T O P I C R E V I E W
Atonement
Member # 42492
posted 01-02-2013 10:59 AM
Well, I’m, really, really excited because I just found out my insurance is covering Nuvaring free of charge now, and I have an appointment to go get it in a couple hours. I’m really excited about not having to remember to take the pill every day, but there’s only one problem. A lot of people I’ve talked to in the past are “grossed out” but the idea of a piece of plastic that stays in your vagina for 21 days. I’m perfectly fine with it, but the only issue is, what about if I end up getting a partner. It just seems kind of awkward to say “Oh, just a heads-up, there’s a piece of plastic in there. Don’t let it bother you.” I’m concerned it might freak a future partner out. So, how would I handle this? Does anyone have any experiences pertaining to this that they want to discuss?
Heather
Member # 3
posted 01-02-2013 11:07 AM
Well, I don't know that you WOULD say, "Heads up, there's a piece of plastic in there." I suspect, instead, you might say, "I use the Nuvaring." And chances are a partner will either a) know what that is, or b) not know, and then you explain it. But I'd not assume a partner will think it, or any other contraceptive device, is "weird." I don't know what " a lot of people" is, but I'm guessing we're probably not actually talking about a statistically significant sample size here. Cervical barriers, IUDs, the ring, the implant, the female condom -- these are all devices, some of which we've had around for a long time, that are inside the body and work that way to prevent pregnancy. And I think it's safe to say that, on the whole, most people of age to be having sex with partners in the first place, and with the requisite maturity to handle all that involves, do just fine when it comes to those devices. It sounds to me like this is more about either your discomfort or a perceived reaction from a partner than anything in actuality, like having had a sexual partner get weird about your BC method: do I have that right?
Atonement
Member # 42492
posted 01-02-2013 08:57 PM
When you put it that way, I guess my worries do sound kind of silly. Honestly, I haven't talked to too many people about it in person. But one of the ones I did talk to about it was a pharmacist that I used to work with. However, for someone so educated, she had a huge aversion to her own body (including refusing to use tampons solely because she didn't want to touch her own genitals.), so she may have not been the best opinion to listen to. But I had a really good talk about it with my NP, and she had tons of good things to say. So, I really can't wait until I finish this pack of pills off so I can start it!!!
Heather
Member # 3
posted 01-03-2013 07:21 PM
I'd just say that they strike me as pretty unfounded. As well, I'd add that I find often women, both unfortunately and ironically, are more ooky about contraceptive devices -- sometimes including condoms, too! -- than men tend to be. And, presumably, that's the gender of person I assume you might be sleeping with if you're using the ring for contraception. Ultimately, I think this is mostly a maturity issue. If we're ready to take pregnancy risks and the responsibility of preventing unwanted pregnancy seriously, and understand that our sexual bodies are more than just sexy-sexy (and can be okay with that), then having a partner use a reliable device is mostly just awesome and welcomed more than anything else.