[Alliecat]

Alliecat, I wasn't aware that the Nuvaring had hormones in it! I'm not very informed when it comes to birth control I guess. I had never heard of the pill the prescribed me (Trinessa) The dr told me only to stay on it until I could get the Mirena thing but that kinda scares & I don't want to have to schedule an appt to do that.

Pygmypuff, it couldve been ortho tri cyclen lo. I have read online that the one I am taking is generic for ortho tri cyclen. I have also read it can be generic for ortho tri cyclen lo so that confusing. I don't think mine is low dose though. But that is scary that your cholesterol levels got so out of whack! I am afraid of having side effects like that but it's too soon to tell. I've only taken it for 5 days so far.

Supposedly Nuvaring has a VERY low dose of hormones compared to bc pills, which makes sense because pills have to be digested so it needs a higher dosage because some of it will inevitably be destroyed in your body. Nuvaring is able to be a lower dosage because it doesn't go through any other body systems to do what it needs to.That's why I picked it over pills.

Honestly, I would choose Mirena over pills. I dropped Nuvaring and got Paragard, which is the same type of intra-uterine device as Mirena, but paragard has copper on it and no hormones, where as mirena does have hormones.

Getting it inserted was uncomfortable, but certainly not the worst thing in the world. The only part that really sucks is when they dilate your cervix. It feels like a really concentrated menstrual cramp. But once I was all prepped, the actual insertion was less than 30 seconds of discomfort, then done. The overall procedure was about 15-20 minutes with the measuring and stuff they had to do first. I am really happy that I got it. AND the best part is since mine is non-hormonal, it's good for 12 years before I have to take it out and get a new one. Mirena is good for 5 years I think. And just think, you wouldn't have to remember to take a pill everyday. Just one little doctor visit and you have peace of mind for 5 whole years!

It certainly wasn't a fun experience, but in my opinion it was definitely worth it and I would choose it again in a heart beat over any other method.