NuvaRing and breasts

I have been reading all of your posts and I am surprised by what I am hearing. Especially the depression, loss of sex drive, and hair loss. I did check out their website (http://www.nuvaring.com/Consumer/aboutNuvaRing/possibleSideEffects/index.asp) and it seems they are actually pretty honest about the possible side effects. HOWEVER... although I checked the site before I started taking the ring 2 years ago, I kind of ignored the "possible" side effects as just that, "possible." Because I've never had any problems with medications or birth control before I didn't think they would happen to me.

Last week I 2 days late in putting in the ring and since then my breasts have been SO tender I can barely walk. Seriously, it's awful and I know it is the hormones from the ring. Until this point, I have had no problems with it, in fact I have really enjoyed its convenience and effectiveness. But after reading all of your posts I am wondering if I should rethink using it... I have been feeling really down, angry and anxious over the last few months and not really craving sex with my boyfriend like a 22 year old women should!! I don't want to over react and blame it on the NuvaRing if it could be other things in my life, but I also don't want to ignore it either because if taking the ring out would make me feel better, more healthy, less angry, etc...

What should I do?

I had been on nuvaring for about 7 months or so when I decided to stop using it for the most part I had no side effects such as spotting or bleeding in between periods but the symptoms I did seem to have to the highest degree was severe depression, crazy mood swings, pain on my lower left side. But the worst symptom was the severely painful headaches I was getting twice a month or so. Now since I have stopped using it I am nauseous.I have cramping also getting headaches my breasts are so sore . This is so crazy I never thought that using the nuvaring would have this kind of effect on me I feel like I'm pregnant with all these symptoms its nice to know that I'm not alone here though. I also wish I knew how long I was going to feel like this.

So I've been on Nuvaring about 6 or 7 months. First 2 months were cool, nothing out of the ordinary. But now it's just horrible. I took it out Sunday and I'm NOT putting it back in. First the weight gain. I've gained a good 15-20 lbs since I've been on it. Sexual desire is non-existent. And when we do I'm extremely dry. KY doesn't even work. Mood swings have been up and down. Oh my breasts have increased 4 cup sizes!! No complaint from my boyfriend about that, but its irritating when you have to buy new bra sizes every month because the others are just too small! After I take it out for the 7 days, I always get these on-going headaches that never seems to go away, even with pain relievers. So I'm just gonna go back to the pills or just the good ole condom and "pull out" method :) Wish me luck!

This is the biggest relief. I am sure you can all relate finding this website. I started using the nuvaring back in February and the side effects started soon after, I just haven't tied it to the birth control until now. The first month I started using it I was planning to move from my home in boise to Orlando Florida to live with my boyfriend.. which is very stressful so needless to say my high anxiety stress irritability and anger all seemed to be pointing to the stress of moving from my home although it is what i wanted it was still scary. I have been here in Florida for 3 months now and still experience the same things adding one to the mix as living with your boyfriend should spark an instant sex drive when you haven't been living in the same city for a year. NOPE no sex drive at all. Maybe once in a blue moon i get in the mood but i literally have to talk myself into it which is pathetic. There are times when i am laying next to him and i have to tell myself if he wants i should go along with it. but though of sex just drives me away. Also the depression is unbearable I am a very happy goofy person and it is a struggle to keep my temper in check or to try and work up motivation to leave bed. I am constantly tired and have no drive to accomplish anything anymore which is out of my character.
Headaches I have always had and migraines i have had before the nuvaring about once a week now i have migraines at least 3 times a week and a headache every day in between. My breasts have been extremely sore so much that i thought maybe i was pregnant in combination with my extreme mood swings. I have thick hair and i shed a lot never thought that it may be due to the birth control. I am getting somewhat angry that this is the way we all have to find out. It is frustrating to feel like a crazy person and wonder what happened to the person i use to be. I have not experience any weight gain fortunately, but since have no motivation i am not in the shape i once was because i have no desire to go to the gym.
The itching sensation i didn't realize as a symptom before reading others stories. Now it is so clear how aggravating. One month my cramps were so bad and a couple of months in a row i felt so nauseous that i would get sick. One time i was driving to a friends house when all of the sudden i knew i was going to be sick and ended up vomiting all over myself... so embarrassing and i couldn't figure out what happened. Tomorrow morning im calling my doctor to see what we can do. This is my last day with the Nuvaring Thank god for this site and thanks to you all sharing your stories it brought me peace of mind knowing ill be myself again soon.

I started the Nuvaring about 2 weeks ago, and I've been an emotional mess ever since. About 3 days after I put the ring in, my breasts started to grow and get ridiculously sore and I got unbelievably moody and sad, to the point of crying all the time- at work, with friends, everywhere. I've been getting severe nausea every day, and despite not eating a lot, I've gained 5 lbs. I can't BELIEVE how suddenly these symptoms came on and how incredibly emotional I am about it. Even though it's only been two weeks, it feels like FOREVER. Part of me wants to rip it out, chuck it in a blender and destroy it forever, but another part of me thinks I need to be reasonable and give my body time to adjust to the hormones. I really like the idea of the nuvaring for birth control because it's so easy, but the way I'm feeling right now is SO not worth it. I'm wondering if my symptoms will subside over time. Has anyone had that experience?

I have been on the ring only 2 months but have decided to take it out and be done with this medication FOREVER! First of all-I have lost my sex drive completely. Also, it came out during intercourse (gross) and my breasts have grown and are very sore. The main reason though is my intense anxiety-I have been snapping at my husband and others around me...becoming VERY angry quickly-and have been extremely paranoid. I took the ring out yesterday and I am hoping for the symptoms to subside any day now. I got on this BC b/c I thought that it was easy and no fuss-what a JOKE!

Wow, it amazes me how many negative reviews this BC (birth control) received after doing a Google search and yet this RING FROM HELL is STILL on the market. And even worse, doctors who are prescribing it are CLUELESS. They don't give you the full extent of the side effects when you ask them about it. And when you don't ask them, they don't even tell you anything!

