NuvaRing

H1N1 has invaded schools, and is highly contagious. Unfortunately H1N1 can be damaging to pregnant women. Cynthia Olson, RN/Reproductive Health Clinician says, “If you become pregnant at this time, you will have a lot of decisions to make regarding all vaccinations. H1N1 has been shown to affect pregnant women differently because of the complications that can arise.” As we all know, birth control can prevent pregnancy and so this week I wanted to talk about a different method of birth control, the NuvaRing.

The NuvaRing, aka “the once a month birth control”, is insert into the vagina and protects against pregnancy for 21 days. Olson says, “NuvaRing is composed of etonogestrel, a progestin, and ethinyl estradiol, an estrogen, which is released when the NuvaRing contacts the vagina. The vaginal walls then absorbs the hormones and distributes them directly into the bloodstream.”
Olson explained that most of her clients prefer the ring because once it is inserted there is nothing else to do. It lasts for three weeks. Also the clients don’t have to worry about taking a pill every day or panic if they miss a pill. Just like the pill, women who are one the NuvaRing can have control over their monthly cycles or choice to continuous cycle. Olson clarified that continuous cycling can be obtained by placing the ring in for 28 days, remove it and place a new ring in the same day and then continue with this cycle for three times.





As with any birth control method there are misconceptions. The most heard rumor is that it can easily fall out. Olson says, “The NuvaRing can slip out but that does not happen often. The muscles in the vagina do keep the NuvaRing in place and if the ring does slip out, just wash it off with room temperature water and reinsert it. The ring can be out up to 3 hours before protection is decreased.” Another common misconception of the ring is that your partner can feel it or that it is uncomfortable for the women. However, research shows that most partners can’t feel it and women don’t feel the NuvaRing either because the nerve endings in the upper vaginal wall are not very sensitive compared to the nerve endings of the outer vagina.

So the NuvaRing is still another way, a once a month way, to prevent pregnancy.

Implanon

Last week I discussed birth control pills and now that you understand the pills, lets take a look at another type of birth control method…the Implanon! The Implanon is unlike the birth control pill because of its structure, however; it works in the same way. Today we will learn what it is, look at the main differences, the complications of removing it (if any), the pros and the cons.

The Implanon is a tiny bar that is inserted into your arm and lasts for three years. Jan Ray, a RN Board Certified Women's Health Nurse Practitioner and Advanced Practice Nurse Prescriber says “The Implanon works because it has a hormone in it that stops the ovaries from making an egg each month, changes the cervical mucus making it hostile to sperm, and it also changes how the uterine lining develops each month.”

So this bar works in a similar way that the pill does, but the advantage is that you don’t have to take a pill every day. Ray stated “ The Implanon is inserted in the inner aspect of the upper arm after a small amount of local anesthetic is used to numb the area.”

So after three years of this rod being in an arm, I was concerned that there may be complications to taking out the Implanon. Ray was soon to put my worries at rest. She says there is no complications to taking the Implanon out and once out women return to their menstrual cycle and can get pregnant immediately.

Girls I know how it can be stressful trying remember to take a pill every day. That is why the reason females use the Implanon compared to other methods is because there is no work involved once it is in. Ray knows first hand because girls come to her clinic and complain about forgotten pills. She explains that it is very effective in preventing a pregnancy because there is nothing to do after it is inserted. Another advantage is the Implanon decreases the amount of bleeding, menses, the women has. For some women their period disappears all together and for those who bleeding is heavy this prevents anemia.





Along with the pros, there must be cons. Rays says, “There may be some irregular bleeding for the first 3 to 6 months. It is usually light in nature but may be longer that the woman wants to put up with it.” When choosing this type of method for birth control, women must understand that they probably will not have monthly periods with Implanon. For some women this concept will be hard for them and therefore, they should not choose this method and for some this concept will be greatly welcomed.

So if you want less to deal with when it comes down to birth control and want to be protected for a long period of time the Implanon may be right for you.