NuvaRing and few days

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 wish I would have come across this site long ago. I have been on NR for about 6 months now and will be calling my doctor first thing in the morning to swtich back to my trusty old birth control pills. I have had no desire for sex at all, headaches, and heavy discharge. My husband says his only chance at sex is right after my period is over, which makes sense now because those hormones from the NR aren't in my system for those few days. I've been moody and depressed and just not feeling like myself. My doctor put me on anxiety medication, which I'm not very interested in taking long term, so I'm hoping that once I stop using the NR I can get off the other stuff too. I'm 34 so my doc doesn't want me on the pill anymore, buy due to endometriosis and ovarian cyst issues I have to be on some type of hormonal BC. I guess I better start looking into some other options. Does anyone have any suggestions?

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 started Nuvaring on July 6th 2008. I had the usual first-month side effects such as break through bleeding, etc. The second month went fine.....or so I thought. I didn't see it right away but my boyfriend did. I became depressed, moody, and withdrawn. I would cry and become emotional over nothing and was unable to show any enthusiasm for anything. He thought that I was no longer interested in him, or us. He brought it to my attention and it was then that I clued-in to the way I had been feeling. I immediately removed the ring. Withing a few days I felt like myself again.
The next problem I had with NR is it's withdrawal symptoms. I am a week late for my period and have had several symptoms of pregnancy. I know for a fact that I am not pregnant. After doing research on-line, I have learned that this is a very common problem, for women who opt to stop NR. This isn't something that is mentioned in the drug information that comes with NR.

I take nuvaring for a year by now, get a lot of symptoms but I just realized with my husband that my problems are just caused by my medication. After I have read all of yours posts, I REALLY think theses come from this. My symptoms are the following: shortness of breath, night sweats, trouble sleeping, nightmares, depression, anxiety and problems with my skin. Don't take that!!

I realize that everyone has their opinion, and their own experience, so please don't chew me out. But, since any hormonal form of birth control can lead to blot clots, some people I know in the medical profession (who are on hormonal forms of bc themselves) take a baby aspirin every few days. It helps thin the blood and since it is baby aspirin, is not a high dose. Just thought I'd pass along that bit of info for anyone interested, who likes Nuvaring or bc pills, but may be worried about some side effects.

I started NuvaRing about 7 weeks ago. The first ring I used I had a really bad burning sensation a few days after I inserted it. I figured it was new and I just needed to wait it out. I couldn't even have sex because that made the burning five times worse. A week before I was supposed to start my period I experienced really bad abdominal cramping. Later that day I had an upset stomach. The next day I had to go to the ER because my stool was nothing but blood. They never found anything wrong and released me. I took the ring out as scheduled and had my period. The next week I inserted the new ring. A few days later the burning sensation came back. I am certain this is a side effect of the ring. I have no sex drive and I feel extremely depressed as well.

I am happy to say I have never and will never take NuvaRing, I myself am on Ortho-Tri and have been for 7yrs. But one of my dear friends is in the hospital fighting for her life due to this ring. She is now in her third surgery in the past few days because of numerous blood clots threw out her body due to starting NuvaRing 8 months ago. My suggestion if you are taking this and all drugs to keep a close eye on them. Her situation is become very serious. And she never had a single problem before now. And two beautiful children later she is left with a bad side effect. This is way a drug should not be EXPERIMENTAL on humans. Ladies please be couscous of your life and the FDA approved drugs!

Has anyone experienced a rash while using NuvaRing??
I started using NuvaRing for the first time 2 days ago and when I woke up yesterday I had a rash on my arm, chin, and chest, and today it has spread all over my one arm and has made it's way over to the other. I know it's not an allergic reaction to food because I haven't eaten any new foods and it's not poison ivy because I haven't been outdoors like that in the past few days. I also know that it's not an allergic reaction to anything else (except maybe NuvaRing itself) because I haven't used any new soaps, laundry detergent, jewelry, make-up etc. Also, I was very fatigued yesterday, I slept all day (went to bed around 12 the previous night and woke up around 5 in the afternoon) and when I got up I had absolutely no energy, and that is not like me at all, normally I'm a very energetic person. So far those are the only symptoms I have had, but I'm questioning whether or not I should take the ring out now before things get worse...

