Contraceptive Ring Came Out?Details for the Advice Call

If your contraceptive vaginal ring came out, or you forgot to remove or replace it, get advice from a pharmacist, nurse or doctor and check the leaflet for your exact product. Emergency contraception may be needed. The ring can affect how some emergency contraception works, so ask a pharmacist or sexual health service about your situation promptly.¹

Have the product name ready

Keep the box, prescription name or product leaflet beside you for the call. The NHS¹ directs people to the leaflet supplied with their ring for instructions after a missed change or the ring coming out. The leaflet can also be found online by searching the ring’s name in the medicines A to Z on the eMC website.¹

This checklist concerns a contraceptive ring. Tell the adviser the exact medicine name so the conversation starts with the product you actually use.

Gather four details for the adviser

• What happened? Describe whether the ring came out, stayed in beyond your planned removal, or was not replaced when planned.
• What times do you know? Note when you last knew it was in place, when you noticed the problem and any time you know it was outside the vagina. Mark uncertain times as uncertain.
• What schedule were you prescribed? Have your written instructions ready. Explain where you were in that schedule when the problem happened.
• When was your recent sex? Be ready to discuss dates and whether another contraceptive method was used. You can ask to have this conversation privately.

These are preparation questions for a professional conversation. They do not calculate whether you are protected or select an emergency contraceptive method.

Ask for an exact next step

Try: “This is the ring I use, this is what happened, and these are the times I know. Do I need emergency contraception, what should I do with this ring, and what additional protection or follow-up do I need?”

Ask the adviser to explain the instructions for your product and circumstances. Write down the next action and any dates they give you. Repeat the plan back if you are unsure which instruction comes first.

The NHS¹ also warns that some medicines and herbal remedies can affect how the vaginal ring works. Have your medication and supplement list available for the discussion.¹

Keep the advice with the prescription

Save the instructions somewhere you can find them again. If you are waiting for a response, tell the service that the question involves a contraceptive ring mishap and possible emergency contraception so they understand the reason for the call.

Period, Handled includes a Period Scorecard and a Flag It list and visit script. Use the visit script to organize questions you want answered. See the book.