How does it work?
- It’s a small, flexible plastic ring that you put into your vagina - it releases the hormones estrogen and progestogen. These hormones stop you ovulating, thicken the mucus in the cervix (neck of the womb) to prevent sperm reaching the egg and thin the lining of the womb so that a fertilised egg can’t implant.
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The instructions for the vaginal ring advise you to use one ring for 3 weeks and then have a 1 week break when you will get a bleed. However, you can choose to shorten this break to 4 days, or to miss it and not have a bleed. For options on how to use the vaginal ring, click here
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What’s good about it?
- When used perfectly, it can be over 99% effective
- It’s easy to put in and remove.
- It’s not affected if you vomit or have diarrhoea.
- It can make periods lighter and less painful.
What might the disadvantages be?
- There is a very small risk of serious side effects such as blood clots and breast and cervical cancer.
- There may be temporary side effects such as headaches, breast tenderness or feeling sick.
- You may get some irregular bleeding in the first few months.
- Some medicines can make it less effective.
- It’s important to follow the instructions for use and remember to reapply it, or it won’t work effectively and you could become pregnant. With typical use, 9 in 100 women will become pregnant in 1 year.
Where can I get it?
- You can get get it from your GP or local sexual health clinic.
For more detailed information about this method and also more information on which method to choose visit: