Nuva Ring -Vs - Mirena

Hi have use both of this and like both but with nuva ring, I did have irregular periods, but with mirena will have really bad cramps.

If you are absolutely certain that you do not want more children, I'd look into tubal ligation. It's really no big deal--outpatient now and minimal discomfort. Then you do not have to worry about any of the side effects of hormone-based bc. I used depo after my first and then had my tubes tied after my second and am so glad I made that decision.

I have tried both products. I did not have good experience with either of them. With the nuva ring, my husband complained about "feeling it", and that it wasn't very comfortable. I didn't find it very comfortable either. So, I only had that for a couple of months. And then I tried the IUD(mirena). I got it inserted in the doctor's office. It did hurt a little, like severe cramping. And the doctor said there were 2 strings on the end of it for removing. The first time my husband and I had sex after having it implanted, my husband said it felt as if something bit him. It must have been the strings. My husband said that the strings were bothersome. I had gone back to the doctors for them to trim the strings, because they did tell me that it could be uncomfortable for my husband, and if it was then to come back in to trim the strings a little. So, I did do that. Well eventually it got better for him, but for me it seems a little uncomfortable at times, in different positions. My husband and I decided that weren't going to have anymore children, we have 1 boy and 1 girl, and we were happy with our two, so I had told him that I wanted to remove the IUD and permenently get fixed. So after much thought, and many months later, my husband got fixed. After he was cleared, I made an appointment to get the IUD removed. The doctor tried to locate it for a while, but did not have success. She could not even find the strings. I had to have an ultrasound done to make sure that it was still inside me, and it was. I had to have it surgically removed, under general anaesthsia. It only took them a few minutes and it was done, but to go through all of that, and I don't think I had the IUD for even a year. But I inially had gotten the IUD because my sister-in-law had one and she said she has no problems with it, and she has had it for almost 5 years. Everyone is different. You just have to see what's best for you. -T.

I was on Nuva Ring for a year and I ended up gaining 22 pounds and lost my sex drive (although that also had to do with an anti-depressant that I am on). I will say that it did help with my acne. I have severe cystic acne and I hardly broke out at all. I am now on Loestrin-Fe and although I have only been on it for a month so far, so good. I have been on birth control pills since I was 16 and went off them when I was 30 years old. I never gained weight on them so I was astounded when I gained 22 pounds in a year from being on the ring.

Hi- I'm an older mom, nearly 50, who has used various birth control methods in the past, so now I'm going to tell you what I plan to tell my daughters: Unless there is an overwhelming compelling reason, never use any hormone based birth control! I have had breast cancer twice, and although I cannot prove it clinically, I feel there is a strong connection to my previous birth control choices. As a general rule, don't take any medicine unless you're sick, and pregnancy isn't a sickness. I know that condoms, diaphrams and the rythm method take more time and planning, but your long term health is well worth it. Bless you as you raise your little ones.

Loved the ring personally--a lot less hormone

Have you thought about Paraguard? It's the hormone free copper IUD?

I hated the effects of hormone based birth control, and I wasn't done having kids, we're just taking a break. I had it inserted in December of 07 and it has been great. The only pain was a little discomfort at insertion and there was some heavy bleeding/cramps the first 2 periods.

My skin hasn't cleared with it, but my moods have and that's more important. I can buy zit cream, but not mood cream!

LOVE LOVE LOVE the nuva ring (I had no health issues while using it to mess up what I think of it). It did help me clear up my skin some (i don't have acne though). I got my sex drive back after coming off the pill (went pill to nuva ring..and now I'm trying to get pregnant so I have nothing). I didn't take it out for a week a month like most doctors tell you to do. I left mine in for a month and changed it on the 15th of the month (this help decrease my period length if not take it away!). It was just like a tampon as far as feeling it....i wouldn't notice unless I was trying to notice it. My husband didn't even know it was in there (he didn't feel it during sex nor did he taste a difference with oral sex).

I was on the nuva ring for 6 years. I loved it and never had a problem.

