Expert: DW - 4/16/2008

Question
Hello there, I'm 19 years old and after a couple years of ortho-low pills, i
switched to Nuvaring and loved it. After asking my doctor I began doing the
extended cycle (where you just take a ring out and put another in period-
free). The first few months with nuvaring were a dream, no stress, no acne,
no forgetting to take pills. But starting in Jan/Feb i began spotting a lot more
and getting my period after the ring was in only two weeks or so. I read that
it is normal to have some spotting, but only in the beginning. it seems that
the longer ive been using Nuvaring, the more spotting occurs. I don't
understand why it worked so well at the beginning and now its a constant
worry to me that i might be bleeding at any time. Its getting to be a huge
annoyance!  I have been storing the rings in the fridge before use, but it
doesn't seem to help. Do you know what's going on here? Any info is greatly
appreciated. Thank you!

Answer
Hi Julie,

Thanks for your question. I don't believe that it is healthy long-term to not have your period and just constantly using the Nuvaring.
You could see that this is not the way our bodies are made to work and your period is healthy and normal. I'm not a medical doctor but this is just my opinion. I don't recommend any kind of hormonal birth control. I don't think it is healthy for a woman's body. Perhaps you should take a break from this and let you body be normal. Let me know what you think.

Sincerely,
Diane W.