NuvaRing and experiences

Wow, reading all of this has got me kind of scared. I've been taking Ortho-Tri-Cyclin-Low for almost 3 years, my doctor put me on it, to help with my extremely painful periods, and it worked like a charm. I wasn't sexually active, so I never really worried much about taking it at the same time each day. Other the last several months my life has gotten pretty busy, and its become extremely hard to remember taking the pill each day. I started having sex with my boyfriend earlier this month, we've been using condoms, but they are uncomfortable for both of us, and we don't really want to use them (we were both virgins before this, so we're not worried about STDs). So Friday I went to see my doctor and she suggested Nuvaring, and gave me 5 months worth of samples to try.

I was supposed to have my period this week, I actually quit taking the pill last Tuesday or Wednesday (today is Sunday) because I kept forgetting. So my doctor told me to go ahead and have my period then put the first ring in next week. After reading the information packet and on the nuvaring website I decided to put the ring in last night (Saturday night), and skip my period this month.

I had a headache last night, and its still here (though not quite as bad) today. Today I also started having spotting and mild cramps.

The headache could be from me just getting over the flu (I had that Friday & Saturday), and being tired from the flu. And I'm sure the spotting is probably normal, considering I was supposed to start my period in the next few days, and I've only had the ring in for about 12 hours.

I'm going to be on the look out for side effects though. I sure hope it works for me, because I really am horrible about remembering the pill.

I came upon this site while trying to search about people's experiences with sex while using the ring, because I'm kinda nervous that it will be uncomfortable for my boyfriend and/or I. So if any of you have any input with that, please reply to this. Thank you

I thought I was crazy until I found this site... I've been toying with the idea of taking the nuvaring out because I've been so ridiculously depressed lately, exhausted for no reason, and my sex drive is basically at zero. I had almost convinced myself that I'm just depressed but started thinking about the nuvaring. I've been on it for almost 2 years now, and had minor problems at first but then after I got used to it, it seemed fine. Lately, it's been getting worse. Before I lived with my boyfriend (and in the same city), I worked at a horrible job that made me miserable and depressed and gave me horrible headaches... I thought it was just that, my job. But it's not any better, except the headaches are somewhat better... but I'm more depressed than ever, my sex drive is worsening, I'm crabbier than ever, all I want to do is sleep but when I do sleep it's not good sleep, I have zero energy, I can't bring myself to do the smallest tasks, and I'm so insecure and scared that my bf doesn't love me anymore. I even think I've developed anxiety. Sex hurts almost worse every time, I get that burning thing other people have been discussing, and it burns after sex when I urinate. I asked my gyno about the pain during sex and she almost acted like I was crazy. I think I'm ready to take this thing out. Condoms, here I come again. There were positives to the ring, like a way lighter period, I only have one sort of heavy day, and the rest are super light, and my cramps are nothing compared to what I used to experience. But those positive things do not outweigh my other experiences. The point of going on BC is so you can have sex without getting pregnant... well having sex once a month because I feel bad that my boyfriend isn't getting any is so NOT worth the money I spend on this thing and so not worth the side effects. It's so weird that for almost a year though I was fine on it, it almost makes me think that they changed something about it. And it's weird that the doctors seem almost brainwashed. I'm not the only one who had the gyno acting like they were crazy. I'm hesitant to take it out now, I still have 2 1/2 weeks until I'm supposed to take it out, but I don't want to wait another 2 1/2 weeks if I could start feeling better by then if I took it out now.

I cannot disagree with these negative postings more. I absolutely love the nuvaring. I have not gained any weight...of course I diet & exercise about 5 days a week....do those of you who have experienced weight gain exercise regularly? I have also had an INCREASE in my sex drive...I have been with my fiance for 5 years, and for the past 3 of those, I have had no sex drive whatsoever. I got on the ring & bam, it's there with a vengence...the only problem with that is that we're getting married in 2 weeks & I wanted to make it special & stop having sex a couple of months before the wedding...but I just can't get enough of it. I have dealt with depression & anxiety my entire 27 years of life, so if the nuvaring is causing that...it's not any worse than normal. The only side effects I've had is the discharge, (which yes, is very annoying) and tender breasts...but I can deal with that. Although I have noticed that I cry a bit easier...but I was always a crier as well. I cry when I'm mad, sad, happy...always have, so nope...guess that's not from the ring either. ALL birth control effects everyone differently. I'm not saying this for everyone, but sometimes a lot of people like to blame certain actions & physical changes on something & maybe this is the case...for some people. I've been on the pill before & I always got off it b/c of weight gain....well, it was b/c I wasn't eating properly or exercising. I liked to blame my mood swings on the pill as well, but once I thought about it, I still had those before & after taking the pill. The only reason I quit the pill was b/c it did give me acne. Anyway, just my thoughts....& I wanted to post something positive for the ring.

