Need information about periods (Nuva Ring users)?

Question

I feel as if I should know this by now (I'm in my 20s), but I have a few questions about changes in my period. I've been on Nuva Ring for four months now (used it correctly each month, not taking any weird medicines or antibiotics, etc.), and each month my period has started either one or two days BEFORE the day I remove the ring. I wasn't too concerned about that, but this month I started slight discharge on the 19th, and I'm not due to remove the ring until the 24th. The discharge started off really slowly, then progressed to red blood. I'm experiencing normal period cramps, etc. like a regular period (it all feels just like a normal period), but this one seems MUCH lighter. I haven't bled a whole lot. Is this cause for concern, or could STRESS have triggered an early + lighter period? I think I remember hearing that before, but I'm just not sure if it is really the case. Thanks for any help, I just want to know why I started three days earlier than normal, and what's going on with my body right now. I appreciate any advice.

Answer 1

The NuvaRing has a very small dose of hormones which allows for the potential of "break-through bleeding" which can mean spotting in between periods or having your period begin sooner.  This should subside and your cycles become more normal as your body continues to adjust to it.  This side-effect varies from woman to woman, some experiencing lots of break through and "irregularity" and some experience nothing but normal birth control assisted cycles. As far as stress is concerned, it may play a small factor in conjunction of the low dose of hormones in the ring.  Give it a few more months to see if things equal out.