My first experience with NuvaRing was a positive one, or so I thought. I was on it for about 1 1/2 years, if I remember correctly. It cleared up my skin, made me gain weight (which is actually a good thing, considering I was always so rail-thin), breasts got bigger, didn't affect my sex drive...it basically took care of all the problems I was having before. However, looking back, I do remember gradually losing my mind, having dizzy spells, and depression. I don't remember why exactly I took the ring out, but I think it was because I didn't have insurance anymore to cover it. The experience of going off the ring wasn't too bad at all, from what I can remember.

NOW, just recently, approx. 9 weeks ago, I decided to give this thing a whirl for a second time because I mostly remembered the high points and I was dealing with acne breakouts on my cheeks when I turned 22 (which I never had before). I remembered how well it cleared up my skin last time, when I was dealing with mild teenage acne. Unfortunately, this time around, being on it for roughly 2 months, I didn't have such a great experience. Side effects came on strong immediately, and the worst I've felt. Like this one time, I was getting ready to sleep when suddenly, I felt like my chest was being sat on, like a sensation of heaviness or pressure on my chest and I could not inhale fully. I couldn't catch my breath if that makes sense. It lasted until I finally passed out from sleepiness. It was scary...also; I started to have acne breakouts as well, and developed rash acne AND 2 deep pimples that were large in size. This made me quickly remove the ring on the spot, even though I had just inserted 3 days ago. Other side effects included painful bloating, constipation, very bad cramps, negative mood, low sex drive, vaginal burning and dryness, occasional chest pinch or pressure, and zero motivation.

Also, quick question, has anyone experienced moments of complete stiffness or dazedness or whatever? For example, I remember I was eating a great meal and watching TV with my fiance when suddenly, I just started to slow down in movement. I just put my utensils down and placed my arms on my side, and my vision became out of whack. It went from blurry to clear, blurry to clear and I felt out of it and that something was very wrong with me. Like, I was spacing out hardcore. It was like being catatonic, but not fully. Not sure if this was directly related to the BC, but I've never experienced this before until I was on the NuvaRing...hmmm

Anyway, after taking the ring out about 4 days ago, I have experienced what seems to be yet a second withdrawal period (as well as headaches). And I just ended my "period" last week. Only had the damn ring back in for 3 days?? Now I'm concerned because I've read you can have side effects even while trying to GET OFF the ring? Such as hair loss, unrecovered sex drive, acne, and withdrawal bleeding which lasts for days to weeks. And I was only on the ring this time around for 9 weeks. I will keep you all posted on how long my withdrawal effects take to subside….

This is my personal experience with it and I think that the idea to directly penetrate hormones into our bloodstream with third generation hormones is just too much for us women to handle. Why is it that we women have to suffer through all this? Why don't men create a birth control for THEMSELVES and deal with it! After all, we can't get pregnant without a sperm so men should be on BC, not us! Grrrrrr…Sorry, another withdrawal side effect from getting off the ring (crankiness).

Good luck to all,
L.A.

Like everyone else I am so glad to have found this website!! I am 23 and have been on the ring for 3 1/2 years now. The biggest side effects I noticed immediately was being more emotional for no reason at all but that was about it until about 2 years ago when I began to gain weight and I gained a total of 20 pounds. I chalked the weight gain up to not being as active as I had been in high school so I started hitting the gym with not a bit of success. During this time I still felt ok until I also started cramping all the time, I never cramped before taking the ring. The cramps are so bad I can hardly stand at times! Since the beginning of this year I have really been noticing my body being out of whack. I am over emotional, I cramp like crazy, I have a lower sex drive, I too have noticed burning during and after sex, I am always tired lately,I have been getting headaches daily, I am always starving, my breasts are super sensitive at times, I feel bloated and have had diarrhea for almost three weeks now, and although you are supposed to be able to regulate your period on the ring mine is completely unpredictable the last couple of months! I have been bouncing between spotting and being on a full blown period for the last 3 weeks now and I took the ring out finally last night! I am exhausted and tired of worrying something is seriously wrong with me!! I would NOT recommend the nuvaring especially for long term use!!!!!!!!

Like many of you, I am relieved and thankful that I had the patience to click around a bit and find this website.

I have only had the ring in for five days and this afternoon I realized that my breasts were extremely tender and swollen. The more I thought about it, the more I also realized that my mood has been absolutely awful for these entire 5 days. I'm a pretty emotional girl as it is, but it's been ridiculous! Angry, impatient one minute, sad and pensive the next minute. Really not what I'm used to. Not only that, but I've had some spotting as well. What's worse I've already gained about 6 lbs and have been eating like a monster. At this rate, I definitely do not want to see what happens if I keep it in any longer.

I've been on birth control for once in my life prior to this, for about a month in high school, and that also messed with my body a bit. My mother raised me not to put any hormones in my body, and although I'm older now and it might be an added measure of protection, I know that I am not willing to allow my physical and mental well being to be this affected. My boyfriend and I always have protected sex, and although I can get a bit paranoid around that time of the month, I am going to make it a point not to since we use condoms properly and they have been around for such a long time for a reason.

i just got on the nuvaring about 2 1/2 weeks ago. its about time for me to take it out. for good im starting to think. the reason i got on the nuvaring is because i was on the pill then stopped it for a while and i took a pregnancy test and it came back positive. then the next day i started bleeding and cramping really bad. i went to the doctor and they just did the urine pregnancy test on me and theirs came back negative. so apparently mine was a false positive. but this whole time i have been on the nuvaring i bleed NON-STOP. my period is usually only 5-6 days. and its been 2 1/2 weeks. i have no sex drive what so ever. couldn't because im bleeding anyway. horrible mood swings that drive my fiance just absolutely CRAZY! i have a 5 1/2 month old little girl and i try soo hard to be happy around her. but im soo emotional. i cry all the time about the littlest things. my breasts are incredibly tender. i have already gained 4 pounds. and i eat maybe once a day. i get these really sharp pains in my stomach that is just unbearable. i have always had bad cramps but just on the first day of my period and i could take Midol and it would make it go away. now NOTHING helps. the cramps are the worst pain. is it the nuvaring causing all these problems for me?

