Nuvaring and irregular bleeding
Oct. 24th, 2012 08:03 pm![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
beckynm.livejournal.com posting in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
vaginapaginaHello,
I've been on Nuvaring for a few years - 3 or 3.5. For the first couple of years, I had no real problems. I had pretty serious problems with the other HBCs I tried. I've tried Trinessa, Tri-cylen Lo, Yaz, and I think there may have been another at some point.
In April 2011, I started shedding tissue and spotting at random. I went to PP for an exam. The nurse dismissed my concerns because it had never happened before. It continued until I went to another nurse at a different PP in December 2011. She did a pap, BV panel, and STD test. She went ahead and have me the medications for BV and YI at the time of exam, saying she was convinced they were both culprits. She said that if they didn't clear up things, we'd need to do more. The Pap was normal and the STD tests were negative. I've always had those results. The problems cleared up with the antibiotic and Diflucan. Note: the spotting was one of two symptoms. The other was a bit of pain during sex. No itching or odor or any of that other stuff.
A few months ago, I noticed tiny little pieces of tissue coming out with my normal discharge. Of course, that concerned me. I went to a doctor at a different clinic. Naturally, I ended up being seen by a doctor who had never done a pelvic exam. She pulled in another doctor and they disagreed about everything while they were doing the exam. I told her I was not concerned about the amount of discharge, but the tissue in it.
They took a swab and sent it to the lab to test for BV and YI. The tests were negative and the inexperienced doctor told me not to worry about it. She also told me she thought I had been worried about the discharge-- which as I mentioned, I told her wasn't a concern. It's pretty annoying and embarrassing to have tissue just sliding out of there. Needless to say, there's been very little sex in my home in the last few months.
Another note: I learned unfermented soy products can screw with estrogen levels. I was eating soy every day -- soymilk in my cereal, edamame a few times a week... I stopped consuming those products immediately to see whether that would change things. I'm curious whether that caused more problems, because things escalated soon after I stopped.
We finally had sex a few weeks ago and I spotted bright red blood the morning after. I was concerned, but figured it had to do with the fact that we were almost never having sex. A few days later, we had sex again. The next day, there was a significant amount of blood. I went to an urgent care clinic because it was Saturday and I was leaving town the next day.
And I went through another pelvic exam. This doctor was very concerned, and told me she thought it may be serious. During the exam, she felt my cervix, uterus, and ovaries. Nothing was swollen or tender. She sent off swabs for BI and YI, along with STDs. All were negative again. She advised I get a transvaginal ultrasound to see what's happening in there. Naturally, I'm extremely nervous, and I have to wait until next week to get it.
I'm pretty sure all of this is a hormonal imbalance. Maybe the Nuvaring just isn't strong enough anymore. I know my hormones/pheromones are strong. Every girl with whom I spend time ends up getting her period when I do, regardless of when she's due. I want to get a Paragard fitted ASAP, but there are insurance issues.
After that very thorough and long backstory, here are my questions: Has anyone had similar problems with Nuvaring? If this is nothing physiological (by that I mean polyps, cancer, and the like) and is merely my hormones being wonky, I'm probably going to suck it up and dish out the money for a Paragard. Has anyone had good experiences with their hormones leveling out with Paragard?
I've been on Nuvaring for a few years - 3 or 3.5. For the first couple of years, I had no real problems. I had pretty serious problems with the other HBCs I tried. I've tried Trinessa, Tri-cylen Lo, Yaz, and I think there may have been another at some point.
In April 2011, I started shedding tissue and spotting at random. I went to PP for an exam. The nurse dismissed my concerns because it had never happened before. It continued until I went to another nurse at a different PP in December 2011. She did a pap, BV panel, and STD test. She went ahead and have me the medications for BV and YI at the time of exam, saying she was convinced they were both culprits. She said that if they didn't clear up things, we'd need to do more. The Pap was normal and the STD tests were negative. I've always had those results. The problems cleared up with the antibiotic and Diflucan. Note: the spotting was one of two symptoms. The other was a bit of pain during sex. No itching or odor or any of that other stuff.
A few months ago, I noticed tiny little pieces of tissue coming out with my normal discharge. Of course, that concerned me. I went to a doctor at a different clinic. Naturally, I ended up being seen by a doctor who had never done a pelvic exam. She pulled in another doctor and they disagreed about everything while they were doing the exam. I told her I was not concerned about the amount of discharge, but the tissue in it.
