Ovarian cysts symptoms and conditions

I switched to Yasmin one month ago. I have terrible problems with ovarian cysts, cramps, back pain and mood swings all relating to my cycle/hormones. Before i was on Portia for a year and wasn't at all happy with it. I suppose I didn't realize how different bc's are from one another. Well, my gyno suggested Yasmin to help with all these. Because as soon as I go off the pill for my week of menstruation the stabbing pains in my abdomen start. (Literally the next morning after not taking the first reminder pill) She thinks it would be best to skip periods all together.

I have noticed being tired around the same time of day every day. I have always had motion sickness while reading so that remains. Overall I am happy with Yasmin but I will definitely look out for any side effects after reading these posts. Thanks you so much everyone for sharing! If I begin to have any of these unusual symptoms I'll know right away that it is the Yasmin.

I had Mirena put in this past February..I've given birth to 4 children and DO NOT want anymore..Upon consulting my physician I was under the impression that there were RARELY side effects..So I had the MIRENA put in this past February..For the first three months i bled EVERYDAY..I almost had it removed but then bleeding stopped to only spotting a couple days out the month(which I assumed would be my period) For the past couple months i've had a pain in my left lower abdomen and finally went to the doctor..I had an ultrasound and found out I now have ovarian cysts..I thought i'd look on the internet and found that there is a link between ovarian cysts and MIRENA..Also, since I had it put in, i've had at least 10 MAJOR yeast infections(which included a very bad odor & the worst itching) I have NEVER had problems like this before!!!! I've also experienced pains in my knee, thighs and back..I don't know if those are related to the MIRENA, but I NEVER had all these issues before.. I will be discussing other methods of b.c with my doctor AND getting this thing removed ASAP!!!!

I am a 27 year old female and I have stage 4 endo and have had lots of rupturing ovarian cysts. The laporoscopy was pretty ineffective for me and I tried birth control and had severe vaginal bleeding during intercourse. So my doctor wanted to do 3 months of Lupron Depot and add back therapy with Premarin.
I have only had one shot of Lupron and that was on 10/16/09. I noticed side effects with in 24 hours. I had severe joint pain especially noticed in the right hip ( I was injected in my right side) severe migraines, awful mood swings, short term memory loss and that was all in my first week on the shot. I started feeling better like 10 days after the shot, but that was only short lived. Now even after three weeks into the shot, I am in so much pain in my joints, it is difficult to take care of my two toddler boys and my home. I now have a crazy rash on my butt, and still have so much pain in my body as well as feeling numb in my toes, left arm, and fingers. This drug appears to be more ineffective than effective and I feel like women need to explore other options before going down this unknown path. I found out through research on the internet that the Premarin that I was taking as an add-back is made from PREGNANT HORSE URINE and that the horses are treated like crap so everyone can get rich off them. There has to be other options for people that have already gone through the nightmare of endometriosis. I would take endo over these side effects any day.

For the last 4 years --I have been on Yasmin. I stopped taking this pill a couple of month ago and could not be more relieved. I say this because during that time I had severe heart palpitations and anxiety attacks. They were so severe sometimes I would cry because I was so scared I was going to have a heart attack. A couple of years ago I went to a Cardiologist and told him about my heart racing, skipping a beat, and or course the constant never-ending heart palpitations. I took a stress exam, Ekg...etc all those test need to find the problem. They came up with nothing and basically said it was stress and anxiety. The Dr. gave me pills for anxiety and pill to slow my heart rate..which looking back was a joke!! Because it was really from Yasmin.I am so much better and happy to know that I was not just going crazy ..because that is how I truly felt. I was only on this medication because I too have ovarian cysts. I am too scared to go on any other birth control pill now. So if anyone out there is on this medication and has these symptoms..please stop this medication and know that you are not crazy. There are so many of us out there that have had these symptoms.Now I have to go to the Dr. and find out if there are any permanent damages to to any part of my organs.. so upset with this company and drug.