I just started on Nuvaring a few days ago. I started on it, not for birth control but because I am going through terrible peri menopausal periods. My doctor is hoping to control the heavy periods and I will go for up to six months without one and then bleed so heavy I will almost hemorrhage. She is hoping to control this using the nuvaring. I put the ring in, and I've had a discharge. Its not thick or discolored, it is like clear water, like sweat almost, but it is smelly, I feel like I smell. I'm thinking it is the hormones smelling. Is this common? is the discharge common? Its quite irritating!!!! The darned ring doesn't want to stay up where it belongs either and I feel like its going to fall out although it hasn't as of yet so I guess it won't, even though I keep checking to see every time I go to the bathroom. LOL I don't have a big cervix, and it just doesn't "fit" I guess you could say!!!! It just floats about in there! Its not very comfortable! I can't feel it when I'm sitting but I still k now its there! I don't know if I like this!!!!

Well...i'm only 17 years old and i have been trying EVERYTHING to get rid of my 2 week long heavy period and extremely severe cramping. I have been on 3 different kinds of oral BC and i would still bleed for 2 weeks. So i tried the Mirena IUD and that was the worst idea of my life. It went in fine but about 10 minutes later i was in a extreme amount of pain (and i have a very high pain tolerance, broke 3 ribs and didn't cry) i called my gyno back and he prescribed me a pain medication but it didn't work. After trying 3 different pain medications and an antibiotic i had enough. I went to the hospital and was prescribed percocet and that helped. I went back a few days later and had it taken out so now i am trying the NuvaRing. I put it in and a few hours later started cramping and having back pain. The next morning i had very bad nausea and cramping. Its about a week later now and i am experiencing headaches, nausea, quite bad cramping, bloating, tiredness all the time and i just don't feel myself anymore. I am calling my gyno back to see what he suggests but i'm looking for any ideas or suggestions until i get a hold of him. Thanks

This makes me feel a lot better too!! I had been on NuvaRing before and didn't even think that my symptoms had to do with it. My vagina was so irritated and sex hurt sometimes. The area was just so tender, I would get sore after a short time and then have to stop and let myself heal for a few days. My b/f felt bad and thought it was his fault. I wanted to have sex but my body just didn't seem to be into it....I would get dry quickly and it made things even worse. I thought there was something else seriously wrong with me. Well, I took a break for a little while from the NuvaRing and things have been great! But not realizing that could have been the cause, I went back on the NuvaRing a couple months ago because it is so convenient. I am beginning to have the same symptoms, plus symptoms of a yeast infection. I am really bad about taking a pill everyday I love the convenience of the NuvaRing but cannot be uncomfortable like this.

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.

I have to say I am so happy to have found this web site. I started taking the nuva ring November 2007 when I got pregnant and decided to terminate the pregnancy. My Dr. suggested the nuvaring. 2 months ago I would have totally recommended this to everyone. I love it. Well how times have changed. On June 21st I went to take out the ring and it wasn't there. No where to be found. My period started a few days later so that confirmed that the ring was out. Since then, I have had the worse period. I am still on my period. I went to put in a new ring on July 1st and I felt so sick. I took it out 2 days later. Everyday is hell. I have been extremely tied, sick, nauseous, etc.

After I found this site I started putting everything together. About 3 months ago I was super depressed. I had suicidal thoughts. It was awful. My boyfriend and I fought everyday. I literally lost my mind. I have been suffering awful leg and foot cramps at least once a week. Headaches all the time. I know a lot of people lost their sex drive but I never lost mine.

I am going to the Dr. next week and I really hope that the ring I thought I lost is really lost. I refuse to go back on Nova Ring. I don't want to get blood clots and I would like to get checked just in case I might have one already. Listen...if you are thinking about taking nuvaring, don’t do it. All the people that are saying they love it just haven't experienced the negative side effects...but they will. It's poison. Thanks for reading

I went on the NuvaRing because it would regulate my hormones- I have IBS and get sick a few days before my period. The NR was great for keeping my IBS at bay. However, I gained over 15 pounds while on it. I had not changed my eating habits or activity level. The only thing I could associate to the massive weight gain, enlarged, swollen, and sore breasts was the ring. Even after hiring a personal trainer, eating healthier, and working out multiple times a week, I couldn't lose weight. I finally decided to take the ring out. After two weeks of being "ring free", people can see a difference in my weight- and I haven't gone to the gym to work out in over 3 weeks. Now I have to suffer through painful periods and digestive problems because I can't bare the weight gain that comes with the ring. If anyone knows of another form of BC that does not cause weight gain, please let me know.