I went on the ring about a year ago and I have loved it. I have been having a problem when I drink too much alcohol though and I am not sure if it has to do with the ring. Whenever I drink to the point where I don't feel good and I have a headache, I get really suicidal and freak out. My boyfriend noticed a few days ago that these episodes started around the same time I got the ring, but we aren't quite sure. Has anyone else ever had any experiences like these? I would like to know as soon as possible so I can take it out. Also, I would like to know if there are any other birth controls that people would recommend besides the pill. I don't like having to remember to take them every day.

Hello. My fiance was on nuvaring for nearly 2 years and gradually began experiencing many of the side effects listed here. The last 6 months were the worst in that the mood swings, anxiety and depression seemed to get out of control. She recently stopped using the ring about 6 weeks ago but it seems like the symptoms are still persistent. Does anyone have any experience with coming off of the ring and whether or not it could take longer than 2 months to get back to normal?

I realize that I am in the minority with this, but I actually really like the NuvaRing. I had been on the pill for almost 11 years (I am 30) and was starting to feel that my hormones were changing and the pill was giving me some side effects. I felt very emotional all the time, began breaking out, and was having weird periods. My Dr recommended the Ring, and while it is fairly expensive, I have had near to no side effects. I did not experience any burning or change in my "insides" with the Ring in, I actually LOST 11 pounds in the last 3 months since I began using the Ring. While I still experience some pre-menstral cramps, they are nothing that 2 ibuprofen won't take care of.
Please everyone, keep in mind that everyones bodies are different. I read up on this site before trying the Ring, and was very hesitant to do so as there is mostly negative commentary on the site. Of course if one person has a bad experience they feel a need to share it as they do not want anyone else to suffer the same fate as them. However, just because one person has a bad reaction does not mean that everyone will, and I think it's important to keep that in mind. I would not recommend the Ring to everyone, because just like all other types of synthetic hormone birth control, peoples bodies are going to react VERY differently. I think that people should make informed decisions, and realize that you are taking a risk any time you try something new. Good luck, and I hope that more folks have good experiences over bad ones.

what a relief to read all your experiences! I too have been on the ring for about 5 months, while my sex drive was not totally shot - i too get these insane cramps in my calf muscles that wake me up at night on a regular predictable basis. to cure those i started taking vitamins and eating bananas more. weight-wise, i'm sure i gained ten pounds since i started but was too depressed to check so i waited until i knew i lost a few and now i'm 7 pounds heavier than when i started. of course I tell this all to my doctor and she's like "That's strange, it's such a low dose of hormones that shouldn't happen." FINALLY the worst of it is the first week I put it in I'm INSANELY emotional. crying hourly. today's been such a hard day - worsened by the fact that it was my birthday two days ago and one of the most pathetic birthday's of my life so i just keep thinking about it and crying. so i wonder if it's the ring thats exaggerating my emotions or if i'm really feeling depressed about having a lame birthday. does anyone else have this first-week slump? i hate it. i want to go off the ring now but i hate taking the pill and i feel like any BC has some hideous undesirable side effect. PLUS when having sex, it's popped out 3 times and i haven't been able to find it after!!! so annoying. what to do what to do...

Thank you very much for posting your experiences. My wife has the same adverse effects with nuvaring. We're gonna remove this thing asap. She has been so depressed and cry all the time for nothing since she started nuvaring. Her antidepressant are not working at all. Her sex drive has decreased substantially. She is getting panic attacks for trivial things. I am so pissed of with this worthless contraceptive. Somebody should file class action law suit against nuvaring.

Thanks friends for sharing yr experiences.

Like many others who have posted here, many symptoms have been present, but I failed to recognize that NuvaRing may be the cause. After another restless night, lying awake at 3 a.m. and considering seeking help for my increasingly unpredictable mood swings and depression, I had an epiphany, which led me here.
I’ve long suffered headaches, so I won’t pin that on NuvaRing, but I used to be one who rarely cried. I’ve felt absolutely crazy lately, both crying and being openly hostile to my husband. It’s a relief to think there may be a cause I can do something about. Now I can’t decide if I should remove it now and risk having my period while on vacation next week or leave it in and be miserable.
I’d finally been able to lose a few pounds, but only two months after beginning NuvaRing, it was all back, plus a few more. I hadn’t thought to connect it to the new birth control, as I’ve been on various pills since 1999.
Stomach problems are another issue I was already dealing with, but the possibility that they've been compounded by this birth control is frustrating.
Another symptom that I’m not sure is related: raised bumps on my upper arms and thighs, dry and slightly itchy. Has anyone else experienced skin-related symptoms with NR?
Many thanks to all who have shared their experiences.