I just got back on the NuvaRing after having my son 9 months ago. I feel like my breasts are tender and have cramps and lower back pain. I am also urinating a lot more than normal. Could this be the ring or am I pregnant. I just had my period 2 weeks ago????????????????????

Okay, I had to stop reading all these posts because it all makes sense now! Never even attributed half of my symptoms with NuvaRing and so I got up in the middle of this and took the thing out for good. I just started the NR about 1 week ago and I was joking with my boyfriend that my lack of sex drive but be how the birth control works. haha I haven't used anything besides condoms for about 6-7 years until now.

Lost all my sex drive
burning sensation the one time I had sex
Food cravings and weight gain
MOODY, I am such a light-hearted person and now everything ticks me off and trying not to be mean to my new boyfriend...but DON'T TOUCH ME
Breasts are so sore. Can't touch them at all.
Night sweats
Sleepiness
all day blahs and no desire to work or be productive
Stop wearing my contacts because of dryness.

All of this within a week. I thought I was crazy and got online to check low sex drive as a side effect for NR and found a lot of similar symptom with other people that I would have never put with the NR. I will wait a week or two and then come back and update to see if I go back to normal.

I began NuvaRing about 2 weeks and today I had to take it bc I could not stand another day- I was on it about a year ago and my body seemed to tolerate it better then with fewer side effects.
2 days after being on it i experienced sudden sharp pain in my upper back- i couldn't even carry my power book. For the rest of the week I experienced extreme fatigue and serious depression. I am generally a very positive person and I haven't experienced something as intense as this. By the end of the weekend I was having period like feelings in my pelvic area and EXTREME breast/nipple soreness. My breasts seem to be firmer and a little larger, but the pain was so intense. My appetite seems to have decrease, but I am bloated and still so sluggish.
I felt slightly anxious as well.
The worst part was the lower back pain. It was so uncomfortable that I couldn't sleep well and haven't for about 5 days. I took the ring out this am and within an hour the back pain had subsided.
I am not sure how this will effect my period- that is- if it will come early- or if it will disrupt my cycle. Any experience with this anyone?

I started the nuvaring three years ago because of a hormone in-balance causing me to go off the wall with anger, a blood condition that had me bleeding for 7-11 days losing a lot of blood, and the fact that I was having serious relations with men. Since I started the ring, my outgoing, enthusiastic attitude disappeared, I became a blah to society. My anger went through the roof where I would be in violent moods, and my mood swings were to the extremes. I was emotional almost all the time, and had depression like nothing before. Thoughts and actions went across my mind that I would have never thought in a million years would occur. The sex in my life went down the tube, and it caused my to break up with my boyfriend at least two to three times a week just because I became irritated with him for absolutely no reason. I also wanted to sleep all the time and awoke with many headaches. Along with painful headaches, around the middle of each month, my breasts began to hurt or my side felt like it was being pierced.

The NuvaRing both had positive side effects and negative effects. Besides the negative effects of boosting my emotional self, mood swings, and anger, it also caused a poor sex drive, itchiness cause from yeast infections(which were constant), burning during sex, sleepiness, and all and all blahness. The positive, my 7-11 day period where I was in bed went down to 2-3 days of a light period which I thoroughly enjoy. I also didn't have to remember to take a pill, a godsend.

I stopped using the nuvaring a few days ago because my anger finally got out of control to the point I was almost arrested, and I feel better and more active for life than before. I was always like this before I started, looks like I'm going to need a different BC with either a lower dosage of the hormone in the NuvaRing or another hormone that does what it does best for me.

I hope this helps anyone looking for side effects of this form of birth control. It wasn't the best for me, but it may be for others.

I am 16 years old and currently using NuvaRing to get rid of large ovarian cysts that cause(d) severe pain and would result in infertility when I was older if untreated. I was really worried after reading these comments of the negative side effects - but now I realize it depends on the person, really. Since I have been on it, the pain from the cysts have gone down, although the cysts are still there. I am not entirely sure if NR will entirely eliminate them, but they do kill some of the pain away from doing physical activities and urinating. I have always been around 105 pounds with size C breasts (yes, a wonderful combination that most would kill for!) and being on NR has only increased my weight by one pound, which I can safely say went straight to my breasts. They went from a size C to a D! My breasts are tender sometimes, which is mainly the only negative side effect. However, my mood has, if anything, been more positive since starting NR. I realize most of these comments are probably from women in their 20s or 30s, so maybe age has something to do from it. But as a teenager, it has only helped me. Better yet, I know that when I am ready for sex I will be double protected against pregnancy from condom use and NR.

Anyone who reads these comments and fears NR, do not make up your mind just yet. NR has different side effects for different people, which could be positive or negative. To stereotype NR as a "bad" form of birth control is incorrect. It may not work for one person, but the next person could absolutely love it. Give it a chance, and sure, if the outcome is not what you desired, then I would recommend going off of NR. When you are tampering with your body (in this case, hormonal levels) there are always risks. As long as you know your body's limits and what is okay and not okay, then at least try NuvaRing. It's simple, too - you do not have to remember a pill every day, just a simple ring every three weeks.

I hope I helped someone out!

I started NR in October and didn't have too many issues with it except the burning after sex and vaginal dryness. In January I took a month off of it cuz I was broke and couldn't afford it then I started back on it again in February. I put it in when I started my February period and my period never stopped in the whole 3 weeks!! I took it out yesterday and am still freaking out cuz my periods have never been longer than 7 days so 3 weeks and counting is horrifying!! What is wrong with me?! Please help!!

