I’m having trouble inserting the ring – what can I do?
When you’re prescribed the contraceptive ring your doctor or nurse should advise you on how to insert and remove it.
The ring doesn’t need to be in an exact position. It doesn’t need to cover your cervix (the entrance to your womb) to work.
If you’re finding it hard to get used to inserting it, you’re not alone. It can be tricky at first. Lots of people need a few attempts before they feel comfortable with it.
With practice you should find what works, but here are some tips that might help:
relax before you start – be at home if you can, in a comfortable space with the privacy you need – have a lie down, hot drink or bath, whatever helps you feel calm
find a position that feels right – some people prefer to be squatting, or standing with one leg up (maybe resting on the side of the bath), others feel better lying down on their back
squeeze the sides of the ring so it becomes longer and thinner – it can take a few goes to be able to hold it in this shape
with clean hands, still squeezing the ring between your thumb and finger, use one hand to insert it into your vagina (if it helps, you can hold your labia (vaginal lips) apart with your other hand)
if you’ve used tampons and menstrual cups, it’s the same direction of movement – push it towards your lower back rather than straight up
push the ring into your vagina until it feels comfortable – as it goes inside, it will start to open up
keep pushing it in until you can no longer feel it – it should stay there comfortably
if you drop it while you’re inserting it, wash it with cold or lukewarm water before trying again
most people who use the ring can’t feel it once it’s inserted – if you can feel it and it’s uncomfortable, push it a little further into your vagina
it’s normal for it to move around as your body moves.
If you’re having trouble inserting it and think it may be because of vaginal dryness, you can use a very small amount of aqueous cream to help with insertion (this is available at any chemist).
If you:
feel any pain when inserting the ring
cannot get the ring inside your vagina
find your vagina will not hold it and it falls out
speak to the clinician who prescribed it for you, your GP or your local sexual health clinic. They may want to examine you to check there’s nothing else going on.
