I've been looking into different methods of birth control and I'm really liking what I hear about the Nuva Ring. Can you feel it when you put it in?

i know someone who recently got pregnant while using this!!

brittanyk: You can only feel it if you put it in wrong. The directions are a bit oversimplified for me, and I discovered I had it in vertically and I kept feeling it try to come out. Took some learning to manipulate it and now it stays in just fine and I never feel it!

Just a warning ladies, grapefruit interacts with this drug. I drank some Squirt soda (I didn't know it had real grapefruit juice) and I had an awful period and bloating, acne, all the PMS that my ring is supposed to control!

Can't believe I missed 1, since I use Nuvaring! But I really can't tell whether something is 2" or 3". Other than being a libido-killer, it's a pretty fantastic alternative to other forms of BC, especially if you want to skip periods w/o paying for Lybrel or Seasonale.

Emily, did that person take hers out a lot? I've heard a lot of women say they take it out for sex, and while you can technically have it out for 3 hours, I don't think you're supposed to do that all the time.

I have been using this for about two years now... my friend used to rave about it! Not that I had any problems with the pill (although I know my friend used to...) But I'm very happy with it. And it is so easy. I just set a reminder on my computer calendar so I remember to take it out at the end of three weeks... I never feel it, and always forget it's there!

jill, it was more of a friend of a friend so i dont know the exact details but i do know she had just recently started using it so its possible she wasnt using it correctly.... or maybe she was just that "lucky" 1% that gets pregnant

this is bad news. i absolutely do not recommend the nuvaring for birth control.

First, you can't feel it but the guy definitely can.

Here are my hellish experiences with it:

My bf and I were having sex, I had the ring in, and he pulled out to change positions and my nuvaring was around his penis! It was hilarious but scary at the same time!

A few weeks later, we had sex on Friday at my house, then Saturday at his. So on Sunday, I'm cleaning my room and i find my nuvaring on the floor! Which means it fell out during sex on Friday --- so I had a complete weekend of unprotected sex! I flipped out like you wouldn't believe and switched back to the pill the next day!

I have never used this but my sister has and she had the same problem as TidalWave with it coming out during sex.

I just put it in yesterday for the first time and after reading TidalWave's experience I thought it could be too good to be true. I seriously hope the next time I have sex it doesnt come out. Ugh.

I want to add a few things. First of all, I really did love the nuvaring until I had those bad experiences.

Secondly, I didn't have any problems with one guy. He was a bit smaller and even though he could feel it, it never came out during sex ever. But sometimes it bothered him, so I would take it out -- which defeats the purpose because then you have to remember to put it back in!

It wasn't until I started dating another guy, who was larger (not enormous but a bit girthy) that the ring kept falling out. Maybe he was more vigorous? Or just went deeper? For whatever reason, the ring did not work with him at all!

So it does depend on the guy and the sex you have and all those factors. I loved the ease of it, never having to remember to take a pill (i am bad at that). Just, one of the downsides to not feeling it is, you don't realize if it did fall out or not.

Mine was $22 for one via planned parenthood, a little bit more expensive than my $15 pills.

Nice product placement Sugar...

I LOVE the Nuvaring! It is the best thing since sliced bread! haha, just kidding! But it works the best for me and is so convenient. I have been on many methods of birth control because I get severe cramps, and this has been the best so far. As far as guys feeling it, they only feel it if you tell them ahead of time! They are all paranoid about it if they find out. I didn't tell my fiance until much later, and he didn't start to feel anything until he knew. Men are babies!

I used the Ring for two years until I had to go off of it because I had to switch to a new migraine medicine. I had absolutely no problems, and of all the BC I've been on, it was the best I've ever used. I really, really wish I could still use it. The idea of never missing a pill, and only having to replace it once a month- I had it timed with my rent check at the first of the month so messing up was never an issue.

You can take it out before sex it you'd like, but you don't have to. The guy I was seeing at the time was, uh, well-endowed and could never really feel it. It never came out when I forgot to take it out before naughtiness ensued, though I usually did just in case.

