Still nothing new to report.
Still no spotting (yay!).
I've had an itsy bitsy headache the last couple of days, but nothing like it was the first few days. Mostly on and off.
So far, so good!!
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
NuvaRing day # 5
So nothing much has changed.
The only new thing I have to report is I've had a headache for the last 2 days. It's nothing major, it usually goes away with a couple of Advil. Now, I'm not sure if the headache is because of the ring, or becuase I was supposed to start my period today...
I guess I'll see in a couple of days.
Other than that, everything's going great. I haven't had any spottiing since I put in the ring, and no spotting yet this week (the week I was supposed to start my period).
Also, I've noticed that my skin has cleared up pretty drastically. I haven't had any big breakouts like I was with Desogen. With Desogen, I was constantly having breakouts. Nothing so far with NuvaRing and my skin has been clearing up very nicely! That makes me super happy =]
Hope everyone's having a great week!
The only new thing I have to report is I've had a headache for the last 2 days. It's nothing major, it usually goes away with a couple of Advil. Now, I'm not sure if the headache is because of the ring, or becuase I was supposed to start my period today...
I guess I'll see in a couple of days.
Other than that, everything's going great. I haven't had any spottiing since I put in the ring, and no spotting yet this week (the week I was supposed to start my period).
Also, I've noticed that my skin has cleared up pretty drastically. I haven't had any big breakouts like I was with Desogen. With Desogen, I was constantly having breakouts. Nothing so far with NuvaRing and my skin has been clearing up very nicely! That makes me super happy =]
Hope everyone's having a great week!
Monday, October 18, 2010
NuvaRing day # 2
Okee dokee.
So just a couple of things...
I have definitely noticed that the cervical mucus is a lot thicker. (Gross, I know, but true.)
Also, I've been having cramps. They started last night after my last post and have been continuing on and off through out the day. Now, I'm almost 100% positive that this is because I was technically supposed to have my period this week. As I've commented before, I was on the pill until Friday. When I asked the nurse about when I should insert the ring, she said I could insert it as soon as I got home if I wanted to (which is what I did). I told her I was supposed to start my period this week, and asked her if there was anything I needed to do (like take it out or whatever) and she said no, but I might have some spotting during the time I was supposed to have my period. She just told me to make sure that I take it out in 21 days and have a ring-free week before I start my extended cycling. So I'm pretty sure that's why I'm having cramps...
Anywho...
I checked my ring late last night before I went to bed and it felt like it was coming out!! (SShhhh, don't tell my boyfriend!) It just felt like it was too low...
I took it out, washed it off, and this time I used a tampon applicator to try and get it up further. Well, I checked this morning agian, and it had moved down where it originally was. I was a little concerned, so I went on NuvaRing's website where I found, "The exact position of NuvaRing® is not important for it to be effective."
What I take this to mean is, just as long as you can't feel it when you're moving around, and it's not falling out (mine wasn't, it just felt like it wasn't up far enough) you should be good. If I hadn't checked last night, I probably never would have known.
I think it might be a little too early to notice any side effects yet, but I swear my appetite is already decreasing. I didn't eat nearly as much today and I was able to eat smaller portions. Still too early to tell, but I'm hopeful =]
It's such a huge relief not worrying about taking a pill everyday. I hope it's worth it!!
Well, I'm off to bed. I hope everyone has a wonderful week!
So just a couple of things...
I have definitely noticed that the cervical mucus is a lot thicker. (Gross, I know, but true.)
Also, I've been having cramps. They started last night after my last post and have been continuing on and off through out the day. Now, I'm almost 100% positive that this is because I was technically supposed to have my period this week. As I've commented before, I was on the pill until Friday. When I asked the nurse about when I should insert the ring, she said I could insert it as soon as I got home if I wanted to (which is what I did). I told her I was supposed to start my period this week, and asked her if there was anything I needed to do (like take it out or whatever) and she said no, but I might have some spotting during the time I was supposed to have my period. She just told me to make sure that I take it out in 21 days and have a ring-free week before I start my extended cycling. So I'm pretty sure that's why I'm having cramps...
Anywho...
I checked my ring late last night before I went to bed and it felt like it was coming out!! (SShhhh, don't tell my boyfriend!) It just felt like it was too low...
I took it out, washed it off, and this time I used a tampon applicator to try and get it up further. Well, I checked this morning agian, and it had moved down where it originally was. I was a little concerned, so I went on NuvaRing's website where I found, "The exact position of NuvaRing® is not important for it to be effective."
What I take this to mean is, just as long as you can't feel it when you're moving around, and it's not falling out (mine wasn't, it just felt like it wasn't up far enough) you should be good. If I hadn't checked last night, I probably never would have known.