I have to say I am SHOCKED over this site but had to read every bit of it. I am a TRUE believer in the Mirena and until I came across this site while searching for sites to send a friend to encourage the Mirena I never knew how many horrible things could happen for someone on the Mirena. HOWEVER, I guess this is proof when with any type of birth control including Mirena it is said it's not for everyone. I happen to LOVE mine. I'm actually on my 2nd insertion. My first one went very well, after a crampy insertion and 2 days of horrible cramps controlled by ibuprofin I was left to enjoy 5 years of birth control w/out problems. I can't take the pill as no matter the dose I spend the 1st to weeks nauseated and vomiting in the morning, I tried the Depo Shot (personally that is the EVIL OF ALL EVIL birth control methods, gained 68 pounds in 11mnts never going over 105 pounds except for pregnancy in my life, have battled to control my weight since therefore I believe it destroyed my metabolism forever, major depression to the point of medication and medical leave from work & the world). And after an accident pregnancy no way was condoms going to be enough for me. My Dr. recommended Mirena and I gave it a try. I was not lucky enough to go period free my first insertion I did have a max of 3 days of period with little or no cramping. My second not as good, I now have about 5 days of spotting only if sex promotes it and occasionally after using the bathroom a little blood on the toilet paper, never needing to actually use any feminine products. I use to get ovarian cysts all the time, small enough surgery was only needed once but I knew when one was there and I knew one they "popped" as my doctor would call it. I haven't had that problem since I started with Mirena, I'm told its due to the small amount of hormones (hence the reason my Dr suggested Mirena versus a non hormone IUD). My sex drive has not been affected one bit...in fact like one of the positive posts I just read...my husband and I have discussed more then once prior to coming across this site how much more of a sex drive I do have, although we contributed it to not being pulled down in the dark world of depression from the Depo shot...and the freedom of placed once & forget for 5 years type birth control. I have 8 friends and coworkers that have the Mirena...One person had a problem, hers "fell out" in the toilet and she had been cramping and in abdominal pain for a few days prior not connecting it to her Mirena...but after 2 months of other methods she had another one placed and has had no problem since...that was 2 years ago. It stinks to hear how horrible this "wonder bc method" is for others...(are you seeing how terrible the other methods were for me first for me to feel this is the wonder of all wonders) and of course I'm concerned with the fact that most of you that had a problem had SEVERE problems..not just a small one here or there. But I'm going to bet that on the flip side the methods that caused me hell might work for one of you. I have 2 more years left on this 2nd cycle...I pray I never have the problems you do if I chose a 3rd insertion...however, with science today we can only hope your complaints are taken seriously and the makers of Mirena continue to improve so that less and less people run into these side effects. I'm not sure I would have another option...SCARY!

hello my name is T. i just got the mirena in January 09 after having my first child. at first i didn't notice any side effects until i went to my doctors and i gained well over 30 pounds. felt sad all the time felt like i wasn't myself. yesterday after going to the emergency room due to bad cramps and severe pain in my pelvic area. after doing tests and everything and finally finding that i have two ovarian cysts from the mirena im getting it taken out immediately

wow just amazed by all of the side effects. ive been on Yasmin now for 3 years i suffer from a lot of different things but im not sure if they are related to the pill. i have migraines, i have ovarian cysts, cant sleep the entire night, itchiness all over, constant back pain, arm pain, nausea, very loose stools, moodiness, weight gain, everyday it seems that i notice more and more cellulite. im looking into other options i have other symptoms cant think of all of them right now.

im 27 and have 2 kids, i had the mirena put in after my 2nd child as ive always had very bad periods.i also have nerve damage in my stomach which gets irritated sometimes by the mirena.i have recently found out as im due 2 have my coil changed that after 5 yrs it could be expired and i might be pregnant. and after 5 yrs of bad moods and stomach pain i could be pregnant thats the only reason i got it in the 1st place was so i didn't get pregnant.ive also had overian cysts which i think are related to my coil as i haven't had a period in 5 yrs but the doc's keep telling me its nothing 2 do wit the mirena.im hoping to get it removed soon still debating on weather or not ill get a new one.