I think the big thing is making sure you put it in properly and all the way in there.

But really, it was the simplest BC I ever used. Far better than pills and the Patch (ugh- terrible!)

i've been using it for almost 3 years now. i love it! i have no problems with it. i don't even wanna think about trying the pill. go nuvaring! ^o^

Love the nuvaring, I've been using it for about 2 years and its amazing. Sometimes it comes out but it goes right back in and not having to remember to take a BC pill everyday is he best part.

I love the nuvaring. It's the only form of birth control I was ever on. I've never had bad experiences with it, no weight gain, no behavioral changes due to the constant stream of hormones, no pregnancy, etc. I've been very precise with its usage.

Plus, I love having sex with my husband whenever, where ever without having to second guess ourselves. I'm protected always and the spontaneous sex is fun. Love it!

The NuvaRing screwed my hormones BIG TIME. I'd used it for almost a year, and I was having hot flashes and jittery heartbeat (I'm 24). I had no idea what was wrong, so I went to the GYn to have my blood checked just in case. It stopped my estrogen production entirely. I was basically starting menopause. My GYN told me to go off of it immediately. The symptoms completely stopped and all my hormone levels were back to normal 1 month after stopping it. Needless to say, it's back to the pill for me.

Oh my gosh, brittanyk, the ring is the best! You can feel it for about the first 4-6 hours, and then you kind of forget it's there. And don't worry... I know more than a few guys who love the ring, too! One of my friends shocked me when he said he loves to play "bottle toss" with the ring (think the game at the fair, you'll get it) and that he can relax more with his long term gf bc they don't use condoms but "I don't have to worry if she's lying about being on the pill bc I can feel the ring."

It's an acne cure. I swear. No other BC has ever kept my skin crystal clear. Esp. none of the pills advertised as such.

Friend had severe, scarring, cystic acne for most of life: you name it she tried it, nothing worked. Tried Nuva for three months and is clear.

I had to try it after that! Three months later, clear.

Holy Grail, people.

Nuva is convenient because you can take it out for sex and just pop it back in after! You can't feel it unless you put it in wrong. No funky moods, no weight gain, nothing. Trying to remember to take a pill everyday at the same time is ridiculous. Nuva is nice because it's a steady dose of hormones, there is no spike like you would get each time with a pill.

You don't have to take it out for sex but if it bothers you, then go for it.

I understand that some guys feel the nuvaring during intercourse but I seriously advise against taking it out. We all know how easy it is to fall asleep after a heavy session and if you forget to put it back in you're in quite some trouble. Better to not take it out to begin with.

That said, horror stories like "a friend of a friend got pregnant using it" are really mis-information and I wish people wouldn't write this kind of stuff. There are lots of factors involved in birth control and I'd bet that the girl is responsible for the mishap herself by using it wrongly.

As for those who had it slip out - how about doing kegel exercises? Put the ring in and use ben-wa balls at the same time. Not only will it improve your health and sex life, it'll also prevent the ring from slipping out when you're not watching it.

I love the Nuvaring. I would get really bad headaches when I was on the pill due to the hormone levels going up and down. Mine never came out during sex and my husband couldn't feel it.

I would feel it when I put it in, but then I could feel it turning into the correct position and never felt it again. I also had to set a reminder on my calendar or I would forget to take it out.

My periods were also really light when I was using the ring, more light then the pill even.

It was great when traveling, I wasn't paranoid about forgetting to pack my pills. And if we had to stay somewhere unexpectedly I had it with me and didn't worry about my pills at home.

LOL foudini! "Nuva is convenient because you can take it out for sex and just pop it back in after! Trying to remember to take a pill everyday at the same time is ridiculous."

Rarely is my mind oriented enough after sex to remember to put my ring back in!!

Thank you, Murmur! It's so true! The package insert says that the ring can be out for up to 3 hours; it definitely DOES NOT say "Take it out whenever you feel like it"! I think people are misinterpreting that, and that's probably where most of the horror stories about getting pregnant while on it come from.