I don't know how many of my problems are associated with NR, but after reading your posts, I am seriously wondering. Here's what I've got:

--tired all the time - no problem found with my thyroid, I've had it checked multiple times

--weight gain. I don't know how much of this is because I got married when I started NR and of course eat more complete meals rather than on-the-go kind of meals, or how much because I am so tired it is hard to make it to the gym. I will say, though, that for a couple of months I was really good (exercising for about an hour each day, four to six times a week, plus eating much better) and still gained weight. Disappointing. I don't try as hard now - what's the point if exercise and diet don't help?

--no sex drive or much enjoyment while having sex

--pain when having sex - not sure if that's cuz we only have it about once a week (I have to force myself for the sake of my husband). Now I take a bath after sex to alleviate some of the pain. Still annoying, though.

--nasal issues - I know someone mentioned having to take sudafed, I take it every day and also nasonex and mucinex... no apparent nasal problems to the doctors to explain this... I think it's overkill on the meds, but I take them because otherwise I am miserable with nasal problems

--headaches - I have never had headaches bad enough to take even tylenol or asprin before using NR, now I take ibuprofen about 5-6 times a week. I don't know if it is related to the stress of being married or not. I have graduated, so it is not related to stress at school, and stress has never given me bad headaches before. Basically unexplicable for me.

--problems with contacts

--pain in area right below breasts. Very tender. If I touch, it feels as though it will leave a bruise. It doesn't, but it hurts for about a minute before it goes away, just from pressing lightly.

--can't keep the nuvaring in. Not really a side effect, but very frustrating. I also have to keep pushing it in each time I use the restroom. I can't seem to get it in far enough, I guess.

--periods seem to be getting later and later. At first they came like clock-work, the day I took the nuvaring out. But after a year, the period seems to come about the day I put it back in, which leaves me freaked out that I'm pregnant. And they aren't even lighter. They still last about five to six days and are just as heavy, just late.

--muscle stiffness. It is a little hard to walk sometimes.Not sure this is related, but quite a few of you have listed it. Not many cramps though, which is nice.

I have been on NR since a couple months before I got married (about 17 months ago), and hadn't had sex before NR, so I don't know how much NR has affected some of these things since I don't know any different, but as I said before, these are some of the symptoms I have had while on NR, things with no apparent other cause. I am seriously considering another BC option, since I don't really like having no energy and no desire for sex (biggest problems for me).

I started the Nuvaring 2 1/2 weeks ago. Within the first week and a half I broke out in a horrible rash on my hips and thighs. My doctor said that it is not a side effect of the ring but I have never had sensitive skin or been allergic to anything. She did prescribe me a topical to apply twice daily. By the end of the second week the rash has spread to everywhere except my face, hands and feet. On my chest it looks almost like a heat rash but everywhere else is painful red bumps. I guess as a birth control it is working because my boyfriend will not go anywhere near me. Has anyone else had this problem and know how to treat it. I have made my way through Benadryl creams, the medicated cream prescribed to me, oatmeal baths. Please help me!!! I am so irritable and crabby but I am sure it is because I have not slept in two weeks because I cannot stop scratching myself.

I loved it for years! I went on the NuvaRing in late 2005 and I recently discontinued the use of it (Jan 2009). I was suffering from 3 periods a month for years and no pill or even the Depo shot helped me. The NuvaRing cleared it up beautifully! I had regular and relatively pain-free periods and I could not have been happier.

A few months ago I started experiencing some major PMS symptoms that I have never experienced before. I gained 15 pounds over the course of 5 months and by breasts were swollen to the point that my nipples were dry and cracking (and yes, 4 different pregnancy tests confirmed that I was NOT pregnant). I was going insane with mood swings and I just felt like a jittery crappy mess all the time. My body temperature also dropped a full degree on average from what it was a year ago and I am really sensitive to cold now.

So, I discontinued the use of the Ring and started taking a vitamin regiment that I found other Ring users found useful (B-Complex, zinc, selenium, Evening primrose, and a multi-vitamin).

I have not lost the weight yet, despite working out 3-4 times a week with weight-training and cardio. The doctors have told me to wait it out for a year. It bums me out, but it's worth it. I have been on hormones for 9 years and it is time to be natural again. Thanks for listening.

Hi Everyone,

I've been reading post after post on the side effects of the NuvaRing, and I am so glad that I found this site. Thank you all for sharing! I feel relieved to know I wasn't abnormal or plain crazy. Let me share my own experience.

I've been on the NuvaRing for 14 months, and before that for 5 months. At first, I absolutely loved it and didn't really feel any side effects. I had previously used the patch, and hated it because it made me extremely nauseous and dizzy. With the NuvaRing, I didn't have to worry about taking a daily pill which was great. However, over the past 6-8 months, I've experienced the following symptoms:
- weight gain (up to 8 pounds that I can't seem to shed off no matter what I do)
- slight hair loss and thinning (luckily, I have lots of hair but it's not as healthy and shiny as it used to be)
- extreme vaginal itchiness and also constant itch on newly shaved legs
- ZERO libido. This one started from the very beginning of nuvaring use. I make myself have sex with my partner to maintain a healthy sex life. I used to get easily aroused and would love to have sex with him. I miss that....
- excess weight around abdomen and breasts. Need I say more??
- constant fatigue and lack of motivation
- dryness (vagina)
- bloating and severe IBS symptoms (I can no longer drink coffee which I used to love, can't eat pasta, pizza or heavy breads)

Today in particular, after having the ring in for 24 hrs, I've been extremely nauseated, sleepy, and mildly dizzy. I slept a total of 16 hours! And no matter how much exercise I do, and how healthy and little I eat, the scale won't budge one pound.

I will definitely get off the ring for a couple of months and monitor any changes (hopefully lots of improvement). I'll keep you posted.

