is nuvaring right for me?

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-13-2004
is nuvaring right for me?
2
Thu, 05-13-2004 - 12:45pm
I'm 24, a virgin, and about to go to my first gynecological exam next week. I'm considering intercourse with my current boyfriend, and so I'm planning to ask about birth control. I've never been good at taking pills regularly, so I don't know that the pill would be right for me. I hate having things stuck to my skin, so I don't think the patch would work. I've never been on hormones before, so I'm too concerned about side effects to commit to the shot. So, I'm thinking the nuvaring might work. A couple of questions, though:

1) I've tried to use the Instead cups during my period before and I could never get that plastic ring to sit in the right position against my cervix. (I'd always leak and be able to feel the cup inside me.) After 4 or 5 tries with Instead, I gave up. In view of that experience, would I have similar problems with the Nuvaring? Is it difficult to insert in the correct position?

2) I've heard a few stories about the nuvaring popping out before it's time to remove it. Has anyone had this happen frequently? And more importantly, can you feel it happen in time to re-insert it?

3) Often during sex play, my boyfriend fingers me pretty vigorously. How can I be sure that he won't accidentally remove the nuvaring? Has this been a problem for anyone else?

Thanks for your help.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Thu, 05-13-2004 - 1:36pm
Good news on all three counts! At least I think so...

I haven't ever been able to use Instead without leaking, so you're not alone there! The ring doesn't have to be in a specific position in the vagina, it just has to be in there, so it will fit a variety of different-shaped anatomies. It's about 2" in diameter (the circular part), but the tube itself is only about 3/8" thick, most women who use the ring can't feel it when it's inserted. Because the ring is wider than your vagina (typically), its springiness keeps it in the vagina unless the vagina is either too large or too small (too much spring!). Personally, I know that I feel the ring when I remove it, and after almost a year and a half of use, I haven't had one come out by itself yet. Other women have, but my impression is that it doesn't just disappear without your knowledge unless he removes it accidentally during sex.

As far as your sexual habits, you'll have to see what you're both comfortable with. The ring can be removed during sex but it must be replaced within three hours or else you'd need backup. According to Organon (the manufacturer), the ring can be removed for every act of intercourse, though I'm not sure how far I'd take that if I were having sex several times a day(I don't need to remove it for sex, but some women do).

Good luck at your first exam! If you're relaxed, it will be easier, and you might be surprised how fast it's over. I know you're a virgin, but if you've had intimate contact with people other than your current boyfriend or if he's not a virgin or has had intimate contact with other people, you probably want to ask your doctor about STD tests. If you make sure that you're both clean, you can save the condoms for backup protection or whenever you choose to use them!

Let us know if you have any other questions...

Judie
Co-cl for Birth Control
Judie Cl for Birth Control 
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-13-2004
Thu, 05-13-2004 - 4:07pm
Thanks for your input.

>>>>>According to Organon (the manufacturer), the ring can be removed for every act of intercourse,>>>>

I didn't know that nuvaring could be removed for intercourse. Was that on their website or did you call Organon directly?

So, after reading the 24-page PDF "Full Prescribing Information," I still have a couple of questions.

1) I know that with Ortho Evra (the patch), they say effectiveness may be decreased for women who weigh over 198 pounds. Have you seen any similar indications for the NuvaRing? (I haven't, but I just thought I'd ask.)

2) NuvaRing has basically the same active ingredients as a combination birth control pill--estrogen and progestin--right? So, it would work the same way, correct? I mean, preventing ovulation, thinning uterine lining and thickening cervical mucus. I just want to make sure I have my facts straight.

3) Will NuvaRing, like oral contraceptives, help regulate menstrual periods? I would assume so, and since I'm irregular right now, this would be important to me.


Thankfully, both my boyfriend and I have not had genital contact with any other partners, so we should both be disease-free. We'll probably still use condoms, at least for a while, for the peace of mind factor and until I've gotten comfortable with whatever birth control method I choose. I'm still nervous about my first gyno appointment, though! It's still a new sensation to have "visitors" to that area, but I definitely want to make sure I'm healthy and am on b.c. before I have intercourse...

Thanks again for your help!