Nuvaring: Out ONLY 7 days and no more?

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-04-2003
Nuvaring: Out ONLY 7 days and no more?
3
Wed, 10-06-2004 - 5:21pm

I read in a post from last week that as long as you are keeping your NuvaRing out for no more than 7 days you are fully protected... so, if my period doesn't start within the 7th day after I take it out... (3 days left to go until the 7 day out period would be over) and I am NOT pregnant (oh god let's hope not!!) then I just put a new one back in?


1. Will I still get my period if I have to put a new one in before i start?


2. Is there something WRONG if I do not start my period within 7 days of taking the ring out?


3. The ring has to go back in within 7 days no matter what? Say I start my period on day 5 of it being out - I understood the directions to be within 5 days of starting your period...


I guess I just am looking for some clarification... HELP! If I have to put it in in 3 days I need to call in my prescription!! AH!


Jennie

MadsenFallSiggy3.png picture by jenniemadsen1

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-15-2003
Wed, 10-06-2004 - 5:43pm
Just like the pill, Nuva Ring is intended to be used for 21 days (though I understand it has a few more days of hormones in it than that) and then not used for a MAXIMUM of 7 days. After putting in a new ring, I'd say you may or may not have your "period", no one can really say. Personally, I wouldn't be surprised if you started btb at some time in the next month, before the expected time of your next period, but you might not.

There are many more reasons than pregnancy to skip a period - even on hormonal contraception. If you skip several, especially several in a row, you may want to talk to your doctor (and also rule out pregnancy). I used to skip periods a couple of times a year on the pill, that is just how my body responds to the hormones. Personally, I wouldn't worry until a second skipped period in a row, but if you're really freaking you could call your doctor & get his/her opinion!!!

The "within 5 days of starting your period" is only when you start using your first ring (or first start taking the pill). After that, you insert a new ring (or start a new pill pack) within 7 days of taking out the last one.

Hope this helps!

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-04-2003
Wed, 10-06-2004 - 8:31pm

anyone know what happens if you don't get ur period w/ the ring out for 7 days?


See I wonder about this b/c I have cycles that space themselves out until they don't exist - I have been treated for anovulation due to insulin resistance symdrome. I have had three periods since my baby was born 6 months ago - the first one two months after she was born, then 36 days later, then 42 days later...


So, how does BC work on someone who has a different ovulation cycle like that? When would my period be considered late on BC?


Jennie

MadsenFallSiggy3.png picture by jenniemadsen1

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Wed, 10-06-2004 - 9:09pm
When you're using hormonal contraceptives, you don't (or aren't supposed to) ovulate at all. What your previous cycles were like should have no impact on what your Nuvaring cycles are--you'll develop your own cycle that is controlled by the hormones, though it may be somewhat irregular at first, usually it evens out to where it's predictable within a couple of months.

If you don't get your period during the ring-free week, nothing happens! After the seven ring-free days, you put in your next ring at the end. Your ring schedule does not depend on when you do or don't bleed, you adhere to the schedule and your body should follow along. As happyjusttwo said, if you don't have a period this month and put in your next ring as directed, you may have breakthrough bleeding because you develop more endometrium as you receive more estrogen (from the ring). The progestin in the ring serves to restrict (but not eliminate altogether) the growth of the endometrium and it maintains the endometrium just like progesterone in a pregnancy, but if there is more endometrium to maintain than there is progestin, the endometrium degrades and the blood vessels will leak. If you develop enough endometrium to need more than the amount of progestin you're getting from the ring, then you'd see some bleeding. But other than that... It's not totally unusual to miss periods when you're using hormonal contraception, that's how some women's bodies respond.

Good luck! If you have any other questions, please ask! In the meantime, you might read the FAQ on how the pill works--the ring works just the same. We've got some other good things to read in the FAQ section if you've got time too.

Judie
Co-cl for Birth Control
Judie Cl for Birth Control