Sex?— A Healthy Sexuality Resource - Government of Nova Scotia

Preventing PregnancyTHE RINGThe ring is a soft, flexible plastic ring that you insertinto your vagina. Once you insert it, the walls of your vagina holdit in place and you don’t feel it, even during sex.You insert the ring once a month and leave it in placefor 3 weeks. At the end of three weeks, you remove the ring.Your period usually starts within a few days. Exactly 7 days after youremove the ring, you insert a new one, even if you are still having yourperiod.The ring prevents pregnancy in the same way as thebirth control pill and the patch. It releases the hormonesestrogen and progestin. These are absorbed into your body and stopyour ovaries from releasing an egg.ProsThe ring provides excellent, non-stop protection frompregnancy.You only have to insert the ring once a month. You don’t haveto remember to take a pill every day or change a patch everyweek.The hormones in the ring may make your periods more regularand less crampy.ConsThe ring does not protect you from STIs. You will still needto use a male or female condom.88You may have side effects like headaches, nausea, breasttenderness, or vaginal discharge, discomfort or irritation.