Does Birth Control Protect Against Stis
There are many kinds of birth control, but condoms are the only option that protects against both pregnancy and STIs. Other forms of birth control such as the pill, patch, or ring do not protect against STIs. You must use a secondary form of protection to keep yourself safe from STIs if youre using these options. Read on to learn more about how to prevent both STIs and pregnancy.
Pregnancy And The Ring
If I become pregnant
There is a very slight chance you will become pregnant even if you use the ring. However, a missed period does not always mean you are pregnant, especially if you have used the ring correctly. But see your doctor if you miss a second period. It is unlikely that using the ring during early pregnancy will increase the risk of defects in the fetus.
Want to become pregnant?
If you want to become pregnant, stop using the ring. If you want to plan the timing of your pregnancy, use another form of contraception until your period becomes regular. It usually takes about one to three months for your period to return to the cycle you had before using the ring.
After childbirth
You can start using the ring three weeks after you gave birth. Starting on day 21 you will be protected against pregnancy straight away. If you start later than day 21, you will need to use an extra method of contraception for seven days.
If you are breastfeeding, using the ring may reduce your flow of milk. It is usually recommended that you use a different method of contraception.
After a miscarriage or abortion
You can start using the ring immediately after having an abortion or miscarriage. Use a backup method of birth control for seven days if you start the ring
- more than five days after a vacuum aspiration abortion
- more than seven days after taking mifepristone
How Well Does The Birth Control Ring Work
The ring is an effective form of birth control. Over the course of a year, about 9 out of 100 typical couples who use the ring to prevent pregnancy will have an accidental pregnancy. Of course, a girl must use the ring correctly. Not putting the ring in on time or taking it out too soon makes it less effective.
In general, how well each type of birth control method works depends on many things. These include whether a girl has any health conditions or is taking any medicine that might affect its use.
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How To Protect Against Stis
As mentioned previously, only male and female condoms will protect against some STIs. This is because condoms provide a barrier that prevents skin-to-skin contact and the transmission of bodily fluids. While condoms can greatly reduce the risk of contracting an STI, they are not 100% effective and do not protect against all STIs.
Condoms are most effective at preventing the transmission of HIV, chlamydia, and gonorrhea. These STIs are spread through secretions when they come into contact with mucosal surfaces like the male urethra and the female vagina or cervix. Condoms are less effective against genital herpes, human papillomavirus , and syphilis. These STIs are spread through contact with the skin. While a condom reduces skin-to-skin contact, it does not eliminate it completely.
To make sure your condoms are as effective as possible, you should:
- Store them in a cool, dry place.
- Always use a new condom each time you have sex.
- Choose a product made from latex or polyurethane, not lambskin.
- Read the packaging to make sure the condom is designed to protect against disease.
- Do not use oil-based lubricants that can cause condoms to break.
- Use a condom for all forms of sex including anal or oral.
How Birth Control Works
There are many different forms of birth control that you can choose from. Each one protects against pregnancy differently. Its worth exploring your options so you can choose the method that best fits your needs.
Many forms of birth control are hormonal. They contain varying levels of estrogen and progestin which perform three basic jobs:
- They stop ovulation so theres no egg present to fertilize.
- They thicken the cervical mucus so it would be more difficult for sperm to reach the egg if it was present.
- They change the lining of the uterus so it would be hard for a fertilized egg to attach.
Its best to discuss your needs with your healthcare provider to determine what combination of hormones is right for your needs. You can get hormonal birth control in many forms.
There are also non-hormonal birth control methods that reduce the chance of pregnancy. These are usually less effective than hormonal birth control.
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What Are The Side Effects Of Vaginal Ring Usage
The vaginal ring has a failure rate of one percent, which means 1 out of 100 women get pregnant within a year of using it. The ring does not protect you from sexually transmitted infections , so you should still use condoms with new partners.
Vaginal rings are generally well-tolerated, but there are some potential side effects, which include:
- Bleeding or spotting with initial use
- There is an increased risk of
- Blood clotting
Who Uses The Birth Control Ring
The vaginal ring may be a good choice for young women who find it difficult to remember to take a pill every day or who have difficulty swallowing pills. They must feel comfortable enough with their bodies to be able to insert a device into the vagina.
Not all women can or should use the vaginal ring. Certain medical conditions can make the use of the ring less effective or more risky. For example, it is not recommended for females who have had blood clots, severe high blood pressure, certain types of cancers, certain types of migraine headaches, or diabetes with certain complications. Those who have had unexplained vaginal bleeding or who suspect they may be pregnant should talk to their doctors, stop using the ring, and use another form of birth control in the meantime.
