My Doctor Online The Permanente Medical Group
Are you having back pain with any of the following?
- Severe pain, weakness or tingling in your leg(s).
- Difficulty stopping urination or loss of control of bladder or bowels.
- Unexplained fever, nausea or vomiting.
- A history of cancer or unexplained weight loss.
We understand that you are experiencing one or more of the health issues that might be impacting your back pain.
We recommend that you discuss these health issues with your doctor before proceeding with this program.
Once you are cleared by your doctor to do this program, we hope it helps you find relief from your back pain.
The Birth Control Ring
The ring is a small, flexible, plastic ring that you insert into your vagina. To prevent pregnancy, you leave it inside your vagina for three weeks, and remove it for the fourth week. Your period commonly comes during the week you are not wearing the ring.
Most women do not feel the ring while it is in the vagina. Most partners report that they can't feel the ring during sex.
Currently there is only one type of vaginal ring. It is known by its brand name NuvaRing.
Risk of pregnancy
This is a very effective method of birth control. The risk of pregnancy if you use the birth control ring is about 1 percent
Advantages
- Highly effective method of birth control.
- Regular, lighter, and more predictable periods.
- Lessens pain, cramping, and flow with periods.
- Decreases chance of breast and ovarian cysts.
- Helps protect against pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).
- Decreases amount of acne and facial and body hair.
- Lowers risk of cancer of the uterus and ovary.
- Safe to take with antibiotics.
- You don't have to remember to take a pill every day.
Disdvantages
- Does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).
- May not be as effective when taken with certain kinds of medications like St. John's wort, seizure medications, and rifampin.
- May cause increased nausea, breast tenderness, and irregular bleeding.
- You should not use the ring if you’re breastfeeding.
Remember: most women can use hormonal methods safely but some women should not. We should discuss your options if:
- You are over 35 and smoke
- You have had blood clots or a stroke
- You have high blood pressure or diabetes
How to use the ring
- Use your fingers to press the sides of the ring together then gently push it into your vagina. The exact position of the ring doesn't matter.
- Leave the ring in place for three weeks. Then take it out.
- To remove, insert one finger into your vagina, hook your finger under the forward rim and gently pull it out of the vagina.
- Throw the ring away, and insert a new ring after one week.
If you have an emergency medical condition, call 911 or go to the nearest hospital. An emergency medical condition is any of the following: (1) a medical condition that manifests itself by acute symptoms of sufficient severity (including severe pain) such that you could reasonably expect the absence of immediate medical attention to result in serious jeopardy to your health or body functions or organs; (2) active labor when there isn't enough time for safe transfer to a Plan hospital (or designated hospital) before delivery, or if transfer poses a threat to your (or your unborn child's) health and safety, or (3) a mental disorder that manifests itself by acute symptoms of sufficient severity such that either you are an immediate danger to yourself or others, or you are not immediately able to provide for, or use, food, shelter, or clothing, due to the mental disorder.
This information is not intended to diagnose health problems or to take the place of specific medical advice or care you receive from your physician or other health care professional. If you have persistent health problems, or if you have additional questions, please consult with your doctor. If you have questions or need more information about your medication, please speak to your pharmacist. Kaiser Permanente does not endorse the medications or products mentioned. Any trade names listed are for easy identification only.