The Ring

COMFORTABLE WITH YOUR BODY
If you’re not okay with putting your fingers inside yourself, the ring probably isn’t for you. It’s similar to putting in a tampon. If you can do that, this may be an option for you.

RELATIVELY LITTLE EFFORT EACH MONTH
If you’re the kind of person who would have trouble remembering to take a pill every day, the ring might be a good option. You only need to remember to do something twice a month.

STORAGE AND PRIVACY
If you’re storing the ring for more than 4 months, it needs to be stored in the refrigerator. So if you don’t want your boyfriend (or anyone else) to know you’re using it, this could be a problem. The rings you’re waiting to use in the future should be kept in the fridge. Also, some guys say they can feel the ring when you’re having sex.

A LOWER DOSE OF HORMONES
The ring uses a lower dose of hormones than other methods, so there’s less chance of negative side effects.

SMOKERS OVER 35, BEWARE
For those over 35 years old, smoking while using the ring increases the risk of certain side effects. If you’re younger, why not quit smoking now and save yourself the trouble in the future?

THE PREGNANCY QUESTION
You’ll return to fertility (that’s just another way of saying you’ll go back to being able to get pregnant) quickly after going off the ring. So don’t take any chances. If you’re not ready for a baby, protect yourself.

THE RING IS REALLY PRETTY EASY TO USE.

• All you need to remember is the schedule for inserting and removing it.

HOW TO PUT IT IN

• First , wash your hands. To put in the ring, just squish it between your thumb and index finger, and insert it into your vagina like a tampon. It’ll sit tucked up against the side of your vaginal wall. When properly inserted, you should not be able to feel the ring. The exact position doesn’t really matter, as long as you’re comfortable. You don’t even need to take it out when you’re having sex. (But if you want to take it out during sex, that’s cool, too. Just make sure to put it back in within three hours, and do this only once out of every 24 hours.)

HOW TO TAKE IT OUT

• Once you insert the ring, leave it in for three weeks. Take it out for the fourth week, then insert a new ring and start the cycle again. (To take the ring out, wash your hands and insert a finger into the vagina. Hook your finger on the lower edge and pull. Simple as that.)


• When the ring is out, you’ll probably get your period. If you’re still bleeding when it’s time to put the ring back in, don’t worry. That’s totally normal. Go ahead and put the new ring in anyway

Talk to your health care provider to learn more and remember, any birth control decision such as the implant should be a fully informed decision free of coercion.

THERE ARE POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE THINGS TO SAY
about each and every method. And everyone’s different—so what you experience may not be the same as what your friend experiences.

THE POSITIVE
Positive “side effects”? You bet. There are actually lots of things about birth control that are good for your body as well as your sex life.

• Easy to use—it’s just like putting in a tampon


• Doesn’t interrupt the heat of the moment


• Might give you shorter, lighter periods


• May clear up acne


• Can reduce menstrual cramps and PMS


• May offer protection against some health problems, like endometrial and ovarian cancer, iron deficiency anemia, ovarian cysts, and pelvic inflammatory disease

THE NEGATIVE
Everyone worries about negative side effects, but for most people, they’re not a problem. Remember, you’re introducing hormones into your body, so it can take a few months to adjust. Give it time but if are still feeling uncomfortable or are concerned speak with your healthcare provider.
Things that will probably go away after two or three months:

• Bleeding in between periods


• Breast tenderness


• Nausea and vomiting

Things that may last longer:

• Increased vaginal discharge, irritation, or infection


• A change in your sex drive

If you still feel uncomfortable after three months, switch methods and stay protected. You’re worth it.
*For a very small number of women there are risks of serious side effects.

WE’RE HERE TO GET THIS METHOD WORKING BETTER FOR YOU.
And if it still doesn’t feel right, we’ve got ideas for other methods. Just remember: If you change methods, make sure you’re protected during your switch.

I’M TIRED OF INSERTING IT.
A once-a-month method like the ring requires less effort than many other options out there, but there are certainly other effective methods that require even less work.

Still not working?
If inserting something once a month is too much for you, perhaps you want to think about something you can forget about for months or years, like the shot, the implant, or IUD.


I’M GETTING VAGINAL DISCHARGE.
The extra discharge you are experiencing from using the ring is probably normal. After a couple of cycles, this discharge may go back to normal. Also, the ring may protect you from a bacterial infection that can occur in the vagina called bacterial vaginosis (BV).
If you’re concerned that the vaginal discharge that you’re experiencing may be caused by an infection, visit your health care provider.

Still not working?
If it sticks around and really bothers you, think about something you don’t insert into your vagina. You could try the pill or patch (if you like regular periods), or the shot (if you don’t mind irregular or nonexistent periods).

IT’S ALWAYS SLIPPING OUT.
There’s a chance you’re not inserting the ring correctly.
Try this: Place the ring in an empty tampon inserter to push it in all the way.

Still not working?
If you tried the tampon trick and it’s still an issue, look into a form of birth control you won’t need to insert yourself. Think about the shot, implant, or an IUD

IT’S TOO EXPENSIVE.
Since we don’t exactly know what you’re paying now, we’ll cover a few scenarios to see if we can help you out:
If you have private insurance, it’s probably covered for no more than your co-pay. If you are not covered by insurance or unsure consider visiting a local Title X funded clinic or enrolling in Texas Healthy Women.
If that’s not an option for you, check with the family planning health centers around you and find out if they offer free or low-cost birth control. Most do.
Another solution might be to ask your partner to help pay for the expense.
You could also check the NuvaRing website for discounts and coupons.

Still not working?
If you find it’s still just too expensive, you have other options. Some varieties of the pill (generics, in particular) may be cheaper than the ring (no generic ring yet!), but don’t forget that you need to take the pill every single day.

MY PARTNER SAYS HE FEELS THE RING WHEN WE HAVE SEX
You can always pull the ring out when you’re getting busy. Just be sure to rinse it with cool water and reinsert it within 3 hours. And only do that once within a 24-hour time period.

Still not working?
If you want a method that you don’t have to remember daily, you won’t have to remove in the moment, and that your partner won’t feel during sex, you might want to go with the implant, shot, or patch.