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Updated: Aug 13, 2026

Removal of an Intravesical Gellhorn Pessary and Staged Repair of a Residual Large Vesico-Vaginal Fistula
Published on: April 14, 2026
Inadvertent vesicular placement of a vaginal contraceptive ring presenting as persistent cystitis
Stephanie B Teal1, Winfield M Craven
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver, Colorado 80262, USA. Stephanie.Teal@uchsc.edu
Background:
The NuvaRing is a soft, flexible, ring-shaped vaginal contraceptive device that is placed by the user herself. Incorrect placement has not been described, because any intravaginal position allows appropriate hormonal delivery through the vaginal mucosa.
Case:
A 22-year-old otherwise healthy woman presented with 2 months of urinary urgency, frequency, and pelvic pain, which were unresponsive to antibiotic therapy. Her symptoms began immediately after placement of a NuvaRing vaginal contraceptive device, which she was subsequently unable to locate. Thorough evaluation revealed the ring in the urinary bladder.
Conclusion:
Bladder or urethral foreign body should be considered in the evaluation of patients with chronic cystitis, especially if the patient uses vaginal medical devices. Intravesicular placement of a device may occur even without psychiatric or physical comorbidities.
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