Birth control puts you in control of your reproductive health and activity. At Women’s Health Partners of the Permian Basin, Dr. Mary Grace Bridges can help you understand all of your options for birth control. She provides personalized care to new and existing patients from around the Odessa and Midland, Texas area.
For people with a uterus who want to prevent pregnancy, contraceptive options include the birth control ring, a vaginal ring that only has to be inserted once a month. Is this the right contraceptive option for you? Here’s what you need to know.
The birth control ring, sold as NuvaRing® and Annovera®, is a form of hormonal birth control that you only have to think about once a month. That’s a lot more convenient than taking a pill every day! And, the birth control ring is discreet, not visible in any way from the outside of your body.
The birth control ring is about 2 inches in diameter, and is made of flexible plastic. You insert the birth control ring into your vagina, where it rests comfortably in place. Annovera birth control rings can be washed and reused, while NuvaRing birth control rings need to be replaced each month.
Once in place, birth control rings release a continuous stream of synthetic estrogen and progestin hormones for effective contraception. Your bloodstream absorbs the hormones, and contraceptive results occur in your ovaries, preventing the release of eggs, and your cervical mucus, thickening it to slow the progress of sperm toward an egg.
Both of these effects prevent conception and pregnancy.
According to the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), only 7% of people using the vaginal birth control ring will become pregnant, if used correctly. This makes the birth control ring one of the more effective contraceptive methods on the market.
You should know to watch out for some interactions that can reduce the effectiveness of the birth control ring. If you’re taking medications or supplements like St. John’s wort, the antibiotic rifampin, and some HIV and anti-seizure medications, the birth control ring may not be ideally effective for you.
You can maximize the effectiveness of your birth control ring by always removing and inserting your ring on the same day of the week. If you’re taking any medications or supplements that could reduce effectiveness, or if your ring has been out for more than 3 hours, you should use additional backup contraception to be sure of preventing pregnancy.
The birth control ring is only available by prescription, so talk to Dr. Bridges if you’re interested in this form of contraception. The birth control ring is easy to use, with fewer side effects for many patients than oral types of hormonal contraceptive.
People using a birth control ring may enjoy shorter, lighter menstrual periods. However, the birth control ring can result in side effects including spotting in between your periods. Your vagina could also become irritated by use of a birth control ring.
To learn more about all of your options for effective birth control, schedule your consultation appointment with Dr. Bridges at Women’s Health Partners of the Permian Basin today online or over the phone.
