Hi everyone. I had a few questions that I was hoping you ladies might be able to add insight to. I am currently using the NuvaRing and have been for 2 and 1/2 years. I haven't experienced any side effects except for being extremely irrational and moody. I didn't have this problem during the first two years of use, but for the last six months my emotions have become very overwhelming. I've evaluated whether or not it's because of various events happening in my life (stress, work, school, etc.), but I've come to the conclusion that the ring is most likely the cause of the shift in my moods. I'm wondering if anyone else has experienced this and if so, did you change to a pill or another method with a different progestin? I went to Planned Parenthood and asked for a low dose pill (20mcg estrogen) with fewer side effects and they suggested Lutera a monophasic pill (I think it is the generic for Alesse). I didn't want to take that pill because it contains levonorgestrel, which is highly androgenic and tends to increase skin issues if you are prone to acne (I just want to avoid that if possible). So my next option was Cyclessa, which is triphasic and contains more estrogen (25mcg) and has desogestrel as the progestin. After researching I found out that this is a third generation progestin and is more likely to cause strokes, but etonogestrel in the NuvaRing is also a third generation and an active metabolite of desogestrel. I'm very worried about this and haven't started these pills in fear that I could suffer a stroke or blot clot in the lungs or legs. Has anyone had this happen while using a pill with desogestrel (mircette, apri, desogen or even cyclessa)? Also, I have a heart valve condition, but it was said I was ok to take hormones, but I was also wondering about paragard. Has anyone tried this and had success with it? I would feel more comfortable just ditching the hormones, but I haven't had kids yet and am worried that I'm not a good candidate for an IUD. Thanks for all your help and I apologize for the length of this post!

I think it's great that you are so educated on the various ingredients in the options you are considering. However, considering all of your concerns I think this is something you will have to discuss at length with a doctor in order to reach a conclusion. No one on here can decide what is best for your body.

But, you can get an IUD even if you haven't had kids. You just have to find a doc who's not an idiot. Some will just give you an immediate "no" but as far as I know, there's no reason why you can't and many childless women get them inserted successfully.

Thank you so much for your input! I certainly do agree with the need to talk more to my doctor, especially since I have prior existing health concerns that probably need to be addressed more extensively than others. You are very right about some doctors saying no immediately, which is exactly what my new gyno said. She didn't even see an IUD as an option and said that without hormonal birth control my only choice would be condoms. She's an older woman and perhaps has a different view than many of the younger doctors. Thank you again for your help! I just needed a little perspective from someone and you did exactly that!