What are the dangers and side effects of contraceptive rings?

Nowadays, many young couples who do not want to have children in a short period of time can use contraceptive methods to reduce the chance of pregnancy and avoid the harm of accidental pregnancy to the body. However, contraception also requires careful methods. Contraceptive methods include condoms, contraceptive pills and contraceptive rings. Contraceptive rings are easier to place and do not require condoms every time.

1. Bleeding

A small amount of bleeding in the short term after the placement of the ring is due to the abrasion of the endometrium by the placement of the contraceptive ring, but it will repair quickly. The bleeding usually lasts for a few days, and the amount of blood does not exceed the menstrual volume, so no treatment is required. However, some women, about 15% to 20%, experience local coagulation disorders due to histochemical changes in the endometrium after the placement of an IUD, manifested by excessive menstrual flow, prolonged menstrual period, irregular menstrual bleeding, and some even have spotty menstruation, increased leucorrhea mixed with blood, etc. This can cause a large loss of iron in the body, which can not only cause anemia, but also affect the function of myoglobin, cytochrome and iron-containing enzymes, causing patients to experience drowsiness, fatigue, malaise and other symptoms.

2. Soreness

Some women will experience soreness or discomfort in the lower abdomen or lower back after the placement of the ring. This is because the contraceptive ring placed in the uterus is a "foreign body" to the uterus, especially when it is too large or positioned low. The uterus contracts to expel this "foreign body", causing uterine contraction pain.

3. Abnormal pregnancy

The IUD can only prevent normal pregnancy in the uterine cavity, but cannot prevent abnormal pregnancy outside the uterus (i.e. ectopic pregnancy). Therefore, it is inevitable that a small number of women who use IUDs for contraception will have ectopic pregnancy.

These side effects of IUD insertion often occur within half a year of placement of the IUD, and the situation will improve as the placement time increases. Generally, patients with mild symptoms do not need treatment. If the menstrual volume is more than twice that before surgery, the menstrual cycle is shortened to 20 days or the menstrual period is extended to more than 9 days, symptomatic treatment can be used, such as the use of hemostatics, antifibrinolytics or anti-prostaglandin drugs. If medication and observation do not work after 3 to 6 months, you may consider removing or replacing the IUD.

But unmarried women are generally not recommended to have an IUD! Because the contraceptive ring is deformed, twisted, or positioned abnormally, it may become lodged in the uterine wall and cause increased bleeding or dysmenorrhea. If the endometrium is very fragile, bacteria or viruses may be introduced into the uterine cavity during IUD insertion, or if care is not taken after IUD insertion, it may easily cause uterine cavity infection, excessive bleeding, prolonged menstruation, and dysmenorrhea.