They took a swab and sent it to the lab to test for BV and YI. The tests were negative and the inexperienced doctor told me not to worry about it. She also told me she thought I had been worried about the discharge-- which as I mentioned, I told her wasn't a concern. It's pretty annoying and embarrassing to have tissue just sliding out of there. Needless to say, there's been very little sex in my home in the last few months.
Another note: I learned unfermented soy products can screw with estrogen levels. I was eating soy every day -- soymilk in my cereal, edamame a few times a week... I stopped consuming those products immediately to see whether that would change things. I'm curious whether that caused more problems, because things escalated soon after I stopped.
We finally had sex a few weeks ago and I spotted bright red blood the morning after. I was concerned, but figured it had to do with the fact that we were almost never having sex. A few days later, we had sex again. The next day, there was a significant amount of blood. I went to an urgent care clinic because it was Saturday and I was leaving town the next day.
And I went through another pelvic exam. This doctor was very concerned, and told me she thought it may be serious. During the exam, she felt my cervix, uterus, and ovaries. Nothing was swollen or tender. She sent off swabs for BI and YI, along with STDs. All were negative again. She advised I get a transvaginal ultrasound to see what's happening in there. Naturally, I'm extremely nervous, and I have to wait until next week to get it.
I'm pretty sure all of this is a hormonal imbalance. Maybe the Nuvaring just isn't strong enough anymore. I know my hormones/pheromones are strong. Every girl with whom I spend time ends up getting her period when I do, regardless of when she's due. I want to get a Paragard fitted ASAP, but there are insurance issues.
After that very thorough and long backstory, here are my questions: Has anyone had similar problems with Nuvaring? If this is nothing physiological (by that I mean polyps, cancer, and the like) and is merely my hormones being wonky, I'm probably going to suck it up and dish out the money for a Paragard. Has anyone had good experiences with their hormones leveling out with Paragard?
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2012-10-25 02:38 am (UTC)I still have some staining after vigorous penetration, but overall things are a lot better after the ablation. Before I had that procedure, I found a herbal supplement called Vitex that helped regulate my cycle, though the flow was really heavy (I also was on no other birth control). Since the ablation I have quit taking the Vitex and I can get by with just panty liners during my period.
I also had a Mirena during part of this time period, but it never worked for me. I don't know about Paragard.
Thanks!
Date: 2012-10-25 02:54 am (UTC)I've never had an issue with spotting or irregular bleeding before the incident last year. I'm really convinced it's an issue with my hormones. I'm textbook for weird estrogen levels.
I'm just really frustrated with the long process to get answers. I feel as though the folks on VP are much more eager to share. Though I'm not really seeking medical advice, it's nice to have a place to ask questions and people who can relate to my plight.
no subject
Date: 2012-10-25 03:34 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-10-25 03:55 am (UTC)I've always had unpleasant side effects with HBC. I had really long, heavy periods before taking it, but I'd certainly go back to that instead of crazy weight fluctuation (I'd gain 15 pounds during the 3 active weeks on the pill, then drop it as soon as I was on the placebo week. On Yaz, I got so depressed and had such bad "morning sickness" that I lost about 30 pounds and started seeing a therapist. I was only on that for about 4 months. Nuvaring has given me the fewest problems, but I don't like having to worry about bleeding all the time.)
I want a contraceptive that doesn't make me feel pregnant or bleed randomly. I know there's a risk of the latter with Paragard, but I've done a ton of research and NSAID therapy apparently helps with that.
Thanks, everyone, for the support. It means so much to me that I have support from other women. I'll definitely update. I hope I can help someone else.
no subject
Date: 2012-10-25 09:22 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-10-26 04:58 pm (UTC)I looked at a list of symptoms for endo, though, and it's like someone listed what's been going on with me for years. I read about the diagnosis process and I hope not to have to go through that. There's no family history to my knowledge. The only weird uterus thing I know about is that my cousin was born with two.
no subject
Date: 2012-10-25 07:57 pm (UTC)Another update.
Date: 2012-10-30 03:23 am (UTC)She said there were no tumors or fibroids, so I feel a bit better. Of course, a doctor still has to review the information, but the sonographer was so confident that I doubt the doctor's read will differ.
There was what I'm pretty sure she deemed a follicular cyst on one ovary.
Basically, there was nothing in there that shouldn't be.. Yay.
Once the doctor reviews/confirms, I still have to figure out what's causing the problems. Should I see a primary care physician or a gynecologist? I'm used to military medical care. You go to a PCP and they tell you exactly who you need to see if they can't take care of the situation.