AIBU to not understand why nobody seems to know about Nuvaring?

[Ruralninja]

There seems to be so little information/promotion of the Nuvaring as a method of contraception. It's the same hormones as the combined pill, but it is a flexible plastic ring you insert in your fanjo, leave for three weeks, then remove for the week of your period. The advantage is a greatly reduced level of hormones required for contraceptive effect as it is delivered locally. Somewhat ironically, I used to fly to Ireland to get mine when it was approved in the EU for use, but not in the UK. It now is approved in the UK and would surely be a great option for so many women. You can't feel it during sex and all you have to do is set a reminder on your phone - once to take it out, once to put the next one in. I loved it and used it for five years. Hope at least one person looks into it as a result of my post.

I used the Evra patch and it failed,
Afterwards my gp told me it has a lower dose of hormones than other contaceptives and isn't usually prescribed to particularly young or fertile women.

Awesome, that'd be good to know beforehand.

As an aside I'd love a sexual gelato.

Sorry nothing to add apart from..

Sexual Gelato has to be the best correction ever

I was offered Nuvaring years ago here in Ireland, but didn't take it up as I was wary of even low levels of hormones (I have had hilariously awful reactions to various forms of combined and mini pill - mini pill also made me massively prone to thrush, so particularly wasn't keen on sticking something hormone-releasing actually into my fanjo). I've heard of other people who've really liked it.

Currently have an appointment to get a copper T, which my GP was very enthuasiastic about for me, says the latest models are very good.

Can you get sexual gelato on the NHS?

I tried the Nuvaring for about six months a couple of years ago but it was much bigger than I thought it would be, it made me think of those jelly bangles I wore in the late 90's

I found it really alien and weird to keep something stuffed up there all the time, and DP was put off because he could feel it and was aware of it during sex. It wasn't for me.

I was offered it quite strongly last time I got my pill prescription (admittedly not in UK). Was actually put off by how much the GP was pushing it. It really wouldn't be for me.

Although, I'm another one who had a failure with the Evra patch (doc said that the relatively small weight gain I'd had might have contributed to it), I put on loads of weight and was very moody on depoprovera, and I'm getting weary of taking the pill all the time, so I'm a bit difficult when it comes to contraception really

sexual gelato is now on!

Am so glad DH had a vasectomy.

I have it and I love it. I leave mine in for 4 weeks then immediately switch to a new one. No periods. It's awesome. I'm not using it as a contraceptive, though. I had short, unpredictable (21-27 days) cycles and I was sick of being laid up with cramps three times a month.

Do you work for the company that manufactures them?

This is cheeky, but can I hijack a bit?

When I went to the sexual gelato health clinic, they booked me in for a Mirena fitting, but I'm getting cold feet. I had a Jaydess put in a few months ago, but it hurt like hell going in, I bled for three days and then it fell out. I'm scared the Mirena is going to hurt even more and mess up my periods (I currently just use lite tampons for a couple of days then panty liners only for the rest of my period). Is it worth the pain?

Me or the OP, @Irene? I'm a student with very little interest in the pharmaceutical industry.

I used Nuvaring for a couple of years. Loved it.

I've never had a taker for the Nuvaring and only have 1 woman using a patch out of all the patients I see (I'm a practice nurse with a CASH qualification so do most of the contraception consults.)

We tend to offer LARC as that's what most women want. But like Pacific, I offer all the options with the pros and cons and let the woman choose the method that suits her lifestyle and needs best, given any health issues such as migraine, bleeding, medical and family history etc.

Yes @Irene I work for the company! I'm an evil, pharmaceutical double agent, trying to lure unsuspecting women into poorly thought out and sinister health choices! (some of that may not be true)

Well, inspired by this thread (your evil plot is working, Rural) I offered NuvaRing to somebody today and she seriously thought I was joking!
She felt that the idea was a silly proposition.
Ah well….

Wrt cost, yes, it is more expensive, but I would not refuse it to anybody because IME there will only ever be a few users who will opt for it. If however every pill-user in the land overnight decided to change to NuvaRing, then NHS would instantly implode

I'm on the ten year copper coil and it's amazing. No hormones, periods the same, and nowt to worry about for a decade!

I had no idea they had NuvaRing here. Fantastic. I am horrible at taking pills and although I loved the Mirena but it gave me labor like cramps and I put on tons of weight. My friend back in the states told me she loves her NuvaRing but I thought they didn't use them here. I shall be making a call first thing tomorrow I think!

if one person switches AND is happy then I'm glad I started this thread (evil cackle)

Out of interest, is the general reluctance to do with the auto-fanjo-rummage involved?

Yes.
Tampons, acceptable.
Contraceptive gel-bangle, not so much

You'll be suggesting moon cups next!

My daughter uses the Nuvaring. Got rid of heavy painful periods and terrible hormonal headaches around the time of each period

I wanted it back in 2007/2008 and was told it was only available on private prescription.

Copper coil all the way! No hormones, slightly heavier periods but 6 months on I have a period for 2 days and that's it.

Oops I had the nuvaring for a few months but my periods went bonkers!
Also I don't use tampons so don't really like the idea of inserting and extracting a foreign object in the fanjo area!