nuvaring

[akw94]

Hi, I''m thinking of switching birth control, from the patch to the ring and had some questions. Actually, a big reason I''m thinking of switching is b/c of PS. There was a thread on this before or was similar and the various risks of the patch just keep worrying me. So, I''m wondering.. sorry if these are weird questions:
Do you have any side effects? If so, what are they and how often do you have them?
Is it easy to insert and remove?
I know most who responded to the other thread said that''s it''s not normally felt. Just wondering if that was everyone''s experience.

Any other tips, advice, suggestions you have regarding this possible switch?

Thanks ladies! I appreciate your comments.

 

[poptart]

I had a friend who tried the ring and she had some break through bleeding on and off the entire month. I don''t know if she decided to keep using it or not, but at the time (a couple weeks ago) she wasn''t too pleased with the results. I know each case depends only on the individual though, so hopefully you won''t have these side effects.

Marisa

 

[akw94]

Marisa, thanks for the response. That is actually one of the things I''m very worried about. That to me is more aggravating than most other side effects. I have virtually no side effects on the patch but it does aggravate my skin and the health risks seem so much higher.

 

[diane5006]

HI...dixie...what BC methods are best for you are best discussed with your health care provider...there are so many factors that effect how well each method will work for you...

Many people have great results with the NuvaRing...as well as the patch...and others...breakthrough bleeding can be a side effect of most hormonal methods...the Depo gets the worst rep...

Not everyone is a candidate for the ring...

You can talk to your health care provider and try it...if you don''t like it you can go back to the patch or any mehtod that works for you...

I personally think the ring is a great BC option

Best of Luck

 

[belle]

Date: 10/11/2006 11:31:48 PM
Author: diane5006
HI...dixie...what BC methods are best for you are best discussed with your health care provider...there are so many factors that effect how well each method will work for you...

Many people have great results with the NuvaRing...as well as the patch...and others...breakthrough bleeding can be a side effect of most hormonal methods...the Depo gets the worst rep...

Not everyone is a candidate for the ring...

You can talk to your health care provider and try it...if you don''t like it you can go back to the patch or any mehtod that works for you...

I personally think the ring is a great BC option

Best of Luck

good advice diane.

talk with your healthcare provider dixie. they will have the best information out there.

 

[ammayernyc]

I started the Nuvaring two months ago. I have absolutely no complaints.

It''s really easy to put in and take out. I never feel it. I''ve had no breakthrough bleeding -- the only complaint (and this is not ''it''s fault) is that after I take it out it takes four or five days to get my period. So I end up still having my period when I have to put a new one in. But, not really so horrible.

I was worried that my fiance could feel it, but he says he doesn''t. In fact, sometimes I worry that it''s not there! It always is though.

I was on the same pill for 15 years when I switched and had no side effects.

 

[ephemery1]

Date: 10/12/2006 9:06:54 AM
Author: AmandaPanda

I was worried that my fiance could feel it, but he says he doesn''t. In fact, sometimes I worry that it''s not there! It always is though.

I LOVE the Nuvaring... I''ve been using it for at least 2 years now, and it has been perfect for me. I would say my biggest issue is what Amanda just said, that it is SO hard to feel, sometimes I worry about it still being there! But of course you can always check.

No side effects for me at all, but I was on the pill before this, so it was an easy transition. I do a Friday removal because it usually means I''ll have my period by Monday or Tuesday, and works out that I''m finished up by the next Friday when I start my next one. But every body is different with that stuff.

IMHO, definitely worth a try!

 

[njc]

I’ve been on it for a year and love it.

My TMI warning, but you asked…
I haven’t had any breakthrough bleeding. Like ephemery1 and Amanda both said, you cant feel it, which is a little weird at first, so I always felt the need to check it for the first couple of months. Sometime I have a heavier discharge than normal (common complaint), but its not all the time, and it personally doesn’t bother me. DH cant feel it, which was my biggest concern, although sometimes it hurts a little when we have sex, I guess its pinching maybe? Moving around helps it, but you can also remove it for like 20 minutes and then put it back in. At first my periods were about 2-3 days after I removed the ring and about 3-4 days long, but now they are more like 4-5 days after, but only last 2 days. I start a new ring on the 1st of every month and take it out on the 25th of the month. Its been very easy to remember

I agree that you should talk with your doctor to find out what is best for you, but know its also important to hear about it from people who actually use it.

 

[ljmorgan]

It''s so hard to tell what birth control will work for anyone. When I went back to the gyno a few months ago for my exam, my gyno recommended I go off of the patch because of all of the reports -- I was so annoyed, I LOVED the patch. I went on Nuvaring and had a few issues... break through bleeding, discomfort during sex, and every once in a while the nuvaring would work its way out...not pleasant!

But I also know people who have had positive experiences, so I think it''s a very personal thing, and everyone''s bodies are different. I went on Seasonale and while it''s annoying to take a pill every day, everything is working out great so far.

 

[JCJD]

This is just regarding the breakthrough bleeding. Everyone has given good advice so far.

My gyno told me to take note of my caffeine intake and whether or not I breakthrough bleed that month, and I have found that if my caffeine intake is quite variable in a month (especially the 2nd week) then I bleed more. If I keep my coffee habit steady through the month then I have no bleeding. I don''t know if this is particular to my pill (Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo) or if it will apply to other hormonal methods, but it''s something to keep in mind.

 

[reader]

Using nuvaring for two years. Never had breakthrough bleeding, but my periods are shorter, lighter but the cramps are a bit more intense. PMS is not as bad. Rosacea is not as severe. We have had problems with it slipping out during sex, the ''ringer'' effect can be funny. The only real side effect? His penis didn''t take well to it. He got a rash from it...so make sure your guy cleans up right after sex.
I am older, and overweight, so I have to get my blood pressure checked every six months.

 

[MelissaSue]

I used it for a year.. I have actually never had any side effects from any hormonal birth control.. I just switched to it because I was sucking at remembering my pill everyday.. I didn''t mind it at all. I almost always removed it for sex though.. because as a previous poster stated, it can be uncomfortable.. (you can actually safely leave it out for up to 3 hours according to my doctor)..

I also found myself having some irritation. i don''t know if it was related to the nuva ring or not because at my annual I switched off the nuva ring and my dr gave me medicine for a yeast infection just in case.. So it was one of those two things..

I mostly switched back to the pill because of the cost. Nuva ring was costing me $25 a month with insurance and generic BC pills are always free with insurance here.. Soo.. free is good..

 

[akw94]

Thank you SO much for all the info. I do have a dr. appt. scheduled this week so plan to go through my various concerns. I just hate trying something new. I really like the patch other than the skin irritation. I didn''t realize the ring might cost more with insurance. I''ll have to look into that too.
I also forgot to take the pill everyday which is one reason I switched to the patch. That and I always got sick from it. None of that with the patch.
So we''ll see. I think I will try it but may get a backup prescription to the patch just in case I don''t like it.

Thanks again!