.org.au