NuvaRing and diflucan

Your stories makes me feel much better. I've been battling with yeast infections on and off for the last five months. It's been scary and frustrating. Surprisingly I've been on NuvaRing for about 3 years and these symptoms have just begun to be a problem but they won't stop until the ring is out and my period starts. I've tried everything, I've changed soaps, changed to lube without parabens, stopped wearing cute underwear, started showering twice a day, and have used several types of over-the counter's. I've treated with so many over-the-counter creams for yeast infections that I'm getting concerned about what all that fungicide might do in the long run. They usually work but then the yeast infection will return. I think perhaps the NuvaRing may affect the chemistry inside the vagina making it more susceptible to yeast infections once one occurs. This has negatively affected my sex life with my fiance because sex stings and burns and I always get a yeast infection, I'd rather avoid it all together. I was going to go to the OBGYN and beg for Diflucan but from a previous post similar to my situation it may just be another temporary fix. I've never tried the pill but I'm going to switch this month and see if the yeast infections finally go away.

I started on the NuvaRing in April of this year, so this is my 4th month on it. The first month was great! I loved that I didn't have to think about it daily and my libido was through the roof! The only side effects: I noticed immediately that it increased my discharge, which was a little uncomfortable on a day-to-day basis but was very nice for making love. The discharge was also a whitish color, which threw me off because I'm used to it being clear but my doctor assured me that all was normal. Also, it would occasionally fall out during more passionate sex, which wasn't a big deal. I just washed it off with cold water and reinserted it. The second month, things seemed great until the last half of the month. I noticed that there wasn't as much discharge and I would get a slight burning sensation after sex. About a week later, I came down with a full blown yeast infection. I hadn't had a yeast infection in 10 years! I treated it with an OTC 3 day suppository, which seemed to help it a little. I removed the NuvaRing like normal and a few days later I started my period. Things seemed to go back to normal and a week went by without much problem. The middle of the 3rd month I was slammed full force with yet another (or the same) yeast infection, plus bacterial vaginosis as well. I asked the doctor about the NuvaRing and it possibly causing/aiding yeast infections. She assured me that it wasn't possible for the ring to cause infection. She gave me instructions on how to properly rinse it off in case it ever fell out again. She prescribed me 2 doses of Diflucan for the yeast and an antibiotic for the BV. I took both and afterward things seemed fine for another 2 weeks. This week, I noticed that I had a weird itchy feeling down there before bed and sure enough when I woke up in the morning it appeared I had another yeast infection. I called to make an appointment but the nurse just called back and prescribed me 2 more Diflucan pills and told me to give one to my partner. I asked again about the NuvaRing perhaps being an aid in the appearance of these infections and again she told me that it wasn't possible. At this point I am really confused. I don't know if I have a really bad yeast infection due to the ring or if my boyfriend and I are simply reinfecting each other. I also asked about whether I should discard this NuvaRing and start a new one after the infection clears up and got a very vague response of "it's your call". I really don't know whether to can the NuvaRing or keep going a little longer to see if this is all a big coincidence. I just think there isn't enough known about the NuvaRing...by my physician anyway. More side effects to note in the fourth month: weight gain, loss of sexual desire, vaginal dryness (the discharge was short-lived), irritability, crying fits. I'm just at a loss...I really wanted this to work for me...

I'm only 18 and I've been using nuvaring off and on for a while.
I took it out the first time because it was making me gain weight, decrease in sex drive, anxiety attacks, painful sex and i had been crying for no reason. I feel so bad for my boyfriend because I'm just now realizing that my lack of sex drive and painful sex is most likely related to the nuvaring. We've both been confused for so long and he's been feeling so bad about himself thinking its his fault :(.

This is the 2nd week I've had it in since the first time i took it out months ago and I've gotten what seems to be a yeast infection...but like someone mentioned earlier, my yeast infection tests come back negative...as do std and sti tests.
This is my second time with yeast infection symptoms and im only 18...
so, already that seems a little fishy (no pun intended).
Ive also been tested twice for all stds and sti's both times negative.

My doctor and mother don't believe any of this has anything to do with the nuvaring and tell me that i shouldn't believe what i read on the internet because most of what im reading is "rare"..but i believe it and i believe its happening to me.

im taking it out right now.
This website has been very helpful!

I had been taking the ring for about a little over a month. I have tried every kind of pill and other birth controls for the last 6 years, but I kept getting severe migranes, so my doctor suggested I try the ring. I also can not be off birth control because I have endometreosus and birth control helps it. After about 3 weeks started feeling very sick. I thought I had a yeast infection so I took diflucan twice and it did not work. It became so swollen that I could barely walk. My boobs were swollen and sore as well. I also gained 5 pounds right away. After a week and a half of being sick I started searching the web. I found this site and took it out immedietly. It took a few days but the infection and the swelling went away. I couldnt imagine how much worse it could have gotten if I did not take it out when I did. Doctors may not know all the side effects because everyone reacts differently. I am glad there are sights like this so I dont have to feel alone

I'm 24 and have been using the NuvaRing for 4 months now. I've been waking up to find myself drenched in sweat which I have never experienced before. I started looking at different web sites to see if that is a side effect (which I couldn't find anywhere) when I found this site and after reading everyone's comments, I realized how many side effects I am having. I have no sex drive at all, I am depressed and want to do nothing but sleep, and I find myself eating way more than I used to. If anyone else has been having night sweats, please let me know.