I think it might be a little too early to notice any side effects yet, but I swear my appetite is already decreasing. I didn't eat nearly as much today and I was able to eat smaller portions. Still too early to tell, but I'm hopeful =]
It's such a huge relief not worrying about taking a pill everyday. I hope it's worth it!!
Well, I'm off to bed. I hope everyone has a wonderful week!
Saturday, October 16, 2010
NuvaRing Day #1
I was given the NuvaRing to try yesterday, so technicially this is my 2nd day on NuvaRing.
First a little bit about me and my current situation:
I am a 22-year-old college student living in Oregon. My boyfriend and I have been together a total of 4 years next month (YAY!). I started birth control when I was 18 and I have always been on the pill.
I was first given Lo/ovral which worked great for me for 3+ years until I started experiencing spotting between periods. At first it wasn't a big deal, but it seemed every month it got heavier and heavier until it seemed I was on my period for an average of 2 weeks a month. NOT GOOD!
I was then given Desogen (this last January) to try. My doctor said the hormones weren't effecting my body the same way anymore so she wanted me to try something new. Bad idea!
Now, my experience with Desogen wasn't horrible, but it wasn't great either.
I experienced these following side effects:
- increased appetite (it was to the point where I had to eat every few hours or I felt like I was starving to death)
- decreased sex drive =(
- weight gain (which I had never experienced with Lo/ovral beside going up a 1/2 cup size)
- extreme moodiness
- acne breakouts
- fatigue
- on top of that, it didn't help with my spotting issue! Just made it worse!
I had done quite a bit of research on the internet about other methods of birth control. I wanted something that didn't have high quantities of hormones, something I wouldn't have to remember to take every day, and (hopefully) something that would give me fewer and lighter periods.
I came up with the implant Implanon, the IUC Mirena, and the ring NuvaRing.
Now, I was scared off of Implanon with all of the bad reviews out there regarding severe bleeding and periods that lasted 2 months or more!!
I am still seriously considering Mirena, but I'm not sure if it's the right method for me. (Please read my Mirena IUD blog to find out more)
So I was left with NuvaRing.
Yesterday I went in to my local Planned Parenthood because I was interested in getting the Mirena IUC. They gave me all the information on the IUC (again, read blog) and asked me if I wanted to try another method while I thought about it. I asked them about NuvaRing.
The thing that got me interested in NuvaRing was the simplicity of it. You insert a ring and keep it in for 3 weeks, take it out for 1 week so you can have your period, and then you insert a new ring. How easy is that?
Now, NuvaRing doesn't normally give you fewer periods unless you do extended cycling (which is what I'll be doing). You put the ring in on the same day once a month. For example: If you put in your first ring today, which is Saturday, you would only need to replace it every 4 weeks (28 days). You don't need to have a ring-free week. So you would take your old ring out and replace it with a new one the same day. Easy as pie!
I inserted my ring yesterday when I got home. It was kind of weird trying to make sure I got it in right. You want to make sure that you can't feel it when you walk. You pinch the plastic ring between your fingers and push it up into your vagina. Don't be afraid to push it too far, you can't (I asked the nurse). You can even use an empty tampon applicator to help push it up far enough. It WON'T fall out (which my boyfriend is insisting will happen lol) because it rests against your cervix. It's just like inserting a tampon and those don't fall out if you insert them correctly right? =)
I kept thinking I was forgetting to take my pill last night. I would reach into my purse to pull out my pack and then I would remember about the ring. I think it will take me a little while to remember that I DON'T have to take a pill anymore!! Crazy!
Anyways, if I decide that the NuvaRing is going to work for me, I probably won't get the Mirena IUC.
However, if it DOESN'T work out, I will be making an appoinment for my IUC consult within the next 3-6 months. (When you try out a new bc method, you want to stick it out for AT LEAST that long because that's how long it could take your body to get used to the hormones. Something that bothers you the first month or so may not bother you after a while. Just try it out, if it doesn't work, on to the next!!)
I will keep everyone posted on my experience with the NuvaRing. My side effects, etc.
Hope everyone has a great weekend!
First a little bit about me and my current situation:
I am a 22-year-old college student living in Oregon. My boyfriend and I have been together a total of 4 years next month (YAY!). I started birth control when I was 18 and I have always been on the pill.
I was first given Lo/ovral which worked great for me for 3+ years until I started experiencing spotting between periods. At first it wasn't a big deal, but it seemed every month it got heavier and heavier until it seemed I was on my period for an average of 2 weeks a month. NOT GOOD!
I was then given Desogen (this last January) to try. My doctor said the hormones weren't effecting my body the same way anymore so she wanted me to try something new. Bad idea!
Now, my experience with Desogen wasn't horrible, but it wasn't great either.