I've always been the kinda of girl that has horrible side effects with birth control. Every time i went on a different pill i had to deal with migraines constantly. I hated it. After i had my daughter i looked into mirena. I read everything online about it and just figured what the heck i'll try it anyways. Well i put it in in February and it seemed like the best birth control ever. I didn't have any headaches so cramps, my periods even pretty much stopped after the first month. 3 months later i was having sharp pains in my side. I thought maybe the IUD moved or something and that's what was hurting me so i went to my doctor. They sent me for an ultrasound and turns out i had a huge cyst on my left ovary. The doctor tried to see if it would just shrink and go away but 3 months later i was still feeling the same. The doctor told me that it was a big possibility he was gonna have to take my ovary. I only have one baby and i know i want more so that scared me really bad. I ended up having to have the surgery and luckily they were able to drain the cyst without removing my ovary. THANK GOD!! While they were in there they also found another good sized cyst on my tube that they had to remove. I didn't think anything about my birth control being the cause until about a week after my surgery. After that i went online and started reading more about Mirena. The first website i went to had it in big letters on the list. MAY CAUSE OVARIAN CYSTS. It also said these usually fix themselves and aren't a big deal. Well in my case i wasn't so lucky. I just wanted to warn those other ladies out there that know they want more children that there is always a possibility that Mirena could do this to you too. And maybe in your case you might not be so lucky and they'll have to take the ovary. It makes me sad that a birth control that i had in for just 6 months could have lowered my chances so much for having that second baby i've always wanted. My doctor also told me now that i've had to have surgery on my tubes that im at high risk for ectopic pregnancy now. Im now looking into different birth controls trying to find the right one for me. Any suggestions?

Well, I am so glad I found this website. I am 39 yrs old and my husband is fixed....so I have no reason or desire to take any form of hormonal birth control. I never liked the idea of inserting a ring or taking hormones after the many female issues I have endure. I only agreed to this because I have painful ovarian cysts chronically, at least 6/year and 3 or 4/year that take me into my OB/GYN for a scan. I have previously had a tubal pregnancy (tube was saved because my OB/GYNs also specialize in fertility) and have had endometriosis. I have had 3 laperoscopic surgeries and 3 miscarriages. First for the tubal, second for follow-up endometriosis and third to remove a GOLF ball sized ovarian cyst to prevent ovarian torsion. Finally, I agreed for the 4th time to take birth control (previous attempts were thwarted by side affect from oral products. I used the nuvaring for 3 weeks and removed it today. Five days into the use I started cramping and bleeding AGAIN (10th day of my cycle). I have been bleeding, heavily for 11 days now, suffered dizziness intermittantly, have had a headache for the last 6 days and been more anxious, moody and tearful. I removed the ring today! I see my gyno on Tuesday. My cycle was predictable before, albeit painful and with ovarian cyst. Just want to say to all who took the time to share. Now I know it isn't in my head.

Thanks ya'll,
~ Texas Pharmacist

i also have been having pains in my back, i just cant wait for the day to end, some days i feel like i worked out all day. The things that i used to i don't do anymore like dancing,exercising and being more energetic. I haven't had trouble with the sex drive actually i want sex more and i don't have drywall either. I really have a sexual drive the week i take out the ring. this past two months have been the worst the for me, i taking to my doctor soon but every time i tell my doctor and i get checked for the problem the results are always the same that nothing is wrong. so what can i do

Well I don't take Yasmin, but I do take Yaz. I have been taking Yaz for about three years now --- I'm 25 and have been on the pill since 15 yrs old. I take the pill b/c I have ovarian cysts and have found that it does help, but doesn't make them go away or relieve the pain. In regards to Yaz, I haven't received my period for the last 10 months, which to me isn't normal. My OBGYN said that a lot of people who take Yaz have been experiencing the same side effects, but to me it just doesn't seem normal to not have a period, especially when I'm on a birth control that is supposed to help regulate my period. I have an appt w/ my OBGYN in early Oct and definitely going to bring up this website with her. Thanks for all the information that's posted here - it is truly helpful.

