Hey everyone, So some of you might remember a few weeks ago when I was trying to regulate the time of day that I took my pill so that I'd be fully protected, etc. I'm about to go to the gynecologist for my appointment when I would, in theory, get a refill on my prescription. However, since I am really not reliable in taking the pill at the same time, I've decided that I want to switch to an alternative method which won't require that, as I want to use it as my primary birth control method which I cannot do now.

So I've narrowed it down to Ortho Evra and Nuvaring. I've thought long and hard about both of these but am still unable to decide which I'm more comfortable with, I know that none of you can make the decision for me, but I'm looking for people who have had experience with one or, preferably, both. Here what I'm thinking: Ortho Evra (the patch): Great because its only once-a-week, its discreet, etc. I believe its possible to skip a period, like on the pill, if necessary? My only concern is that it might start to unstick. Most of the people that I've talked to say this generally isn't a problem, but occassionally it can start to peel off, requiring another patch.

Re: Nuvaring vs Ortho Evra (patch) ^ But they're friggin' expensive to replace. I prescribed the patch for only six months, and I ran out of my prescription by half-way through the fourth.

Mostly what I'm thinking is during the summer when I do a lot of swimming and stuff that it might be a bit annoying. Experience with this? Nuvaring: Great because its only once-a-month, absolutely nobody but myself and my boyfriend have to know I'm on it because its internal, dont have to worry about it unsticking, etc. My main concern is that it might slip out, at least at first. I've checked what people on here have said in the past: the general consensus is that it might happen a few times at first but after that its generally not an issue, let me know if this is true. The only other concern I have is that my boyfriend finds the concept a bit odd. He's worried he might feel it during sex, etc.

I've read that this generally isn't a problem, but what have people found to be the truth about this? Is is bothersome during sexual activities?

Or does it really not get in the way? Thanks for any feedback you may have:-D. Something I've heard about the patch is that you can end up getting more hormones in your body than you're supposed to. Windows 7 ultimate gamer edition.

Because when you swallow a pill the digestive enzymes get some of it (or something) while when it's directly absorbed into your skin then to your blood you can get more than you normally would, and that can have repercussions.yeah there was a study about this- women were generally having mroe side effects on the patch than on the pill because of the way its absorbed into the bloodstream. This is another reason im leaning towards nuvaring.but i dont know if the way those hormones work are that they're absorbed any differenty. Re: Nuvaring vs Ortho Evra (patch) The amount of hormones you're exposed to/the amount absorbed: Nuvaring - Average estrogen blood levels are around 18 picograms/ml (pg/ml). Total estrogen exposure is around 9,600 pg-hr/ml Combined Pill - 30 mcg pill (Desogen) the average blood levels are around 35 pg/ml. Total estrogen exposure is around 23,400 pg-hr/ml Patch - Average blood levels are around 50 pg/ml (Depends on where the patch is applied). Total estrogen exposure is around 26,000 pg-hr/ml ------ I got that info off the nuvaring livejournal website.

Anyway, I am on the NuvaRing and I absolutely LOVE it. It has never fallen out. Infact sometimes it'll sit quite low in my vagina. To se naina lage.

But never falls out and puts itself back up there. My boyfriend says he cannot feel it during sex, however we sometimes take it out because it seemed to create a tighter fit that was uncomfortable for me if I wasn't lubed up enough. You are allowed to take the ring out for up to three hours per day, so taking it out for that short amount of time is no problem.

I have had a few minor side effects. During my first few days on the ring I experienced a bit of nausea and lack of appetite.

That is completely gone now. Also, during my ring free week I sometimes have a little bit of dizziness. Nothing major. I haven't gained any weight and I haven't had any breakthrough bleeding. My skin has cleared up SO much (although the first few weeks it broke out more.) My breasts have gotten slightly bigger. Which is a *good* thing.