Enjoying sex symptoms and conditions

I had been on Depo for basically 14 years, I came off of it, got pregnant 3 months later and after the birth went back on it. I had gained a lot of weight with it and had all the side effects plus so when I saw mirena I thought finally something better for me. I had it inserted in aug 2008. Other than painful insertion, like labor delivery contractions the rest of that day and some the next everything was fine. I didn't get my periods back, the only thing I liked about depo, and my weight was coming off and I was actually wanting and enjoying sex again. . A year later, and 15 lbs less, thought I was still doing good. Well I thought maybe my teenage daughter had jinxed me because I was bragging about still not having a period and I started, well a week later I am still having some sort of a period. It's very light and spotty, just when you think it's gone away, well there it is again. I have been noticing vision issues, I figured it was from where I had lasic done several years ago was starting to go but after reading everyone else's posts I think that's not it now. Everything I was experiencing, the back pain, blurry eyes, feeling sad, lower abdominal pain, I made an excuse for until now. I have recently started to loose my sex drive again. I hadn't had any, or so I thought, problems until several weeks ago. My problem is I can't take the pill, I don't want the depo back because of the side effects, the patch won't work for me so I am not sure what is left for me to take, I saved up for this and put so much money into it and now after reading everyone else's post realize that this BC is not for me either.

Thank you to all of the ladies that have written to this site. I've never sent in feedback, but it has been so helpful to read these stories and try to diagnose my issue. I am in the second month of the NR and will remove it tonight. We have 2 children (2.5 and 18 months) and are unsure about more so we have been hesitant to get my husband fixed. I found the site while unable to sleep because of a migraine during the first month. I have never had migraines before, but figured it was from a head cold Then the almost intolerable itching began...that has been awful, but I thought it may just be the "adjustment period". Because of 2 small children and a stressful career, I didn't notice the loss of sex drive right away. But recently, I noticed that NOTHING turns me on. I have always been able to orgasm almost every time we have sex (or even on my own), but now I cannot even stimulate myself or get turned on from sexy shows or ANYTHING. I am only having sex for him and it burns like crazy in my vagina right after we have sex. It was bad enough with babies in the house, but now I seem to have no sex drive AT ALL. So, the whole point was to get away from condoms but since I don't want or enjoy sex...guess that logic goes out the window. To sum up...migraines, crazy crotch itch, and no sex drive. I'm sure this works for some women, but if it is not working for you, take it out. I'll write again after I am clear of it to update.

So I have only been on the NuvaRing for about 3 weeks and just took it out. I feel SO down but I didn't feel down till about a week ago. Would the depression hit that fast? I keep getting in fights with my boyfriend and I'm feeling like we aren't going to last even though before this we've never had any real issues and I was positive he was the one I would marry. Now I feel like I'm doubting us but I have no reason at all to doubt us, nothing has happened except I started using the NR. I keep denying that it's the ring but the more I look back on it I feel like it could be since only a few days after I started using it I felt very irritable. I guess it's time to switch again? I don't like feeling like this and I don't want birth control of all things to be the reason our relationship fails. I feel so down and depressed but it isn't constantly, it just comes on randomly and stays till I go to sleep pretty much. Has this happened to anyone? Do you think that the effects would happen that soon after starting the NR? Any help would be great! Thanks!

I'm trying my hardest not to cry right now.
I was on the Nuvaring for exactly 3 weeks. Today is my 4th day without it (it took me 4 days to get my period) and I'm still miserable.

The first 2 weeks:
emotionally: nothing changed. I was feeling pretty normal

physically: boobs grew about a cup (A to B) which made me really excited and love the nuvaring (for a very short time)

sexually: sex drive went UP, believe it or not.
*** EXTREME burning, irritation, stinging and dryness in my whole vaginal area. I had UTI once before, but this was even WORSE. I knew it wasn't an infection because there was no odor, but the pain was incredible DURING and AFTER SEX. For the first time EVER, I had to PRETEND I was enjoying sex.... I thought it would worry my signifcant other if I told him that I was in pain. I was so sore, I really wanted to cry because of the pain. I never had trouble getting wet before either, until I started the Nuvaring.

The 3rd (last) week:
physically: bad back pain (very tense, no matter how much I stretched), noticeable lack of focusing ability, couldn't get anything done.... headaches, tensed up neck/shoulder muscles.

emotionally: chronic depression, ANGER, IRRITABILITY, cranky/grumpy ALL THE TIME, even started cursing about the smallest things...Paranoid and worried all the time... Suicidal... became ANTI-SOCIAL!!!! I'm usually always out with friends, but this week I stayed home in my pj's the whole time. Had the biggest fight with my boyfriend BECAUSE OF THE NUVARING. I am 100% sure, because the way I was responding and reacting was seriously not myself. He didn't know how to deal with it because I was just... SO ANGRY at everything!! I couldn't stop crying, after feeling guilty about yelling at him. It was the worst feeling ever. Cried for about 5 hours straight... didn't sleep. In the morning at work, I had to keep myself from exploding with tears... I didn't understand why I was such a bitch, until I read all these posts on this site. I kept wanting to believe that everything will pass and be back to normal, but.... I've already taken the ring out and STILL having problems... I really wish I figured it out sooner that the Nuvaring is just too scary to "let things pass"... I've never been so hopeless and uncontrollably sad in my life before.

