Birth control opt. Nova ring?

[Nursinrox]

I had to go off the pill in Aug. Have been on BC pills since age 18 with the exception of two pregnancies. my children are 7 and 4. And at this point I dont think I want anymore, however I cant bring myself to get my tubes tied yet. Anyways, I was having a lot of hormonal SE Dizziness, nausea, migranes hot flashes--almost like panic attacks, thought thats what they were a first. Dr's did several test. blood work MRI brain Neuro consult etc. Nothing. So went off the pill, and what do you know, but all the episodes went away. So I am looking for another option. I have been on different kinds of BC pill over the years none have ever done this. I was on this BC for over a 1 1/2 ( Ortho tricyclen) . Before that I did Lunelle inject. I had to stop taking that as well as it was causing simular type symptons. I have heard about the patch not sure that would work for me as I am pretty active, plus the fact I live in FLA. and it is very humid so you get hot and sticky, and are in the H20 alot in summer months. Want to know if anyone has had any luck with the nova ring?

For now its abstinence, spermicide, and occas. Condoms, but I have to be very careful as usually one use get me irritated, as I have developed a latex sensativity since working in health care field so long. Thanks for any input.

[SmilingBluEyes]

this is another hormonal form of BC and with YOUR history I am doubtful it's a good choice for you. Yes, the levels are MUCH lower, but you sound quite sensitive. I would consider NON-hormonal methods. Ask your OB about the "ring" anyhow. Perhaps it will work out. Good luck to you!!!!

[SmilingBluEyes]

here is the company's website.....yes, self-promoting but also informative. hope it helps you decide whether to pursue this.

http://www.nuvaring.com/Consumer/index.asp?SetSession=Yes&strGUID={3C4C72BE-77BF-4C98-A685-5DFC7653E43B}&SID=717607309

[SJSU_Mami]

You are on some high dosage BCP's... try Ortho Cyclen Low or Loestra which has the lowest dosage..

[SchlNrsKrn]

What about the Copper-T IUD? Non-hormonal, long lasting, reversable and nothing to remember. I've had one for 2 1/2 years and aside from heavier periods, I have no complaints.

[Nightcrawler, BSN, RN]

My sister tried the "ring" for two months, and hated it! Because the ring isn't sized and fitted to the woman, my sister and her husband had a great deal of trouble keeping it in place. She said that she was always shoving it back in. I also think that it is latex based, so this may not be the option for you. Finding safe and effective birth control is a challenge for those that are sensitive to hormone based products, and I feel for your plight. I do think that the other posters are right in that if you are sensitive to hormone based therapy in one form, you will probably have similar problems with any other hormone product

[sjoe]

"My sister tried the "ring" for two months, and hated it! Because the ring isn't sized and fitted to the woman, my sister and her husband had a great deal of trouble keeping it in place. "

What were the designers thinking? Nobody's ring finger is that large, so of course it keeps falling off.

[Audreyfay]

My daughter (25 yrs) has had the ring for a few months now. She went off Depo Medrol because she was gaining too much weight (Gained 50 pounds in 4 years!) Gosh, she is starting to look nice now! The only complaint she has about the ring is that she has a little more lady partsl discharge than before.

[CC NRSE]

nursinrox, i use the patch. i also live in fl. no problems with it coming off. during the summer (and alot of the winter!! ) i live at the beach. never had one problem with it. but, as others have mentioned, it is still hormones. i too had the nausea, h/a, night sweats and mood swings with the pill. (even the low dose ones). i still have mild s/e with the patch but nothing compared to the pill. i tired the shot (depo) and as someone else mentioned, i gained alot of weight. good luck in finding something that works!!