I am 20 year old and my gyno put me on Loestrin 24 for ovarian cysts I have. I have been on for 3 weeks now and I think it's great. I will admit the first two weeks I was oddly emotional and little things would make me cry, but now I feel very in control of my emotions, and I think it has actually helped me to be more stable. The symptoms I have experienced so far are nausea if I don't eat it before I take it, a little bit of anger over things that usually wouldn't effect me in such a way, my chest becoming fuller (not a complaint!), and my acne clearing up a lot. I was on Ortho Tri Lo for a couple of months and I was a monster. I also tried the Depo (the shot) and it made me an insane psycho bitch and I do not recommend it to anyone. Every birth control you try is going to effect you differently than someone else, so reading these experiences and what happens to each person does not mean you will have the same experience.

I got Mirena inserted in Oct 2007. A few months after getting the IUD put in, I started experiencing a lot of different things, such as, depression, weight gain, sinus infections, fatigue, back pain, headaches, severe bloating, changes in bowel movements, cramping, high blood pressure, lower back pain, decreased sex drive and so on... I went to the doctor because I had never had all of these things happen to me before. I never thought or realized it could be Mirena. My primary doctor told me my Thyroid was out of whack, and I've been on thyroid medicine for over a year now, and my levels are fine, but I keep gaining weight for no reason, and I am tired all of the time. I recently started having severe cramping and pelvic pain and went to by OBGYN.. I saw the NP and she didn't seem too concerned, and I insisted that they give me a pelvic ultrasound because I thought maybe I some ovarian cysts, as I have had in the past since I got this stupid IUD! They did the ultrasound and discovered that the IUD was quite a bit lower in the Uterus than it should be, and it was puncturing the muscle... not sure if it is a muscle or the actual uterus or what... I just had the ultrasound 3 days ago, on a Friday, and my doctor's office is suppose to be calling me today or tomorrow to let me know what's going on. I know that this IUD is coming out of my body for sure!!! I have been online now and read all the stories about other people's side effects with Mirena, and it is exactly the same for me! It is ruining my life basically! I have had it in for almost 2 years now, and I can't tell you how many times I've went to the doctor for multiple things, not realizing that it was the IUD causes all these problems!!! I would NEVER in a million years recommend Mirena IUD to anyone!!!

I am halfway into the second week of Femcon FE, I was put on it to help suppress recurrent ovarian cysts, and yeast infections. A couple a days ago, I started getting headaches. However, last night I could barely sleep, and have no idea why, and today I've had severe menstrual like cramps with irregular bleeding, the cramps are so bad I'm having trouble falling asleep. Plus, I was very moody, and sensitive over the past week or so for no apparent reason. I think I will give the doctor a call tomorrow to see if these could be attributed by the Femcon FE.

I copied and pasted the Adverse reactions below from drug.com...how is it that they list all the side effects we are all having but when i look through the mirena brochure none of this is listed....sounds a little shady huh?

Adverse Reactions
The most serious adverse reactions associated with the use of Mirena are discussed above in the WARNINGS and PRECAUTIONS sections. Very common adverse reactions (>1/10 users) include uterine/vaginal bleeding (including spotting, irregular bleeding, heavy bleeding, oligomenorrhea and amenorrhea) and ovarian cysts. Other adverse events are listed below using MedDRA (9.0) terms. Adverse reactions reported by 5% or more of clinical trial subjects include:

Abdominal/pelvic pain

Vaginal discharge

Nausea

Headache

Nervousness

Vulvovaginitis

Dysmenorrhea

Back pain

Weight increase

Breast pain/tenderness

Acne

Decreased libido

Depressed mood

Cervicitis/Papanicolaou smear normal, class II

Hypertension

Other relevant reported adverse reactions occurring in less than 5% of subjects include: migraine, vomiting, anemia, dyspareunia, alopecia, eczema, pruritis, rash, urticaria, abdominal distension, altered mood, hirsutism, edema.

