NuvaRing

[00goddess.livejournal.com]

I finally caved in and I'm using hormonal birth control.

I have really nasty, painful periods, and they are getting worse, and I've become allergic to the Lortab I was using. So my doc recommended that I use the NuvaRing to suspend menstruation, and only menstruate every three or four months.

I put it in on Friday, and so far I am really happy with it. I don't feel it at all. This makes me sort of paranoid so I've been checking on it every once in awhile.

If you are going to have an adverse reaction to hormones, how long does it take? Some people have told me that it goes bad for them right away, but four days into this I'm feeling fine.

I haven't had sex with it in yet, but I don't foresee any problems. I have been feeling more horny than usual... if this is a side effect, I like it :) I'm looking forward to not using condoms anymore with my primary. This week we're going to go for another HIV/STD test and if we both come back negative then we'll ditch the condoms.

So at this point I am happy with NuvaRing. Has anyone else here used it?

Comments

[xviragox.livejournal.com]

http://www.livejournal.com/community/nuva_ring/

[00goddess.livejournal.com]

OOOh, thanks!

Ironically, I am on it now

[iceblink.livejournal.com]

I have used it for one month now. I am so very impressed with the lightness and less cramping I am having with my period right now.

I was diagnoses with Adenomyosis which is very similar to Endometriosis. So my doctor put me on the ring to stop my painful periods as well.

I haven't had sex in the last month for various reasons, but I am hoping to very soon to find out how it is. I noticed a surge in my libido initially, but then I became very ill with other things and that killed my libido once again. I am really hoping that the surge happens again.

I did notice that I am sleeping better and more thoroughly with the ring, but that my irritability levels have risen a bit. I discussed this with my shrink and he said, the estrogen helps you sleep better, but progestin raises irritability levels. So it is something to look for.

I hope you have the same experience I have had when your period comes up again. However, don't be shocked if your period doesn't start until 4 or 5 days after you remove the ring instead of 2 or 3. I figure my body has to adjust to it, so I am hoping next month it will start 2 or 3 days after.

Re: Ironically, I am on it now

[00goddess.livejournal.com]

Wow, now i had to go read about Anedonmyosis. I wonder if that coul be what I have; I don't have irregular or prolonged bleeding, but I do have a lot of pain and my menses changed significantly after my laparoscopy.

I'm glad the ring is working for you. I have found myself to be a bit more irritable, but there have been a lot of situations this weekend to make me irritable :)

Re: Ironically, I am on it now

[iceblink.livejournal.com]

I am hoping the irritability will go away.

Adenomyosis stays in the uterus instead of leaking into the organs. My periods had grown increasingly awful the last few years until I found a doctor who would listen to me. Also, I finally got confirmation that I am FSH hormone deficient. My other OB/GYN wouldn't even test me for it because I have never missed a period in 23 years. I don't have irregular periods and after a laparotomy and a laparoscopy, my period grew worse and worse.

I haven't really talked about my recent diagnosis outside of my private journal. I should post something in the Hut.

Re: Ironically, I am on it now

[00goddess.livejournal.com]

After my laparoscopy, I had a lot of bleeding that tapered off into nasty brown discharge. But that wasn't the worst part- for more than a YEAR afterward, my every period would end with lots of icky brown discharge. I was afraid that it was going to be permanent.

Bizarrely, I made up my mind that I couldn't take it anymore, and I was going to start douching with distilled water at the end of each period- and the discharge stopped. Perhaps the threat of douche convinced my uterus to get its act together.

Right after my lap, my periods were actually much better. The first three periods after it were almost painless. That was actually as stressful as having painful ones- I kept waiting for the pain to start, you know?

I wonder if I can get my doc to do an MRI of my uterus.

I think that if the irritability sticks around, I might start taking St. John's Wort again, or maybe 5htp.

I'm sorry that your periods have gotten bad. I wouldn't wish this on anyone. I'm glad that y ou finally have a diagnosis, though- that can make such a difference! And having a doc who listens to you is really important.

NuvaRing

[(Anonymous)]

I used ruva ring last year for about 3 months, it was awful. The NuvaRing irritated my vagina so bad and gave me foul smelling discharge. So much discharge that the ring accually FELL out of me. I called the manufacture of the ring as well as my ObGyn and discontinued use. After one month without the ring the odor and discharge went away. I cant say it would happen to anybody but something in it affected me. I was told it can cause permanent irratation from having the constant hormmones being realested in the same spot. Hope you have better luck with it, its a great idea, and did work for me not forgeting to have a pill to take everyday.

Re: NuvaRing

[00goddess.livejournal.com]

Ack, that sounds awful! I'm glad it wasn't permanent.

I have noticed that I am having more discharge than I did before, but it's not foul or irritating.

Even if my body could tolerate a pill, I really don't think I could remember to take it every day. I'm bad at that.