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The Contraceptive Vaginal Ring
According to the American Pregnancy Association, the vaginal ring is quite simply a flexible ring of soft plastic that contains hormones that prevent pregnancy. Each ring lasts for a month of usage and generally costs between $30 and 35 . Women who are interested in getting the contraceptive vaginal ring will have to get a prescription from a physician.
How Long Does It Take For Nuvaring To Become Effective
How long does it take for nuva ring to start working when you first start using it? I went off the pill a few months ago and have been just using condoms since.
NuvaRing is a combined-hormone method of birth control. It releases estrogen and progestin to protect against pregnancy for one month. A woman inserts the ring deep inside her vagina. A new ring is inserted only once and left in place for three weeks in a row. At the beginning of the fourth week, its removed and menstruation occurs.
If you havent been on the pill, patch, or ring in the last month, start using the ring on or before day five of your menstrual cycle. Pregnancy protection will begin seven days later. In the meantime, use a latex or internal condom to reduce the risk of pregnancy.
Keep in mind that the ring and other hormonal birth control methods dont offer any protection against sexually transmitted infections. Using a latex or internal condom along with the ring reduces the risk of infection.
The ring must be prescribed by a health care provider. Make an appointment at the Planned Parenthood health center nearest you to discuss your options.
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Where Can I Get It And What Are Costs
You can get a prescription for the ring at UHS, and you can purchase it at the UHS Pharmacy or another pharmacy. Video visits are available for contraception counseling and prescription of this method. To schedule, call 734-764-8320 or see How to Get Health Care. See also Cost, Insurance and Payment.
Reasons Why The Vaginal Ring May Not Be A Good Option For You:
- Have certain types of migraine headache.
- Are very overweight.
- Have a close family member who has had a deep vein blood clot/thrombosis.
- Are taking certain types of medication which might stop the vaginal ring from working .
- Have had some health problems like, high blood pressure, heart or liver problems .
- Are over 35 years and smoke.
- Have breast cancer or have been treated for breast cancer.
- Have severe liver disease.
- Are unable to move around for a long time .
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How Do You Use The Vaginal Ring And How Effective Is It
The device is inserted into your vagina where it remains for three weeks. It is removed during the fourth week to allow your menstrual period to occur. At the end of the fourth week, the process is repeated. The vaginal ring begins to work immediately, but a second form of birth control should be used during the first seven days of your first months use of the vaginal ring.The failure rate is less than 2% when it is used correctly and consistently. In other words, when it is used correctly, less than 2 in 100 women will get pregnant. You should take a pregnancy test if you are experiencing pregnancy symptoms.
If You’re Under 16 Years Old
Contraception services are free and confidential, including for people under the age of 16.
If you’re under 16 and want contraception, the doctor, nurse or pharmacist won’t tell your parents as long as they believe you fully understand the information you’re given, and the decisions you’re making.
Doctors and nurses work under strict guidelines when dealing with people under 16. They’ll encourage you to consider telling your parents, but they won’t make you.
The only time a professional might want to tell someone else is if they believe you’re at risk of harm, such as abuse.
The risk would need to be serious, and they would usually discuss this with you first.
Page last reviewed: 6 July 2021 Next review due: 6 July 2024
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How Effective Is The Ring
- The ring is 99% effective. This means that if 100 people used the ring correctly for one year, only one person would get pregnant.
- Because the ring may be used incorrectly, it is closer to 92% 97% effective with typical use.
- If you use the ring incorrectly, your risk of getting pregnant increases.
What Are The Chances I Could Be Pregnant While Using Nuvaring
If the Nuvaring is used exactly as directed, the chance of getting pregnant in a years time will be about 1 to 2 percent. This means of 100 women who used the Nuvaring in one year, one or two of them wound up pregnant. If the ring is not used exactly as directed, the chance of pregnancy will be higher.
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Where You Can Get The Vaginal Ring
You can get contraception for free, even if you’re under 16, from:
- contraception clinics
- sexual health or genitourinary medicine clinics
- some GP surgeries
- some young people’s services
But not all clinics are able to provide the vaginal ring, so it’s worth checking first.
You won’t be able to get a prescription for more than 4 months’ supply at a time because this is its shelf life.
What Are The Advantages
- Neutral effect on weight
- Not affected by vomiting or diarrhoea
Please note that as this is a relatively new contraceptive method long-term studies wont be available for some time, but researchers assume that non-contraceptive advantages associated with the Ring are similar to those know to be associated with the combined pill.