I bought 4 rings, after the doctor told me that there were "virtually no side effects". I loved not remember to take the pill, but the pain down there... how can I explain... like boiling, scalding water thrown on your vagina. I'm not exaggerating.

Please make sure that you're a very emotionally strong person... It would break my heart to see anyone else go through what I did... A part of my heart has been ripped off, from all the stress and tears the Nuvaring caused me.

I haven't even been on NuvaRing for a whole month, but I have noticed several side effects. First I had severe lower back pain, similar to the pain I had during my first pregnancy. I have also been depressed, and tonight when I should have been enjoying sex with my husband, I discovered just how much my sex drive had diminished. I was so dry, and that never happens! I am taking NuvaRing out for good in three days. Thanks to all who have posted here. I am now certain that my problems are related to the NuvaRing.

I just started my second months on Yaz. My doctor prescribed it due to ovarian cysts. I have not used BCP for almost 10 years. I have now had my period for 8 days. Prior to Yaz I had a period for about 3-4 days, heavy with some bad cramps but then it was over. This is light bleeding but the consistency is like paste and it seems non-stop and its just a pain in the butt. Its effecting my sex life.

On the upside - milder cramps, PMS week was better, less tender breasts, less water retention. So far my sex drive is undiminished. If that is effected, I'll stop taking them. The pharmaceutical companies can go push rope. 10 years ago my doctor swore my decreased libido was all in my head. I quit the BCP and guess what? I was like a kid again. Yes, BCPs are convenient but not at the cost of enjoying sex.

Yasmin ruined my libido. Sure, it cleared my skin, solved a dandruff issue I always had to struggle with, not to mention less PMS and predictable periods. Plus, my breasts got slightly bigger. But it killed my sex drive. So I discontinued it and, bingo!, sex is great. But I can't sleep, I have dandruff again, and some acne, not to mention the awful PMS and mood swings. I don't know what to do. Enjoying sex is great, but having dandruff is awful! I wish I could get some help :(

I am 26 yrs old and I have been on Nuvaring for about 3-3 1/2 years. I thought this was the greatest thing not having to remember the pill and the short light periods. I have always sworn by this BC! I have been having side effects I never thought came from the ring until now. I have read a lot of the side effects others are having and I think my lack of sexual desire for the past 1 1/2 yrs. MAY be due to Nuvaring and not my getting married 2 yrs. ago. (lol) I also have headaches often, not bad ones but enough to carry Tylenol in my purse. And another is dryness before intercourse, that I never had a problem with 2 yrs. ago. I never put two and two together until I racked my brain and wondered why I struggled so badly with my lack of sexual desire. I could care less if I have sex or not! That just wasn't me 2 yrs ago! I just couldn't figure out what had changed, going back on any medicines I had taken the past 2 yrs., the Nuvaring is the only thing that was constant. I have a Dr. Appt today and I am going to discontinue use of the ring and see if the side effects subside like they have for some others. I will post again when I have an update. Please let me know if anyone else is having the side effects more than a year after using the Nuvaring!! Thanks!

I RECENTLY WROTE A REVIEW AFTER BEING ON NUVARING FOR 9 MONTHS. IM COMING BACK TO UPDATE. I HAVE BEEN OFF OF IT FOR 3 WEEKS NOW. I FEEL GREAT NOW!! IM NOT TIRED ANYMORE! IM NOT AS MEAN AND GROUCHY AS I WAS! I LOST ALL MY WEIGHT FROM BEING SO BLOATED! & FOR THE 1ST TIME IN 9 MONTHS IM ACTUALLY ENJOYING SEX AGAIN!! I'D ADVISE ANYONE WITH PROBLEMS TO TAKE IT OUT IF YOU WANT YOU LIFE BACK, I DID & IM SOO HAPPY NOW!

I had been on 2 mg. per day for 5 years and really wanted to get off of the clonazepam. It really helped my anxiety, but I don't like taking anything for long periods of time. My psychiatrist is helping me reduce the amount very, very slowly. Actually, 1/4 mg, at a time and over the last seven months I am down to 1/4 mg, am and 1/2 pm. She says it is best to really go slowly as it is a hard medication to get off of. I have had no bad side affects getting dosage reduced. I do feel better and because it is a nerve tranquilizer I am getting much more feeling and sensitivity throughout my system. It was affecting my sexual satisfaction and now I am enjoying sex more and have a lot more sensitivity and orgasm is easier.