I had the mirena inserted about 2 months ago, right after my second child and I love it. After having 2 kids right after each other (one in March 2007 and May 2008) we also decided we were done and mirena was just what I was looking for. I am still spotting a little bit and the doctor says that can last up to 6 monthds but it's not that bad when you think that for the next 5 years your dont have to worry about birth control. I just had the 6 week check up (required by mirena when you get it) and everything is in place (doctor does an ultrasound to make sure it's centered). I'm 28 years old and still have plenty of years ahead of me to worry about getting pregnant, I did not want to take pills for the next 15-20 years and with mirena you have 5 years off your back!!
Think about how many years you have left and whether you really dont want anymore kids (at least in the near future before you decide what's right for you. I haven't experience any mood swings or any other symptoms. I dont have much problems with acne so I cant help you there.

Has your husband considered a vasectomy? It's the easiest and least painful for all involved. It's so quick I literally didn't finish reading a magazine article in the time it took to my husband's and he was fine within a couple hours.

Myself I would take the Mirena! I got pregnant with my 3rd on the nuva ring and I now know someone else who got pregnant on the ring. If you can hold out for the first 2 months with the mirena, you will love it! I hardly get any cramping or bleeding. Some women stop their periods all together (I am not so lucky). My symptoms are pretty much nothing and I have been on it for almost 2 years. Good luck with your decision!

Hi S.,
A year ago after my second child my husband and I decided our family was complete. I went to my doctor to see about tubal ligation and she suggested mirena to me instead. She felt since I still had a number of child bearing years left that I should wait to make that decision. Although I didn't fully agree I took the referral and saw a doctor who would insert mirena, she had not been trained to do it. This doctor then recommended I try nuva ring first. I had always been on birth control pills and was not interested in taking a daily pill until I was no longer able to have children. I was a bit reluctant but decided it would be better to try this first before mirena. I have been using it for the past year, in fact last week I had my annual appt. and got the prescription refilled, I absolutely love it! I practically have no premenstral symptoms. Prior to nuva ring when I was on bcp I had severe mood swings and would break out before my period. I have none of that now. The first few months I had a little cramping the first week after inserting it but basically nothing before my periods. I was not expecting to be this happy with it. My suggestion would be to try nuva ring first, you can always try mirena if you don't like it. Hope this helps, good luck.
J.

I did sexual health education for about 4 years. Mirena is probably going to be a better option for you if you are wanting something a little closer to permanent. Something to know is that when they give statistics on how effective something is it is going to be only if it is used consistently and correctly with no mistake every time. These stats are not based on typical use, but PERFECT use. The mirena takes out a lot that human error and you can forget about it. Also the nuvaring can come out and you may not be aware of it.
This is a link that has some pretty good back and forth commentary on both methods. Personally I have a Mirena IUD and have had no complications and love it. Good Luck with your decision!
http://www.feministing.com/archives/006543.html

Also in response to the paragard IUD...in most cases it does cause an increase in bleeding, but she is correct there are no hormones it is made of copper.

Hi S.,

It seems like everyone reacts differently to the mirena, but if it helps, here is my experience. I had it inserted in March (2 months postpartum)of this year b/c I got pregnant while on bcp. I'm not good with remembering to take something daily and while on the bcp, I did lose my sex drive. The first 3-6 months on mirena can be a bit wacky. For me, the first the three months, I experienced long and heavy bleeding. I also got some sharp pains on my right side...I went to go check it out, and I had about 3 benign ovarian cysts, of which 1 bursted so i had temporary pain (like cramping). the cysts apparently are normal and can occur when you ovulate. During this time, i was getting a little scared and almost took it out, but I was told to be patient and remember that these are temporary symptoms. Always go with your gut and get anythign checked out-cause I sure did, but if you hold out, I think you will like it. I don;t have any mood swings, no acne, or loss of sex drive...with the weight gain, I can't put that on mirena...I just had a child 9 months ago, so I know it is baby weight and the need to exercise and watch what i eat. the bleeding has reduced considerably too. It is very convenient. I don;t have to think about it, and I know I can take it out at any time for up to 5 years. also,remember if you just had a baby, remember that hormones are still getting back in order so any hormonal or physical changes are not always associated with birth control. for example, i was having dizzy spells and other symptoms and it turned out to be my thyroid. good luck!

