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Vaginal ring

What am I?

A vaginal ring is a small, soft plastic ring that you place inside your vagina to prevent pregnancy.1 It must be replaced once a month1

Effectiveness2

Perfect useTypical use
99%91%
  • Periods
    • Introducing hormones into the body at a steady pace may make your periods more regular and predictable1
    • Preventing the womb lining from thickening may make your period (withdrawal bleed) shorter and lighter than a natural period1
    • Thinning the womb lining may mean the womb muscles do not have to contract as much when it sheds, alleviating period pain1
  • Pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS)
    • PMS is caused by hormone level changes throughout your cycle. The vaginal ring can help regulate hormones and may reduce symptoms of PMS like mood swings, bloating, tummy pain, hunger, tiredness, breast tenderness and headaches1
  • The vaginal ring may reduce unwanted hair growth in places like above the lip, on the chin, chest, abdomen or back3
  • The vaginal ring may reduce the risk of ovarian, womb, and bowel cancer4
illustration of a woman making a heart with their hands and smiling
illustration of a woman making a heart with their hands and smiling
  • There is a slight increased risk of developing breast and cervical cancer with the vaginal ring.5 However, the risk goes back to normal 10 years after you stop using the ring5
  • There is a slight increased risk of blood clots associated with the vaginal ring (10 additional cases per 10,000 female users).4 For context, the risk of getting a blood clot during pregnancy or after a long-haul flight is much higher5,6
  • Some people may experience mood changes whilst using the vaginal ring1
  • There is no evidence that using the ring makes you put on weight4
  • Headaches and nausea are common side effects that often subside over time as the body adjusts to the hormones1
  • The vaginal ring doesn’t protect against sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) – condoms should be used as well1

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References

  1. NHS Inform. Vaginal ring. Available at: https://www.nhsinform.scot/healthy-living/contraception/vaginal-ring/ Last accessed May 2025

  2. NHS. How well contraception works at preventing pregnancy. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/contraception/choosing-contraception/how-well-it-works-at-preventing-pregnancy/ Last accessed May 2025

  3. Up to Date. NHS. Side effects Patient education: Hirsutism. Available at: https://www.uptodate.com/contents/hirsutism-excess-hair-growth-in-females-beyond-the-basics/ Last accessed May 2025

  4. NHS. Side effects and risks of the vaginal ring. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/contraception/methods-of-contraception/vaginal-ring/side-effects-and-risks/ Last accessed May 2025

  5. NHS Buckinghamshire Healthcare. Reducing your risk of blood clots (venous thrombosis) during pregnancy and after birth. Available at: https://www.buckshealthcare.nhs.uk/birthchoices/pifs/reducing-your-risk-of-blood-clots-venous-thrombosis-during-pregnancy-and-after-birth Last accessed May 2025

  6. NHS West Suffolk. DVT (deep vein thrombosis) and travelling. Available at: https://www.wsh.nhs.uk/CMS-Documents/Patient-leaflets/PathologyServices/Haematology/6835-1-Deep-vein-thrombosis-and-travelling.pdf Last accessed May 2025

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