Wow- until I found this website I thought I was losing my mind. I started using Nuvaring about three years ago. I was initially happy because it was the first time in my life that my periods were regular. Over the past two and a half years, I have had the worst acne I could imagine. I've been to dermatologists, discussed it with my gyno and my a estetician. I've been on tetracycline and minocycline(alternating) for three years-neither has really helped! My relationship with my husband is suffering because we have always had an amazing intimacy between us. I can't tolerate the slightest touch to my breasts, I've lost the amazing lust that I had for him. I am always extremely tired and irritated. This is not me! I started believing that I was an unstable person and possible experiencing mental issues. I am nauseated often....
Oh...the weight gain....I don't eat terribly and am an active person. I constantly yet gradually gain weight with out any changes to my diet/activity levels. I have put on 30 lbs over the past 3 years. I am 33 years old.....
my legs cramp at night, my hair is drab and hasn't grown an inch in 6 months. I have a constant yet dull headache, I've even consulted with my doctor about anti-depression meds. I've NEVER had any of these symptoms before. I truly believe that nuvaring is the culprit. I can't believe that I didn't figure this out sooner. Further, I can't believe that my gyno didn't suggest Nuvaring as a potential cause.

I just googled side effects from the Nuvaring & found this site and I am very glad. I have had the worst side effects & it is nice to know that I am not crazy & others have felt the same way. I had ovarian cysts in the past, even had surgery and was put on the pill for 10 years with no problems, but have been off the pill for about 2 years...I wanted to get my body ready for pregnancy. In that time I just recently started to get cysts again & just started the Nuvaring. My doc said it would help with the cysts & heavy periods, just to try in out for 2 months. I thought how cool, not taking a pill everyday...neat.
This is my 2nd month and I HATE it. I first inserted the Nuvaring at night & by the next morning I felt nauseous. I thought, ok this is normal, I haven't had any hormones in my body for 2 years...it will pass.....nope, it got worse, then the headaches,,,but the sore nipples & breasts were horrid...my nipples had a burning feeling constantly. I felt so sick and tired a lot. My period was still very heavy and my emotions were out of control. I am normally an emotional person & especially around period time I get more emotional but this emotion was different & weird....I am feeling depressed, sad, I cry all the time for no reason, I feel hatred & worthlessness about myself, which is just not me at all!!!! Also, I am soooo tired & lethargic, I don't wanna get out of bed & when I do, it is as if I have no energy to even walk & when I tell myself ok I am going to do this today, I sit there & cry..it is like I cannot do it because I am to tired, to emotional, too sick....I dont wanna be around anyone, I am sad, angry,moody,crazy,worried,...how can I function like this anymore?

The 2nd month got worse, I have an awful burning sensation in my belly, acidy feeling, I have been throwing up and I was thinking well I better get to the doctor, maybe there is something wrong with my stomach, maybe I have acid reflux or a stomach ulcer. I am hungry all the time, but the acidy pain & knowing that I will be sick after I eat makes me not want to. I have constant diarrhea, headaches, weight gain, tingly in my knee area, the overwhelming depression i cannot stand and all I wanna do is just sleep and ignore everything...I was telling my husband that I have to get on some medication for this depression & he said babe, it has got to be that damn ring, you have never been like this before.
Everyone has different bodies & can handle different meds, but to read these other peoples problems helps me to understand, that I am not crazy & depressed, that it IS this stupid Nuvaring and my trial period of testing this out is over,,,,hopefully it hasn't caused any permanent damage.

Hi all I am so relieved to find out that I am not completely crazy. My main problem is absolute no sex drive and my breasts go mental at the slightest touch. having sex is so painful and like the rest of you have had to use lube. It has got so bad I was dreading having sex because of the horrible burning sensation and dryness. Also I have been on an emotional roller coaster with the last 3 months since I started using it.

I think its the end of birth control for me i am 26 and I have tried the pill, and implanon and both caused be to have irregular heavy periods like every second week. was completely worn out. I thought nuvaring was finally the answer because my periods went back to normal but thats the only good thing about it!!

I started taking NuvaRing a few days ago....I've had strong sensitivity in my breasts, i've been sick to my stomach for the last day and now my leg has gone numb to the touch.....this is all after 4 days!
I've never had problems with circulation in my life!

I wish i would have seen this site before taking it, but thank god its only been a few days.
Back to the good ol' bc pill!!!

I haven't had any severe symptoms But I always think I'm pregnant right before my period. My breasts hurt they leak, I get headaches, heartburn, gas. there area a lot of hormones in those rings they are very strong. I think maybe that's whats happening.

I started my NuvaRing on the 5th day of my period and noticed some changes that are going on with my body. It has only been 7 days, but I feel different. I noticed some white, sticky discharge that is not normal for me and bothers me. It has no smell though. I feel very dry inside.....and my sex drive is low. My breasts are tender. My mood is fine however. I am a little concerned with changes my body going through. When I contacted my doctor, she said everything im feeling is normal. But I wonder if those things will change once I get used to the ring and my hormones even out.
Did anybody felt the same way? Please share if you just waited out! I would love some input, cause I have no idea if I should just get off it or stick it out in hopes it will feel better........Confused ;(

I'm 26 and i decided to go back on birth control after being off the pill for about 7 months, and i heard that the nuvaring was amazing. well im three weeks into it and i have the worst acne i have ever experienced in my life, my face, neck, back.... and I am extremely clean with my skin. I am also experiencing intense anxiety attacks about the smallest things. My sex drive is the same and wetness factor is not an issue, no redness or irritation or discomfort. I noticed my breasts are a lot fuller which isn't a bad thing. But despite that, I pulled it out today frustrated by the extreme acne and overall general mood, I am feeling like I am struggling to be happy and I have never had depression issues in the past. I just want to be myself again and not feel self conscious from acne covering my body. condoms seem like the best alternative to me at this point.

