One Nuvaring for 2 months?

[LonghornSara]

This is a rather silly question and I would probably not take the chances of doing this, but I couldn't help question something as I was reading the packaging of my new Nuvaring. It says:

"Each ring delivers 0.120 mg/day of etohogestrel and 0.015 mg/day of ethinyl estradiol over a 3 week period of use. Each Ring contains 11.7 mg etohogestrel and 2.7 mg ethinyl estradiol"

Now you do the math. If you divide the mg/day released by the total mg in the package, it would take 97 days for all of the drug to be released, assuming constant release time per day.

Hmm... I wonder if using one ring for 60 days would work? I thought about contacting the Nuvaring manufacturers but of course they are going to say use one per month because they want people to spend money. But at $42/month it would be awesome to double up. What do you think?

[SmilingBluEyes]

What if the efficacy of these hormones/drugs may be diminished in the body as the Nuvaring used over the weeks? Personally, I would NOT use it longer than recommended in order for optimal results. The price of replacing birth control monthly is MUCH cheaper than having an unplanned child, don't you think?

[CarVsTree]

Just because there is that much drug is in the ring, doesn't mean it would continue to be absorbed after removing it putting it back in. Plus it could deteriorate after 21 days. Also, there may be an increased risk of infection. I would NOT fool around with it. I don't think they just decided to put "extra" drug in for no good reason. And they're not trying to rip you off. If they could have put less drug in the ring, they would have. Otherwise, they'd be wasting it.

[L&D_RN_OH]

What I have been told is that the ring has enough meds in it to last 4 weeks. So instead of taking it out at 3 weeks, having a cycle, then starting with a new ring, you could leave it in for 4 weeks, then start the next ring immediately after removing the first, essentially, skipping a period.

[Momto2Boys]

What I have been told is that the ring has enough meds in it to last 4 weeks. So instead of taking it out at 3 weeks, having a cycle, then starting with a new ring, you could leave it in for 4 weeks, then start the next ring immediately after removing the first, essentially, skipping a period.

I was told the same when I went in to switch bc although I did not choose the ring.

[Gompers, BSN, RN]

What I have been told is that the ring has enough meds in it to last 4 weeks. So instead of taking it out at 3 weeks, having a cycle, then starting with a new ring, you could leave it in for 4 weeks, then start the next ring immediately after removing the first, essentially, skipping a period.

I know there is a big debate out there about the whole "no period" thing with birth control, you know, that we don't need to have but a few cycles per year? But just wanted to let y'all know - with the NuvaRing, most women's periods decrease quite a bit. Before the Pill, I had 7-8 day heavy periods. On the Pill, 4-5 moderate days. On the NuvaRing, it lasts ONE DAY. Not even heavy enough for anything other than a few panty liners or a single LITE tampon. The first few months I was on it I took pregnancy tests to be sure! My pharmacist told me that this happens with most women on the ring, and it's part of why it's becoming one of the most popular new meds. I have to order my refill a couple of days before I need it, because they often run out of it!!!