The contraceptive ring is a monthly method of birth control that releases estrogen and progestin. It offers a plug-and-forget method of contraception and is preferred over hypodermic shots. However, there are concerns about side effects, including blood clots and strokes.
A contraceptive ring is a plastic ring that a woman inserts into her vagina once a month as a method of contraception. The contraceptive ring secretes a low-dose cocktail of the hormones estrogen and progestin. These two hormones are found in most modern forms of birth control. Birth control through a contraceptive ring offers several advantages over oral or hypodermic contraceptive drugs, but there are also concerns regarding side effects.
The main benefit of a vaginal contraceptive ring for birth control is that it offers women a plug-and-forget method of contraception. With birth control pills, a woman must stick to a strict schedule, taking each pill on time, every day throughout the course of the drug. Any mistake can reduce effectiveness and leave a woman susceptible to pregnancy. With a contraceptive ring a woman inserts it and never has to reconsider it for an entire month.
The contraceptive ring works by slowly and steadily releasing estrogen and progestin in a dose that progresses and declines over a 21 or 27 day cycle. This cycle best fits a woman’s ovulation cycle, ensuring maximum protection from a potential pregnancy. Contraceptive rings should be removed and replaced once a month to ensure continued protection.
Contraceptive vaginal rings are generally preferred over hypodermic contraceptive shots, because the contraceptive shots inject an entire month-long cycle of hormones all at once. This can lead to numerous side effects. The contraceptive ring can also be used by a woman without the help of a doctor, while a hypodermic contraceptive injection requires a doctor or nurse to administer it. A woman can place and remove the contraceptive ring in her own home.
However, there are side effects to the contraceptive ring. Different brands of vaginal contraceptive rings have been linked to blood clots and strokes and varying degrees of cardiopulmonary disease. Although no formal link has been established, a statistically significant number of women who use the contraceptive ring have reported the onset of these conditions following the use of the contraceptive drug.
Some women with no other risk factors for heart disease or stroke have had these conditions as a result of using the drug. Blood clots are the most common medical side effects of the device. Minor side effects include mood swings, loss of sex drive, weight gain, and fluid retention.
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