Spotting and Reproductive Ability

[neoterrikae.livejournal.com]

I recently went to a nurse practitioner at my school to get another prescription for NuvaRing. I told her that I was also interested in Seasonale because i would have fewer periods and she told me that any bc pill will give that effect if taken a particular way. She told me that i could do so with the ring if I wore it for 27 days, then put a new ring in. I could do this continuously for as long as I like and I won't get a single period. She also mentioned that when spotting begins, it is because there is a low level of hormone in my system and thus it would be less effective.

For the first time in the entire year since I have been using the NuvaRing, I have begun spotting (and it's only been 19 days since my last period) and I am wondering if it is because there is a low level of hormone in my system, so that the ring is now less effective (even though it shouldn't be). It is quite critical that I know whether it is less effective or not because for the first time in my life, I am planning on having condom-free sex with my boyfriend of four years, but I would still like to be protected. I trust him completely, and we are monogamous and this decision was well thought out. But, I will be starting my period in a few days and want to know 1) is it safe for me to have condom-free sex during my period because i will not be wearing a ring? Should I wear a ring? I really would like to have sex without a condom wiht this man. I really would like to take our relationship to the next level and would just like to know if this is a wise or viable course of action.

Thanks for any assistance you can give.

H. <333

x-posted

Comments

[foureyeddarlin.livejournal.com]

You can wear a NuvaRing continuously for 4 weeks and remain protected. After 28 days, you would need to use backup protection until a new ring has been inserted for 7 continuous days. However, the levels of hormone delivered to your system do fall after 21 days or ring usage. To maintain a constant level of hormones in your body, I would switch to a new ring at the 3-week mark. Many women experience spotting when they try to skip periods as their body adjusts.

Spotting happens for many reasons, one of which is falling hormone levels in your body (others are stress, diet, sleep, just because your body feels like it, etc.) If you are still in the first 21 days of a ring's usage, and you've used it correctly during that 21 days, you are still protected. Also, your protection remains during your ring-free week if you have had at least 21 days of continuous correct usage because ovulation has been inhibited (and would be unlikely to happen during those 7 days) and if ovulation does happen, your uterine lining would be too thin (and in the process of shedding) to support a fertilized egg if one should be released and fertilized.

[neoterrikae.livejournal.com]

Thank you very much.. you have certainly eased my mind and cleared up a few things.. :o)

[foureyeddarlin.livejournal.com]

You're welcome. I should correct myself: you are still protected between 21 and 28 days of continuous use, too, you're just getting a slightly lower amount of hormones delivered to your bloodstream. Each woman has a slightly different level of hormones that triggers shedding of the uterine lining.