Problems with the vaginal ring

What do to do if the ring falls out of your vagina?

The ring has been out of your vagina for less than 3 hours:

• Rinse the ring with cold or lukewarm water and re-insert it.
• You remain protected from pregnancy.

The ring has been out of your vagina for more than 3 hours:

During the 1st or 2nd week of the cycle:

•  Reinsert the ring.
• Leave it in for 7 days.
• Also use a condom during these 7 days.
• If you had unprotected sex during the last 7 days of the first week of your cycle, you may be at risk of getting pregnant. Consult your doctor.

During the 3rd week:

You can no longer use the ring. Choose between the following two options:

First option

• Insert a new ring right away.
• A new 3-week period starts.
• You probably won't get your period.
• ·Breakthrough bleeding or spotting can occur.

Second option

• You don’t insert a new ring.
• Some bleeding will occur. You insert a new ring 7 days after the previous ring was removed.
• You can only choose this option if the ring stayed in your vagina during the previous 7 days.

What if the ring breaks?

This rarely happens. However, if it happens:

• Remove and discard the broken ring.
• Replace it with a new ring immediately.
• Use a condom for the next 7 days.

What if I forgot to put in a ring meaning that the ring-free period was longer than 7 days?

• Insert a new ring into your vagina as soon as you remember.
•  Use a condom for the next 7 days.
• If you had unprotected sex during the ring-free period, there is a risk of pregnancy. Contact your doctor immediately. The longer the ring-free period, the greater the pregnancy risk.

What if I forgot to remove the ring?

If the ring has been in the vagina for more than 3, and up to 4 weeks:

• Take the ring out as soon as you remember.
• Start a 7-day ring-free period.
• Insert a new ring.

If the ring has been in your vagina for more than 4 weeks:

• You run the risk of getting pregnant. Contact your doctor before inserting a new ring.