I had Mirena inserted in Nov '08. I bled constantly for 6 weeks after and then nothing. I only have occasional spotting. At first I thought this was great - no period! (woohoo!!) but now I actually miss my period. It's not natural not to have a period! I've been experiencing a lot of side affects that I was attributing to turning 40 but after reading the symptoms others have been experiencing, maybe it's not due to my age. I've had problems with large ovarian cysts. I constantly have pain in my ovaries which I'm thinking it must be more cysts. I've gained weight and can't loose it no matter how hard I try. I have no energy and no interest in a lot of things I used to love to do. I have pain in my knees, pain in the joints of my fingers as well as mood swings, depression, anxiety, memory loss. I recently went to the doctors because I felt I had a constant lump in my throat - I went for an ultrasound and found I have multiple cysts on my thyroid. I'm not sure if this is all related to the Mirena, but I don't remember feeling this crappy before I had it. I'd like to have it removed immediately but I can't get an appt' with the GYN until September!

I am so glad to see that so many have had a good experiences with the mirena, me... not so much.
I had it inserted roughly 3 years ago (my youngest was 4 at the time and I was and still am in a committed monogamous relationship) and since then I have gained about 30 pounds that I cannot get rid of(despite a very healthy diet from a nutritionist AND working with a personal trainer), very moody, tender and lumpy breasts (it hurts to even sleep on my stomach) mostly around my "period" (as I only have very light spotting, but I can still tell when it is)bad acne, fine peach fuzzy hair over my face, chest, and back along with course dark hairs on and under my chin. But, the biggest issue I have had were/are the ovarian cysts. I have never had them before the mirena, and within the first year had one on each ovary and had to go to the ER. Since I know what they are now (and don't want another $3000.00 hospital bill) when I get them it is debilitating, but I can wait it out with pain killers at home till they rupture or go away.
Even with all this I was hesitant to have it removed, but after reading this site (and a few others) I think it is time. I really wish it would have worked, but apparently my body just doesn't agree with it...

My doctor put me on Nuvaring about four months ago to prevent my rupturing ovarian cysts and to prevent pregnancy. I love the convenience of the ring, although I have experienced several side effects I contribute to being on the ring. First of all, my sex drive is now non existent, which is a large change for me. Also, my periods have become worse since starting, I have very heavy bleeding, primarily dark brown clotted blood and severe cramps which travel to my back and down my legs. I have also had three yeast infections in four months, which before the ring, I had one my entire life. The worst of the symptoms, which if anyone else is having this, PLEASE share with me, is I am leaking a small amount of urine. It doesn;t matter if I have to go to the bathroom or not, I just leak a few drops an hour. This has started a few weeks ago and I am not sure how or why. I do have to say, since starting the ring, I have not had any ovarian cysts rupture, which the several birth control pills I have been on for the past 12 years have not been able to stop. I am open to suggestions!!