I experienced these following side effects:
- increased appetite (it was to the point where I had to eat every few hours or I felt like I was starving to death)
- decreased sex drive =(
- weight gain (which I had never experienced with Lo/ovral beside going up a 1/2 cup size)
- extreme moodiness
- acne breakouts
- fatigue
- on top of that, it didn't help with my spotting issue! Just made it worse!
I had done quite a bit of research on the internet about other methods of birth control. I wanted something that didn't have high quantities of hormones, something I wouldn't have to remember to take every day, and (hopefully) something that would give me fewer and lighter periods.
I came up with the implant Implanon, the IUC Mirena, and the ring NuvaRing.
Now, I was scared off of Implanon with all of the bad reviews out there regarding severe bleeding and periods that lasted 2 months or more!!
I am still seriously considering Mirena, but I'm not sure if it's the right method for me. (Please read my Mirena IUD blog to find out more)
So I was left with NuvaRing.
Yesterday I went in to my local Planned Parenthood because I was interested in getting the Mirena IUC. They gave me all the information on the IUC (again, read blog) and asked me if I wanted to try another method while I thought about it. I asked them about NuvaRing.
The thing that got me interested in NuvaRing was the simplicity of it. You insert a ring and keep it in for 3 weeks, take it out for 1 week so you can have your period, and then you insert a new ring. How easy is that?
Now, NuvaRing doesn't normally give you fewer periods unless you do extended cycling (which is what I'll be doing). You put the ring in on the same day once a month. For example: If you put in your first ring today, which is Saturday, you would only need to replace it every 4 weeks (28 days). You don't need to have a ring-free week. So you would take your old ring out and replace it with a new one the same day. Easy as pie!
I inserted my ring yesterday when I got home. It was kind of weird trying to make sure I got it in right. You want to make sure that you can't feel it when you walk. You pinch the plastic ring between your fingers and push it up into your vagina. Don't be afraid to push it too far, you can't (I asked the nurse). You can even use an empty tampon applicator to help push it up far enough. It WON'T fall out (which my boyfriend is insisting will happen lol) because it rests against your cervix. It's just like inserting a tampon and those don't fall out if you insert them correctly right? =)
I kept thinking I was forgetting to take my pill last night. I would reach into my purse to pull out my pack and then I would remember about the ring. I think it will take me a little while to remember that I DON'T have to take a pill anymore!! Crazy!
Anyways, if I decide that the NuvaRing is going to work for me, I probably won't get the Mirena IUC.
However, if it DOESN'T work out, I will be making an appoinment for my IUC consult within the next 3-6 months. (When you try out a new bc method, you want to stick it out for AT LEAST that long because that's how long it could take your body to get used to the hormones. Something that bothers you the first month or so may not bother you after a while. Just try it out, if it doesn't work, on to the next!!)
I will keep everyone posted on my experience with the NuvaRing. My side effects, etc.
Hope everyone has a great weekend!
NuvaRing information
So I figured I would post the information I was given on NuvaRing before I start blogging about my experience.
THE RING - NUVARING
The ring is made of the hormones estrogen and progestin. These hormones keep you from getting pregnant.
- They keep eggs from leaving the ovaries
- They make cervical mucus thicker. This keeps sperm from getting to the eggs.
HOW WELL DOES THE RING WORK?
- For every 100 women who always use the ring as directed every month for a year, only 1 will get pregnant.
- For every 100 women who don't always use the ring as directed every month for a year, about 8 will get pregnant.
There's nothing you have to do before sex to make the ring work. Being able to get pregnant comes quickly after stopping the ring.
The ring may not work quite as well for women who are taking certain other medications. These include:
- herbals like St. John's wort
- certain medicines that are used for TB, seizures, mental disorders, or HIV/AIDS
The ring may affect the other medications you take. Always tell your health care provider about your medications.
The ring does not protet you from sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
THE RING DOES PROTECT YOU FROM:
- acne
- bone thinning
- cancer of the ovaries
- cancer of the uterus
- cysts in the breasts and ovaries
- bad cramps
- heavy periods
- serious infection in the ovaries
- irregular periods
- anemia (iron poor blood)
- pregnancy in the tubes
- PMS
SIDE EFFECTS INCLUDE:
- nausea - usually clears up in 2 or 3 months
- sore breasts - usually clears up in 2 or 3 months
- headache
- vaginal wetness
Many women have spotting between periods the first 2 or 3 months on the ring. This usually stops. Some women use the ring every day without a ring-free break to keep from getting their periods. It is normal for them to have spotting or bleeding the first 6 months. It may get less over time. Some stop having any bleeding at all. This is normal and will not harm your body. However, it is a good idea to get tested if you think you might be pregnant.
