NuvaRing ?

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
NuvaRing ?
2
Tue, 02-27-2007 - 11:06pm

Hi guys, I was just wondering if anyone had any advice/experiences to share with NuvaRing? I went for my annual exam today, and I decided to switch from Yasmin to NuvaRing. I've been on birth control since I was 17-18, first Ortho-tri-Cyclen, then Yasmin. I'm 23 now, so it was time for a change. :) I start this Sunday, since I'm on my sugar week right now. I'm really excited about switching, and really excited about not having to take a pill everyday! I started on bcp to regulate my period, although I've been using it to prevent pregnancy for years now. I have a question, I should have asked my Doc but I just did think of it... does the length of time being on birth control have any effect on how fertile you will be when you discontinue it? I've been on bcp so long, but I want to have kids in a few years. So, I was just wondering. It's been 6 or 7 years.


I've read the entire packet, and little booklets that came with the free sample from my Doc...it even had a little timer to let me know when to take it out or put it in. That's gonna be handy, since I'm so used to bcp having the sugar pills, it was easy. So, any experiences or advice would be appreciated... :) I think I'll check out their website as well. Thanks!

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
In reply to: santiliz
Wed, 02-28-2007 - 10:38pm

I've been using Nuvaring for over 4 years and just renewed my prescription yesterday. I haven't had any problems with it, but it suits me very well.

It's always possible to have side effects when you switch to something different, so you may have to be patient. I had breakthrough bleeding in my first month on the ring, but not after that. Some women have bleeding, some have bloating, some are moody--same as you might experience with another pill, but you won't know until you give it a shot.

I remember to remove and insert rings using calendars. I have my Outlook calendar at work marked with a "." for when I remove it and a "o" for when I insert it. I also have a personal email calendar that sends me reminders--with both of those, I have not forgotten.

Besides not having to take a pill every day, the ring gives you more freedom than the pill. You have options--you can use the ring the conventional way, 3 weeks in and one week out. You can also extend the cycle--4 weeks in and one week out. Or you can do something in between. I am a Friday start, so I get my period on Monday morning. If I'm doing a long weekend out of town, I can leave my ring in an extra couple of days so that my period starts later, but I'll insert the new ring on Friday anyway. You can't do that with the pill unless you have a spare pack of pills. I usually do 3+1, but if I'm going on vacation, I can do 4+1 once or twice to move my period by one or two weeks and I don't have to buy any extra rings.

Cardinal rules:
Ring must be inserted for at least 21 days but no more than 28 days

The ring-free interval must be no more than 7 days

You can remove the ring BUT it has to be inserted within 3 hours to maintain protection

You still need to use backup if you take antibiotics or any other drugs that affect the metabolism of the hormones.

If you have any questions, please ask! Good luck!

Judie
Co-cl for Birth Control
Judie Cl for Birth Control 
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
In reply to: santiliz
Wed, 02-28-2007 - 11:30pm

hi judie, thanks for the advice!