CONTRACEPTIVE RING

NuvaRing birth control ring

A new milestone on the contraceptive front has been reached with the marketing of the contraceptive ring (also called vaginal ring) with slow hormonal release: an innovative and safe method for the prevention of unwanted pregnancies.
The only contraceptive ring sold in pharmacies in Italy is the NuvaRing, admitted for the first time in our territory on June 12, 2001: it is estimated that approximately 1.5 million women choose the ring as a contraceptive method of excellence.

Birth control ring and contraceptive coil

The vaginal ring, as the term itself implies, must be inserted into the vagina: unlike the contraceptive coil, the ring is inserted and removed by the woman, not by the doctor, after the gynecologist has carefully instructed the patient on the correct procedure " Also, while the IUD is inserted by the doctor deep into the uterus and left there for a few years, the contraceptive ring is placed in the vagina by the woman and left there for three weeks, to be removed in the fourth week (which, as we will deepen in the following paragraphs, it corresponds to menstruation). It should be pointed out that the mechanism of "action of the contraceptive ring" has nothing to do with the copper contraceptive spiral: the two contraceptive methods have been related only to clarify any doubts for those who do not know them In fact, it is no coincidence that many people (erroneously) consider the ring and the spiral as equivalent contraceptive methods.

Vaginal ring and pill

Unlike the spiral, the ring and the contraceptive pill act with the same mechanism of action: they block ovulation thanks to hormonal release. What distinguishes the two contraceptive methods is clear: the pill must be taken orally. every day at the same time, while the ring is applied in the vagina, not interfering with the gastro-intestinal tract. In fact, if the woman who takes the pill presents bouts of vomiting or diarrhea in the first two hours after taking the last pill , contraceptive efficacy may be impaired due to possible malabsorption; this fact cannot happen in women who use the vaginal contraceptive ring, as the gastrointestinal passage is avoided.

Hormonal dosage and mechanism of action

The ring is a combined contraceptive method that puts the effectiveness on the slow release of hormones: the hormonal composition consists of a progestin and estrogenic mix (respectively, 11.7 mg of etonogestrel and 2.7 mg of ethinylestradiol) which, released into the blood, prevents ovulation ensuring an efficacy comparable to that of contraceptive pills (when the release of egg cells is denied, it is impossible for the woman to become pregnant).
Furthermore, the vaginal ring, by releasing hormones into the bloodstream, alters the composition of the cervical mucus, which is unsuitable for spermatozoa to rise.
Many women prefer the contraceptive ring for its particularly low hormonal dosage (the ring releases 0.015 mg of ethinylestradiol and 0.12 mg of etonogestrel daily), which ensures an extraordinary contraceptive effect, with few side effects.

How to use

When to apply the ring

The insertion of the ring into the vagina is a rather simple practice: the user, correctly following the rules of use dictated by the gynecologist, autonomously introduces and removes the vaginal device.
The birth control ring must remain in the vagina for three weeks (without ever being removed), followed by a week d "interval (without ring) during which the “fictitious” menstruation will appear.
It should be noted that to ensure maximum contraceptive efficacy, the "ring must" be inserted and removed on the same day and at the same time: in other words, if the ring is inserted the first time on Thursday at 11.00 pm ( first day of menstruation), this should be removed after three weeks (during which the continuous release of hormones will occur), followed by a 7-day break (period of the next menstruation). On Thursday of the following week, at about the same time, a new birth control ring will have to be inserted.
Clearly, we have reported an example, to make it clear how the contraceptive device should be used: based on the day on which menstruation occurs for the first time, the woman will have to insert the ring and she will be able to choose the time for her. more appropriate. The important thing is that the insertion and removal of the ring always take place at approximately the same time, and on the same starting day.

How to apply the ring

For the insertion of the ring, the user will have to try to find the most comfortable position for her: the ring, being flexible, compresses between thumb and forefinger and s "inserts into the vagina trying to push the ring gently upwards. Many women worry about the correct position that the ring assumes once it is inserted: in reality, the precise and exact position does not exist, since the elasticity of the device allows the ring to adhere perfectly to the vaginal walls, guaranteeing contraceptive efficacy.
In any case, generally, the ring is placed near the cervix and is “blocked” by the walls that prevent its spontaneous expulsion (a rather rare event, although possible in the first months of use).
It should be pointed out that the positioning of the ring, lower or higher, does not in any way affect the contraceptive efficacy, as the slow hormonal release is constantly guaranteed.