I have been on the ring for 2 months because I never could get adjusted to the pill's side effects even though they are supposed to disappear. I am sensitive to hormones and be nauseated even 6 months of taking the pill consistently even low dose. The NuvaRing made me nauseous only the first month and it is more convenient in the sense you do not have to remember every day to do something. One thing that has not disappeared yet and I am going on my third month: EXTREME BREAST SORENESS. I wake up every morning like what the hell?? They are so swollen. They look nice and full but I don't want anybody touching them. Overall, I am a very sexual person but this ring makes me have less desire. Then, sometimes all of a sudden out of nowhere I feel very nervous for up to 30 minutes (never had this before). My chest will tighten and I will sometimes be angry. This happens maybe every other or every few days...

This is a weight of my shoulders.
I have been experiencing many of the symptoms that have been posted here and cannot begin to tell you what a relief it is that I'm not alone. I have been using the Nuvaring for 6 months. Some of the pros were convenience, larger breasts ( I went from a full C to a DD), and more lubrication. My side affects were extreme leg pain, excessive weight gain (about 30 pounds), increased appetite, fatigue, head aches, irritability, heart rate increase, dizziness, gas, bloating need I say more? Last night I took it out immediately because I finally put all the pieces together. It's amazing to know that I'm not alone in all of this. The weight gain was so fast that I have stretch marks that are extremely deep and I have belly fat for the first time in my life it has sprung right on my stomach. I'm only 19 so this is quit concerning for me... I went from 165 to 195. I have stayed around 165 for 5 years and the fact that I put on this thirty pounds was extremely concerning. I am grateful I know what's the issue, and hopefully with more energy and a decrease in appetite, I will be well on my way to my old self.

I guess I owe my boyfriend (possibly ex-boyfriend now) an apology. I'm in my first week of using the NUVARING and already I've engaged in some erratic behavior. I cry several times a day and feel the urge to throw screaming fits. I am 29 years old and in no way am I a tantrum-throwing type of woman. My 2nd day on NR I became extremely angry with my boyfriend for talking to a girl and I left him to find a ride home from the club. I have been someone completely different from myself these past few days and I couldn't figure out why. I've also been very drained and sluggish. I am so glad I found this page. So I'm not bipolar, NUVARING just makes me crazy.

I inserted the nuvaring at the beginning of my period had begun as the say to do so for the first time. I took it out after I was suppose to...Hormonally I was a little more wacky than I would say is normal. I had a bit of spotting in the week off. I thought nothing of it as my period had been quite irregular since the birth of my daughter 13monthes ago. After inserting the second nuvaring I experienced horrible cramping.... 3 days later I starting bleeding filling a super absorbency tampon every hour. I then went to the doctor due to my pain and heavy bleeding. I then found out that I was pregnant... and then a few days later and a blood test found out that I had miscarried. My doctor then said the most probable reason was from the nuvaring. I would never use this product ever again. I followed there procedures of "how not to get pregnant" got pregnant and then had to deal with the pain and loss of a baby.

Hello, I've never been on birth control before, but i recently had an abortion and decided I really need to get on some kind of birth control. I am 27, married, and I am a NON-SMOKER. Nuvaring seemed to be the best option for me, easiest, effective and practical. I'm only on my first ring, it comes out for the week break in few days. So far I have NOT had any irritability or headaches, or anything like that. I have gotten a little "spotting" which to me can still be linked to the abortion or even sex. What I DID notice, however, is that I had a few sharp chest pains here and there, quick and not consistent, my husband thinks that could be from stress. I also noticed what I thought to be a pulled muscle in my lower calf could be a sign of a blood clot, which totally scares me. A persistent issue I HAVE had so far, is that I have that numb "pins and needles" feeling in my limbs a bit more often than usual. I do sit odd and my limbs tend to fall asleep more than the average person, but I actually notice it happening more frequently, like my blood circulation isn't as good as it was. I have NOT had high blood pressure. I ALSO noticed I wake sometimes with severe leg pain (cramping) that reminds me of those "growing pains" one would get as a child. I haven't had those since I was a child, wondering if it could be due to the NuvaRing. If anyone has felt similar pains let me know. I am visiting the clinic tomorrow to discuss these things and to see what could be a safer method of BC 4 me!

