(no subject)

[chococat322.livejournal.com]

I use the NuvaRing. I'm REALLY predictable (period-wise) when it comes to taking it out, etc.

I don't want to have my period on my birthday, which would be at the end of my normal period week. I'm wondering if I would be able to take out the ring a few days earlier, and if that would make me have my period a few days earlier? Would the effectiveness of the ring still be as high? Would I be really messed up for the next while?

Also, I've been having terrible problems lately (basically since I started using the ring), with Bladder Infections. I've had 2 since September. Is that normal? Is there something I'm doing wrong? Do you think this could be a side-effect of the ring? I looked on the Nuvaring website, and there was no mention of it, but perhaps someone has had some experiences with numerous bladder infections in a short span of time.

Thanks so much!

Comments

[betterbebalboa.livejournal.com]

I'm on the pill, not the nuvaring, but as far as I know, the principle is the same--if you stop the hormones early, you will NOT be protected. You need to have at least 21 days of hormones, followed by no more than 7 days without hormones. You can lengthen the hormone period (maybe you'd like to "stack" rings and put another one in immediately after taking this one out, skipping a period?), but if you shorten the hormone period, you won't be protected until you'v had seven days of active hormones again.
Are the bladder infections linked to UTI's? If so, and if you're sexually active, I would guess it has more to do with sex. Are you peeing every time after sex?

[chococat322.livejournal.com]

I don't know if they're linked. I always thought they were the same thing. I guess not, eh?

And yes, I make a point to pee EVERY time.

more sympathy than anything...

[http://users.livejournal.com/_last_serenade_/]

i don't have any helpful advice per se, but i also have a terrible predisposition to UTIs, bladder infections and on unfortunate occasions, kidney infections. i've been told that i probably have a particularly sensitive skene's gland (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skene's_gland), which was probably becoming infecting and then draining into the urethra. lovely, right? i asked what could be done. "not much, just make sure you pee after sex, drink alot of water, wipe front to back and get some cranberry in your diet." great, i already do all of those things. i stopped wearing underwear a few years ago, which helps a TINY bit, but basically 2 or 3 times a year, i have to go on a course of antibiotic whether i like it or not. it's a pain in the butt.

i'd ask your doctor...maybe there's some miracle technology mine didn't tell me about.

[garillama.livejournal.com]

I haven't experienced any UTIs/bladder infections on the ring, so I guess it's just you... ;) Just kidding, it could very well be related. It isn't the case for me however.

You WILL NOT be protected if you take the ring out early. The only thing I could think for you to do is, the cycle before, put the new ring in early, and change your insertion/removal day. So, for example, if you do a Sunday start, take your old ring out Sunday and put the new one in Wednesday or Thursday. Then, the three weeks later, you'd remove it on that same day (Wed./Thurs.). Keep in mind though, that doing this could mess with your cycle, cause breakthrough bleeding, etc. Also, if your birthday is this upcoming cycle, it's a bit late for that.

What I would suggest (and keep in mind, I'm no doctor) is to put a new ring in on the same day you remove the old one and try to skip your period. As you can see from this post (http://community.livejournal.com/menstrualhut/2088632.html), that doesn't always work :S But it's worth a try, at least, and everybody's body is different, so it could very well work for you.

Best of luck!

[dindin.livejournal.com]

You can't take your ring out early, but you can leave it in longer. The ring can safely be left in up to 28 days while still maintaining protection. You'd then have a normal period week, and put a new ring in.

To the best of my knowledge Nuvaring isn't associated with bladder infections, but the website has an 800 number - you can call and double check with them.