more Nuvaring questions

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-04-2003
more Nuvaring questions
8
Sat, 06-26-2004 - 4:26am
Since this is my first month with Nuvaring, I know some bodily adjustments might be in place, but I still have questions:

Well, yesterday (fri) at 10pm was the exact 3 week marker to take the ring out for the 1st time. But I started bleeding (a bit) around 5 or 6pm, is that normal?
Those of you who are on Nuvaring, when does your perid normally come after you take out the ring? The same day or a few days later? (With the pills it was always a few days later for me.)

I'm also suffering minor cramps. Nothing major (yet) and so far less than what I generally have the 1st 24hours of my period.


Also, I've been wondering is it is possible to skip a period by having a ring (2 different ones, obviously) inserted for 2 cycles?

I did that with the pill and loved it.


Thanx in advance.





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iVillage Member
Registered: 05-14-2004
Sun, 06-27-2004 - 2:13am
Hey Rowan!

Its so good to see girls comming *here* to ask birth control questions, there's so many wonderfully helpful women here...

1. I started bleeding (a bit) around 5 or 6pm, is that normal? When does your period normally come after you take out the ring?

Totally normal. Just keep in mind that you're only in your first month with NuvaRing so your body is still adjusting to the new levels of hormones in your body. Everyone's experience will be somewhat different, of course, but after a while you will fall into your own pattern and then you'll get to recognize what is regular/normal for you.

2. Also, I've been wondering if it is possible to skip a period by having a ring (2 different ones, obviously) inserted for 2 cycles?

Yeppers! Just like you would on the pill, as soon as week #3 is done, just start up your next pack of pills / insert your new NuvaRing.

Personally, I've got an IUD because my body doesn't do well with hormonal contraception but I'm really happy with it. However, Cl-Judie_Rae uses NuvaRing and she loves it. Hopefully she will catch onto your post later so she can offer her own advice.

HTH!

~*~Jenn~*~

Avatar for rnin2003
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-30-2003
Sun, 06-27-2004 - 8:29am
Hi Rowan,

When I switched to the ring I had been taking Ortho-Tri Cyclen for 4 years prior. If I recall correctly I started bleeding 2-3 days after I took the ring out. But as you know everyone reacts differently. I would consider your bleeding to be "normal". I took out my ring on Sunday and my period started Wed. That is pretty normal timing for me. I also have some cramping right before it starts and even the day after it really starts. These cramps are just little twinges, nothing like cramps I used to get before any hormonal birth control.

In my opinion the ring is the easiest birth control to manipulate your period. If you want to delay your period you can leave it in for as long as an additional week. I have taken it out on day 18 to have my period a little early with no difficulty. And from what I hear you can use rings back to back, but there could be a good chance of spotting.

If you have any more questions, feel free to ask!

Jen
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-21-2004
Tue, 06-29-2004 - 11:22am
Hi Rowan!

I was just curious if you did in fact try two consecutive rings, and whether that meant no period for you? I have always wanted to avoid that (as much as your period can be a downer, i like it as my little monthly check in that all is in good working order), but i just don't want my period to come when it's supposed to this month.

I was also thinking of taking it out a couple days early so it will hopefully be done early??

How did you manipulate it?? how did it work for you??

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Tue, 06-29-2004 - 1:36pm
I've been on the ring for a year and a half and for me it's hands-down the easiest BC ever!

My first month, I did start bleeding the Thursday before my Sunday removal--totally normal when you're switching or starting. Expect that next month and the month after may still be different, period-wise, than this one, as it can take a couple of months. I'm a Sunday evening start/remove, and my period arrives typically on Wednesday mornings, give or take a few hours. It's pretty light and my cramps aren't bad at all thanks to the low estrogen dose.

Moving periods is easier with the ring than with the pill because you don't have to "waste" a ring if you can't get a full six weeks without bleeding (I can go five). I like to err on the side of a longer, rather than shorter, cycle. If I want to avoid a Friday-Saturday period, I'll leave my ring in until Thursday so that I start my period Sunday. If I want to move my period a week, I'll leave it in for the extra (4th) week, which is okay to do. I've tried two rings back-to-back, and I can't go that long without breakthrough bleeding, but you might be able to, it depends on how your body reacts with the hormones. I might not try it for another month or two, though, to give things a chance to stabilize.

Hope that helps!

Judie
Co-cl for Birth Control
Judie Cl for Birth Control 
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-21-2004
Tue, 06-29-2004 - 2:19pm
Thanks for the info!

I've actually been on the Ring now for 9 months, and i absolutely LOVE it! i never try to manipulate my period liek this, but i have a special occasion coming up i'd rather not have my period for...SO, i can leave it in another week you think then take it out and restart as normal???
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iVillage Member
Registered: 07-04-2003
Wed, 06-30-2004 - 6:28am
Thanx for the info Judie! It's very helpful and great to know!





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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Wed, 06-30-2004 - 7:54am
You're allowed, by the patient information, to use one ring for a total of 28 days, but if you use the same ring for longer than 28 days you're advised to use backup protection. So if you wanted to move your period by half a week, you could use the ring for 3 1/2 weeks, if you wanted to move it a whole week you could use it for 4 weeks. It's way easier than with the pill because you don't have to have an extra pack of pills for a few days here or a few days there!

Make sense?

Judie
Co-cl for Birth Control
Judie Cl for Birth Control 
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-21-2004
Wed, 06-30-2004 - 10:55am
AMEN!

Thanks so much Judie!

Man, i LOVE the RING!! so easy!! i'll just keep it in about 3 extra days and adjust as i need!

this is great!
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