Should I give the NuvaRing another chance?
November 15, 2010 10:29 AM
After a long time of sexual dormancy, I'm active again. Yeah! So, it's time to figure out birth control, but I'm unsure of what to choose. I would love to go back to the NuvaRing, but I had some dryness issues with it. Is it worth attempting again? Details below.
I was on the pill (I don't know which one) about ten years ago for skin problems, but it made me feel moody and bloated. I tried the NuvaRing about two years ago, and I had very few side effects except for vaginal dryness. And the vaginal dryness was AWFUL. It made sex very painful, even with lube.
On the other hand, that particular guy wasn't so great in bed, and we started having other relationship problems right around the time I starting using birth control. He didn't like foreplay, so there was no prep time for me. Sex in general was really awkward because he seemed to have some hangups about it, so despite all efforts, Sexy Time just wasn't very sexy. Even a year after I stopped using the Ring (we switched to condoms), vaginal dryness continued to be an issue with that guy.
New Guy is so much better in every way, and I'm not having any problems with dryness on my own. There's plenty of foreplay, sex is actually fun, and he gets the juices flowing with very little effort at all. He's just that hot. :D
So, with all of the above factors, is it possible that my problem with the NuvaRing was made worse by really unappealing sex? Have any of you experienced this? Is there a lube that's better than most? I've tried several varieties of KY and a few different silicone-based lubes. I have some lube from Good Vibrations that came with a toy I bought - haven't tried it yet. Is there another form of BC worth trying that doesn't cause so much dryness?
I do have an appointment with my doctor in a couple of weeks, but I'd like some personal experiences in addition to the medical advice she'll be giving me.
I'm in my early thirties, by the way. North America, if that makes a difference in terms of availability of whatever.
I was on the pill (I don't know which one) about ten years ago for skin problems, but it made me feel moody and bloated. I tried the NuvaRing about two years ago, and I had very few side effects except for vaginal dryness. And the vaginal dryness was AWFUL. It made sex very painful, even with lube.
On the other hand, that particular guy wasn't so great in bed, and we started having other relationship problems right around the time I starting using birth control. He didn't like foreplay, so there was no prep time for me. Sex in general was really awkward because he seemed to have some hangups about it, so despite all efforts, Sexy Time just wasn't very sexy. Even a year after I stopped using the Ring (we switched to condoms), vaginal dryness continued to be an issue with that guy.
New Guy is so much better in every way, and I'm not having any problems with dryness on my own. There's plenty of foreplay, sex is actually fun, and he gets the juices flowing with very little effort at all. He's just that hot. :D
So, with all of the above factors, is it possible that my problem with the NuvaRing was made worse by really unappealing sex? Have any of you experienced this? Is there a lube that's better than most? I've tried several varieties of KY and a few different silicone-based lubes. I have some lube from Good Vibrations that came with a toy I bought - haven't tried it yet. Is there another form of BC worth trying that doesn't cause so much dryness?
I do have an appointment with my doctor in a couple of weeks, but I'd like some personal experiences in addition to the medical advice she'll be giving me.
I'm in my early thirties, by the way. North America, if that makes a difference in terms of availability of whatever.
If you weren't on NuvaRing long, definitely give it another try. You really should go through 3 cycles with it till your hormones settle down and you can reliably know how your body responds to it.
posted by selfmedicating at 11:03 AM on November 15, 2010
posted by selfmedicating at 11:03 AM on November 15, 2010
Hormonal BCP, including the NuvaRing, caused all sorts of dryness problems for me (which I thought were normal, because I'd never had sex without being on the pill). We now use condoms only for a variety of reasons and sex feels so much better! However, your body may vary.
posted by PhoBWanKenobi at 11:11 AM on November 15, 2010
posted by PhoBWanKenobi at 11:11 AM on November 15, 2010
I can't believe I am saying this (hi, everybody!) but I recently have switched to the NuvaRing and I am experiencing the opposite of dryness. Everything is slipperier now. So maybe try it again.
posted by pointystick at 11:17 AM on November 15, 2010
posted by pointystick at 11:17 AM on November 15, 2010
I've now heard this from several different women about the nuvaring: excruciating dryness. I say, try something else.
I've heard good things about implanon, if the carefree + low hormones aspects of nuvaring are appealing to you.
posted by semacd at 11:40 AM on November 15, 2010
I've heard good things about implanon, if the carefree + low hormones aspects of nuvaring are appealing to you.
posted by semacd at 11:40 AM on November 15, 2010
You can try many different BC options with the hope of finding one that doesn't cause dryness, OR you can stick with NuvaRing which seemed to otherwise work well for you & buy yourself a lube sampler pack.
Finding the holy grail of BC that does its job with the minimum number of side effects is a pain in the vag. Trust me.
And hey! Your dryness issue may be not even be a problem anymore, or you could try a variety of lubes to see which you like best. Water based, silicone based, and oil based lubes all have pros and cons, so I suggest doing a little research and test drive a few samples with your new man.
posted by gumtree at 11:41 AM on November 15, 2010
Finding the holy grail of BC that does its job with the minimum number of side effects is a pain in the vag. Trust me.
