My Experience with the NuvaRing - the Pros and Cons

When, how and what birth control a woman uses is one of the most important decision she will ever make. I feel that before a woman makes this decision; she should be well informed about her choices. I plan to continue my series on different birth control methods. In a previous article I discussed the birth control method Depo Provera. I would like to continue the series by discussing the pros and cons of the Nuva Ring.

The Nuva Ring is an alternative form of birth control for women. Instead of taking a pill everyday she inserts a 2 inch ring into her vagina once a month. The ring slowly releases the hormones estrogen and progestin. These are the same hormones contained in the Pill. The hormones slowly make their way into the bloodstream.

There are three main differences between the Pill and the Nuva Ring. First is how the hormones enter your bloodstream. With the Pill the hormones enter the bloodstream via the stomach, while the Ring releases the hormones into your bloodstream via the vagina. Another important difference between the Pill and the Ring is the dosage. Since the ring is constantly in your system, it is able to release the hormones slowly and at a more constant rate. The next difference is how often you need to think about your birth control. When you use the Pill you have to remember to use it every day, but with the Ring you only need to remember to change it once a month

The last two features were the main selling points for me. As I mentioned in my previous article, I would never remember to take my pill every day. It is really convenient for me to just circle a day on the calendar and remember to take the ring out. I loved this about the ring. I didn't have to worry about taking my pills with me whenever I went home for Spring Break (I was a college student at the time and didn't need my parents finding my birth control) or went on vacation. I feel that the ring protected my privacy. The next advantage to the ring is the stead flow hormones. When I was taking the pill, I had problems with nausea. The nausea was serious enough to disrupt my life and according to the doctors and nurses at the student health center associated my college the only treatment was to drink tea or go on a different pill. I wasn't pleased with either of these two options.

Of course with every good thing there must be some disadvantage. The first one is cost. The ring is more expensive then the pill and it is not subsidized by local non profits or clinics. If you want the ring and don't have insurance, you are most likely going to have to pay the entire cost. Next disadvantage to the ring is that it might not be available everywhere. I found that not all pharmacies have it on hand. This is especially difficult for college students and people on low incomes. You won't be able to find it at your discount pharmacy. Of course this is only a problem if you don't have health insurance. Still it isn't very expensive. It cost forty dollars at Sam's club.

Other women are concerned about inserting and removing the ring. I can assure you that it is no more difficult than using a tampon. It is flexible so it goes in very easily and it only needs to go in a few centimeters. Also removal is very easy. The walls of your vagina hold the ring so you do not have to worry about it traveling up the vagina. This means that it is right where you put it (forgive me for being crude). It takes a matter of seconds to remove the ring. Also the ring does not restrict your sex life. You can perform all sorts of sexual activities without worry. The only time it was a problem was the first time my boyfriend and I had sex. It did bother him a little that he could feel it, but after that he never noticed it again.

It is my conclusion that the ring is the perfect form of birth control for me and I think it will be a perfect for many women. It is private, convenient, and has less effects then most form of birth control. I would recommend any women considering birth control to ask their doctor about the ring. I promise you won't be sorry!