I decided to stop using the NuvaRing and removed it about 3 weeks ago. A very light period started about 4 days later, which was the norm while I had been on the ring. Starting about the day I would have normally put in a new ring, I started to get cramps and an unusual amount of discharge. I've never been one to suffer from bad menstrual cramps, so having cramps well after my light period ended and when I wasn't even using the ring was surprising to me. The pain has been fairly constant for two weeks now, although the discharge has diminished slightly in the past few days. I'm not uncomfortable when I'm sitting or laying down, but the second I stand up the abdominal/pelvic area pain occurs. Could this be my body adjusting to NOT having the ring (I had been on it consistently for over 2 years)? Or could the cramping by a sign of something unrelated to the ring like a pelvic infection, fibroids, etc.? Any ideas and thoughts are appreciated. Might have to take myself to the doctor about this soon.

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 am a woman in my early 50's I was given nuva ring to control my migraines a menopausel symptom. In July of last year I was taken to the ER room with serveral pulmonary embolisms and lay near death for 36 hours as I was given the dangerous clot buster drug.The vena cava filter was inserted in my vein and it was not removed because this condition exsisted past the safe removel time. It was a hard recovery and I was just lucky that I did not die. After several tests from cardiologists and hemotologists, pulmonary doctors and many more physicians. It was determined without a doubt that the Nuva Ring caused this condition. Unfortunately, as a result . I must stay on blood thinner the rest of my life and I have a foriegn object in a very important area of my body that will also be there forever. This means blood testing on a regular basis for life and blood thinner for life, The hospital and doctor bills for this incident have been astronomical and there are many more to come. Please use extreme caution in using this method. It is indeed dangerous. Our home is 5 minites from a hospital that happens to have a quick response time to these conditions. We were just a few days from leaving on a road trip. I often wonder what would have happened if I was away from home and out on the road somewhere when these clots hit my lung. But by the grace of God I would surely have died.AM

I forgot to add that after i pulled it out i actually felt worse, like i was going to vomit all morning. This nausea lasted the next few days. The next day i got my period again, even though i had just finished it 2 days prior and it continued for 10 days. I mean WTF.

When I started on NuvaRing I thought it was the best thing ever. Then after 4 months I completely lost my sex drive, became depressed, starting being a bit of a bunny boiler to my boyfriend and people around me, always tired, gutsing myself and got thrush a few times in 2 months. I had been trying to skip my period by replacing it every 3 weeks but with no luck. seems my body just had to have one! I found this site a few weeks ago and after seeing so many others with similar symptoms I went to a doctor. The doctor told me a lot of the symptoms caused by BC are due to a lack of vitamin B6. So now I take a super B every morning. I really wanted the ring to work for me because it is so easy. The week after I saw the doctor it was the week to take it out so I had a ring free week. After a few days I was back to my old self and had my sex drive back! I was so much happier. Then I stuck a ring in. 2 weeks and then we get to today when I decided to take it out once and for all. If all my symptoms disappear then I can put them down to the ring. If they don't, then I guess I'll have to look for other reasons. Will keep you posted...

I write in a journal from time to time and a few days ago I was feeling so sad and teary that I sat down to write what was going through my head. Then I read the last entry I'd written, only a few months before, and it was like a different person wrote it... I was happy and excited about the future. And that’s when everything fell into place in my mind and I realized how all the sadness, random crying, self-doubt and constant anxiety I’ve been feeling began after using NuvaRing. My doctor has said that side effects usually settle after a few months… but I’m not sure I’m prepared to wait around to see if that’s true. I know depression could be caused by a range of different things but I guess NuvaRing is one variable I have control over… I’m tempted to take it out tonight and see whether I feel better.

