NuvaRing and good luck

I'm 39 years old with two teenagers. I don't want any more kids and did not want the stress or worry to become pregnant again. Decided to try the Nuvaring. Been taking it for 6 months now hoping that each month would get better. What a crazy ride. I've been feeling extremely on edge with my family, disliked anyone looking at me, especially my husband. I cried, felt tender in the body and numb in the heart and mind. I've also felt tingling in my toes and my eyes have been sensitive to contacts and my ear has been stuffed up. Headaches? Never do I get headaches and had some severe ones. Last night was the final night of Nuvaring. I snapped at my husband and kids, went to bed, felt weepy, but didn't cry. I also couldn't get enough air in my lungs and my side ached. All in all the Nuvaring had me feeling Numb and crazy. I was looking into therapy. I was having fantasies of running away and living on my own for a while. As for Intimacy, Forget it! Didn't have any desire what so every. What's the point, right? I also did not feel very attractive and the discharge from my body was so gross. My periods would start early and I bled half the month. My periods started off with a brownish/grainy discharge and then went into a red. The most disturbing part, I was craving alcohol to take the edge off. I'm Done! I'm looking forward to getting back to my natural nutty self. At least this person I'm more familiar with and I know the ups and downs of my natural Hormones. The only good thing I can say about the nuvaring is that my skin looks fantastic! I'm so happy I found this site and thought I should share my experiences as well. Good luck to all of you and those who have found your way here. I'm off to the herb store for some good vitamins and some natural healing. I will never do this to my body again.

I am feeling such relief right now- I'm not alone. After having EKGs and Cardio-pulmonary stress tests, CAT scans of my lungs and chest, an abdominal ultra sound, and stress echocardiograms (all of these were normal or negative, mind you), not to mention months of anxiety, I finally started talking with a cardiologist to see if I had done/started anything around the time my symptoms started. I realized I had switched from an oral (orthotricyclen) to nuvaring birth control about two months before I started my symptoms of no sex drive, difficulty breathing, exhaustion, and severe anxiety. To elaborate- I was a national champion soccer player, I've always been in great shape, and I couldn't walk up a flight of stairs without being exhausted. I couldn't hold a five minute conversation without chest tightness and difficulty breathing. Everyone kept saying I was stressed (new job, new house), but I know I wasn't doing anything that unusually stressful. I love my job, and my house, and while I realize they may cause some stress, I shouldn't CONSTANTLY feel like this.

The most pressing issue, of course, was the breathing stuff. The doctor suggested, even though he wasn't familiar with the nuvaring side effects, that I take it out to see if there was any change. After reading what all of you have written, and after being off it for two weeks, and beginning to feel a change, I'm pretty damn sure it was Nuvaring. I already remember that my husband is sexy, and I'm able to go on dog walks without getting winded. I also am happier, and feel more awake, than I have in a year.

THANK YOU ALL for posting. I'm going to warn my girlfriends of this stuff- I wish my doctor (who is no longer my doctor) had said more than "there really aren't any side effects except some discharge- nothing different than the usual pill side effects".

hey guyz. I'm writing this all the way from Greece.
Im 26 and this is the first time i used contraception. Im in a relationship for two years now and i thought it would be a good idea to give it a try. I am a smoker (not heavy one, smoke like 5 to 8 cigarettes a day). My doctor gave me the Nuvaring as he said there are no side effects.
I am by my nature a livey person expressing my feelings and stuff. Im wearing the ring for two days now and i feel already nauteus. In the beginning i thought it was ok but my mood is turning really bad... Im scared with no reason and feel awkward... I don't know if that is all in my mind or because of the Nuvaring but when i found the website and the lawsuits and all the complaints i took the ring of me and never let it back in... I prefer to suffer a little bit more with my boyfriend (which by the way is amazing and waaaay to supportive) and go back to condoms than to risk my mental and body health. At the bottom line whats the gain if you do unprotected sex when ur not mentally healthy???

Anyhow thats all from me. Good luck to you all :)

I'm 21 and I have never been on any kind of birth control method. I decided to get on the Nuvaring because I had a pregnancy scare. My boyfriend and I have only ever used condoms, but one broke and that was enough for me. I've been on the Nuvaring for about 2 weeks. I normally get my period every 35 days and the only cramping I ever experience is the first and second day of my period. After the first week I noticed I had some light cramping and thought nothing of it, but as time went on the cramping only seemed to be getting worse. I told my doctor about it and she advised me that it was probably my body trying to get used to the ring. Never having used birth control before, I tried not to worry. Then, I noticed some other changes that concerned me since it wasn't like me to feel that way. Aside from the cramping, I had been feeling very depressed about my life and where I was headed for some reason, and my sex drive was depreciating. My boyfriend noticed of course and I had no idea why I was feeling that way. It wasn't until I came across this website that everything started to make sense. I thought I was the only one experiencing these changes. I'm definitely going to change birth control methods. I just don't know what is the best out there. Can anyone help me?

