questions about nuvaring

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-07-2004
questions about nuvaring
1
Wed, 07-07-2004 - 2:12pm
hey guys...my name is mandy and i'm posted a few times on other boards before (wonderful people, advice, and support i might add) and i just thought i'd post here to get some feedback. i'm looking for options for birth control. this is my first time using any kind (other than condoms of course) and i'm curious to see what my best option is. i'm not disciplined enought to take the pill every day, i don't trust that the patch will work (i've heard things about it falling off rather easily), and i've heard some negative stuff about the shot. i realize that no form of bc is perfect and 100% wonderful but i'm looking for advice on finding the kind thats best for me. i've been doing a bit more research lately and i've decided i'd like to try the nuvaring. i've heard the most positive feedback from women who use it so i'm curious what more women think about it. i'm relatively young, so convenience is a major factor, (btw, i'm 20 years old, unmarried, and a college student). i'd appreciate anything info and opinions you all have (specifically about the ring)! thanks alot!
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Wed, 07-07-2004 - 11:15pm
Would it suffice to say that I love it? Okay, maybe not... ;) But you can't beat it for convenience and ease of use as long as you're of average vaginal proportions. Many of the women who have stopped by here and told us of problems with the ring (and there haven't been _that_ many, it just sounds that way) had issues with it slipping and not staying where it was supposed to. It is a one-size-fits-most device, and while it fits most, it doesn't fit all.

Another advantage to the ring is that it's got the lowest estrogen dose on the US market and a pretty low progestin dose. So we get the same effectiveness as a perfectly taken pill with fewer hormones! And that can mean fewer side effects. That doesn't mean that no one has side effects, but in theory they're going to be less likely with lower doses. What that means for me is light periods without a whole lot of discomfort.

And a third advantage is that, being on hormonal birth control, you'd have some flexibility as far as when to have periods. Some women can skip periods for a couple of months, others of us sometimes just move our periods by a few days or a week to get around vacations and stuff. The ring is easier here too because you have some flexibility as to when you remove it, whereas with the pill you have to get a spare pack to take some extra pills.

I've been on a variety of pills, and for me the ring wins hands-down because a)I don't have the side effects I had with a couple of the pills and b) it's so idiot-proof. If you have other questions, feel free to ask! There are several ring users here besides me that I'm sure would be happy to help you!

Judie

Judie Cl for Birth Control