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Vaginal ring

SUMMARY

Brand name: “Nuvaring”
A small, flexible plastic ring that you place inside your vagina yourself.
Worn for 3 weeks at a time, then removed for 1 week before putting in a new one.
Slowly releases the hormones estrogen and progestogen to prevent pregnancy.

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How it works

Creates a barrier that stops sperm from reaching the egg.
Works straight away from the moment it’s put on or in.

Effectiveness

Penis condoms: about 98% effective with perfect use, 92% with typical use.
Vaginal condoms: about 95% effective with perfect use, 79% with typical use.
Effectiveness depends on correct use every time.

Advantages

Widely available without a prescription.
Vaginal condoms usually come pre-lubricated.
Provide protection against many sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
Can be used as a backup method alongside other contraception.
No hormones involved, so no impact on periods or long-term fertility.

Things to keep in mind

Vaginal condoms can be harder to find and often cost more than penis condoms.
Some people find vaginal condoms trickier to insert or remove.
Condoms need to be used correctly every time to work well.
They can break or slip if not used properly.

Will anyone know I’m using it?

Vaginal condoms are easy for your partner to see and feel during sex.
Penis condoms are placed over the penis and are also noticeable to a partner.
Anyone involved can use, remove, or refuse a condom, so communication is vital.

Could someone tamper with it?

Yes. A partner can choose not to use a condom, damage it, or remove it without consent.
This makes condoms less suitable for people who don’t feel in control of if, when, or how sex happens.

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