First, I was on alesse, a combined OC containing levonorgestrel for three cycles. Constant painful cramps and blood like a slaughterhouse. Obviously I needed less estrogen and eventually ended up on a bcp that has the least estrogenic and most progesteronic and testosteronic effects available. The progestin in my current pill is desogestrol; its active metabolite is etonogestrol which is in the nuvaring. Minimal side effects on both.
Used the ring for three years and only went off it because of yeast infections every bloody cycle. It's easy to skip periods on the nuva ring; just leave it in place for 28 days; pull it out and immediately insert another. The officially sanctioned way to use the NR is to insert it, leave it for 21 days, and be ring-free for 7 days, but the documentation also says you can use it for up to 28 days.
Good things: convenience, continuous delivery of drugs, no nausea, lighter periods Bad things: yeast and vaginal irritation is a common side effect. blood clot risk is the same as taking an oral contraceptive. It can come out (but shouldn't be removed until it's time has come) and you might not notice because properly inserted you don't feel it. Can't use NR with a menstrual cup or diaphragm. (they get in the way of each other).
Things to think about: hormones still enter the bloodstream and get processed by the liver. While it's not affected as much by antibiotics, it still interacts with other medications. A cursory glance through wikipedia suggests to me that you'd not be a good candidate for 28 day NR use and would have to remove it at 21 days due to the carbamazepine. I'd think a really good GYN who has a creative side could try you on the NR and take blood samples at 21 days to determine if there's an adequate level of hormones to protect you.
I'm wondering if nexplanon (the rod) would be a good option for you.
no subject
First, I was on alesse, a combined OC containing levonorgestrel for three cycles. Constant painful cramps and blood like a slaughterhouse. Obviously I needed less estrogen and eventually ended up on a bcp that has the least estrogenic and most progesteronic and testosteronic effects available. The progestin in my current pill is desogestrol; its active metabolite is etonogestrol which is in the nuvaring. Minimal side effects on both.
Used the ring for three years and only went off it because of yeast infections every bloody cycle. It's easy to skip periods on the nuva ring; just leave it in place for 28 days; pull it out and immediately insert another. The officially sanctioned way to use the NR is to insert it, leave it for 21 days, and be ring-free for 7 days, but the documentation also says you can use it for up to 28 days.
Good things: convenience, continuous delivery of drugs, no nausea, lighter periods
Bad things: yeast and vaginal irritation is a common side effect. blood clot risk is the same as taking an oral contraceptive. It can come out (but shouldn't be removed until it's time has come) and you might not notice because properly inserted you don't feel it. Can't use NR with a menstrual cup or diaphragm. (they get in the way of each other).
Things to think about: hormones still enter the bloodstream and get processed by the liver. While it's not affected as much by antibiotics, it still interacts with other medications. A cursory glance through wikipedia suggests to me that you'd not be a good candidate for 28 day NR use and would have to remove it at 21 days due to the carbamazepine. I'd think a really good GYN who has a creative side could try you on the NR and take blood samples at 21 days to determine if there's an adequate level of hormones to protect you.
I'm wondering if nexplanon (the rod) would be a good option for you.