I am 25 and all of the stories sound so similar on here...just like mine. Love the NuvaRing or at least I did. My sex drive has gone down, and now when I have sex I seem to get asked "What's wrong? Are you okay?" because I have such dryness that causes extreme itching and burning during intercourse. I have had yeast infections since 2 months after being on it (Been on it for about a year)...that never seem to go away. Just recently my breasts have been so swollen and sore, and suddenly I have this brown discharge (no odor) its just as though I have been on the end of my period for two weeks now...not fun!...sound familiar at all? I understand so many people can react so differently, so for those of you who have not been on it, try it, it may not effect you in such a negative manor, but for me I have got to find something else...I have my appt in two weeks...having tried so many other forms of BC this is a real disappointment to me because remembering to take a pill is not my style...=) Let me know if this sounds familiar to anyone else...Thanks!

I've been using NuvaRing for over a year. It's very convenient, but I have continued to experience extreme breast tenderness (this is much reduced during the week of my period after I remove the ring). When I get up to go to the bathroom at night (when I'm not wearing a bra), I actually hold my breasts up with my hands because they hurt from the movement of walking around. The nurse practitioner at Planned Parenthood told me she'd never heard anyone mention this symptom and it was probably not related to the ring, so I ignored it for a long time. However, after finally doing some online research, I'm switching back to the pill.

I am 31 yrs. old and this is month 4 on the NuvaRing. I have been on several different types of BC over the years the side effects had been so severe I decided to give up on BC all together. When my doctor recommended NuvaRing I was leary, but I tried it anyway and was quite pleased until recently. I am not experiencing head aches, nausea, or irregular periods, but I am experiencing problems with my moods. Most of the time I am sad or I get agitated very quickly for no reason. I was shocked to read about some of you experiencing loss of energy. I thought I was going crazy. I don't seem to have any energy...I am tired all the time. I have been taking vitamins, but they don't seem to be boosting my energy any. I have gained weight in my stomach and seem to be gasy and bloated. My jeans are so tight...It is depressing! In a matter of 2 weeks my breasts have grown in size...I am sure I have gone from a 36 C to a D! What I am most concerned about is the blisters that appeared about 2 1/2 weeks ago on the exterior of my vagina. They are very painful and over the counter creams are not working. I am not sure if this is due to the NuvaRing. I have my anual checkup with my OBGYNE tomorrow. I plan on getting all of my questions and concerns addressed. My delima is do I stay on NuvaRing...I like that I don't have to worry about popping any pills and I don't get any major side effects. What should I do?

I've been on the nuvaring for about a year now. I had been on the Nuvraring from November of 06 thru May of 07. When I broke up with my boyfriend, I stopped using it (giving my body a break) from May until August when I started seeing somebody seriously enough to consider having sex again. I love the ring because it just has to be inserted once a month (although I HATE the feeling I get taking it out...). My periods take almost 4 days to start once the ring is out and then it lasts for about 5 days. The cramps during the first day or two are almost unbearable, but the periods are light. SOOOO many pros and cons.

I have gained back the break up weight and then some. I was blaming it on being in the "comfy relationship" status where you eat out a lot and blah blah blah... my boyfriend and I started working out together and he was dropping pounds like it was his job and meanwhile I was working out with no results. I'm a solid 10lbs heavier than my normal "I'm not working out" weight. My breasts were always a full C now I'm a small D. The week before I take out my ring I'm ready to kill my boyfriend for not cleaning out the litter box or for leaving me dishes to wash when he's been home... normal things that I'd just make a comment about and move on become HUGE events (for example: eating my leftover burrito= WWIII).

I was on the pill (can't even remember the name) and spotted all the time. I found it hard to take it at the same time... and I spent more time not having sex because I was always bleeding. I'm only 24 so I won't use the "I'm not as young as I used to be" excuse.... I wish there was a way to prove it is the ring causing me to gain weight without having to stop using the ring,. I really don't feel like messing up my cycle only to find out I'm just chunky now-- nothing to do with the ring.

I put in the the Nuvaring and within the first 4 hours I started to have a terrible headache. I called my Doctor who said to keep on with it, it was probably not related to the NuvaRing. I continued to keep the ring in. By the second day, I became very nauseas. By the 4th day, the most horrible pitting acne began. I stuck it out for 2 weeks, then yank it out. It has been out for 4 weeks, and I am still struggling with headaches,nausea,and skin problems. Also, waiting for a period as well. I would not recommend the ring to anyone it was horrible. Now, I keep taking pregnancy tests in fear that I am pregnant, since I have not had a period yet. My breasts are still so sore I can barely touch them. Tests are all negative. I'm still waiting for the hormones to flush out of my system.

what a life saver this site has been. I have been on the NuvaRing for about 6 months. It worked fine the first month but since then I have noticed a downward spiral of my health. My doctor sold me on the easiness of the product. It had gotten so bad that I spent every night on WEB MD trying to self diagnose my self. I had myself convinced that I had diabetes (I am a healthy 30yr old who does not smoke or drink) when I stumbled onto this website. I took my nuva out on Sunday and have seen an upswing of my mood. my yeast infection has went away, I have dropped 8 pounds and the rash under my breasts have finally starting to fade. I have seen so many women on the internet that have died from complications from the nuva. I am so grateful that we all can post our stories and warn other women! Thank you to all you brave women who posted your stories before. you saved lives.

I'm 36 and i've been on the NuvaRing for about 4 years now. It was great at first, since I kept forgetting to take a pill. This last cycle I was two days late to insert the new one. My side effects are awful! And this is the first time this has ever happened. I want to sleep all the time, my stomach is cramping horribly, my breasts are tender, and I am so bloated. I was thinking maybe I was PG, but after reading this, maybe it's just side effects...? Anyone else?