And hey! Your dryness issue may be not even be a problem anymore, or you could try a variety of lubes to see which you like best. Water based, silicone based, and oil based lubes all have pros and cons, so I suggest doing a little research and test drive a few samples with your new man.
posted by gumtree at 11:41 AM on November 15, 2010
Are you married to the idea of using hormonal birth control? The copper IUD is a great alternative: good for 10 years, no weight gain, no skin issues, no moodiness, and no need to mess with it.
http://www.paragard.com/
posted by bikergirl at 11:49 AM on November 15, 2010
http://www.paragard.com/
posted by bikergirl at 11:49 AM on November 15, 2010
IANYD but I see no reason you couldn't try nuvaring again if you want. There are other options available thought that are, as we say, "user independent" like Implanon and the IUDs (paraguard or mirena) listed above. Another option is the depo provera injection. You'd get the injection once every three months - side effects include bleeding (usually resolves in 3 months) and weight gain.
It really is all about finding an option that walks the tightrope between what you can tolerate, how much you have to do to make sure it works well, and choice.
Have fun!
posted by stuboo at 12:12 PM on November 15, 2010
It really is all about finding an option that walks the tightrope between what you can tolerate, how much you have to do to make sure it works well, and choice.
Have fun!
posted by stuboo at 12:12 PM on November 15, 2010
is it possible that my problem with the NuvaRing was made worse by really unappealing sex?
Made any other lifestyle changes since then? By which I mean, is it possible you were not getting enough water, or were drinking more alcohol/caffeine, but are now?
I have known several women who experienced lubrication challenges in line with hydration problems. One avoided alcohol if she was expecting to have sex, another found that just making sure to drink a few "extra" glasses of water beyond what she was inclined to by thirst. For each of them that was enough to make a difference.
posted by phearlez at 12:39 PM on November 15, 2010
Made any other lifestyle changes since then? By which I mean, is it possible you were not getting enough water, or were drinking more alcohol/caffeine, but are now?
I have known several women who experienced lubrication challenges in line with hydration problems. One avoided alcohol if she was expecting to have sex, another found that just making sure to drink a few "extra" glasses of water beyond what she was inclined to by thirst. For each of them that was enough to make a difference.
posted by phearlez at 12:39 PM on November 15, 2010
another vote for Paragard if you are open to non-hormonal alternatives. Getting it implanted does kind of ruin the rest of your day (I wouldn't try to do it on a lunch break) but it's totally worth it. There's no chance of forgetting or heat-of-the-moment mis-application. Wish I'd done it years ago.
posted by thinkingwoman at 5:05 PM on November 15, 2010
posted by thinkingwoman at 5:05 PM on November 15, 2010
I switched to the copper (Paragard) IUD from NuvaRing and it's been awesome - no maintenance or remembering and no hormonal side effects. Plus, my insurance covered it at the same copay as one month of NuvaRing and it's good for 10 years. YMMV, of course, but it's worth looking into.
posted by bookdragoness at 10:24 AM on November 18, 2010
posted by bookdragoness at 10:24 AM on November 18, 2010
I used NuvaRing for about 2.5 years and thought it was okay. It did it's job, as I have no children and I had very little side effects. I didn't dig inadvertent games of adult ring toss that occasionally happened (though they certainly were amusing) and the cost.
I got an Mirena IUD in August and have been ridiculously happy with it because it does what it needs to do without me remembering to put it in/take it out. My only complaint about it (especially since it's new-ish) is the cramps that I experience. I will agree with thinkingwoman, though; don't really plan on doing much else after installation.
posted by godshomemovies at 12:35 PM on November 18, 2010
I got an Mirena IUD in August and have been ridiculously happy with it because it does what it needs to do without me remembering to put it in/take it out. My only complaint about it (especially since it's new-ish) is the cramps that I experience. I will agree with thinkingwoman, though; don't really plan on doing much else after installation.
posted by godshomemovies at 12:35 PM on November 18, 2010
sorry for the minor derail--
@godshomemovies, I found the monthly cramps and heavy periods diminished after a few months, so hang in there. i got mine in june and i've been pretty much back to normal for the last couple cycles. (oh, men, run far, far away from this thread!)
all this to say, though, if you like the nuvaring, what a lovely opportunity you'll have to experiment with different lubes. we use it all the time anyway. KY Silk is good, Astroglide is reliably good. KY jelly can get sticky fast.
posted by thinkingwoman at 8:20 PM on November 18, 2010
@godshomemovies, I found the monthly cramps and heavy periods diminished after a few months, so hang in there. i got mine in june and i've been pretty much back to normal for the last couple cycles. (oh, men, run far, far away from this thread!)
all this to say, though, if you like the nuvaring, what a lovely opportunity you'll have to experiment with different lubes. we use it all the time anyway. KY Silk is good, Astroglide is reliably good. KY jelly can get sticky fast.
posted by thinkingwoman at 8:20 PM on November 18, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by teragram at 10:46 AM on November 15, 2010