Advice/input on Nuva Ring And/or Mirena

I used to use the Nuva Ring. I loved it! It was actually my favorite form of birth control I have ever used. My period was a LOT lighter on Nuva Ring. I wanted something a little more permanent than every month, so I considered Mirena, but decided to go with Implanon instead.
Also - I never gained an ounce on the Ring either! I also take anti depressants and I got the least amount of side effects from Nuva too.

I've tried Nuva Ring--at first I liked it. Easy to put in and remove,I couldn't feel it plus when you take it out,you'll get your period(so you can plan your period). What I didn't like was after about two months it killed my libido. So that's my take on it. Talk tto your doctor and see what she recomends.

The last time I was on BC I was on Nuva Ring. I loved it! I am not good at remembering to take pills, so this was a great option for me. It was easy to put in and take out, and you can't feel it. My husband could barely tell it was there during sex either. I've heard they can fall out, and once I thought mine did, but it had just moved and I couldn't feel it right away when I checked. I didn't have any side effects like some people report (no weight gain, no headaches, etc.) You could try it out, sometimes my doc had samples she gave me at the office.

I have been using NuvaRing for a couple years now. It is ok. No issues w/ falling out or inserting it. I just remove it for intercourse (you can - it's effective for 4 hrs after removing it). I do think it has negatively impacted by sex drive... and I do have more moodiness (but that could just be many other factors as I've been on BC forever - outside of the two babies). I think it's worth a try as I like the convenience and the fact YOU can take it out anytime... it seems safe and sanitary and it works!!!

The Nuva ring is really good. If it is uncomfortable during sex it can be taken out for a bit then put back in. Usually it can't be felt at all and is easy to forget about.

I've been on the Nuva for over a year now and am pretty happy with it. No major side effects, though the first three months I was very moody but that went away. Very convenient, hasn't ever fallen out except during intercourse. Periods are becoming lighter and shorter, which is nice! If dh weren't getting a V I would stick with the Nuva.

I went from Nuva Ring to Mirena and now I have the ring again. The only problem I initially had with the ring was that I had a hard time keeping track of what week it was and would forget to put it in or remove it. However, now I have reminders programmed into my phone so I don't forget it anymore. I don't really feel it at all and haven't experienced any side affects.

Now the Mirena is a totally different story. When I had it put in, I had a constant period for six months (on for 7-10 days, off for no more than a week), but after that my periods were very light if they came at all. With the Mirena though came constant irritability and mood swings and a complete nosedive in my sex drive. Sometimes I felt on the verge of falling into depression. My gyne said that that could have come about with age and might not be related to the Mirena and the only way to find out was to have it removed. I stuck it out and kept it in for four years. However, once I had it removed, my mood swings disappeared and my sex drive came back in full force. It was a huge difference and changed back immediately. If I'd had known that, I would have had it removed sooner. After going online and doing a little research, I found that it is quite common. For some people, it's great and for others it's a horrible experience.

Unfortunately there's no way to tell how either will work for you until you try them. I would start the easy way with Nuva. There's no risk really and you can change it at anytime with little inconvenience. If it works, keep it, if not, check into the Mirena.

Good luck!

I'm on my second round with the mirena and I really like it!! My periods were wacky for the first few months and I would bleed randomly. For the next few months I had a pretty regular period as far as schedule but it was so super light and only lasted for two, maybe three, days. Now I don't even have a period every month and it's awesome! If I do sometimes I spot for a day and then it's over! I really like it, I'm sure you'll hear horror stories from people but after having it twice already, I'd do it again!

I know you probably don't want to hear my opinion but I got pregnant while on NuvaRing. I was using it correctly and I know that no birth control if 100%.

For the most part it wasn't uncomfortable but I did find that by the end of the 3 week period that it would slip out of place. It is a lower amount of hormones so I tended to experience little mood swings. Of course the lower amount of hormones does make it easier to get pregnant if you are off even a little bit on the timing (I wasn't but I was told that after I got pregnant) I tried the Nuva Ring because Mirena was not covered under my insurance at the time but I really wanted the Mirena.

Hi J.,

I had the Mirena placed a little over 2 years ago and one thing that I can say is that I LOVE it. I had my kids pretty close together (I got pregnant with the 1st on the pill and the 2nd was a total surprise) so when I went to my OB/GYN I told him I wanted the best form of birth control w/o abstaining (of course) or tieing my tubes and Mirena seemed to be the best choice. I have not had a period since then (only mild spotting once in a while) and really no symptoms. It was a little painful when they placed it because they had a difficult time dilating me (I was breastfeeding at the time they were placing it) so I know it was an exception but 5-10minutes of discomfort was well worth it. My girlfriend has the Nuva ring and also loves it the only differance between her and I is that she gets a period and I don't. I hope this helps and good luck with your decision.
-L.

I used to use Nuva Ring and it made me sore and I felt like I had PMS all the time...

I had those periods too and the best thing that helped me was changing my diet. I went gluten-free and felt SOOOO much better- mood, cramping, lighter and shorter periods, and lost some weight too.

I was on years of hormone birth control and I think it really just messed me up worse. I found out recently that I have hypothyroidism, so I don't know if the hormones all those years contributed to the problem or I had the problem to begin with and didn't know and was using birth control as a "band-aid" for the problem of having the bad periods.

Anyway, thought I would toss that out there, since I think sometimes we forget that there are other ways (and unfortunately doctors don't mention it!!)

Here is my food blog if you are interested. I found that corn, white sugar, and particularly gluten all make my periods worse when I eat them.

www.chickiepea.wordpress.com

I tried Nuva Ring for 3 months and did not like it. I had it fall out twice when removing a tampon. It also was uncomfortable during intercourse. I was worried about it and checking it all the time. My doctor suggested I try it for a few months, wasn't for me.

I had the paragard for 5 years and didn't have any problems with it, but I did get an extended illness that was unrelated, so they removed it. I was diagnosed with polycystic ovarian syndrome, which I had heard you may use an I.U.D. to help ease menstrual pain and decrease ovarian cysts. The paragard doesn't contain any hormones. I did have some off and on spotting for the first few months and some at the end. I then got the Mirena. I have had it now for about 4 years. It has the hormone, progesterone. I pretty much immediately stopped having periods and haven't had one at all in since I had it inserted! I love that part! Once a month you vaginally check the 2 small strings (like nylon fishing string) to ensure it has not moved, etc. Once a year check-ups are necessary for your annual pap-smear and check for placement. I have heard it is a safe form of birth control and you may get pregnant immediately after removal, if you wish. The cost of the mirena was $600 total. $600 for 5 years of birth control=priceless, lol!

I have the Mirena IUD and love it as well, only side effect that I have is PMS sometimes, where I really didnt have it before. Also, my hubby said he could feel the string during sex for about the first year, my doctor said it needed time to soften up. I had periods in the beginning-2-3 days but now I cant even keep track because I really dont have them anymore. I will get it again in 2 years when it needs to be replaced.