The vaginal ring does not stop you getting or passing on sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Use a condom every time you have sex to help protect you and your partner against STIs, including HIV.
Getting contraception if you’re under 16
Contraception is free and confidential, including for young people under the age of 16.
The doctor or nurse will not tell anyone, including your parents or carer, unless they think you or someone else is at risk of harm.
Who can use the vaginal ring
Can I use the vaginal ring?
The vaginal ring is not suitable for everyone.
You may not be able to use it if you’re living with obesity, or you’re aged 35 or over and you smoke.
The ring may not be suitable if you have ever had:
- blood clots, or a family member has had blood clots under the age of 45
- narrowed or blocked arteries, or you’ve had a stroke
- a heart problem, heart disease, or high blood pressure
- migraines with warning signs called aura
- breast cancer
- gallbladder or bile duct problems
- liver cancer or severe cirrhosis
- diabetes
If you have any of these health conditions, talk to a doctor, nurse or pharmacist about whether it’s safe for you to use the vaginal ring.
Using the vaginal ring after giving birth
You can start using the vaginal ring on day 21 after giving birth.
If you choose to start using the ring after this date, you should use another method of contraception, such as condoms, for 7 days after starting the ring.
Avoid using the vaginal ring if you’re breastfeeding as it can reduce your milk supply.
Using the vaginal ring after a miscarriage or abortion
If you had a miscarriage or abortion before 24 weeks of pregnancy, you should be able to start using a vaginal ring as soon as you want to.
If you had a miscarriage or abortion after 24 weeks you may be advised to wait 21 days before using a ring. A doctor or pharmacist can give you more information.
A GP, pharmacist, nurse or midwife can give you more advice about what methods of contraception are suitable for you.
How to use the vaginal ring
Putting in the vaginal ring
You put the vaginal ring inside your vagina on the first day of your period. The ring is soft and flexible, and it’s similar to inserting a tampon.
Once the ring is in place, you should not be able to feel it, including during sex.
You leave the ring in for 21 days before removing it using your finger.
You then wait 7 days before putting in a new ring. You may have period-like bleeding during this time. This is nothing to worry about.
When you’ve taken the vaginal ring out, put it in the pouch that comes in the pack and throw it in the bin. Do not flush it down the toilet.
The packaging that comes with your vaginal ring will have a leaflet with pictures showing how to put the ring in and take it out.
Follow the instructions carefully to make sure the ring is properly fitted in place.
How well the vaginal ring works
When used correctly all the time, the vaginal ring is more than 99% effective.
If not used correctly, it’s 91% effective, which means that about 9 in 100 women will get pregnant in a year. This is because things can go wrong, for example you might forget to replace a ring at the right time.
Starting the vaginal ring
If you're not already using hormonal contraception, you can usually start using the vaginal ring from day 1 to day 5 of your period. You should be protected from pregnancy straight away.
Speak to a doctor, nurse or pharmacist for advice if you're planning to start using the vaginal ring after day 5 of your period. You will need to use additional contraception, such as a condom, for 7 days.
Speak to a doctor or nurse if you’re already using hormonal contraception and are thinking of changing to the vaginal ring. You may need to use condoms for some time to make sure you’re protected against pregnancy.
Things that can happen when using the vaginal ring
Things that can sometimes happen when using the vaginal ring include:
- forgetting to take the ring out after 21 days
- forgetting to put in a new ring after the 7 days break
- the ring coming out of the vagina
If any of these happen to you, speak to a pharmacist, nurse or doctor, or read the leaflet that comes with your ring to find out what to do.
You may need emergency contraception. Speak to a pharmacist, sexual health clinic, GP or call 111 for advice as the vaginal ring can affect how some emergency contraception works.
Medicines and herbal remedies that affect the vaginal ring
Some medicines and herbal remedies can affect how the vaginal ring works. The ring may not work properly to stop you getting pregnant.
You may need to use another type of contraception.
Ask a doctor or pharmacist for advice before using the ring if you take medicine to treat TB (tuberculosis), epilepsy or HIV.
You should also ask for advice if you take griseofulvin (an antifungal medicine), lamotrigine (a mood stabiliser), bosentan (a high blood pressure medicine) or St John's wort (a herbal remedy).
Side effects and risks of the vaginal ring
Common side effects of the vaginal ring
You may have some side effects when you first start using the vaginal ring.
Bleeding between periods (breakthrough bleeding) or changes to your periods are common in the first few months.
Some people report headaches, feeling sick or having sore breasts. But there is not enough evidence to say whether this is caused by using the ring.
There is a small chance your blood pressure may go up so you will have regular blood pressure tests while using the ring.
For some people the ring improves period pain and other symptoms linked to periods, such as headaches.
There is no evidence that using the ring makes you put on weight or changes your sex drive.
If you have side effects 3 months after starting the ring and they’re a problem for you, a doctor or nurse at a sexual health clinic or GP surgery can discuss this with you.
Risks of the vaginal ring
There are some risks linked to using the vaginal ring. But the chance of getting these is small.
Blood clots
The risk of getting a blood clot is very small and affects up to 1 in 1,000 people using combined hormonal contraception like the vaginal ring.
Your doctor will check if you have certain risk factors before prescribing the ring.
There is a small risk of:
- getting a blood clot in your leg or lung
- a blood clot causing a heart attack
- a blood clot causing a stroke
Cancer
Using the vaginal ring can slightly increase your risk of getting:
- breast cancer
- cervical cancer
But your risk of getting breast cancer and cervical cancer goes back to normal 10 years after you stop using the ring.
Using the vaginal ring can also lower your risk of getting:
- womb (uterus) cancer
- ovarian cancer
- bowel cancer