Expert: Lyndsay Mercier - 6/18/2008

Question
I have been using the NuvaRing for 3 months and I love it. I have been using it exactly as directed and have been very pleased with it.

My off week was supposed to start today so I went to take the ring out and it wasn't there. Now, I'm young and just started having sex recently, so I'm not ready to have kids. I'm freaking out because I may have been having unprotected sex without even knowing! I haven't had any problems before this with the ring. I know I would have felt it if it had slipped out, but it's not there. Help!!!

Answer
Amanda,

I'm not sure, but I'm wondering if its possible that it may still be in there, just perhaps slightly out of reach? I agree that it would be hard to miss it. I mean, if it slipped out, where would it have gone? In your bed? In your pants? Onto your partner? Its just very likely you would have felt it or seen it. I suppose there is a chance that it got flushed down the toilet. I would check again a couple more times. Just relax and try squatting down; that helps bring your cervix more within reach. If you still can't find it in there, it might be wise to go to your doctor to see if they can find it. The vagina isn't an endless tunnel however, so there really aren't many places it could hide in there.

Do you happen to know when the last time you felt it there was? Or when the last time you had sex was? If you might have had unprotected sex within the last 5 days, you can go to Planned Parenthood or your doctor to get Emergency Contraception which is very effective at preventing a possible unplanned pregnancy.

In any case, you should talk to a doctor who can advise you on your next step. The good side is that it is your off week, which means you should be expecting your period soon. Until then, make sure you use a backup method of birth control, such as a condom.

Good luck,

Lyndsay