Hi there,
I've already read another post quite similar to this and it did help but it doesn't really address the problem I have. Basically I have been away overseas for a while and I went back to Australia to visit for two weeks so started NuvaRing whilst overseas, however the timing worked out so that my period would come in the second week of my visit (which doesn't exactly make for a romantic farewell with the boyf) so I followed the instructions and was going to leave the ring in for 4 weeks instead, but as I started getting breakthrough bleeding when my period would have started (i.e. in the 4th week) I took out the first ring and replaced it with a second immediately (so I'm still covered, that much I know is sure). I then returned for another 3 weeks but the bleeding hasn't stopped, it's almost on its 20th day now and my nether-regions are starting to get a bit irritated with all the various women's hygiene products it keeps having to be around.

If I let it run its course, then I'll be getting my period 2 days before returning to Australia, effectively reducing my chances of getting busy to ZERO.. or at least ONE..

Since I'm getting really irritated by the whole thing and would rather NOT have my period in Australia, I've been considering removing the ring early.. which technically isn't early at all, it's actually very very late. What I'm wondering is, after the week of being off the ring ends in this hypothetical situation, would I be covered once I started the new ring? Or would I have to wait 7 days to be covered?

In all honesty I'd rather get back period-free and just use condoms for a week anyway, but it would still be nice to know if I'll be covered or not. The way I see it, the hormone usage has been constant and the period is just late rather than early, so then resumed use after the specified 7-day period would be just like if I were starting a new ring after a normal monthly roung of Nuva.. Am I right here or is there some other weird physiological phenomenon I've failed to take into account?

Thanks in advance for your help.. I'm almost certainly going to take it out in the next day or two, but I'd still appreciate any input!