NuvaRing Questions

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-11-2004
NuvaRing Questions
5
Sun, 04-11-2004 - 3:08am
Hello! I am new to the iVillage boards!

I have never been on birth control before but I have a GYN appointment next week. I have been considering birth control for a while now but now that I am in a monogamous, long-term and serious relationship, I wish to do away with condoms. I also suffer from severe iron defiency anemia due to my heavy periods.

I have looked over many birth control options.

Pill: Trust me, I won't remember taking it every day.

Patch: It is not discreet enough.

IUD/Depo: Being a full-time student, I don't have time (or the means) to go to a doctor every few months.

I am seriously considering using the NuvaRing as birth control. I have a few questions though.

1) Can the ring be felt by my partner during sex?

2) How much does it cost per month? (I'm not sure my insurance, AETNA, would cover it)

3) How many times does one have to wear it until it is safe to have unprotected intercourse? Does it work immediately?

Thank you very much! :-)

- Jade

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Sun, 04-11-2004 - 9:15am
Hi zenorigin, welcome!

The ring usually can’t be felt by a partner during IC. If he can it’s usually not a distraction. However, if it does bother him the ring can be removed for up to three hours without reducing the effectiveness of your protection.

The cost will depend on where you have your Rx filled and how much your insurance will cover. Here at CVS it’s about $35 US. You could call pharmacies in your area to get an idea what their prices are.

If you are a first day start (inserting on the first day of your period) you are protected immediately. If you are a Sunday start (inserting on the first Sunday after your period starts) then you will be protected after 7 days of correct use. This board recommends using condoms for your first cycle on a hormonal method. That is because you are learning to use the method (often BCPs) correctly and because your period might be on a different schedule and thicker/thinner, shorter/longer on hormones than when you were cycling normally. If AF is different and you were using back-up then you know you are protected and won’t worry about being pg. Let us know what you decide, ok?

Good luck

      Jill

    

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-11-2004
Sun, 04-11-2004 - 10:02am
Thank you very much Jill! Your reply was most helpful. :-)

- Jade

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-15-2003
Sun, 04-11-2004 - 10:54am
IUD use does not require you to go to doctor periodically, just for insertion and removal after 5 or 10 years. You may need to go for an initial consultation, as well. Given your heavy periods, you should probably not use a copper IUD, which can make periods worse. The Mirena IUD has a very low dose of hormone that can make your periods much lighter or even stop them altogether. This could really help with your heavy periods and anemia. Best of all, you hardly ever have to think about it. Just insert in and you are good for 5 years (Mirena) or 10 years (Paragard - copper IUD). Many insurance companies cover IUD cost. Even if they don't cover it for birth control, you might be able to make an appeal on the basis that you need it to treat your heavy periods. Good luck with your GYN appointment. Let us know if you have any further questions. You can read about Mirena at www.mirena.com. I had a copper IUD and absolutetly loved it. It was very liberating to not have to deal with the pill, patch, ring, or condoms anymore.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Mon, 04-12-2004 - 7:34am

1) Can the ring be felt by my partner during sex? Yea sometimes in certain positions but my SO doesn't mind and it doesn't bother him...

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iVillage Member
Registered: 04-11-2004
Tue, 04-20-2004 - 5:41pm
Does Aetna cover your prescription medicine?

I went to CVS today and they told me that Aetna doesn't cover for prescription medicine any more. So, I'm not sure how much they would cost since I have no health insurance to pay for it.

Where do you mail-order yours from?