There are a lot of benefits of vaginal contraceptive ring. One of the most important is that a woman has to care about birth control only once a month and does not have to worry about forgetting to take a birth control pill. Sexual intercourse might get more spontaneous since a woman does not have to stop lovemaking in order to take a contraceptive or spermicide. The effectiveness of a vaginal contraceptive ring is 98-99%. However, it may decrease if the ring is used improperly or for less or more than three weeks. The risk for pregnancy also increases if a woman is taking specific medicines, such as antibiotics, tuberculosis, anti-seizure and migraine medications.Women using the ring have lighter and regular periods; they also do not experience the PMS syndrome and have a decreased risk for endometrial and ovarian cancers. Some scientific data show that a vaginal contraceptive ring decreases the risk for inflammatory pelvic disease and ectopic pregnancy.

Disadvantages of vaginal contraceptive pills

Although there are many advantages of a vaginal contraceptive ring , as with all hormonal birth control methods, there are some risks, complications and disadvantages. One of the most frequent disadvantages is an accidental slip out of a vaginal contraceptive ring from the vagina. This could be protected with a proper use of the ring. Some women and their partners may feel the ring in the vagina during sexual intercourse. However, most of the women do not feel the ring in their vagina at all and those who do do not describe the sensation as strong or painful and uncomfortable.

Side effects of vaginal contraceptive pills

More serious side effects of a vaginal contraceptive ring are yeast infection and an increased vaginal discharge and irritation. Some women might get respiratory infection or sinus infection. Women who use the ring complain with nausea, headache, weight gain, breast swelling and tenderness, spotting and breakthrough bleeding or even depression. There are also certain increased risks for serious complications, such as formation of blood clots in the legs, heart and brain. While using a vaginal contraceptive ring there is an increased risk for stroke, hart attack and gall bladder disease. The use of hormonal birth control, as well as the ring, may increase the risk for breast and cervical cancer.

Although most women, after consulting with their doctor, may use a vaginal contraceptive ring, there is a group of women who should consider it very carefully before starting to use this particular mean of birth control. These conditions include high blood pressure and high cholesterol, diabetes, since such women has already got an increased risk for stroke and heart attack. Women, who have the history of breast cancer or breast cancer was in their family should choose another method of contraception . Other conditions, when another method of birth control should be used include gall bladder and kidney disease, epilepsy, depression, sensitive vagina, dropped uterus or bladder, rectal prolepses and others. Women should use another method of birth control while they are breast feeding their babies.

This vaginal contraception method is a safe, effective and comfortable way to protect against unexpected pregnancy. As with all hormonal birth control methods, there are certain advantages and disadvantages of the method. Before deciding whether to use the ring or not, you should evaluate all the pros and cons of this particular mean of birth control. And if you still have further questions, do not hesitate to consult your doctor and discuss all the possible benefits and risks and possible complications of a vaginal contraceptive ring.

A vaginal contraceptive ring is one of the most modern ways of contraception for women. This elastic ring is of 54 millimeters diameter and is to be placed into the vagina. Like a birth control pill , a vaginal contraceptive ring contains small amounts of female hormones –estrogen and progesterone. These hormones are slowly released into a woman’s body and protects against pregnancy.

A vaginal contraceptive ring should be inserted into vagina, close to the cervix of uterus, and should be left there for three weeks. Unlike with a birth control pill a woman using it does not have to worry about the ring every day, since when inserted into the vagina a vaginal contraceptive ring acts for three weeks. A woman should take the ring out after three weeks and then menstrual period occurs due to a sudden decrease of female hormones in the body — just like during a normal period. Another vaginal contraceptive ring should be inserted into vagina after one week.

How does contraceptive ring work?

You are probably now wondering how the ring works in birth control. Its action is due to female hormones – estrogen and progesterone — that are absorbed into a female bloodstream through vaginal walls. These two hormones suppress ovulation, meaning that no egg is produced in the ovary. They also thicken the mucus on the cervix, so that it is complicated for the sperm to enter the uterus. The last action of the combination of estrogen and progesterone is the change of uterine lining in such a way that it is almost impossible for a fertilized egg to implant. Bear in mind that although a vaginal contraceptive ring is efficient in birth control, it does not protect against any of sexually transmitted diseases. Therefore a condom must be used during sexual intercourse for protection against sexually transmitted diseases.

