Pain After Birth Control Change: Understanding Your Symptoms

Question
Hello I am 24 year old mother of one, I have been married for 5 years now and in Feb. and March I started having pain in my left arm and leg, some time and the same time other times just in one or the other. I contacted my doctor and was told to stop my Birth Control which was the Ortho Evra Patch. After the 2 weeks I went in and told the doctor the first week I was off the Birth Control I still had pain but not the second week. So they changed my Birth control to the Nuva Ring. I am scheduled to start today. And no sign. Last night before I went to bed my stomach hurt. I guess my question is should I be worried? My husband and I have been using condoms. Would stopping taking my Birth control throw my periods off track. And I'm not really sure about the Nuva ring I was told to put it in when I got my period, but should I put it in since today since I am scheduled to start? Thank you for taking the time to answer. I hope I have given you enough information.

Answer
Dear Beth,

Stopping any hormonal birth control in the middle of the cycle has the potential of causing a disruption in your normal menstrual cycles.

For starting NuvaRing, you typically count the first day of your actual menstrual period as Day 1, and insert your first NuvaRing on or before Day 5 (but no later, even if you have not finished your period). During this first cycle, use an extra method of birth control, such as male condoms or spermicide, for the first seven days of NuvaRing use to make sure you are fully protected. However, this is often for those who have not used a hormonal birth control method in the past month. Since you have used the hormonal patch within the past month, you can either go ahead and start it when the doctor directed or wait until you actually have a period and start as directed above while using condoms in the meantime. That part is really up to you.

I hope this has helped you and answered your question. I wish you well.

Brenda