Another concern with not having a monthly period is that it would lead to overgrowth of the uterine lining, which could then lead to uterine cancer. The good news is that extended-cycle oral contraceptives have not been found to lead to uterine tissue thickening. On the flip side, some experts still question whether manipulating your period is really a sensible idea.
For example, the Society for Menstrual Cycle Research believes that cycle-stopping contraceptives "medicalize menstruation," and "normalize replacing a biological function with a pharmaceutical product to meet social expectations of menstrual concealment. The Society also suggests that long-term safety data on stopping menstrual cycles needs to be done, especially in teenagers, and how it affects the breast. In the end, you have to decide what is right for you, and it's wise to discuss with your healthcare provider how to best approach your menstrual cycle based on your unique symptoms and expectations.
You may also find it comforting to know that using the NuvaRing to skip your period does not make it any less effective. But remember, the NuvaRing does not offer you any protection against sexually transmitted infections. Sometimes the breakthrough bleeding you experience when skipping your period is not from hormones but from something else, like a sexually transmitted infection.
Be sure to get tested if you have risk factors. Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Organon USA Inc. Hillard PA. Menstrual suppression: Current perspectives. Int J Womens Health. Continuous or extended cycle vs.
Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. Endometrial effects of a day extended-regimen oral contraceptive with low-dose estrogen in place of placebo. Society for Menstrual Cycle Research. The menstrual cycle: A feminist lifespan perspective. Your Privacy Rights. To change or withdraw your consent choices for VerywellHealth.
At any time, you can update your settings through the "EU Privacy" link at the bottom of any page. However, prescribers may write prescriptions with different instructions for use. Continuous use regimens may be prescribed to insert a new vaginal ring every 3 or 4 weeks without a ring-free week. Patients that use a continuous use regimen omitting a ring-free week will likely not experience a withdrawal bleed.
However, breakthrough spotting or unscheduled bleeding may be experienced with continuous use regimens. What is the evidence behind using the vaginal ring for four weeks instead of the usual three weeks? The manufacturer states NuvaRing is still an effective hormonal contraception if inserted for 4 weeks instead of the usual three weeks , but the manufacturer recommends removing it for a ring-free week before inserting a new ring for maximum contraceptive effectiveness.
Ovulation inhibition to prevent pregnancy is maintained with insertion of the CVR for up to 4 weeks. However, the manufacturer recommends ruling out pregnancy for placements longer than 4 weeks before inserting a new ring. Some systemic side effects of the CVR are comparable to oral contraceptives with similar incidence of headaches and weight gain. However, CVRs have an increased risk for local vaginal side effects like vaginitis Patients using CVR report less nausea and breast tenderness when compared with patients using oral contraceptives.
Side effects may be related to the serum level differences between CVRs and oral contraceptives. Bioavailability of ethinyl estradiol are similar between CVR versus oral contraceptives at The NuvaRing package insert includes precautions for carbohydrate and lipid metabolic effects, high blood pressure, headaches, uterine bleeding, vascular risks, liver disease, and Toxic Shock Syndrome.
The table below summarizes the evidence found in clinical studies of extended CVR use. Table 1. Summary of clinical studies of extended regimens of the contraceptive vaginal ring CVR.
PubMed ID, Year Purpose Design Study size Results Conclusion Extended regimens of the combined contraceptive vaginal ring containing etonogestrel and ethinyl estradiol: effects on lipid metabolism. Group 1 did not have ring-free days. Group 2 instructed to remove CVR for 4 days if bleeding occurs, and reinsert the same ring Group 2 experienced less days of bleeding compared to Group 1 A 4-day ring-free period helped resolve breakthrough bleeding better compared to continuous ring use without ring-free periods.
About the Author:. You are commenting using your WordPress. You are commenting using your Google account. You are commenting using your Twitter account. One thing to keep in mind, though: The makers of NuvaRing point out that some people have accidentally inserted the ring into their bladder through their urethra instead of their vagina.
Manipulating your period via your birth control is off-label use. So, you might want to change when your period comes or skip it entirely. Minkin stresses that, again, this an off-label use, so you really should talk to your doctor before you attempt this. Also, FYI, you might experience some breakthrough bleeding when trying to manipulate your period this way.
This benefit has less to do with the ring itself and more to do with its proper usage, Dr. Technically, the ring uses the same hormones as the pill, so you have the same risk of breakthrough bleeding , she explains.
But with typical use, some people will forget to take the pill on occasion because life —and that increases your odds of bleeding randomly, Dr. The most common side effects of the ring include irritation inside your vagina or on your cervix, along with vaginal discharge , according to NuvaRing. This is totally a personal preference. If you want to, you can take your NuvaRing out for up to three hours and then reinsert it, the Mayo Clinic says. Some of the biggest contraindications include:.
When discussing your contraceptive options with your doctor, be sure to talk about these or any other factors in your health history that may affect which birth control is right for you. It could be that the ring was masking symptoms of an underlying condition that affects your period or fertility , Dr. Minkin says, or that your fertility changed naturally as a result of age. Either way, your doctor should be able to run some tests to figure out what the deal is.
SELF does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Any information published on this website or by this brand is not intended as a substitute for medical advice, and you should not take any action before consulting with a healthcare professional.
NuvaRing is a flexible plastic loop that goes into your vagina and emits hormones to prevent an unintended pregnancy.
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