I have been on the NuvaRing for 3 weeks now. I have been having bad side effects, I am 14 years old and I highly recommend you do not use the NuvaRing it makes you a depressed person all the time it makes you have headaches and serious cramps and pains which i have had. It makes you mean which I was happy all the time before the Birth control method my doctor put me on. I am not satisfied, I have felt like vomiting and my NuvaRing comes out when I use tampons and it gets in the way it hurts... it is not good... I have been feeling dissy very tired.. feel like I never have enough sleep my parents been wondering whats wrong with me too its kind of like having a major bad hang over.. ( not that I know ) but I have heard what there like. I have been feeling really sick really hot.. and eat a lot I have had rashes as I would say because I just don't get break outs... which is weird I have gotten a break out on my forehead and on my chin..
I have been eating non-stop my apatite has changed.. and I am taking this method out as soon as i talk to my doctor and get switched to the pill the 6th.
So I HIGHLY recommend you do not use the NuvaRing.. but thats your decision just know the consequences that come with it.
oh and one last thing i have been having weird periods with a darkish brown colored period it has a weird odor too.. you might not take my advice because I'm young but I know what its like and if i would have known the effects I would have NEVER put my self through all this, so check into the side effects before you start a new birth control method if you have already used the nuvaring.. some people think the NuvaRing is good which to some people it is.. but for me it is horrible at first it was GREAT!!!
now its not so great .. =\ I personally think the pill will be best.. people say how its so bad to remember but its like this is you want to be protected and if you make the dicision you will remember.. I seriously am thinking about the pill i have heard its bad and i heard its good.
( Some of the same side effects come along with it tho )
Just know that.
So if you have experienced any of these please let me know.
I have had trouble breathing to.
or just write me back on here let me know if you have had the same symptoms I'm kinda worried.

THANX
Alicia-

I have been experiencing numbness in my arms and hands over the last few months on and off. I finally decided to go and see my doctor as it has gotten worse over the last few weeks. It only dawned on me a few days ago that it may be related to the NuvaRing.

Has anyone else experienced numbness of the arms and hands?

I have been experiencing a lot of numbness in my arms and hands over the last few months. I ignored it for awhile but decided I definitely should speak to my doctor about it so I am going this afternoon. It only just dawned on me a few days ago that the numbness might be related to the NuvaRing. I think I have been on it about 5 months.

Has anyone else experienced numbness in their arms and hands?

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.

Hey there, I'm 21 and just recently started the NuvaRing (Dec.4th)....
This site dumb founded me! I was just clicking around this morning before work to see what this thing was doing to me and couldn't believe my eyes! Or the fact that I hadn't realized until I read it from others how it effected me personally! I have experienced almost insanity,crying, depression, confusion in my life, pains, bloating, my eye twitching?, rash and itching on my lower tummy and boobs, restless nights, I've always been pretty sexually driven but not so much lately... I just couldn't believe that almost everything I have been going through others are going through also! What is up with that? I tried the patch once awhile ago and it made me moody... so I went back to pills (I'm not a good pill taker) and about a year ago I ended up in the Hospital with an Ovarian Cyst the size of an orange! They put me on a higher dose of BC to make the cyst shrink/go away... I still have had pains and problems associated with the cyst so my OBGYN suggested the NuvaRing so that I wouldn't forget to take my BC and it would help me... Not So Much... I don't know what to do...? The past few days I haven't been as irritable or grumpy and have felt like a happy person but am still having pains. I started to have the beginnings of a period (not actual blood) at the end of Dec-beginning of Jan and recently 3 days ago actually started bleeding... so I've had an ongoing period for weeks.... I'm half tempted to just take this sucker out... I am calling my OBGYN tomorrow and explaining all this... any thoughts-comments- would be appreciated! Wish me luck...
Amanda

I inserted mine a week ago. I've used the ring in the past and had minor side effects that went away after the first month, but his time around has been very difficult. The first day, I cried uncontrollably for 4 hours and couldn't hold a thought. The past few days its been confusion, a constant headache (that slowly works into a migraine during the day), nausea, and twitching in BOTH of my eyes (which I think is the beginnings of migraines).
I will be removing it and trying to find another form of BC!

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.

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!

I've been on the NuvaRing since the beginning of November and I thought it was great at first until I started to experience emotional distress. I've been crying a lot more and I've slightly gained weight but lost it again. My second month on the ring, I experienced light bleeding for two weeks straight and I wasn't sure if I was spotting. My period came at the end of the month and it was very light and it lasted for only three days. I still have my sex drive and I'm very compassionate with my boyfriend. When I have sex with my boyfriend, however, I feel this strange burning sensation within the vaginal walls that will last for a few days. I also notice a discharge in my underwear and a slight smell. Does anyone else experience the burning sensation and the smell?