I love this thing! I am now on my third month of being on the ring and could not be more satisfied. The only side effect i have experienced was a little burning around my vagina when i insert it and then again when i take it out. It has also made it so that i have no cramps prior to my period and my breasts are no longer tender to the touch during that time. I have read so many negative comments that i was scared to try it, but after switching from the dreaded once a day pill, i have never taken a better risk!

I am 38 and I have been using the NuvaRing since 3/23/08. My GYN thought it would help regulate my hormones, as I was experiencing vaginal dryness and decreased libido. I have been on BCPs since I was 18, except for 2 pregnancies and breast feeding. I had no problems on BCPs, except the vaginal dryness and decreased libido (which have been coming on gradually). So far, I have breast enlargement and tenderness, emotional lability, and I have not slept well since it went in (waking up frequently and vivid dreams). I'm going to stick it out a little while, but WOW, I didn't sign up for this. If this form of BC has less hormones then why do I feel this way?

I'm on my third week. SO far, I've only had light spotting, and minimal headaches. I'm definitely more emotional than usual. But nothing that I can't handle. My sex drive is usual, if not I'm in the mood more. Sex has been fine, no pain at all, no unusual swelling, no itchiness. My breasts feel fine (and who doesn't want bigger??) And I've not gained an ounce. Not bad so far! AND I'm thrilled that I don't have to take a pill everyday!

I have used the NuvaRing for approximately 2 years and been very happy with it for the most part, although I have started to realize some possibly connected side effects. Not having to commit to a daily pill taking schedule has been great and I liked the fact that it was a lower dose of hormones since it is close to your uterus and does not have to go through the digestive system like pills do. However, I have noticed a decrease in sex drive and I have been drier over time. Sex is still great, but I definitely have to work harder to get motivated. I have also noticed that my allergies have worsened over the last 2 years and I used to never get sick, but the last 2 years I have gotten sick several times. It may not be directly connected, but it is an interesting observation. I had a little weight gain and my breasts got bigger for about 2-3 months, but then it evened out and returned to normal and I felt great. I think I also was a little bit more emotional than usual the first couple months, but not drastically- nothing that caused any problems. I think I helped regulate my emotions by being conscious that my body was working to balance itself back out. However, because of the allergy thing, immune system thing, and sex drive thing, I think I am going to try going off it for awhile and use a fem cap and spermicide instead. I am ready for male birth control already! I will post again if there are any side effects with going off and how the new methods work. Thanks for everyone's comments; its so important to have this public information out there!

I have been on the ring for 2 years, ever since my twin boys were 1 year old. I never had a problem until 2 months ago when I had spotting a week early, swelling in my face hands and legs and my breast were really sore. Just this week my breasts are sore again and I have had two fibrocystic areas that have been mammo'd but now they are so prominent that you can feel it through my clothes! I think it is the hormones from the ring and I am now considering an IUD!

The first time I used NuvaRing was about a year ago. It worked very well, except for the fact my boyfriend hated it... But during last summer I stopped using birth control I was feeling great. About 2 months ago I renewed my prescription of NuvaRing the first month was fine. I did notice that I was more moody and some cases of nausea. BUT the 2nd month has been horrible!!! Right now I feel like crap. I took out my ring because I was starting to bleed really thickly. That was about a week ago, I'm still bleeding, my breasts (although I'm a size 32A) are soar and my abdomen feels like its being riped out my va jay jay!

Whats wrong with me? AM I pregnant? Is this normal?

Also I have noticed some things that happened last time I used NuvaRing that I otherwise wouldn't have worried about.

Flashing in my vision. Loss of sex drive...

WTF?! Who knows what to do?

has anyone noticed excessive breast tenderness with the NuvaRing. my boobs have always been a little sore the week before my period, but now they start feeling sore, and even aching, up to two weeks before. it freaks me out monthly as breast tenderness is a sign of pregnancy.

I have been using the NUVARING for over a year. I have gained 12lbs because I am bloated all the time and want to over eat. I used to be active, fun and happy. Now I hurt all the time, my lower back aches like I am in Labor and my breasts hurt. Sex just grosses me out, which never happened on any other form of bc. I can hardly stand myself I am so cranky and tired.

I have a history of migraines (which I now realize began with my IUD which had hormones too. But nothing like the migraines with the NuvaRing.) The NuvaRing has seemed to worsen them and they last for weeks. Also, I barely have a menstrual flow and am depressed all time, no energy and am angry for no reason. My quality of life is awful and now I know why. After reading your blogs I removed the ring right away. My husband has made an appointment to ensure I never have to have birth control again. I want to be the happy, thin and pain free person I used to be! Now I have hope. This method of bc is not worth the problems it has cause me and my family...and my career. I am in "sales"...you can't be depressed and be in sales.

Thank you all for giving me hope with your honesty!! I thought I was going crazy.

Has anyone else had severe migraines last for weeks since starting the NuvaRing? Also, anyone here ever had the IUD??

I'm five months postpartum and quit the mini-pill a few days ago and started NuvaRing as soon as the bleeding started (yesterday morning). I have never felt so aggressive in my life! Perhaps it the combination of getting off one BC method and onto another, but this is awful! I feel angry toward my baby and my husband. Do I need a break or a new BC? Before I got pregnant, the pill made me feel even worse, crying all the time. Now I just feel volatile and mean.

I do clinical research for a living. So the first thing that I did when I started having side effects from the ring was whip out the package insert. While they mention the "most common" side effects they don't tell you how they will severely impact you life. Not to be too gross but the vaginal secretion from using this thing made me gag. And I'm Monica clean especially about my "region". I was showering 2 or 3 times a day because I felt so gross. Even though I workout religiously, my breasts were getting bigger (which I did NOT need as I am already a STRONG D). Then I got online and read all of your comments. While I've only had the thing in for 2 1/2 weeks, the V.S. and all of the comments here were enough to make me take it out. I used to struggle with depression a few years ago, so the LAST thing I need is birth control that's going to send me back into that.

Thanks for the comments and the candor, ladies.