I had a lap done last year in May and my doctor removed an adhesion that was hanging above my uterus. Also a fibroid (3 cm) was found in the muscle and is located right against my bladder. My doctor could not remove the fibroid because of its location and because of a risk that I might have scar tissue and could be a problem to get pregnant. He also said that I could have some other complications, like lose a lot of blood. I feel like he is not being straight with me. I also have ovarian cysts which is common in the women in my family. Since a teenager, I always had really bad cramps and heavy bleeding. As I got older, it became worse. Before I had the lap done, I bleed for 6 weeks straight. I was changing pads every 30 minutes. Then my stomach extended so far out that I looked pregnant. I could not sit or stand. My husband had to take me to the E.R. An ultrasound was done and found that my uterus was enlarged (9 cm). I was put on Nothridone to control the bleeding and to treat endometriosis. After taking 2 months of this drug my doctor did a vag lap and abdomen lap. Everything was good that is what he said. I believed it. I was doing better. I was working and had no pain for 8 months. Then it all changed for the worse. I started to have really heavy menstrual bleeding and lots of blood clots. I felt week all the time and sick. The bleeding went on for 8 weeks and finally my doctor said that I had to take Lupron injections. I asked my doctor if he could just do a myomectmy and he said no because that was should be the last result. I could no longer stand the pain and I asked him what kind of side effects come with this drug. He made it sound like it was not bad and that there are very little side effects. He gave me a some information about the drug and I read the information and I did a lot of research. I was terrified but I had to make a choice. I was calling in sick because I could not work with the pain and worrying about embarrassing moments when my pads failed to keep me from overflowing. So I took the 1st shot in May along with add-bak therapy which is Nothridone. The bleeding tapered off slowly and the pelvic pain decreased. I did not feel any side affects right away until the second week. I started to forget things and would just stand in the middle of a room feeling confused. I always had headaches since a child but now they are pounding headaches, which I cannot stand any noise. I also can't stand the light. I have body aches like I have the flu and have problems with my right hip all of a sudden. I had a x-ray done because my doctor thought I might have fractured my hip. There was no sign of a fracture but my pelvis id tilted. I have some arthritis in my spine which I do not understand how that happened. Sometimes I cannot walk and I have to use crutches to get around. I cry all the time because I am extremely sensitive and confused. I use to be a very strong person and now I just cry all the time. I called my doctor to tell him what I have been experiencing and he said its all normal. I have already had a total of three Lupron injections and the symptoms just get worse. I have been spotting here and there, sometimes I have a pinkish discharge, and now the pelvic pain is back. My doctor knows this and he just says its normal. I requested for another ultrasound because I am worried something is wrong and he said that I have to wait until I get the 6th injection.I feel like my doctor is insensitive but he is supposed to be the best GYN doctor where I live. I also want to say that I have gained 20 pounds in three months. My sex drive is gone. My hair is thinning. I lost my job because I ran out of FMLA. This has been a nightmare! I am losing trust in my doctor. My poor husband and family are having to put up with what I am going through. I pray all the time to help be stay focused and think positive. I just do not know what to do anymore. Is there anyone out there that can give me some advice?

Hi. I just had a laproscopy done 3 weeks ago for endometriosis. I am 26 yrs old and have been dealing with this pain for almost 2 yrs now and it is the worst pain in my entire life. My doctor is now suggesting Lupron because even after the laproscopy the endometriosis was level 4 and had bonded to my intestines and literally trapped my ovaries and uterus against the lining of my stomach. The pain was a 15 to say the least and the past 3 mos it had landed me in the E.R. Finally the docs figured it out. I started my period 2 weeks after the surgery and the pain was still pretty bad. An 8. Now I am seriously considering Lupron. My health is on the line and this pain is not right. At this point I am considering a hysterectomy if Lupron does not work. Any help suggestions please? Monday I follow up with the Dr.

I'm almost 20 years old and started taking BC to regulate my periods a few years ago and help with extreme cramps. I started on Yasmin and was on it for about 5 months and then started seeing a new OBGYN who suggested trying Yaz. I was on Yaz for about a year and a half and it worked great. But then I started getting really painful ovarian cysts. To help with the cysts my doctor switched me to another BC which made me extremely depressed and emotional. Now I am finally on Femcon FE and have been fo about six months. I haven't had a problem with another cyst again and things were working out fine... until about 3 months ago I skipped a period. No big deal I thought to myself, it is definitely not possible for me to be pregnant, its been over a year since I've had sex, so i figured it must just be stress or the way I'm eating or something..

Well it's been 3 months and still no period. I know most ladies would love to not have one but I'm starting to worry if this is something that is normal. I honestly don't know if it has anything to do with Femcon but I have a strong feeling it does because I haven't been stressed, my eating habits haven't changed and I know it is not possible for me to be pregnant. I am going to see my OBGYN soon if I still don't have one after this next pack but I am just wondering if anyone else has experienced the lack of a period as a side effect of this medicine because on this site I mostly only see women who have it too often.

I am so glad I found this site. I'm 42 and the doc put me on these stupid pills because of ovarian cysts. The first few days were fine but by day 4 I had awful stomach and lower back pains and by day 9 I had leg pain. I have had awful insomnia which I NEVER had before. One other thing that I thought was odd I woke up in the middle of the night soaking wet, like I had peed myself but it wasn't urine. I thought I was really sick and then out of curiosity I googled these pills and was shocked at what I found. I will stop taking them tomorrow, it's not worth it. The body and joint aches are awful not to mention the bloating. I look like I'm 5 months pregnant. I wish I had seen this site at the first sign of my symptoms because I would have stopped right away. I was really starting to think I was going crazy.