Hey all,
I am meant to be starting the Nuvaring on Sunday. I was on Ortho Lo for about a year but gained significant weight on it and could not take the bloating so my Dr. switched me to Yasmin last month. I have been an emotional mess all month so we have decided to try another delivery method, the ring now and see if side effects are less for me. I am scared though in case I gain even more weight or have another month of depression. Has anyone had positive experiences switching?

I am in my 4th month of using Nuva Ring. I have loved it (and recommended it to everyone) until now. The past two weeks, I have felt like I am "high" or something. The only time I have gotten any sleep is when I was on my week off last week. Since I have started researching side effects and reading others' experiences, I didn't really realize some of my symptoms may be related to my birth control. The weird, almost drunk, feeling just started last week, but the sleeplessness, cold hands, bloating, weight gain, nausea have been going on for a while. I'm really not sure what I will do b/c I really love how easy it is to use, but if these symptoms do not go away, I can't handle feeling like this every day. I have NOT experienced depression, lower sex drive, or any vaginal issues like some of the other postings mentioned. I do remove the ring during sex, then wash it and insert again afterward. Has anyone who experienced these side effects ever had them lessen or go away.....or is this permanent for as long as you use the ring? I guess I will be making a phonecall to my doctor today. Now I feel a lot less crazy after reading everyone else's experiences. I am sooooo glad I started researching this topic!

Found this site and read the postings for the first time today. I cried when I read the first posting because it was as though I had written it myself. I have experienced so many of the negative side effects such as, depression, apathy, loss of sex drive, crying almost every day, anger for no reason, pain, and more. I am 38 years old and have been using the ring for almost 2 years. I took it out today as soon as I finished reading other's experiences. I am looking forward to being my "old" self soon, and I know my husband and children are too.
Maybe the side effects are worse for women in their 30's and 40's versus 20's. Not everyone posted their age but I was curious regarding this possibility.

Just started the NuvaRing. only had it in maybe 2 weeks. tons of pimples and having pelvic pains, lots of bilat flank pain. last 3 days abd bloating and gained 3 pounds (obviously most likely fluid retention). nausea and gastric pain after eating. I had been on the ring quite a few years ago and could not remember why I only used a short time. hmmmmm now I remember! Something quite not right. I went online to see if these symptoms may be short term but from all the other comments does not look like they are. Took the ring out. Also like others foul smelling discharge. This was only after 2 weeks. After reading all comments looks like a poor birth control choice if there are others with good experiences they should report otherwise this medication should really be taken off the market.

OK...I thought I was CRAZY, but after reading this I realized I am not alone in my experiences with the NuvaRing. I have been on it for 3 yrs, but last month after I took it out, I did not put a new one in. I had been noticing heart palpitations, tiredness, was mean as all get out, excessively thirsty, and not able to wear my contacts. When I out the ring back in this month, ALL the symptoms came back! Also, I had experienced a drop in my sexual appetite, with no ring, I was back to the 'norm'.
It will be coming out tonight and not going back in.

I'm so glad that I found this site and know that I'm not going through this alone. I started the NuvaRing after not being on birth control for 2 years. Previously I've been on the pill and the patch. I'd heard great things about the ring and thought I'd give it a try. The first three months I loved it. Around month four, I started having pain during sex. It felt like I wasn't getting lubricated enough. Then on top of the pain during sex, I would have a burning sensation after sex when I went to the bathroom. I've also been experiencing a lot of hunger and weight gain around my stomach, which hasn't ever been an issue before. The past month I've had little to no sex drive, and have to wait at least a day after sex before I can attempt to do it again. I'm only 27 and know this isn't normal. Last week I had my period for only 2 days. I thought there was something psychologically wrong with me, especially having no sex drive when I'm with someone that I'm incredibly attracted to. After reading everyone else's similar experiences, I'm taking this ring today and voicing my concern to my doctor first thing tomorrow. Best of luck to everyone in getting back to how we were before the ring.

Is anyone experiencing lingering depression after discontinuing NuvaRing. I was on it for 7 months and have been off of it for 5 weeks and can't shake the blue moods and feeling of hopelessness. My normal self is very happy and I have no history of depression which makes this new trait all the more disturbing. I feel stuck.

I had a period and thought my mood would improve afterward, but it really hasn't. Overall, I am better than I was at first, but the progress is so slow that I can't see it most of the time.

