Source
r/birthcontrol•
hanahimej

NuvaRing vs Annovera (Which is easier to use?)

Experience

I've been on the pill for almost 5 years and made a switch to NuvaRing earlier this month because I honestly can't take the nausea that comes with downing the pill.

I've been on the NuvaRing for 2 weeks now. I do like NuvaRing in that it doesn't make me nauseous and I don't have to remember to take it every day like the pill, but for the life of me this thing will NOT stay put inside me! No matter which position I use (sitting, laying down, 1 leg up) or how I bend it (pinching middle, figure 8 into 2 circles) it always finds its way to wiggle its way to my vaginal opening with the tip of it sticking out of my vagina. It doesn't stay put behind my pubic bone and it doesn't "hook" itself onto my cervix either. It's becoming so annoying to deal with, I end up having to push it in nearly every hour. I'm also now worried that because it sticks out of my vagina, I'm not getting the proper dosage of the hormones that it's supposed to deliver.

I was thinking of switching to Annovera since it is a thicker ring. My line of thinking is that since it's thicker, it won't be able to slide to my vaginal opening to stick out, that way it'll be more comfortable and I will get all the necessary hormones.

So my question is, is there anyone out there who has tried NuvaRing and had the same difficulty as me and switched to Annovera and found it better? Or is there anyone out there that has tried NuvaRing and had the same difficulty as me and just hung in there and it got better? I really want to stay with the ring!

Posted Feb 19, 2021, 8:04 PM UTC

511
hanahimejOP•

Here's an update for those who have made their way to this post!

I switched to Annovera today and it stayed in place the whole day! I never felt it poke its way out and it even stayed put when I used the restroom (for both a #1 and #2). I forgot that it was even inside for a good portion of the day. I think the thickness definitely helps it stay put. I really hope that this will be my everyday experience because I love not taking pills anymore and I like being in control of my birth control (not having to go to the gyno to get it implanted/removed). Fingers crossed that Annovera continues to stay in properly!

3
AdriD64250•

Hi! Is it still sitting horizontally for you? (The annovera) I have the same issue with the nuvaring sitting vertically instead of horizontally

1
hanahimejOP•

Hi! Mine does not stay horizontally for me. It fits vertically. Neither the nuva ring or annovera fit horizontally for me. It's just that annovera does not slide out so I don't mind it fitting that way! I'm sorry you aren't having the best experience with it :(

1
tamtheprogram•

Have not used the annovera, but used the Nuvaring for several years. I really liked it, but eventually switched to an IUD (that just expelled tonight)!

The pros are that you can’t feel it, and it’s mostly mindless. After some time, even when you take it out periods are very light. No bad side effects for me. Cant feel it during sex, and if it’s out of place for whatever reason, it’s very easy to tell.

Cons, if you’re not using an app, you can start to forget to remove it. Not a big deal if you leave it in for four weeks, but obviously not effective if you forget it for longer. It’s also annoying to pick it up at the pharmacy every month and it needs to be refrigerated. It can be annoying to put in at times, but depends on your flexibility. I gained weight and was tired of the contortion act to put it in, but didn’t have issues before.

With all of that said, now that my iud came out, I am def. Going to ask my doctor about annovera, since it being non-refrigerated and lasts up to a year is appealing, even if you do have to take it out every month.

2
hanahimejOP•

I really want to be able to enjoy the pros without feeling it slipping :(

Luckily, I receive a new ring each month in the mail with Simple Health so I don't have to physically go to a pharmacy. I just have to be mindful of remembering to take it out on time if I choose to stick with a ring.

I hope you end up enjoying Annovera!

3
motherofdragonballz•

Let me tell you, if the Nuvaring won't stay in for you, don't even try Annovera. I never had issues keeping the Nuva in but now with the Annovera I swear it tries to pop out pretty much anytime I use the restroom. #1 or #2, doesn't matter... I think the thicker Annovera ring makes move around more and it's incredibly frustrating. Hope that helps!

2
hanahimejOP•

Huh that's interesting! I would have thought that since it's thicker, Annovera would stay put. Sort of like using a menstrual cup ya know?

Does Annovera stay in place for you aside from using the restroom? Or it pretty much moves around no matter what?

1
leafyyygreens•

I am going to start annovera in 2 weeks but from my knowledge, even though the ring is thicker, the material is more squishy and stretchy

1
hanahimejOP•

I actually ended up ordering Annovera through my gyno a week ago. She said that Nuvaring just isn't a good fit for some people. I guess I'm just one of them :/

I'm starting it next week so I hope it can just answer my prayers and stay put!

1
Sia0208•

I have never used nuvaring, but I tried Annovera for about 12 hours before I got so frustrated with getting the stupid thing to stay in place. I gave up and pulled it out. Decided it wasn't for me.

1
hanahimejOP•

The pros to the ring are so appealing but I hate that they can't just stay in place!

1
SarahSomebodySomeday•

So how has it been fitting for you? I got to insert it for the first time today - yay! I used the nuvaring before, and even though I liked it, it always say vertically inside (but never came out). However, this one actually hooked and is sitting horizontally and around my cervix, which is really exciting for me! Haha. It is all so dependent on each person's anatomy. I hope that it's still working for you. :)

1
hanahimejOP•

Annovera just stays vertically inside for me! Still can't get it to hook around my cervix but it doesn't slip out unless I'm ovulating. That's when things get a little slippery lol. I give it a 9/10 for that reason alone. Glad it's working out for you though!

2
AdriD64250•

Hi! Is the anniversary ring still staying in horizontally for you? I also have the same problem with the nuvaring staying in me vertically and it’s very annoying

1
hanahimejOP•

Hi! Mine does not stay horizontally for me. It fits vertically. Neither the nuva ring or annovera fit horizontally for me. It's just that annovera does not slide out so I don't mind it fitting that way! I'm sorry you aren't having the best experience with it :(

1