I don't feel comfortable giving too much "medical" type of advice--but ask your midwife about Paraguard. My understanding is that it does not secrete any hormones that might cause the problems you are having..?

effectiveness on both - found : http://contraception.about.com/od/birthcontroldecisions/p...

NUVA RING-
typical use: 92%
MIRENA-
tpical use:97-99%

CAREFULL WITH THE NUVA RING. I got PREGNANT on it. I have the doc's verification to prove it. I was very careful as it had happened before and I miscarried, so I believed that I must have done something wrong that time. I used it correctly, had a timer going off every time I needed to change it and did immediatly, and it never fell out for me. Kept it in the fridge till Inserting it....I followed the directions dilligently. After this happened I had a few friends ask what protection I was using, and then told me that their docs wouldn't put them on it unless they were TRYING to get pregnant w/out their hubby's knowledge. I've talked to some ob's who disagree with this, but have also heard many say this is typical for the ring. Though before getting pregnant on it, I had been on it for 6 years and loved it. I have since met a lot of women who have gotten pregnant while using it so I can't trust it anymore, even though in reality it just have maybe been a bad one, or the pharmacy didn't store it properly, took too long in transit during shipping..any one of these things

Im currently using the Mirena, and so far it's fine. I am noticing an acne problem that I haven't seen since I was a teenager, and I had some mood swing issues. I believe that this is due to a few things, and not necessarily the Mirena. I have been essentially pregnant for two years, on some form of BC for over 10 years, and my body's not used to this low a dose of hormones, Also dealing with a bit of ppd, DD was born in March. So It's still too early to tell. Im not sure if the sugar cravings are the Mirena or just hormonal, I have lost 10 lbs though, and have completely lost my period and it's only been 4 months on it. Though Im still on the fence as to whether or not I like that part. I know it is safe, I have talked to many doctors, and read numerous studies to know that it poses NO risks, but every month I keep buying a pregnancy test because without the reassurance I freak out a bit.

I tried the Nuva Ring for a few months last spring and did not care for it. (I know many people love it, but I didn't like the inserting & removing, sometimes could feel it, had to remember when to change it, etc.) I then got Mirena in June and have loved it. I also have had acne since my early teenage years & I've had no flare ups with the Mirena. I did start a new acne prescription recently though (Ziana gel, love it!) so I'm sure that is helping. I also haven't had any problems with weight gain. (I've actually been dieting and have lost more than 40 pounds since I got the Mirena.) From what I've learned about Mirena, it's a very low dose of hormones so many women don't have the same side effects as a lot of other hormonal birth control options. Perhaps you could try either of the two options you are exploring & if you have problems with acne flare ups, you could talk to a dermatologist. Good luck!

Hi S.,
I am on Nuvaring and I love it. I also had mood swings when I was on the pill (Ortho-Tri Cyclen), I don't have that problem with Nuvaring. I can't say for sure with the acne. I don't have acne problems, but I do have the occasional break-out otherwise my skin is clear.

i vote for the nuvaring. been on it 1 year. you can leave it in the entire month and then not have a period at all-took 8 months to not have any spotting anymore. totally worth it!

If you are SURE that you are done with kids, then definitely check out www.essure.com. (It's NOT reversible.) This is new - 5 years - but FDA-approved - with ZERO pregnancies in clinical trials! My friend just had this done, and I plan on doing it after my current pregnancy. There is no surgery, and there are NO hormones. It's just an insert into the fallopian tubes that in about 3 months time creates a natural barrier with your body. (Eggs can't pass thru tubes to the uterus.) This is a great invention! You won't have any of the worries about surgery recovery, hormones, cancer risk, etc. Good luck!