has anyone tried the vaginal ring? as birth control?

[bumbleandbumble]

My friend in America recommended this to me. She loved it and said it was easy...but it doesnt seem to be promoted here in the UK?
In fact it was not even mentioned at my GP who only seemed to suggest the pill or a coil.

Can anyone give me their opinion, experience?

I love it. means you only have to remember it twice a month when you take it in and out.

it seemed to give me less side effects than pill, might just be me though.
you don't really notice you have it in and don't have to take it out for sex.

the reason doctors in the uk don't suggest it is probably that it is more expensive than the pill so would cost the nhs more.

yes that was what I was wondering...are the hormones in a lesser amount?

did you have normal bleeding?

It's called Nuvaring here.
I have no personal experience, but apparently it's popular on the continent.

It does NOT have to be placed exactly around the cervix like I thought , it just gets inserted like a tampon and stays there for 3 weeks, then out for 1 week to allow for a withdrawal bleed.
I have handled a placebo one, it's a v soft silicone like material.

It IS more expensive, but it is certainly an option for woman who want a. hormonal contraception b. a monthly predictable bleed c. don't want to remember to take something every day.

And yes, I think the overall amount of hormone is less as it only works 'down there' .

Yes, bleeding was normal. and i think pacific is right that the hormon level is a bit lower.