I have been using the ring since Jan 2007 with no problems, the worst part has been putting it in and taking it out. But since May 2007 I have been having problems with my hair breaking and thinning, my hair dresser thinks it is stress or hormones. Last month I cut my hair very short and I am still experiencing breakage. I was wondering if anyone else has experienced problems with their hair.

LOWER BACK PAIN!!!
Since having my son 4 yrs ago, I've had horrible PMS. My Doc recommended using the ring and replacing it every 28 days without a "bleed week" to reduce my hormonal roller-coaster. The first month was great - no significant PMS and no period. But the last few days (25-28) before replacing the ring I had horrible headaches. Month #2 was the same but with the addition of lower back pain. Month #3 the lower back pain increased. I just inserted my 4th ring last week and the lower back pain is still tremendous. It hurts to bend over or cough. I'm beginning to wonder if I have an infection of some sort instead of just a side effect.

I have been on the ring for two weeks today. At first I thought it was great...but the past few days I have had horrible headaches, breast tenderness, and nausea. These headaches are so bad even my migraine meds do not help! I did just get the Gardasil shot on the 26th of Dec. The breast tenderness and the headaches are going to cause me to remove the ring. At first I was worried that maybe these were symptoms of being pregnant... I don't think that is the case (hoping it isn't the case!) Does anyone know the effects of taking the ring out a week early? Any advice would be great!

I started the NuvaRing and never read the side effects for fear that I will come up with some imaginary symptom. The first few months were okay..but pretty soon I had migraines that wouldn't stop. They'd last 4 or 5 days and then go away for a few days and start back up again.

Well I know that with any medication that your body has to adjust. So I've been on it for 4 months now...and not only am I still sitting here typing with a migraine that I can't seem to kick, but my period has lasted over 12 days with no end in site. It's been heavy and very tiring. Typically my period lasts anywhere from 3-5 days and now I'm on day 12....when I asked for birth control I didn't mean keep my husband away for 12 days *laughing* This is PATHETIC. I'm about to quit. I can't even tell if the nausea I'm experiencing is from the headache of the medication...but either way I'm miserable.

I hate the NuvaRing! it has done nothing but make me depressed , nauseas and give me bad mood swings! I only been on it for a week but I am not willing to wait and see if the side effects go away!

I've been on NuvaRing for a few months a few years ago and the symptoms were very mild. I had mood swings, weight gain, reduced sex drive, etc. but they weren't serious, and although I did notice them, they weren't strong enough to adversely affect my life. I stopped using the ring a few months later because I didn't need because anymore for a while.

Then I started it again about 2 months ago. The first month was pretty much ok. The only thing I've noticed is that my eyes are getting dry faster, but that didn't bother me too much since I don't wear contacts. I was surprised that instead of decreasing, my sex drive actually increased, which was a good thing. Everything else was normal, even my acne weren't as bad as before. The next month however brought me frequent headaches. They would start in the morning and be severe enough to make me stop whatever I'm doing. They do respond to ibuprofen and then they are sometimes gone for the rest of the day and sometimes come back later. I'm removing the ring in a few days, so hopefully the headaches will stop. If not, I'm going back to my doctor to get checked out. I do like the ring since it's convenient and the first month was pretty good, but I need to do something about these headaches, because they prevent me from concentrating on my work and everything else.

All I can say is thank you ladies for posting all of this. I was on Nuva ring for almost 2 years. my boyfriend complained I was getting worse and worse in terms of my anger and mood swings. He called me a monster. Then days after my 20th birthday I experienced lots of itchiness and pain after sex so I thought it was a yeast infection. When I did not respond to over the counter meds I went to the hospital to get testing for STDS. When all the test came back negative I went back to my regular doctor two weeks later. Again, I was tested and a month later tested again. No one could figure out why I was having burning and itchiness with no other symptoms and all my STD test negative. Finally I gave up the ring and have been symptom free now for nearly 6 months. To this day the situation plagued me because the doctor swore I couldn't experience this from the Nuva ring. I spent a whole summer in pain because of this. Now I am birth control free but my boyfriend of three years and I would love to add to our family.