Question about NuvaRing

[ultimate_cin]

I've been on the OrthoEvra patch for about a year, but I'm looking into switching birth control methods after hearing stories in the media about the patch causing a higher incidence of blood clots. I really don't want to go back on the pill unless I have to, because I always forget to take it at the same time of day every day. I'm thinking about switching to the NuvaRing, because it has less estrogen in it than the patch, and it would be convenient for me because you only change it once a month. I'm a bit nervous about trying it since it's new and I was wondering if anyone here has used it. If so, could you let me know how it worked for you, and if you have any advice as far as using it goes?

Thanks!

 

[SweetErika]

NuvaRing's been around for several years, IIRC. There have been quite a few threads here that contain experiences, information, advice, and resources, so I'd suggest using the advanced search feature and checking out The Blank Manual sticky.

ETA: I'd also make an appointment to discuss it with my doctor or Planned Parenthood clinician. It seems like a good method that most have had positive experiences with, and would be my first choice if I went back to hormonal BC.

 

[Hhot]

SweetErika,

If not on a hormonal birth control, what are you using?

 

[SweetErika]

If not a hormonal birth control, what are you using, (if I may ask).

We're using Fertility Awareness, specifically temping and observing cervical fluid and characteristics. We use condoms or abstain when I'm fertile. It's working well so far, has helped track health issues, hasn't been a difficult transition from condoms alone, and will definitely come in handy when we start trying to conceive.

 

[bare_pussy]

I've been on the Ring for...3 or 4 months.
i love it - really.
What specific questions do you have?


I can't feel it - and once i get over the mental aspect of knowing i had a foreign object in me, i was fine.

it is easy to put in and remove

my boyfriend can't feel it - and neither can i - during sex. it came out only once during sex, and i rinsed it off and put it back in (even tho it was due to be removed that day)

b/c it is a steady flow of hormones, you can use it to skip your period

it WILL, however, take you 4-5 days from when you remove it to when you get your period. i take mine out mondays and i dont get my period until, like, thursday or friday. i still put another one in on saturday. (i am thinking of moving the days to like thursday-thursday so my period comes earlier in the week)

 

[Dreamtwine]

My girlfriend used to use it before her health insurance took it off the plan. We made a game out of trying to get the ring on the pole so to speak.

She liked it a lot and used it for over a year I think.

 

[ultimate_cin]

Thanks to everyone for their help!

I'll go look around the other threads that have been posted....I just wondered how it felt, and if there were any problems with it coming out or being uncomfortable. I liked the patch for a while, but I keep getting skin irritations with it - not to mention the fact that I'm running out of places to put it where it can't be seen with summer coming, along with all the stories about blood clots.

 

[trinityjons]

I stinking LOVE the Nuva Ring. It's far and away the best form of hormonal birth control I have ever tried. It doesn't seem to be much good for skipping periods with though, maybe the hormone levels aren't high enough. I also had a bit of breakthrough the first few months but it wasn't frank blood and was more of an annoyance than anything else. My "period" lasts about a day.

I can't tell it's there unless I reach up and feel. No one has complained about it during sex.

If you aren't good at remembering to take pills on time this would be a good alternative. The ring comes with a little timer that counts down the days and beeps to remind you when to take it out and when to put the new ring in.

 

[rcuhljr]

The ring comes with a little timer that counts down the days and beeps to remind you when to take it out and when to put the new ring in.

Do you have to turn that off before you go in theaters? "Excuse me.. your vagina is beeping."

And I know thats not what you meant but thats the mental image I had

 

[bare_pussy]

The ring comes with a little timer that counts down the days and beeps to remind you when to take it out and when to put the new ring in.[/QUOTE]




I never got a timer! i even asked to get one from the web site! how did you get a timer!

 

[trinityjons]

I got my timer at the docs office, it came in a little kit with a CD Wallet (why? I dunno) and some literature about Nuva Ring. Call your docs office and see if they have any?

 

[Tasha_Tuk]

My experience with the ring

I absolutely LOVED the ring
It was much easier to use...
However....
I am very sensitive "down there"
and I actually had to stop using it because it was
starting to hurt too much. I felt like raw meat..yeah...yum huh?
lol
If they could make one that wasn't as strong (I believe that was what the
problem was for me. I can take a 12 hour decongestent, but not a 24)
I would go back to it in a heart beat!

 

[boston_bbw]

If you google "nuvatime" you get a timer. It's a dowloadable program that sits as an icon on my desktop.. tells when to put it in when to take it out.. comes on the screen to remind me.. I would be lost without it