I am in the middle of my second month after getting the first shot (for 1 month) and the second ( for 3 months). I have recurrent fibroids and ovarian cysts that caused a lot of pain and severe bleeding.
I was scared to try Lupron. I consulted with my uncle who is an OB/Gyn and he told me that the version they use now is very safe, with side effects like many other drugs...
My doctor gave me options for the treatment, but because I want to get pregnant again (already have a 2 1/2 yr. old boy), hysterectomy was out of the question. The doctor removed some of my fibroids laparoscopically before I got pregnant with my son, but since they "showed up" again, he recommended to treat them with Lupron instead of removing them trough surgery, because the surgery leaves scarring that can later interfere with fertility.
Anyway, YES I have experienced many side effects mentioned here: hot flashes, mood swings, a couple of headaches, and some "bloating". The worst side effect for me has been insomnia...but they really haven't been that terrible...you learn to deal with them. I am in no pain and didn't get my period this month.
I guess everybody is different and they experience everything in a unique way.
My suggestion is to try it if you really need it and weigh in the pros and cons objectively.
Good luck!

I understand the frustrations of many of you who have posted. I have been on the Nuvaring for the past 2 years. It's the only medication I am on, and I think it's really starting to affect me adversely. Before the ring, I used Seasonale for 3 years, and before that a different low dose pill. It's great not having a period every month, or with NuvaRing less of a period, but I think the synthetic drugs are starting to cause problems with my emotions, or lack thereof, and weight, etc. I have no sex drive anymore, I gained about 20 lbs within 2 months of being on the ring, and haven't been able to lose any weight since, even with 2 medical diet programs. Now I'm starting to get scared of what the plastic ring is leeching into my body constantly. If the drugs are absorbing into my skin, what else is? It is still much better than Seasonale, which took 6 months of constant heavy bleeding till my body adjusted to it, but I'm 33 now, have 2 friends who had to be hospitalized because of blood clots from birth control in the past 3 years, (1 smoked, 1 never smoked) and I want to take care of myself more naturally. The only reason I am on birth control is because of ovarian cysts. I have been on/off birth control since I was 23 because of cysts, but I couldn't ever stand the side effects so I would go off them again after a year, then get cysts and start again. This time, I'm trying a proper diet, supplements, and avoiding xenoestrogens, such as those in plastic bottles and frozen food trays, etc. To me, after years of side effects, I'm ready to try to do something healthy for myself. I have a nutritionist/chiropractor friend to help me find the best way for me.
I have been off the ring for only 2 days now, but strangely feel less hungry, and I think I lost about 3 lbs. of water weight! It's crazy.
These system-altering drugs just cannot be good for you long term. My sister talked me into stopping as well, as she had terrible side effects from birth control for years. She would get migraines every month, out-of-control mood swings (I mean it- she was nuts!) and missed many days of work. She's a teacher and can't let these things happen. She's slim, but even she said she couldn't budge an inch off of her body even when going to the gym 4 or 5 days a week working out and doing dance classes when she was on the pill. Soon after she stopped the pill, she lost 10 lbs and no longer has crazy mood swings and migraines.
Stopping the pill/ring may not be an alternative for everyone, but for me it's not worth the possible lifelong effects just to prevent cysts that I could possibly get while using the NuvaRing anyway. I only had spotting if I forgot to put the ring in for a day or even just half a day if I took it out. As soon as I would remember, I'd put it back in. Then it would be weeks on end of constant spotting. I feel like my side effects were different in some ways. Instead of mood swings, I have no mood. Everything is kind of, well, blah. Even sex is very blah. I feel bad for my boyfriend, but I told him it's really not his fault! I love him and he's a great lover, but wow did I turn lousy! I heard that the reduced sex drive can be irreversible for some people as well. I don't think I'm that far gone yet!
I'm just happy that I'm already feeling better. I even felt happy going to work today just knowing that I'm doing something better for myself. I don't want to feel this way anymore, and I want to try a healthier way to help prevent cysts, without unnaturally altering my whole body.