I am wondering how old is everyone, I am 36, is possibly an age group issue? I began using the ring September 10, 2007 problems began almost immediately moodiness, depression, and sleepless nights, and that is just the beginning. I spotted for the first month with occasional heavier bleeding, on November 8 that all changed, from spotting to very heavy bleeding, today is January 3 and I am still bleeding the doctors can't tell me why or make it stop, even after a brief hospital stay. Extreme cramps it was worse than being in labor with my daughter, and passing something that appeared to be fleshy. I discontinued the ring almost a week ago and am hoping that things will start returning to normal soon.

Hello ladies. Thank you for being brave enough to share your experiences. I was on the NuvaRing for 10 days, and realized that it was making me crazy and causing me to think I was losing my mind. The day after I inserted it I felt like I had no control over my thoughts. I felt as though I was becoming a schizophrenic. After several days I considered seeing a shrink because I was so depressed. I called my OB to let them know this was going on and they said they'd never heard of anything like that happening. So I felt like I was the only one, and that maybe I really was losing my mind. They told me it would take about 2 months for the hormone to leave my body. I felt better after taking it out but now, 3 weeks later I am starting to have anxiety. I have never ever had problems like this in my life even when I was on the pill and the patch. Hopefully I will feel better completely. I do have several good days in a row where I feel normal, and back to my old self, and then some days are very bad. Has anyone had similar problems, and if so.... how long has it taken to get back to normal?

I felt the need to tell anyone who might be considering NuvaRing and looking at this website that not everyone has problems with it! I am on NuvaRing and have nothing but positive things to say about it. I have actually been losing weight, my breast size has gone up (who could ask for a better combination?!) and I have had no experience with moodiness or depression. My sex drive is the same, and for sure have had no issues with dryness or pain during sex. I don't write this to make those who are having bad experiences feel terrible, I only want other women to know that there is another side to this. I cannot feel the ring at all, and my partner can't either, except with his hand, but not during sex. It truly is the most convenient and best birth control I've ever tried.

I was on nuvaring for 18 months and in that time and in that time i gained 40 pounds while watching what I was eating, my gyn said it was just how my body was processing the ring I also experiences severe headaches. Since being off the ring for two months my weight has plateaued and my headaches are subsiding.

I just had a baby in June and the dr talked up Nuvaring like it was the greatest, so I went on it. Only been on it a month and in that time have felt sort of scared because of the way I had been feeling. Irritated, sleepy, drenching night sweats, breaking out in cold sweats during the day, heart palpitations, and just constantly feeling on edge. The night sweats and heart palpitations have been the worst, I have never experienced anything like that and it's terrible. Now I'm experiencing the most heavy bleeding I have ever had in my life. I will not be using Nuvaring anymore.

I was on the Nuvaring for 3 years. I had similar experiences to everyone else here. They came on so gradually I seriously thought it was something else. I had night sweats almost everynight some nights so bad I had to change clothing and bedding in the middle of the night. I thought I had cancer! And then the migraines came on a couple times per month, and headaches every evening some lasted until morning. . I never had a migraine before but I attributed it to stress. I also had chronic swollen glands in my head and neck that were sore. I kept asking my doctor she just did blood tests and said I was fine. All of these would cycle so you thought it wouldn't happen again and then it did. I loved the convenience of it so I stayed on it too long. I just got married so I went off it 2 weeks ago and I haven't felt so good in years!

Hello all!! I have been on NR for around 9 mos. I think that this is a great method of BC for me, a person who forgets to take pills and gets rediculous nausea from pills. However, I'm wondering if anyone experiences NIGHT SWEATS? I sweat so much at night, that everything is soaked and I often feel like something is crawling on me and its just perspiration. This is gross! I've taken many 2am showers because I can't stand it. As I read some of your entries, I noticed that fatigue is mentioned. I thought I needed vitamins, more blood, or just 24hrs of sleep. I wanna continue to use this method of BC, but can't stand these two problems.

I'm glad to know that there are other women out there with similar problems as me. I recently became engaged, sexually active and with that, became a new user of the Ring. It was reccomended to me by two family member s who love it and would never go back to all the other methods they'd tried in the past. I, however, am not as lucky as they are. I put it in on the first day of my period, as directed. My period lasted about 8 days when it usually lasts five and I had brown spotting for the rest of the month. Intercourse became very painful for me from the get-go. It was like a burning sensation and it was horrible enough that my fiance and I have not done it for two weeks. I went in to my gyno and she said I had a yeast infection and that the Ring was healthy for the vagina because the vagina LIKES the hormones in it and that the Ring should improve the atmosphere in the vagina, if anything. So, I've had two UTI's and a yeast infection since putting it in, bleeding after intercourse, maddening headaches, cramps, ACNE (which it is suppose to clear up), and severe mood swings. But, my doc won't switch me to the pill because she thinks that my body will adjust. I guess I'll just give it some more time and, if it doesn't straighten up within another couple of weeks, I'll demand something else because this just is not working for me as I had hoped it would!