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What Are The Cons Of Nuvaring
Side effects: Like many hormonal birth control options, NuvaRing does have some potentially negative side effects. It is not uncommon to experience headaches, nausea, depression, and tenderness around the breasts in the first few months of using the ring. Some unexpected spotting or light bleeding may also occur. These side effects should subside approximately three months after the use of the ring has begun.
Remembering to change your ring: The ring must be removed and inserted on time to maintain its effectiveness. Failure to do so may result in an unexpected pregnancy.
Accidental expulsion: If the ring falls out accidentally within 2 weeks of inserting it, it must be reinserted within 3 hours. Before putting the ring back in, it should be rinsed with cold or warm water first. If you are unable to put the ring back in within 3 hours, the ring should be reinserted as soon as possible. Another method of birth control should be used for the next 7 days. If the ring comes out during the third week of use, it should be discarded. A new ring can be put in place immediately if you wish. Another method of birth control should be used in this instance as well.
If youre looking for a method of birth control that is effective and requires minimal maintenance, NuvaRing is a good option. Speak to your doctor or medical professional to see if the ring is the right choice for you.
Learn more about the alternatives to NuvaRing
What About Other Medications I Am Taking
Some other medications may interfere with the hormones released by the ring.
Therefore it is important to inform doctor treating you for any illness or injury, that you use the contraceptive ring.
Please note that the natural remedy St. Johns Wort also interferes with the effectiveness of the ring and should not be used with it.
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What Could Go Wrong
If the ring accidentally comes out, rinse it with water and put it back in straight away.
The vaginal ring won’t protect you from getting pregnant if:
- you leave it in for longer than 4 weeks
- your ring is out for more than 3 hours
- your 1-week break stretches past 1 week
If any of this happens, put in a new ring and use another type of contraception such as condoms for the next week. If you have unprotected sex during this time, you might consider taking emergency contraception, available from your doctor, chemist, health centre or family planning centre.
How The Pill Works To Prevent Pregnancy
Have you ever wondered how the pill works to prevent pregnancy? After all, the pill is one of the most effective forms of contraception, with 41% of women between the ages of 15 and 24 and 22% of women between 25 and 34 using it, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation.
Here are some facts that can help you decide if the pill is the right option for you.
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How Well Does The Ring Work
The effectiveness of the vaginal birth control ring seems to be similar to other hormonal methods of birth control, like the patch or the Pill. Results show that over the course of a year, about 8 out of 100 typical couples who rely on the ring to prevent pregnancy will have an accidental pregnancy. Of course, the chance of getting pregnant depends on whether a woman uses the ring correctly. Delaying or missing a monthly insertion or removing a ring too early reduces its effectiveness.
In general, how well each type of birth control method works depends on many things. These include whether a woman has any health conditions or is taking any medications that might interfere with its use. Its important for a doctor to be aware of all medications and herbal supplements that a girl might be taking. Although using the ring means not having to remember to take a pill every day or replace a patch, it still needs to be removed after 3 weeks and then replaced a week later. If it is not replaced on time, it loses its effectiveness.
How To Use A Vaginal Ring
Itâs similar to using a tampon. Follow these steps:
- Wash and dry your hands.
- Lie down with your knees bent, squat, or stand with one leg on a chair.
- Open the foil and remove the ring. If you use disposable rings, you can save the foil package to wrap it in and throw it away later.
- Hold the ring between your thumb and index finger.
- Pinch the sides together so they touch in the center.
- Insert the ring as far into your vagina as it will go.
- NuvaRing makes a tampon-like applicator you can order to make inserting it easier. Or you can put the ring in an empty tampon applicator.
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Wednesday 9 October 2019
Getting frisky doesnt have to be risky business not when there are many contraception methods out there to suit different needs.
Contraception can be used to prevent pregnancy and some types will also protect you from sexually transmissible infections .
You might find yourself asking: Which method will be best for me and my lifestyle? Which method protects against STIs?
What about convenience of use? Possible side-effects? Cost? How effective will it be?
To celebrate World Contraception Day this September 26, join us as we break it down for you by exploring some of the most popular types of contraceptives – with pictures. Starting with
The Contraceptive Vaginal Ring: Pros And Cons For Women
According to the Guttmacher Institute, 99% of women aged 15-44 who have had sexual intercourse have used at least one method of contraception. For those women who dislike the idea of taking a pill daily, having an implant placed, or getting injections, the contraceptive vaginal ring can present a viable alternative.
A relatively new technology that garnered recognition as one of Time Magazines Best Inventions of 2001, the contraceptive vaginal ring is a hormonal birth control method that follows a unique four-week pattern. Before women choose this birth control method over the others, its important to break down the facts, advantages, and disadvantages.
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