Nuvaring questions

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-02-2003
Nuvaring questions
4
Fri, 03-19-2004 - 10:39am
I went to my doctor yesterday to inquire about Nuvaring and I finally got it! I'm SO excited! The doctor was excited about it, too. My doctor told me to finish the pill pack and then begin Nuvaring, but I have to use an extra method of birth control the first week. Will I always have to use protection during the first week of using Nuvaring?

I was reading the booklet it comes with. Where it says "If you are switching from a combination oral contraceptive", it said to insert the ring during the first 7 days after the last active pill. Does this mean I don't have to take the placebos? Then I won't have a period? Or do I finish the entire pack including the placebos?

Thank you!


iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Fri, 03-19-2004 - 8:02pm
Hi mkemore,

The prescribing info says:

“Switching from a combination oral contraceptive

NuvaRing ® may be inserted anytime within seven days after the last combined (estrogen plus progestin) oral contraceptive tablet and no later than the day that a new cycle of pills would have been started. No back-up method is needed.”

You can begin using NuvaRing at any time during your placebo week (your choice) but no later than when you would have started your next pack of pills. There should be no more that 7 24-hours days between your last active pill and insertion of the ring to retain the continuity of your protection. The manufacturer says that, if done correctly, you should be protected during a pill/ring switch (see the quote above) but using backup for a week is an added measure of protection just in case, for peace of mind. It is not necessary to use back-up the first week of each ring. If I were switching I would take the placebos, have my period and then insert the ring on the day I would have begun the next pack of pills, but that’s just me. Does this help? Let us know how you like the ring, ok?

Good luck

      Jill

    

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-02-2003
Fri, 03-19-2004 - 11:16pm
Thank you, Jill. I think I should take the placebos, too. : )

-K
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Sat, 03-20-2004 - 10:52am

Another thing to keep in mind--if you insert the ring during your period, removing tampons will pull the ring out, so you'll have to be careful!

Judie Cl for Birth Control 
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-02-2003
Sat, 03-20-2004 - 7:51pm
Hi Judie,

I haven't even thought about it if I were using tampons! Thank you for letting me know!

-K