New NuvaRing User

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-26-2004
New NuvaRing User
7
Mon, 07-26-2004 - 11:35am
I just started using my NuvaRing yesterday and have read all the great things regarding NuvaRing, but I am curious to hear any negative. I just would hate to be caught off guard and run scared to my Dr. I have not been able to find anyone to say anything bad regarding the Ring.

Please give me more insight to what I may encounter with this new Birth Control method.

Avatar for crystal_s
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Mon, 07-26-2004 - 12:29pm
Well, I just stopped using NuvaRing this month after using it for 7 months. I finally came to the conclusion that what I was assuming were yeast infections, was actually irritation due to the Ring. I know the literature that comes with NuvaRing listed this as a possible side effect, but it was not one I could live with month after month (always for 1.5 weeks before my Ring free week). I know lots of other have had nothing but positive experiences with it, though, and I wish you nothing but positive experiences with it too!
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-26-2004
Mon, 07-26-2004 - 1:18pm
Thank you for sharing. I will keep a look out for that possibility.
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-09-2003
Mon, 07-26-2004 - 2:44pm
Is the nuvaring hard to insert and is weight gain a possible side effect as it is with the pill? Thanks!
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-04-2003
Tue, 07-27-2004 - 7:49am
I had the same side effects as you did, Crystal. I don't normally have lots of discharge and it isn't normally as smelly as it was when I was on the ring. I loved using the ring because of its ease..but I don't like having yeast infection feelings all the time.





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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Tue, 07-27-2004 - 8:19am
The ring is easy to insert once you get the hang of it. And as compared to the pill, since the hormones are relatively the same and do the same job in the body, the possible side effects of the ring are the same as those of the pill with the addition of side effects due to the physical presence of a foreign body in the vagina, like irritation, a foreign body sensation, or increased susceptibility to yeast and bacterial infections. In theory, the likelihood of side effects should be less because the dose of hormones is so low (lower than any pill) and extremely consistent, but that's not necessarily the case for all the women who have tried the ring.

Staceylynn--The negatives that have been reported here have typically been too much discharge (as Rowan experienced), some women could feel it and it bothered them, some women had trouble with it staying in, some women found themselves moody and bloated, just as with anything else, some people aren't going to like it. But just like anything else, there are going to be a large number of people that do! All you can do at this point is hope that you're in the group that doesn't have any problems with it.

Good luck!

Judie
Co-cl for Birth Control
Judie Cl for Birth Control 
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-13-2004
Tue, 07-27-2004 - 8:46am
Hi there!

I thought the ring was a great idea, but I did encounter difficulties with it - it had trouble staying put, kept slipping down you know? And also I was mooooody as all hell on it! I felt like a bomb about to explode all the time. I switched to cyclessa (a triphasic pill) and I was fine. Strange since usually a triphasic pill would cause more moodiness they say, but perhaps that just mimics my normal cycle.

I guess that's about it. My bf at the time said he didn't mind it, but he said he could feel it most of the time and that was strange (he's pretty large and remember it wouldn't stay put).

I know lots of women who LOVE this method, and I bet you will be just fine. Good luck!!!

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-26-2004
Tue, 07-27-2004 - 10:29am
I found it was really simple to insert. Only been on it for three days now, so I have no idea about weight gain yet.

Thank you to all who have submitted their experiences. I feel a bit more informed to know what to look for if something was to be wrong.


Edited 7/27/2004 10:33 am ET ET by staceylynn424