PS: I forgot to add my own Nuvaring "horror story." A couple of weeks ago, mine fell out in the shower (no idea why, it didn't feel like it was coming out), and it slid down the drain before I realized what was happening! I couldn't believe it! And it had only been in a week, so I had to shell out $41 for a new one. Not cool!

When my friend was thinking about birth control I told her about NuvaRing because she's horrible about remembering a pill every day. It's definitely more convenient that way but I couldn't imagine a guy liking it if he could feel it.

Got 6/6... I better I was using NuvaRing until last month.

Like many of the posters above. I loved in, and then hated it... My bf can and most definitely feel it (and didn't not enjoy it)... and SO CAN I. He shoves that thing against my vaginal walls or cervix; I am not quite sure, but it’s not my idea of fun.

I took mine out and have been using regular old condoms until my gyno appointment in 2 week to try Mirena.

I've used it for 5 years - it's genius. Never had problems that compared to the other methods I've used.

If it falls out, its not inserted quite right. It usually takes mine a day to find its "happy spot".

My husband sort of feels it but in no way does it bother him.

I stretch it to a new one every 5 weeks to save money (read the inset/spoke with my doctor - this is fine). Although with my insurance its only $15

I only got 2 out of 6! After 5 years of use! That's how little I need to think about it.

3/6...I used it for about a year and loved it!!! No problems during sex. The only issue I had with it was that about 2 to 3 days before it was time for me to remove it, the Nuvaring would pop out on its own. I think it might have been my body's way of saying "get the hell out!"...lol...

I used it for a week and it caused severe pain and irritation which didn't go away for another week. So, not a fan...

I am a little late on this topic and while this is probably TMI for some, others may appreciate the advice:

The ring is supposed to be set near your cervix for safe keeping. So up the vagina and over the hump, if you can imagine it. We are talking waaaay up there. I have a hard time getting my ring out, because my fingers barely reach (they are average-small) and it attempts to retreat.

The ring has never fallen out and my partner has never felt it. He is "above average" measurement and (and no, I am not large!). I am thinking a lot of women just are not placing it high enough. Also, vaginas naturally curve upwards and the cervix rises when aroused. When relaxed your cervix will be lower. In its higher position, I would likely be unable to remove the ring.

So far, I love the ring.

*relaxed= not aroused

I used the Nuva Ring for about a year after my middle child was born. I stopped using it because my insurance wouldn't pay for it anymore and it was hella expensive. I remember being told to never take it out, except to change it out with a new one. The idea of a rubber ring that stayed inside of me for weeks was so off-putting to me, but I never noticed it,it never got lost(my worst fear,lol) or came out.

i looooooove the nuva ring! i've been on it for almost 3 years, i think. or maybe 3 years. ehh.

I use Nuva ring have been for almost a year...? Love it. I was a little squeamish at first getting it in there and pulling it out and i'm kinda weird about toughing myself, but now I just shove it in and I'm good to go. My BF cant feel it either. I forget all about it best thing that ever happened. Never slipped out or came out. It's worth a try.

I have been on NuvaRing for over 5 years now. I love it. Of course, not every BC is right for everyone. We all have different hormones and bodies. But, for me, there is NOTHING better. I have been told that some guys can feel it, but I'd rather them feel it than me worry about a pill every day. I don't know anyone who says they enjoy the feel of condoms, but sometimes you have to make sacrifices and I think this isn't that big of a deal for a guy. It's not like they have to deal with the hormones and all that. And I agree with another poster, I've had guys say they actually like feeling it, because then they know the girl is actually on BC.

love the nuvaring! i am horrible with taking pills every day so this is like a godsend. i've never had any problems with it falling out unless i didn't stick it in far enough.
i take it out during sex now though...the very first time we tried it without taking it out, i guess i stuck it in funny and so the edge of ring kept bumping him in weird angles. long story short, it was bruised for a while and we were not happy campers.

