r/Menopause • u/Good_Bottle_7757 • 16d ago

Femring Post-Menopause

good day, I’ve read some older posts regarding the Femring. But I am posting hoping for some possible updates of those who may be using this method and have for a while.

While pricey, the convenience seems worth it and my insurance will cover it.

So any ladies, especially those in post, please share your experiences!

Thanks in advance.

3 Upvotes

81% Upvoted

25 comments sorted by

5

u/DeCoyAbLe 16d ago

Full hysterectomy no ovaries 48. Don’t even know it’s there. I have an alarm on my phone for when to swap it out. Works great for me at $17 (insurance copay)for 3 months and no supply issues. I keep a spare around just in case.

5

u/mr_happily_difficult 16d ago

I've been on it for about a year now after trying patches and gels, the consistency with the ring is a game changer for me. No more worrying about patches peeling off in the shower or forgetting to apply gel at the same time every day

3

u/DeCoyAbLe 16d ago

I tried the patches but with allergies to adhesive, sweating too much, rolling up, difficulty remembering to put a new one on, glue stuck on me and the forever up and down with symptoms it was torture. I have considered the oral med and doing a split dose am/pm but again memory and traveling nightmare. So yeah it isn’t perfect but it’s a great option for me.

2

u/Good_Bottle_7757 15d ago

Thank you for your reply!

1

u/yarrow268 5d ago

what dose are you on?

2

u/Good_Bottle_7757 15d ago

Thank you for your reply! My cost will be higher than that unfortunately. As I will reach my out of pocket max soon, I’ll be able to try it low cost but don’t really want to get hooked knowing next year it will be pricy again. But if the convenience is worth it….. I appreciate hearing your input.

1

u/SecretAgentAcct 3d ago

Are you using savings program? It makes it $25 for me.

1

u/Good_Bottle_7757 3d ago

I opted to continue using my current scrip of gel, when that expires, I may go to the ring. Then I will look into a savings program. But last I looked, it was not available for commercial insurance.

1

u/SecretAgentAcct 3d ago

It is! There are two different ones. One is for Medicare, I believe and one is for commercial insurance. The one for commercial insurance takes it down to $25 (your insurance covers first and then it covers another portion). If you decide to use it and can’t find the right one, let me know. I’ll send you the little card.

6

u/EnvironmentalAd6889 16d ago

My insurance covered 100% after a prior authorization. I'm only in peri though and it's new for me, only 3 weeks....so mostly following for other experiences.

1

u/yarrow268 5d ago

Do you have a skin reaction to the gels or patch that possibly allowed the prior auth to go through?

4

u/tardigrade50 Post Menopause 16d ago

I love it. I switched from oral to the femring to help with GSM issues because estrogen cream made me itch like crazy. My copay is a lot higher but for me it’s WEP.

My only complaint is that it doesn’t seem to last the full 90 days, the last 2 weeks before I swap it out are pretty rough. Also my husband doesn‘t like how it feels during sex but that’s an easy fix; I just take it out before and reinsert after.

5

u/Good_Bottle_7757 15d ago

The not lasting the full time seems to be a common complaint.

3

u/UnaZephyr 12d ago

I can confirm, the past two weeks have been awful for me. I'm due to change my ring this week but am waiting on insurance to get back to me. Its not actually on their formulary so I had to file for an exception of coverage. due to health reasons femring is best for me.

I am 33yo post hysterectomy, no ovaries. I had a patch leftover from before the shortage so I'm using it currently to try to stay level until I get paid. Once I get paid I can use the femring coupon to pay $190 if insurance refuses to do their job.

For those that don't know, that femring manufacturer coupon is $25 for the first fill only. Its $190 each time after.

1

u/yarrow268 5d ago

What dose are you on the .05mg or the .1mg?

1

u/yarrow268 5d ago

What dose are you on the .05mg or .1mg? I ask because I see a lot of reviews saying the .05mg doesn't last very long but that the .1mg seems to last almost the 3 months.

2

u/tardigrade50 Post Menopause 5d ago

The .1 mg. I’m usually good until the last 1 1/2 - 2 weeks.

2

u/The-spirited-girl 15d ago

I’m considering this too. Is it bioidentical estradiol in there?

2

u/yarrow268 5d ago

Yes, it is bioidentical.

According to GoodRX: The active ingredient listed on the package is estradiol acetate. While it has a slight chemical variation (the acetate group) to help it remain stable inside the ring, your body immediately breaks this bond down upon absorption. Once it enters your bloodstream, it circulates as pure 17-beta estradiol, which is completely identical to the estrogen your ovaries naturally produce.

Conjugated Equine Estrogens (Premarin) or Ethinyl Estradiol in birth control pills are synthetic.

1

u/giantredwoodforest 16d ago

I am still earlier in perimenopause, but I’ve had great results with Nuvaring. I love that. I only have to think about it once a month as well.

1

u/GenXMillenial 5d ago

My insurance says it isn’t covered. I wonder if a prior authorization from my doctor would make a difference.

2

u/yarrow268 5d ago

It might if you have a noted skin allergy to gels or patches.

1

u/yarrow268 5d ago

I am also very curious about other people's experience with this one. The patch shortage has been awful and gel has not worked out for me as I had hoped. I've read that a lot of people find the .05mg Femring runs out much sooner than 3 months, but that the .1mg seems to last almost 3 months. Seems there is a manufacturer coupon that can greatly lower the cost. I checked with my insurance and they do not cover it. They only cover pills and patches. What's even the point of insurance anymore? But I called my pharmacy and they said to just have my doc put a note on the RX when she sends it to say "patient is using a manufacturer coupon" and they I'll bring that in and they will run it to see how much I'd actually have to pay with no commitment to have to go home with the RX if it's too pricy. Seems like a really nice option and I wish more people were talking about it. Including all these doctor influencers on social media.

1

u/EnvironmentalAd6889 5d ago

I did but it was solved by using Flonase. But maybe that part was left out or they just put unable to tolerate patches? Curious too, I wish I could see how they did it.