If you decide to use a vaginal contraceptive ring for birth control, you should consult your health care specialist in order to find out when you should start using it. Women who have not used any hormonal pill of birth control before should insert the ring between the first five days of their menstrual period. When inserted for the first time a vaginal contraceptive ring is ineffective for the first week. Therefore women should use additional means of contraception, such as male condoms or spermicide, for the first seven days. If a woman switches from one hormonal form of birth control to a vaginal contraceptive ring, the ring should be efficient as soon as a woman starts using it. There are certain modulations on when to start using a contraceptive ring after abortion or miscarriage, and hence a woman should contact her health care provider to find out the exact information. Another question that a health care specialist should answer is breast-feeding and when a woman may start using a vaginal contraceptive ring then.

How to use vaginal contraceptive ring?

A flexible vaginal contraceptive ring is very easy to use and place into the vagina. With your hands washed and dry you may remove the ring from its foil packet. You are recommended to not throw the packet away since you are going to need it when the ring is removed. You should choose the most comfortable position for you for insertion – either lying down or standing with one leg up. Probably choosing the same position that you use for insertion of tampons might be helpful. Then you should insert the ring into vagina as deeply as possible. A vaginal contraceptive ring should be left for three weeks and replaced on the same day of the week and time. You should insert another ring after one week break.

When placed properly in the vagina a vaginal contraceptive ring should not come out accidentally. However, during sexual intercourse, while taking the tampon out or due to a strain with bowel movements the ring may come out. If it does, a woman should rinse it with lukewarm water and place the ring into vagina as soon as possible. In case a vaginal contraceptive ring has been out of the vagina for three hours or more, it might not be efficient in birth control for the first week. Therefore additional methods of contraception should be used within that period of time.

The contraceptive sponge is a soft sponge that contains spermicide and covers the cervix. It kills sperm in the vagina and blocks the cervix to hinder the progress of sperm into the uterus that helps to prevent pregnancy. This preparation may be an ideal choice for those women who prefer a form of contraception that is not permanent, does not contain hormones and requires no prescription. However, the contraceptive sponge lacks the effectiveness of other forms of birth control . So if pregnancy would be a major problem for women it’s not the best choice for her to use this contraception.

How to use vaginal contraceptive sponge?

You could compare the learning to use a contraceptive sponge with learning to use contacts. With patience and a bit of practice the use of a contraceptive sponge is an easy and comfortable procedure. These easy steps will help you to understand how to properly insert and remove this particular contraceptive device.

Insertion

• Clean your hands first and open the package to remove a sponge from it.
• Hold a sponge with one hand and soak it with tap water until it gets foamy. This way spermicides activate and the sponge is ready for insertion.
• Insert it deeply into the vagina so that the sponge covers the cervix. The circle of the sponge should face away from the cervix whereas the concave side should face the cervix.

You can insert this barrier method up to 24 hours before sexual intercourse. Unlike a diaphragm, a sponge provides protection for 24 hours, no matter how many sexual intercourses you have during that period. Remember to leave the sponge for six hours after the last sexual act. You should not leave the device in the vagina longer than for 30 hours.

Removal

• After six hours after your last sexual intercourse it is safe to remove the sponge. Relax and put your finger into the vagina to reach the string circle.
• With your thumb and forefinger placed on the string circle, pull the sponge and remove it from the vagina slowly and gently.
• If you have any troubles removing the sponge try to wait and relax for a few seconds and then retry. If it is still impossible, do not hesitate to call your doctor or a health service.
• Wash your hands after the removal of the device.
• Do not take showers with the sponge inside the vagina.

Always remember to read the consumer information leaflet before use. And if you still have further questions, please consult your doctor or health advisor.

Using the contraceptive sponge correctly guarantees about 84 to 87% effective at preventing pregnancy. As it was mentioned, this contraception does not prevent the transmission of many sexually diseases, including herpes, HPV or HIV.
NOTICED: the contraceptive sponges can only be used once. After you use it, throw it away! Also, be attentive: the package has an expiration date. Do not use a sponge past its expiration date or you will risk pregnancy or infection!

Advantages:

• easy to use;
• does not perceptibly hinder sexual experience;
• effective immediately if used correctly;
• small and inexpensive;
• can be obtained at most drugstores;
• there is no big need to see a doctor before using the sponge;
• can be inserted up to an hour before sex, effective for 24 hours;
• with each wearing wearer can have intercourse an unlimited number of times.

Disadvantages:

• no protection against sexually transmitted diseases;
• purely effective;
• side effects may be dangerous;
• limited availability;
• some women cannot easily reach their cervix and must choose a different form of contraception; can be difficult to insert properly and remove;
• may increase the risk for urinary tract infection, toxic shock syndrome, vaginal infection or inflammation of the cervix;
• the spermicides in the contraceptive sponge can make performing oral sex on the wearer unsavory;
• many people have complained about the "numbing" effect of the sponge.