>Personal Health >Womens Health >Family Planning >Methods >Vaginal Ring

Vaginal Ring

Effectiveness:

• Typical use: 97%
• Perfect use: 99%

 

 

Advantages:

• Self-inserted vaginally once every 4 weeks and left in place for 3 weeks (1-week ring-free period each month)
• Comfortable for women and their partners and easy to use
• Works when placed anywhere (high) inside the vagina
• Less pain during menstrual cycle and may have shorter and
  lighter periods
• Steady low-dose release of hormones into the bloodstream
• Fertility returns very soon after stopping use of the vaginal ring

Disadvantages:

• Possibility of extra bleeding or spotting between menstrual
  cycles in the first or second month of using the vaginal ring
• Possibility of mood swings or depression in some women
  (counsel women to report any signs and symptoms of
  depression)
• Possibility of vaginal irritation or increase in vaginal discharge not related to an infection
• Possibility of nasal stuffiness
• Weight gain of 2 or 3 pounds a year may occur or weight may remain the same
• Breast tenderness may occur