Hello,
ehem, so kinda private topic i suppose but recently my self and my BF have been considering looking into alternative contraception methods than the condom.
2 questions i suppose:

1. We both want to get tested for STIs(just to be sure, not mistrust or anything) before switching to something else. do we have to go to a doctor, or a specialised doctor or is there some kind of clinic (family planning, well womans) that is available that is just for this thing.
What would the costs be for this?

2. I am not sure what kind of contraception to use, I was hoping the clinic(mentioned above) would deal with questions, or do I have to go to a Gynacologist? I dont speak german well enough to ask all the questions in German but my BF has agreed to come if they dont speak english. I was thinking of going for a Nuva ring rather than the pill, does anyone have experiences they would like to share?
price, availability ect would also be very helpful.

once again if the info provided could be Zurich orientated that would be great.

Otherwise I am going to my home country in a few months and was just going to sort it all out while there, is that the best option?

Thanks in advance for all the replys as I know this can be a bit private for some people.

others can probably provide more insight (for obvious reasons). but in my mind, the pill has been around for ages and the effects and side-effects are well-known.

Warning: Nuvaring birthcontrol expiry date

I never heard of Nuva Ring before your posting and found the above link, when I did a quick search

there was a thread about someone wanting to be tested for STI's recently, do a search on the forum.

As for Nuvaring, here's my experience. I'm now on IUD (well pregnant, so not anymore) and before that, on Nuvaring. I cannot compare with the pill, I only took the morning-after one a couple of times.
I never wanted to be on the pill because I couldn't imagine taking something everyday, I immediately started with Nuvaring which was ideal for me because
1) it's easy to put in
2) it stays in for 3 weeks or so if I remember right
3) take it out, have your period, and put a new one in a week or so later.
4) you (the "wearer") never feel it
5) your partner never feels it
6) if your partner is ...um... really long, he might sometimes "bring it out", but you just put it back in and it has no effet on the reliability (because it continuously diffuses a low dose of hormone, so 5 min without the ring doesn't change anything).
7) I personally didn't notice any change in period quantity or duration between the no contraception /nuvaring /IUD.

In the 3 years I used Nuvaring, I've never had any side effects, was very happy with it. I changed contraception because for some genetic reason I couldn't take hormones, so I went onto the IUD (which is also super practical!).

I can't advise on the price because I had my nuvaring in Belgium, but I'm sure any pharmacy here can tell you the price.

Hope this helps!

I personally know half a dozen women who don't tolerate the pill (weight problems, headaches, pain during intercourse, etc etc) and many who chose another contraception, so I wouldn't recommend the pill just because "it's well-known and has been around for ages".
I personally stay far away from doctors who won't look into newer methods of contraception that are maybe more adapted and more comfortable for some women.

I was on the pill for over 8 years. I never had any issue with it. . . . for the first 7 years

In fact, my period became lighter & cramps non existant. Plus i loveld the fact that now and again i could choose to delay my period.. eg if i was away on holidays.

Yes you are supposed to take it daily but missing a day wont kill you.

Youi think that it would be difficult to take every daybut if you leave it beside your toothbrush or on your dressing table.. in your bag etc its actually very easy to remember.

in my many years of taking the pill i dont think i missed more than 10.

After 7 years on the same pill i did have some side effects. Last year i started to get very bad spots on my face. The were massive, red and extremly painful . . . i should never have remained on the pill for that long with out adequate checkups.

My doctor at the time would throw you a perscription for what ever you asked for with out question or needing to see him. . . .

It was my new doctor who picked up on the links between the pill and my face. A hormone imbalance. . . he changed my pill and the spots cleared.

Now we are starting to try for a family and the spots have started again because i took myself offf the pill. Another month and they should be clear.


.......i would never have had the problem if i bothered my arse to see my doctor.

great thanks for the info everyone.

no one has any advice on where I can go to get pill/nuva ring.
are they prescribed or over the counter?
do I need to see a Gynocologist?

I am starting to think I might just do it when I am home in a few months

From your profile, it looks like you're in the Zurich area. If you do an online search for something like "Zurich Frauenklinik" you should find some places to call. That's what I did when I needed an OB/GYN here (but mine is in Uster, at the Uster Spital to be exact). I personally found that going to the Frauenklinik at the hospital was a wise choice because they seem to have every technology, etc. available. I also think it's nice to have more than just one doctor available in the same clinic to treat you.

Here are a few places you could call:

Spital Zollikerberg OB/GYN: http://www.spitalzollikerberg.ch/ind...74&memberId=10

UniversitatSpitalZurich Gynecology clinic: http://www.gynaekologie.usz.ch/syste...n/contact.aspx



Also, may I suggest that it might make most sense for you to get the prescription or nuva ring from a doctor here in CH, since this is where you live (in case there are any problems with it or you need to ask about other meds you can take with it, or when you need a refill, etc.).

Yes you need to see a gyn (pill is not available over the counter). Once he has issued a "Rezept" you can pick up the pill at any pharmacie. Ring is probably similar.

Not sure if it helps but my usual Doc perscribes my pill with no need to see a gyno. He checks my blood pressure and all that jazz too

But maybe a different form of contraception requires a gyno and not a doc. Im unsure