The contraceptive ring is easy to use and is considered to be as safe as the pill. You can find out what else you should know about hormonal contraception here.
Contraceptive ring – hormonal contraception
The contraceptive ring is made of plastic, has a diameter of about 40-64 mm and contains like the combination pill Hormones (Estrogen and progestin) that it releases in the vagina. The hormones prevent ovulation and thicken the mucus in the cervix to make it impervious to sperm.
Contraceptive ring: how safe is it?
The vaginal ring protects against pregnancy just as reliably as the pill: if used correctly, the failure rate is less than 1 percent. If the contraceptive ring is inserted on the first day of the cycle, you are immediately protected against contraception. If it is used between the second and the fifth day of your cycle, you should also use a condom for the next 7 days.
Where can I get the contraceptive ring?
The contraceptive ring is prescribed after an examination or a conversation with your doctor. You will receive the ring in the pharmacy.
Contraceptive ring – the cost
The price of the vaginal ring varies depending on the package size: for three months it is between 35 and 48 euros and for 6 months between 64 and 79 euros. The costs for the contraceptive ring are usually not covered by the health insurance, so an additional payment is due as a prescription.
How do I use a contraceptive ring?
The use of the contraceptive ring is relatively easy: on the first day of the menstrual period, the plastic ring is inserted into the vagina by the woman herself – like a tampon. To do this, gently squeeze the ring with your thumb and forefinger and insert it. The ring remains there for 21 days, i.e. three weeks, and is then removed again. After a seven day breakWhen the period starts, a new ring is inserted, preferably at the same time as the first application. In order to ensure the protection against pregnancy, the continuity of use must be strictly observed! The protection continues during the ring-free week, provided of course that the ring has been used correctly. Usually, the woman does not feel the contraceptive ring in general or during sexual intercourse. Should it still bother you or come loose unexpectedly, the vaginal ring may be removed from the body for a maximum of three hours! And then of course it has to be used again. Just (!) Rinse with lukewarm water beforehand.
Contraceptive ring – this is what you should pay attention to
- The plastic ring is allowed no longer than three hours per 24 hours removed.
- The new ring should be used no later than seven days and three hours after the break.
- Some medications can make it less effective. Discuss this with your gynecologist.
- As with the pill, side effects are possible (including headache, chest pain, or nausea)
- The vaginal ring offers no protection against sexually transmitted diseases.
- So that the contraceptive ring cannot be accidentally pulled out, care should be taken during sexual intercourse, when changing the tampon or when pressing hard when defecating. If the ring is outside the body for too long, there is no longer any contraceptive protection.
- The risk of thrombosis increases. You can discuss with your doctor whether you are prone to this.
Benefits of the vaginal ring
A big advantage of this method of contraception over the pill is that you don't have to think about taking it every day. Gastrointestinal problems (such as diarrhea and vomiting) do not affect the effectiveness of the ring, as the hormones do not have to be absorbed through the gastrointestinal tract. And: If at some point you want to have children, the contraceptive protection disappears relatively quickly by removing the ring.
On our contraception page, we clarify questions like "When does the pill work?" and inform z. B. on hormone-free ovularing and the pill for men.