Hi, I have only started using the ring two weeks ago. I thought I would love it. I have noticed the same thing after sex to. Kind of a burning sensation. Then one time I thought I lost it cause I couldn't find it. In the past few days I have gotten this rash on the sides of my breasts, stomach and back. Has anyone else experienced this??? My doctor, said it may not be the ring. I have used the patch before and never had problems with that. Anyone help!

Like most posts, I am happy that I found this site. I have been on one form of birth control or another for 11 years (16-27). I have been on the NuvaRing for almost 3 years. Loved the convenience and short periods! Didn't like the weird smelling discharge, but it seemed a small price to pay. Almost a year ago, I suddenly lost my sex drive and motivation, both of which were strong presences in my life. I attributed this decline to moving to a new area that lacked all of the things that I enjoyed. I forced my motivation back into gear, but I was just going through the motions. I tried to do the same with sex, and it worked during the off week of the ring. Still, I didn't attribute my symptoms to the ring. I lived with this until last month, when I started getting nosebleeds and the last bit of my sex drive left. The discharge was so bad I embarrassed myself. I was disgusted with any sort of sexual touch, although clothed-cuddling was fine. My mood declined and I actually thought I should go to a professional for depression. Finally, I called a friend crying about how horrible my life was, and how miserable i was and blah, blah, blah. She mentioned that it could be birth control. Since I had been on b/c for so long, and the ring for three years, I thought there was no way that these symptoms would just appear out of the blue. but i was desperate and didn't put the ring back in this month. i have been without the ring for a little over a week now, and I'm already noticing some differences. I don't have to force myself to get motivated, I am not as moody, i can think clearly without getting distracted easily and I'm not as hungry anymore. sex drive is still non-existent, but I'm no longer disgusted by the thought of sex. The discharge has vanished. I do have to mention that I did have some "withdrawal" symptoms. My breasts became so tender that I didn't want to wear a shirt or even move. I had some generalized cramping in my abdominal region for a couple of days that was pretty intense.

if all of these symptoms were caused by the NuvaRing, what am I supposed to do now? Pills made my breasts extremely tender all of the time. condoms are okay, but I'm anxious that they might break. and since I haven't given birth, the doctor isn't eager to put me on the IUD. and when am I going to get my sex drive back?

I am 29 years old and I have been using NR for almost a year already. although I got through mood swings all the time, now that I think back over the last year or so, I have been acting especially crazy. I am never calm, irritated by everything and everyone, break up with my boyfriend at least 1ce a week, cry a few times a week. Only after reading these posts did I start realizing that maybe its due to NR? I started taking Valerian pills to calm me down, but I became emotionless. I cant be happy for anyone, want to be alone, and not go out. I thought this was all due to stress at work, but now I'm beginning to think otherwise. I took out the ring for good about 3 weeks ago and as soon as few days later have noticed that my breasts are VERY tender, so tender that it hurts to wear a bra. My nipples are HUGE and hurt so bad, this got me scared -thinking that I may be pregnant, but I have been very careful after taking out the ring. Has anyone else noticed this after removing the ring for good?

So glad I found this site. I have tried almost every BC product on the market and they all had side effects that were disconcerting enough to make me stop taking them. I have dismennorhea which means horrendous cramping so bad I have been prescribed Darvocet (heavy muscle relaxer). BC has always seemed to help this in the past which is why I began using the Ring. I have noticed that my breasts are so tender I dont even want to put a bra on in the morning and the constant spotting is driving me insane. I have literally thrown out 20 some odd pairs of underwear because they have been ruined. I think I could deal with it if it was just this but the emotional side effects are tearing my relationship apart. I have cried every single day for absolutely no reason and pick fights on a near daily basis. My boyfriend, who is so supportive, is suffering because of my insanity. I cannot stand a single thing he does anymore, whether its the shirt he decides to put on or not taking the garbage out the instant I ask him to. Eventually I lose it on him and then end up hysterically crying because I realize how insignificant the thing was that set me off. I have said things so hurtful I didnt even think I was possible of conjuring up. The symptoms I am having are akin to how I felt taking the Depo shot, and they did NOT GET BETTER!!!! My last option is a non-hormonal IUD but my doctor is unwilling to prescribe it to me because she does not like them. I guess I am out of luck!!!

I have been on the NuvaRing for about 6 months now. I have endometriosis and I'm anemic both run in my family on both sides. I went to my doctor to ask what birth control method would be better for me than the pill because my hectic life doesn't have a set schedule and she recommended the depo shot or the NuvaRing. After hearing about the pros and cons of both forms of birth control I opted for the NuvaRing.
I love it! I don't have to worry about taking a pill every day and I don't have to worry about getting a shot every 3 months. I use the NuvaRing to stop my periods, which stops the progression of the endometriosis, which will lessen my chances of becoming infertile by the time I want to have children.
I have had no negative side affects from the NuvaRing. I have had some breast tenderness but I'm only 19 and I think it is due to my breasts growing and not the NuvaRing. My mother's breasts grew until she was about 21 or 22.
My sex drive is actually greater than it was before because I don't have to worry and my long term boyfriend loves it! Neither one of us have to worry about an unwanted pregnancy and I would recommend this method of birth control to anyone, especially someone who's life is as hectic as mine!

I have been on the NR about a month and a half now. Have headaches, my breasts are definitely bigger (swollen and very tender), I have nausea from time to time, vaginal discharge, and I can definitely tell that I'm feeling more depressed. I'm SO glad that I found this website. I had no clue what's been going on with my body. I was on depo the past 3 years and my doctor recommended that I get off it for a while to let my bone density get back up to where it should be. I had no problems and no periods with depo and I want to be back on it so bad!! I'm going to wait it out until the end of the 3rd month, and if I'm still feeling this way, I think I may look into getting an IUD. But hopefully I can maybe just get back on the depo. Patch doesnt stay on for me, and the pill makes me have bad nausea too.