Nuvaring, estrogen and comparisons

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-18-2003
Nuvaring, estrogen and comparisons
6
Mon, 10-30-2006 - 9:37am

I am considering trying Nuvaring, but I have some specific concerns in trying to compare it with other birth control methods I have tried and liked or disliked. The worst method so far for me was Mircette, with a very low estrogen level. I was very moody and dry (tmi, I know) on it. Is this likely to occur with Nuvaring since it is also fairly low in estrogen or is this a combined effect of the estrogen level and types of progestins? I really liked necon 1/35 and norplant. I did fine on triphasil 28 but was moodier than on the necon and norplant.

I currently use depo and my mood swings are quite severe at times. I want to stop it but I am still breastfeeding my 6 month old who is rapidly increasing his solid intake. I’m afraid I will forget the minipill with its short window of error and dh is adamantly opposed to IUD. I like the idea of Nuvaring because it is fairly low in estrogen and hopefully wouldn’t have an effect on my supply, and it is low maintenance. Do you know how the serum estrogen for Nuvaring compares to Mircette and Necon 1/35? I know this is trial and error.

Thanks for any insight.
Holly

Holly
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Mon, 10-30-2006 - 3:18pm

Hi again Holly, welcome!


      Jill

    

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-18-2003
Thu, 11-02-2006 - 2:33pm

Thanks for the info Jill; here is what I know now:

Nuvaring.com gives numbers comparing estrogen levels from Nuvaring to estrogen levels from the patch and combination pill with 30 mg of estrogen. According to Nuvaring’s numbers, the body receives 2 to 2.5 times the estrogen from a combined pill with 30 mg of estrogen as it does from Nuvaring, so Nuvaring’s estrogen delivery is much lower.

The studies that I found discussing the drop in milk supply were done with a combined pill of 30 mg estrogen…broken record…I know

My doc agreed that I could try the Nuvaring and see how it goes. My next depo shot is due 11/8, and I will start Nuvaring today. That way, if there is a drop in supply over the next few days, I can still go in and get my shot on time.

I will post on this board how the Nuvaring does as far as milk supply goes. I found posts from two other women on this board who breastfed and did not have a drop in milk supply.

Holly

Holly
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Thu, 11-02-2006 - 3:16pm

Hi Holly,


      Jill

    

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Fri, 11-03-2006 - 2:41pm

Another thing to consider as far as the dryness issue goes, if you're not having problems with Depo and you didn't have problems with Norplant (neither of which provide any estrogen), I don't know if I'd worry as much about dryness with the ring.

Judie Cl for Birth Control 
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-18-2003
Fri, 11-03-2006 - 3:34pm
Judie,
Thanks so much for the input. I did not have the dryness on Triphasil. I do have it with Depo but did not with Norplant. However, I am also breastfeeding and on depo so the two have teamed up against lubrication. Not surprising, but not fun either. According to my dr, I’m in a hypo-estrogenic state. Sounds fun, huh? I know there are ways to deal with it and I do those things. It will be interesting to see how the Nuvaring goes.
Holly
Holly
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Sat, 11-04-2006 - 9:17am

Make sure that when you're having intercourse (if you can find the time or interest!) that you're using a lubricant.

Judie Cl for Birth Control