Ask Dr Miriam

QI’m thinking of having the contraceptive vaginal ring fitted. Can you tell me something about it?

AIt’s a flexible, transparent, plastic ring fitted in the top of the vagina where it releases two hormones, oestrogen and progesterone.

These are similar to the natural hormones that you produce in your ovaries and are like those used in the combined oral contraceptive pill.

How effective it is depends on how old you are, how often you have sex and whether you follow the instructions. If the vaginal ring is used correctly it’s more than 99% effective, meaning less than one woman in 100 will get pregnant a year. It’s easy to insert and remove, it doesn’t interrupt sex and your periods usually become more regular, lighter and less painful. But don’t use one if you’ve had a thrombosis, breast cancer, migraines or gallbladder disease. Get a GP to advise you.