T O P I C R E V I E W
StarHallie
Member # 27531
posted 05-17-2009 05:18 PM
Hey you guys, I'm really worried. I realized today that I took my Nuvaring out a week too early. I was supposed to take it out next Friday but I took it out two days ago instead. I had sex that night (Friday) but not last night. Is this a pregnancy risk since I did not have the full course of hormones? What do you guys suggest I do? Wait two weeks to put a second one in? I know it sounds petty but my boyfriend and I have gotten quite accustomed to not using condoms (we've been together for a year and a half). My insurance only covers one per month. Thanks you guys! You are always awesome and helpful! [ 05-17-2009, 05:22 PM: Message edited by: StarHallie ]
Heather
Member # 3
posted 05-17-2009 05:22 PM
If you can only get one a month, then yes, it seems you'll have to wait until it's a week late to put in a new ring, and then yes, for the first two weeks you WILL need to use a backup method of BC, be it condoms or something else. And really, couples often enough do fall back on condoms sometimes for various reasons, so I think it's sage to always figure there may be periods of times for using condoms, rather than the idea condoms are ever 100% off the table. OR, you could pay cash for a new ring and put it in on the following Friday.
StarHallie
Member # 27531
posted 05-17-2009 05:24 PM
He DID ejaculate inside me on Friday... should I consider Plan B?
Heather
Member # 3
posted 05-17-2009 05:37 PM
Since you basically just started your placebo period early, I'd not see a pregnancy risk from the Friday incident. Rather, the time period you need to be concerned with starts when you don't have a new ring one week (to whenever) after you used the last one.
StarHallie
Member # 27531
posted 05-17-2009 05:38 PM
My insurance will cover it on May 22nd. So, I guess I will just act like this is my withdrawl week but use condoms from now until the 29th?
Heather
Member # 3
posted 05-17-2009 05:41 PM
Well, if you can get it on the 22nd, you're not actually starting it late, right? Rather, you just pushed your self forward. If you're not starting the next ring late, I don't see any need not to treat things as you usually do when using the ring per the placebo week.
StarHallie
Member # 27531
posted 05-17-2009 05:47 PM
Thanks for helping me figure this out, Heather. I was under the impression that if I didn't give my body the full three weeks of hormones before I took it out, I would not be protected during this accidentally early placebo week. I put my last ring in on May 1, so I SHOULD have taken it out on May 22 (that would have been the full three weeks of hormones). Instead, I took it out May 15, giving my body only two weeks of hormones. I will likely start an early withdrawal bleed tomorrow, and put a new ring in on May 22. So, if it's safe to have only two weeks of hormones on board before the withdrawal bleed, I don't have to use condoms? I basically just shifted from the end of the week to the beginning of the week per my insurance?
StarHallie
Member # 27531
posted 05-17-2009 06:32 PM
Karybu had some different advice for someone else... http://www.scarleteen.com/cgi-bin/forum/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=28;t=005224;p=1
Heather
Member # 3
posted 05-17-2009 07:10 PM
Based on what I can find, given you had sex the same day you'd also had the ring in, this should not be an issue. Here are a couple links: • http://www.sexualityandu.ca/adults/contraception-2-4.aspx • http://www.nuvaring.com/Consumer/commonQuestions/index.asp#201883 So, let's say to be safe, that from here on out, for the next week or two, you back up with condoms, use something else as a backup, or nix intercourse. If you want the best info on this, my suggestion would be to call Nuvaring's 800-number OR your pharmacist.
StarHallie
Member # 27531
posted 05-17-2009 07:12 PM
Thanks Heather! I truly appreciate your help, as always!
Heather
Member # 3
posted 05-17-2009 07:16 PM
Glad to help. How's your life been lately, Hallie?
StarHallie
Member # 27531
posted 05-17-2009 07:29 PM
I'm doing really well lately; thank you for asking! Life is hectic and stressful preparing to get into medical schools, but I wouldn't have it any other way. Also, I just recieved a really prestigious research grant and I'll be doing neurobiology research over the summer with faculty at my local university! Healthwise, I'm doing well. My recent paps have come back normal, so I've finally been able to put the HPV thing behind me. I've found myself in love with someone wonderful who is very supportive of me, sexually and otherwise, so I am very lucky in that regard. Once things calm down with school, I'll try to find a little time to stop in here and help more often (rather than just require help whenever I have a blunder!), because I really do enjoy helping around here! How are you, Heather? Busy as heck, I'm sure
Heather
Member # 3
posted 05-17-2009 07:31 PM
All such fantastic stuff! I'm so glad that things have been going so well for you. I'm not used to users asking how I am! I'm hanging in there. Have had some not-so-great stuff on my plate lately per my own overall health, and have some tricky life and work transitions going on, but there's also a couple really great things that have gone on and which are coming down the pipe. Thanks for asking!
StarHallie
Member # 27531
posted 05-17-2009 07:44 PM
I'm sorry that things have been bittersweet lately. Whatever you're going through, always remember that there are some of us who have been lurking around here long enough to know what a strong person you are... and you are always an inspiration to me! I think maybe most users think of you as more of a walking sex ed encylopedia, but I surely think of you as a person who deserves just as much special attention as you always give all of us. Good luck with everything and I will be back around here soon!
Heather
Member # 3
posted 05-17-2009 07:45 PM
Hallie, those are lovely things to say. Thank you.