Vaginal ring

Vaginal rings (also known as intravaginal rings, or V-Rings) are polymeric drug delivery devices designed to provide controlled release of drugs for intravaginal administration over extended periods of time. The ring is inserted into the vagina and provides contraception protection. Vaginal rings come in one size that fits most women.

The correlation between breast cancer and the use of vaginal rings is under investigation, but recent literature suggests that the hormones used in vaginal rings has little, if any, relation to the risk of developing breast cancer.

Several vaginal ring products are currently available, including:

A number of other vaginal ring products are also in development.

It is self-administered once a month. Leaving the ring in for three weeks slowly releases hormones into the body, mainly vaginally administered estrogens and/or progestogens (a group of hormones including progesterone) - the same hormones used in birth control pills. These hormones work mostly by stopping ovulation and thickening the cervical mucus, creating a barrier preventing sperm from fertilizing an egg. They could theoretically affect implantation but no evidence shows that they do. Worn continuously for three weeks followed by a week off, each vaginal ring provides one month of birth control. For continuous-use contraception, users can also choose to wear the vaginal ring for the full four week cycle. This manner of contraception will eliminate monthly periods. Throughout the additional week, the serum hormone levels will remain in the contraceptive range.

When compared with combined hormonal pills, the combined hormonal vaginal ring offers potentially better cycle control and treatment of heavy menstrual bleeding. However, both methods are effective short-term treatments in the reproductive age group. Vaginal rings may lead to increased normal vaginal secretions, decreased body weight, reduced symptoms of PMS, and occasionally cases of vaginitis, device-related problems and leukorrhea. Because they release estrogen, vaginal rings have an increased risk of heart attack, stroke, and other serious side effects. Additionally, certain medicines and supplements, such as the antibiotic rifampin, the anti-fungal griseofulvin, anti-seizure medicines, St. John's wort, and HIV medicines, may compromise the effectiveness of vaginal rings. Vaginal rings do not protect users from sexually transmitted diseases. The only contraceptive measures that does so are latex or polyurethane condoms.

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Wikipedia