RISKS OF THE RING - Women on the ring have a slightly greater risk of rare serious problems than women who don't use the ring. Death occurs in very rare cases. These include:
- blood clots that start in the legs and go to the lungs
- heart attack
- liver tumors
- stroke
These risks are greater if you:
- smoke
- are older than 35
- have diabetes
- have a family history of blood clots
- have high blood pressure
- have high cholesterol
- are very overweight
THE RING CANNOT BE USED BY WOMEN WHO:
- are 35 or older and smoke
- have high blood pressure and smoke
- have high blood pressure that is not controlled with medicine
- have had a stroke, heart attack, or angina
- have had a serious heart valve problem
- have lupus with certin conditions
- have had a blood clot in the veins or arteries
- have certain blood-clotting disorders that run in their family
- have very bad diabetes
- have serious liver disease
- had breast cancer or liver cancer
- get migraine with aura
- are pregnant
- need to stay in bed for a long time
Talk to your health care provider about your risks and health problems. It will help you decide if the ring is right for you. You may need special tests or follow-up.
WARNING SIGNS - CALL YOUR HEALTH CENTER RIGHT AWAY IF YOU HAVE:
- bad chest pain
- achy soreness in the leg
- a sudden very bad headache
- headaches that are different, worse, or happen more often than usual
- aura - seeing bright, flashing zigzags, usually before a very bad headache
- trouble breathing
- severe pain in the belly or stomach
- yellowing of the skins or eyes
- a new lump in the breast
- no period after having a period every month
THE RING - NUVARING
The ring is made of the hormones estrogen and progestin. These hormones keep you from getting pregnant.
- They keep eggs from leaving the ovaries
- They make cervical mucus thicker. This keeps sperm from getting to the eggs.
HOW WELL DOES THE RING WORK?
- For every 100 women who always use the ring as directed every month for a year, only 1 will get pregnant.
- For every 100 women who don't always use the ring as directed every month for a year, about 8 will get pregnant.
There's nothing you have to do before sex to make the ring work. Being able to get pregnant comes quickly after stopping the ring.
The ring may not work quite as well for women who are taking certain other medications. These include:
- herbals like St. John's wort
- certain medicines that are used for TB, seizures, mental disorders, or HIV/AIDS
The ring may affect the other medications you take. Always tell your health care provider about your medications.
The ring does not protet you from sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
THE RING DOES PROTECT YOU FROM:
- acne
- bone thinning
- cancer of the ovaries
- cancer of the uterus
- cysts in the breasts and ovaries
- bad cramps
- heavy periods
- serious infection in the ovaries
- irregular periods
- anemia (iron poor blood)
- pregnancy in the tubes
- PMS
SIDE EFFECTS INCLUDE:
- nausea - usually clears up in 2 or 3 months
- sore breasts - usually clears up in 2 or 3 months
- headache
- vaginal wetness
Many women have spotting between periods the first 2 or 3 months on the ring. This usually stops. Some women use the ring every day without a ring-free break to keep from getting their periods. It is normal for them to have spotting or bleeding the first 6 months. It may get less over time. Some stop having any bleeding at all. This is normal and will not harm your body. However, it is a good idea to get tested if you think you might be pregnant.
RISKS OF THE RING - Women on the ring have a slightly greater risk of rare serious problems than women who don't use the ring. Death occurs in very rare cases. These include:
- blood clots that start in the legs and go to the lungs
- heart attack
- liver tumors
- stroke
These risks are greater if you:
- smoke
- are older than 35
- have diabetes
- have a family history of blood clots
- have high blood pressure
- have high cholesterol
- are very overweight
THE RING CANNOT BE USED BY WOMEN WHO:
- are 35 or older and smoke
- have high blood pressure and smoke
- have high blood pressure that is not controlled with medicine
- have had a stroke, heart attack, or angina
- have had a serious heart valve problem
- have lupus with certin conditions
- have had a blood clot in the veins or arteries
- have certain blood-clotting disorders that run in their family
- have very bad diabetes
- have serious liver disease
- had breast cancer or liver cancer
- get migraine with aura
- are pregnant
- need to stay in bed for a long time
Talk to your health care provider about your risks and health problems. It will help you decide if the ring is right for you. You may need special tests or follow-up.
WARNING SIGNS - CALL YOUR HEALTH CENTER RIGHT AWAY IF YOU HAVE:
- bad chest pain
- achy soreness in the leg
- a sudden very bad headache
- headaches that are different, worse, or happen more often than usual
- aura - seeing bright, flashing zigzags, usually before a very bad headache
- trouble breathing
- severe pain in the belly or stomach
- yellowing of the skins or eyes
- a new lump in the breast
- no period after having a period every month
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