RINGING TRUE

The contraception ring looks simple and functional, but there’s more to it than that. It's made from a soft, flexible plastic and, once inserted, it slowly releases a progestin and estrogen into the body. The hormones stop the ovaries from releasing eggs, and thicken the cervical mucus to make it harder for sperm to move. You wear it for 3 weeks then you remove it, take a week off, and then put a new ring in.

The ring sits up against your vaginal wall, so putting it in is just the same as inserting a tampon. After washing your hands you simply squeeze it and push it inside your vagina until it's sitting against the side of your vaginal wall. Once it is comfortably in position, that's it for 3 weeks. At the end of 3 weeks you take it out and have a week off – in this week your period should start. Then after a week of not wearing the ring, you simply start the routine again.

You should use another form of contraception if the ring falls out and stays out for more than 3 hours before you reinsert it. If the ring falls out and is out for less than 3 hours, simply reinsert it and continue as normal. Once the ring has been in place for 7 consecutive days, it is effective again. If you're unsure about how to properly use the ring, consult your doctor or nurse.