The NuvaRing is really the greatest thing invented!Too bad it's so freakin expensive!
Any guy that ever said anything about it loved it...they told me it sometimes added to the pleasure.

I used the NuvaRing for about six months a couple years ago, but I was one of the rare women who had a bad reaction to it. I broke out really, really badly and felt like I was not myself because of the mood swings. My gyn told me that I was in the small percentage that had these side effects. Also, I experienced similar issues as some other posters. Namely, my bf could feel it (but he liked it), it fell out at weird times, and sometimes I forgot to put it back in right away. Personally, I thought it was kinda gross to have it inside for three weeks...I like my pills.

The questions about how often you put a new one in can be misconstrued. My gyno has me put a new one in every three weeks for for three rings. It's amazing and I only have my period every 9 weeks. So good.

In other news, I have had NO problems with the ring ever falling out or being pulled out during sex. My husband can feel it but it doesn't bother him. It's a little bit of a libido-squasher but the convenience is amazing. I was one several different pills that all made me sick until I tried and ring and it's been great.

I rarely have had any problems. This has been great for me because I would forget my pills. This bad since I have endo. Like SanDiegoLove I am on a modified schedule. My doc has me one every three weeks for two rings. I enjoy this better than the patch.

Unfortunately, birth control is yet another area where women get the short end of the stick. The same hormones that they put in female birth control are the *same* hormones that feed lots pump into beef cattle to make them get fat.

I have used the nuvaring for six months and it works perfectly for my lifestyle. I have never been on any other sort of birth control, but know I am bad with taking pills consistently.

The only problem I experienced since I have been using this contraceptive was bleeding. My doctor informed me it was alright for me to skip the week period and stop my period from coming. He told me I could do this for about three cycles, but then check to make sure I wasn't pregnant.

I followed his advice, because hey! no period=awesome, but it didn't work out well. I ended up having slight bleeding throughout my entire next cycle. I took a cycle off from it, and have been allowing my period to occur every three weeks. Following the drug's instructions properly has worked just as it said it would.

I have never experienced any side effects from this drug either.

I was on the Nuvaring for 3 months. I wish my "problems" with it were as quaint and adorable as it getting wrapped around a man's penis. Fun!

Instead, I had persistent vaginal infection/irritation for 2 months, with no other explanation (STD-free, etc.) Severe depression and anxiety for a month. Complete loss of appetite and libido. I've been off it for a month and it has taken that long to readjust. I just got my libido and appetite back.

Honestly, it sounded so convenient but really, having something just hanging out inside of you for 3 weeks at a time??? Think about it. I don't think some vaginas really like that. Mine was pissed.

I've switched to Desogen, which is a low dose combo hormonal pill. I'm sure I will struggle with this as well. I haven't been on birth control for 5 GLORIOUS years until now and I wouldn't be on birth control at all except I was diagnosed with ovarian cysts and told to start hormonal treatment with the pill, so I have to suffer I guess.

Has any got any experience taking the nuva ring with synthroid for hypothyroidism? Does the nuva ring interact with synthroid?

Also, can the nuvaring affect the kidneys? I have had reconstructive kidney surgery 3 times and tried taking Yazmine a few years back. I got severely depressed on it (actually lost weight), and then I would feel stabbing pains in my my bad kidney pretty regularly.

Any thoughts on those 2 points?

Whoever it was that was thinking about Mirena - DO IT! It was the best BC I've ever had, and I've tried tons. The only reason I went off it was because I had an abnormal PAP and then a LEEP. My doc put me on Yaz, which would be fantastic if it weren't for the fact that I have no interest in sex (what's the point of BC when you're abstaining anyway?). So I guess I'm going to try the nuvaring..... I'm nervous about it coming out with sex (my husband is above average, to put it gently), and I'm not looking forward to having a period (spotted once a month with Mirena, no period with Yaz). But if it can maybe bring my libido back while I count down the days until I can have a Mirena again then I'm sold...

this method sounds like a big pain in the vagoo