I just went to see the Dr. last night after a full week of nausea and migraines. My simptoms are getting worse and worse every month that goes by. I started NR about a year ago; my Dr. said that he never heard anything negative about the ring, so I tried it. It made my periods very regular, but this past year has been very challenging. I'm constantly upset about something, felt depressed many times, extremely tired and had no sex drive... at all. I have to make an effort (physical and emotional) to have sex with my husband. I even bitch at him after sex becuase it was terrible for me... well, after reading these other experiences I can explain the changes in me. I'm taking this thing off RIGHT NOW!

I just wanted to add my experience for everyone looking just like me. I started using the Nuva Ring after having a scare with the pill in November. For a while I felt pretty good but I think thing are getting progressively worse. I've had extremely intense headaches at least once a month that are completely debilitating. I have also started having intense emotional swings every month since i've been on the pill. I just changed jobs recently and thought that a lot of my moods were due to that but now I'm realizing that the mood swings start 1-1 1/2 weeks before my period is supposed to start, lasting until my period is done. During the rest of the month I feel relatively normal. The mood swings include everything from spur of the moment crying, to anxiousness, to anger, apathy etc. I've been thinking that the ring was why but I really hadn't been sure until I started reading other people's experiences. I did experience itching although not every month, and more during the 1st week of having it in. I did not experience breakthrough bleeding. Also, I have experienced a delayed period every month, (taking it out Sun. and not bleeding till Thurs.). I would appreciate any feedback from anyone on here with opinions or experiences. Thanks!

I've been on Nuva for about two months. So far the only side-effects I've had is lightheadedness... and it may not be related to the ring. I'm wondering, though, why some of you have had bad experiences with it, and yet you remain on it for 2,3,4 years???

Has anyone had any experiences with having more yeast infections/vaginitis since being on the Ring? I don't know if it a coincidence or a cause?

I have been on the NuvaRing for a month now and started getting very bad cystic acne during the first week of use, as well as a hive-like rash. I had tried it once before about a yeat ago but don't remember this happening. I like everything else about the ring, so I'm hoping this improves. Has anyone else had this happen during the first month or two and then improve? My doctor thinks I should try it another month and that it may just take time for my body to adjust. Any experiences like this?

I will never use this product again. My doctor put me on Nuvaring because of the low level of hormones it gives off. I, one of the happiest people I know, became depressed. I bought a new car, house, and got a promotion all in one week, but was not happy about any of them. That's not normal. I completely lost my sex drive and am miserable. I have never experienced these feelings before. It is scary.

I want to take the ring out; it's been in one week. I am scared that taking it out will really screw up my system more than it already is. Has anyone taken it out before she was supposed to?

Im about to start NuvaRing in place of Yaz at the end of my next cycle. I am a very tiny person, and it usually took me a lot of trying to even gain a pound, and I gained TEN pounds in 2 months on yaz...and up a cup size which IM not comfortable with. So im going to try the ring and see if it is better...but im so afraid my body will act like this with all bc pills. I hate being on them its so unatural..but I dont know what else to do to prevent pregnancy so effectively. Has anyone had good experiences with the ring?

I'm so glad I found this sight!! I knew the ring wasn't for me, but my OB said I was crazy, and that my experiences were more stress based rather than birth control based. My sex drive has diminished, I experience pain during intercourse, I've had 5 UTIs this year, I have extreme mood swings - especially the week before my period, and I can not lose any weight - no matter how much I exercise or how healthy I eat.

I KNOW that the Nuva Ring is the cause of this and I won't stay on for another month. I will be giving up convenience, but my marriage and family is more important.

Hi-

I am about to start taking the Ring, but I am seriously concerned about weight gain. It's not narcisistic, i just can't gain any weight right now, not even 2 pounds. What experiences have all of you had with the Ring and weight gain?

So I am a healthy, 23-year-old college student. I started the nuva ring over a week ago -- 10 days to be exact -- and I think it's finally started to click. I have become a PSYCHO. I read all of the pamphlets for the thing, and the only side effect I found related to mood problems was "depression". Well, I have turned into this crying-at-random, bitchy, angry, up and down within minutes psycho person! I can't take this. I have turned MEAN, and I am not a mean person at all. I appreciate everyone who has posted their experiences, because now I know I just need to take this thing out.