I was on NuvaRing from February 2007 to August 2007. The first 3 months I experienced spotting and brown discharge after sex. I almost always experienced vaginal burning during, and after intercourse (as many of you mentioned), and had about 6 different diagnosed yeast infections (which I have never had before in my entire life), but I felt like they were constant than 6 and they never went away even after mega doses of expensive medications.. I took Acidophilus supplements, bought cremes from the store, took tons of rounds of Diflucan, but I was never feeling good and healthy down there the whole time I used it. Sex was usually painful and uncomfortable afterwards, and for the next few days afterwards even not having sex.

I also experienced extreme depression and lack of confidence, whether that was chemical, or due to how the was the ring made me feel physically (unattractive and incapable of acting as a sexual being).

I tried to tell my doctor I knew that the NuvaRing had caused these side effects, but she said that "There are no studies that suggest NuvaRing causes yeast infections or creates similar symptoms." This was very shocking to me. It felt like she had said it many times before to other women, but when I researched I couldn't find any information on negative side effects until now.

Thank you all so much for sharing, I'm glad I wasn't the only one who went through this.

The Nuva Ring was giving me a yeast infection. So I talked to my doctor about it. Now I am on a regime of taking a diflucan (perscription to get rid of yeast infections) the day before I insert a new ring. Between that and taking acidophilus daily, I have not had any signs of a yeast infection!

Been on NR for 10 months. I had been off the pill for a few years after being on it for 15 years straight. The 1st few months on NR I noticed the mood swings from the insertion and removal of the ring, otherwise it was ok. I also lost about 9 pounds. But it has stated to creep up on me that over the last 6 months I felt like I had to really work hard to focus on anything. Very spacy and possibly depressed, critical of myself and others and a bit obsessive about certain things. This was nothing like the laid back person my friends knew before. Then I got a urniary tract infection and a few months later, after very painful sex, I got a yeast infection. Since the yeast infection a week ago I have gained 5 lbs. I hope it is bloating and will go away after this period. It feels is like my body is completly out of synch. I have felt extreamly tired over the past 6 months. It wasent a constant tiredness, but when it came on it was very difficult to stay awake, at work, in meetings etc. I also could not get out of bed sometimes, I had the achy bones and sorness that others have experenced. I kept looking at my nutrition intake to make sure I was getting what I needed and I should have been fine. I keept wondering what is wrong with me...... Then one day I wonderd if the extreme need to sleep, and the general feeling of not beeing fully conected to my surroundings could be this ring and the hormones. I am thinking of going off it to see if my life, sleep, etc. improves. I also wanted to mention that the NR website does not address if there are any issues with using a yeast medication over the counter or the pill. I have seen on other websites that both can cause issues. When I called NR they could only comment on the Monistat, Miconazole-That it will increase the level of hormones-and it is safe to use. Now scientifically if the levels go high enough it can cause spontanious ovulation......but they could not comment on that. They had no information on Diflucan- the pill for yeast infections or its possible affect. How is it possible they do not know if common medications can cause you to potentially become pregenant or have other side affects. I now truly question if this company has did the research in shlud to be on the market.

I haven't been on any type of birth control in 9 years. I stopped because after a year of oral contraceptives I was keeping a yeast infection. Since I wasn't sexually active (I was using the pill for cramps), I discontinued the oral contraceptive and the infections went away.
I am getting married in November and need to start on some form of birth control. I tried the NR on a recommendation from a friend. In less than 24 hours I had a raging yeast infection (swelling, discoloration, itching, burning and some mild pain). Taking diflucan has helped, but not made the infection go away completely.
Should I take out the NR / will it mess up my cycle if I take it out now??? I don't know if I can stand it much longer!

I began using nuvaring a year ago and discontinued it about 5 months ago because of the incredible amount of yeast infections I got. Trouble is, it messed up my pH so much that I still have a yeast infection. Nothing works to remedy it. I take 4 yogurt supplements a day just to keep going. This has happened to everyone I know who has used this medication. I'm trying a new remedy that has worked for my friend--gynazole cream plus 2 weeks (at least) worth of boric acid suppositories. If that doesn't work I'll throw myself off a building. Stay away from Nuvaring and spread the word.

I began using Nuvaring last year at around this time, and it was great for a while. Then I started getting yeast infections. And more yeast infections. In fact, they still haven't gone away, even though I switched birth control about 5 months ago. I've talked with two friends and they had the same problem. I have to take yogurt supplements up to 4 times per day to even function. Diflucan doesn't work, neither do the most commonly sold creams (Monistat, etc). I'm about to try a new remedy that worked for them and got rid of their chronic post-Nuvaring "beast infection" (what I have come to call it). It's gynazole cream 2 times for one week followed by 2-3 weeks of boric acid suppositories. Stay the heck away from Nuvaring, and warn all your friends. There's no excuse for them missing this hideous, miserable side effect.

I recently got off nuvaring due to finances, after reading these posts I have realized the pains I have had the last four months were probably from the nuvaring, I have had migranes and dizziness and blurriness. But since coming off nuvaring I have suffered a hard pain near my left overy, I also have a rash on my tummy. The pain is all day and gets worse here and there. A cousin told me she had to have her overy removed from a tumor she had because of Nuvaring, yet she has to stay on Nuvaring because she doesn't want to lost the other one.