The NuvaRing
Why So Many Sexually-Active Women Like the NuvaRing
The NuvaRing has one of the highest rates of user satisfaction of any method of birth control. The NuvaRing is a 2" diameter plastic ring with hormones in it. You put it in your vagina on day 1 of your menstrual cycle and take it out on day 21. It eliminates the need to take a pill every day or to wear a patch. If you are looking for a hormonal method of birth control, you will be hard-pressed to find one that is more user-friendly.
Because the hormones absorb directly into the blood stream, the dosage of hormones you receive from the NuvaRing is lower than what is in most birth-control pills. However, it still seems to have the same side effect profile as birth control pills.
The NuvaRing is one of the few hormonal methods of birth control associated with greater vaginal lubrication rather than less. Also, some women report leaving the NuvaRing in all four weeks for period suppression, but please speak to your healthcare provider before trying this.
The NuvaRing sits in the same place as a diaphragm, only you don't have to worry if it's exactly in place because it wasn't designed to be a barrier. If it moves around, that's fine. One size fits all. You might be wondering how the NuvaRing stays put in the back of your vagina. The muscles in your vagina will hold it in place, and most women can't feel it. If for some reason your partner can feel it, you can take it out for up to three hours at a time. If he can't finish doing his business in three hours, send him to the bathroom with a jar of hand cream and a dirty magazine and pop your NuvaRing back in.
Readers who use the NuvaRing have reported fewer side effects and a more positive experience than readers who take the pill:
"I use the NuvaRing. I think my sex drive has increased, but I am not sure if it is because of the birth control or if it is environment and situations." female age 20
"I used to be on the Depo shot. And that would cause a great decline in my sex drive. I'm on the NuvaRing now and it seems a lot better. It's not as good when I'm not on anything but it's better." female age 24
"I use the NuvaRing, and I love it. I haven't noticed a change in sex drive, but I have noticed that I seem to be constantly wet. I suspect that it's a side effect of the Ring, but I'm not completely sure." female age 19
"I use the NuvaRing. I absolutely love it! I no longer forget to take pills, it is more reliable, and my partner doesn't feel it. I'm pretty paranoid, so I still use condoms, but if we're in the shower or something, I feel pretty safe having condom-less sex. It's a pretty new sensation for me!" female age 21
"I'm not currently on hormonal birth control, but when I was I used the Nuva-Ring. I found it to be very comfortable and easy to use. The only downside was a slight nausea the first day or two of a new ring." female age 23
"I use condoms now, sometimes the Today Sponge. In my last long-term relationship I used the NuvaRing. I had no change in desire while I was on. The only side effect I noticed were the awesome ones: less acne and shorter, lighter periods. The NuvaRing is the BEST BIRTH CONTROL EVER. As soon as I am in a stable relationship again I am getting it so fast." female age 24
"I used the NuvaRing for three months and then discontinued. Now I use condoms. I'd rather play the game without altering my body chemistry." female age 25
