Nuvaring users: Help!!

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-30-2003
Nuvaring users: Help!!
7
Sat, 03-13-2004 - 1:34am
I have a couple of questions concerning the Nuvaring. From what I've been reading on this message board, it seems like a great, and most importantly, fairly covenient birth control method, especially since I'm deathly afraid of the side effects associated with others (except condoms, of course)--namely depo provera. Anyhow, this will be my first BC method aside from condoms, and like most, I'm concerned whether or not my significant other and I will feel it? You see, he likes me on top and--well, enough said (sorry if that's too much info for some).

Also, I've been reading quite a few posts back, and there was mention of the chance of it slipping out when you go to the bathroom?? What in the heck are you supposed to do if the darn thing falls in the toilet? I assume you CAN rinse it off, right?

Please help! Any and all answers will be greatly appreciated.

Cheers!

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-13-2004
Sat, 03-13-2004 - 8:05pm
I was on the nuvaring for 2 months. Aside from condoms I had not ever been on any other method. A few things -

1) While nuvaring is supposed to have less "breakthrough bleeding" occurences than other methods of BC, I bled for the first month.

The good news - it stopped when I put the new ring in as instructed.

2) I had a hell of a time with the damn thing slipping... DON'T worry though, it won't just slip OUT into the toilet or something, but I will say that even when it was pushed WAY up, it would somehow just slide its way down after a few hours, or a day or whatever. I don't know why.

3) My boyfriend could not feel it, for the most part. He did once, but said he didn't care. Let's face it - they're just psyched to be having sex. :-)

So unfortunate it didn't work out for me because it is convenient if I didn't have to keep pushing it back in place (that was also tough sometimes). But it sounds like I am in the minority. Try it out!!!

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-13-2004
Sun, 03-14-2004 - 12:20am
I have been using Nuvaring for 3 months. I have been on the pill for several years, and I like camping and travel lots, so I wanted something that was more convenient than daily. I have not had any trouble with it. I was concerned about all the major issues; can he feel it, can I feel it, what about side effects, more yeast infections, ect....But I have no issues. He does not feel it when we are having sex ( I am almost always on top), but he can feel it with his finger sometimes. I think it is good to let your partner know it is in there if it is the first time with him, otherwise he might freak out. I even showed it to my partner before I put it in, so he could feel more comfortable with the idea. I have not had any problem with him or it with him.

It have never had trouble with it slipping or falling out. I can not feel it. I had some initial slight spotting a couple times during the first week, but never since. I have no side effects or yeast infections with it. I have to mark the calender for when I need to change it or I would totally forget about it. I do not feel any different than when I wqas taking the pill.

I love it. My gyne recommended it to me, she has been recommending it for over a year to her patients and has not had any negative reports. If you want more info about your concerns, go to their website to read their information, it is really comprehensive:

http://www.nuvaring.com/Consumer/patientSupport/commonQuestions/index.asp

Avatar for jennifer815
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Sun, 03-14-2004 - 12:27am
I was on NuvaRing for about a year. I loved it. So here's a bit of my experience with it that I can share with you:

1. My SO felt it sometimes, but not everytime. Kinda depends on positions, etc... My doctor told me that I could take it out for up to 3 hours at a time to have sex.

2. Never had it slip out. There was one time when I was spotting towards the end of the third week so I used a light tampon to keep that under control. Well, the ring came out with the tampon and right into the toilet. Since it was the day before I was supposed to take it out anyway it didn't really matter. I guess you could rinse it off, at the time I lived in my college dorms with community bathrooms and I was not about to stick that back in me after it falling in there...gross!

Hope that helps some,

Jenn

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-30-2003
Sun, 03-14-2004 - 8:37am
You ladies are wonderful! Thank you so much for sharing your experiences! To any others who have experiences with the NuvaRing, please post! I think I'm much closer to making my decision. The Ring sounds really awesome! At one time, Depo Provera sounded really neat, but there's a lot of horror stories going around.

I'm hoping my doctor has the NuvaRing available.

Cheers!

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-15-2003
Sun, 03-14-2004 - 10:59am
Avatar for rnin2003
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-30-2003
Sun, 03-14-2004 - 3:44pm
I really like the ring. Previously I had been on OTC for four years. I don't feel as emotional, I like not having to take a pill every day and actually I break out less on my face. My only side effect is little pimples on my chest and back. However it really doesn't bother me and I believe it will clear up some when I spend some time in the sun.

When it comes to having sex, we usually take it out and put it back in when we are done, but that's just what we do. I know some people can't feel it and leave it in. We have left it in before and it isn't too bad. I've never had it come out, or even close to coming out, but that used to scare me. My periods are even lighter than what they were on the pill too!

So I'm really liking this method. Good luck with your decision. Jen
iVillage Member
Registered: 01-29-2004
Wed, 03-17-2004 - 6:14am
I find that the ring "enhances" the experience for both of us, which was kind of a nice bonus.

I only have nice things to say about it, best thing I have tried.