thanks all for sharing and i'm so glad i did research and found this site!

i'm 30... my 1st birth control. been on it for 6 months. it took my body a few months to adjust to the ring... i had constant bleeding for the 1st month... i called it permanent period. it was gross. and then everything was rosy for the next 2 months. until slowly i gained weight and now i've gained 10 lbs. being 5'2" it's very noticeable. at first i thought it was because i'm not walking as much, but it doesn't make sense since i'm probably eating less.
also i feel nausea frequently... almost on a daily basis. i've completely lost my sex drive... which i've never experienced before so took me a few months to connect it to the ring. sex became painful and burned. i feel bad for my boyfriend because i don't feel like sex anymore, when i used to LOVE it. my energy level is low and i noticed my hair falling out a lot and easily.
be mindful of your symptoms... don't explain it away like i did. pay attention to them. i'm taking mine out!

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’ve been on the ring for a year now. I loved the convenience of not having to take a pill every day. But I’ve gained 13 lbs over the past year and now I’m convinced it had to be the ring. I had asked my doctor before going on any birth control if there was a risk of gaining weight but she told me that was a myth and not to worry about it. So when I gained about 10 lbs the first 4 months I was on the ring I just chocked it up to being a newlywed, turning 29 and just over all weight gain. Then about 6 months after being on the ring I realized I looked and felt bloated all the time. It was like PMS bloating but it never went away. So for the past two months, I’ve been watching what I eat and working out. I had noticed that I seemed less bloated but to my surprise this week when I went to the doctor I hadn’t lost a single pound. I’ve decided I’m going to switch to the pill and hope I’m able to lose the weight. So I’d tell anyone that’s going on the ring, if you notice ANY weight gain don’t make excuses and get off the ring ASAP before you gain more. I’d love to hear from anyone that had success in losing the weight after getting off the ring but you probably aren’t online looking up the ring once you’re off…

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?

After being on several birth controls for 5 years, the past 3 have been on NuvaRing. It was great for 2 years but the past year hasn't been great. I was getting my periods on Tuesdays and very light flow that lasted 3 days. Now I get it on Wednesdays and it lasts 5-6 days. Not to mention the horrible, painful cramps I get when I take the ring out. I have gained an enormous amount of weight and become very emotional with constant mood swings. I know with the other birth controls I have been on my body got so used to them to that it started rejecting the hormones. I have to say that the same thing is happening with NuvaRing. While by body was accepting it, NuvaRing was a great alternative to a pill. But, all good things must come to an end so today was my last day on it. I'm curious to see what happens next.

i had started the nuvaring at the end of march, and i every time i had sex with my boyfriend. then i took it out(may 8th) and lost it one night and had it out since then, and still haven't had my period and, last night (July 4th) i took a pg test and it was negative! whats going on?

I recently started the nuvaring for the first time a little over 1 week ago. I placed it as directed (on your first day of your period). my periods are typically 3 to 5 days with the last two days being extremely light. Since I have begun the nuvaring I have been having moderate to heavy bleeding. I was under the impression that this would give me about a 3 day period. I have never had bleeding for this length of time. Again, this is my first time to use this. Has anyone else experienced this? Any suggestions?

Hi all,
I have been off the NuvaRing for almost 2 months now, after being on it for 2 years, and I feel like I'm getting angrier and angrier...I guess I'm having intense rage attacks, pretty much everyday, and I don't know how to stop it. I thought it would get better after getting off it, but it seems my mood is getting worse. Anyone else experiencing something similar? Could it be withdrawals or something like that?

Oh, forgot to add -- the few times I have actually had sex while on the NuvaRing I had this intense burning sensation to the point where I was almost in tears and I had to ask him to stop!! Has anyone else experienced this??

Absolutely Horrible!! I started 3 months ago and was ecstatic to be off the pill. I was taking LoEstrin 24 for about a year, and the only side effect I had was weight gain. My problem was just remembering to take the pill everyday. When my doctor suggested NuvaRing I was happy to find out I only needed to change it once a month. Well, this is the 3rd month, going on my 4th and I'm taking this crap out as soon as I get home tonight. I've been having nasty mood swings, NO SEX DRIVE, can't even get in the mood, and have been more emotional than ever, any stupid reason and I'm crying, or just completely pissed off. This obviously has taken a toll on my relationship. He thinks I'm not attracted to him anymore and just want to fight with him. I really don't though. I just have no will to have sex with him, which totally sucks. After reading all these reviews, I'm glad I'm not just going crazy. I have been feeling complete out of touch with my own body. I am finding an alternative to this BC as soon as possible, I'm not going to let this effect me or my relationship anymore. I really hope all you girls find something else also. GOOD LUCK!!

I feel A LOT better now after reading these. I had my nuvaring in for almost 3 weeks, i had horrible headaches, and started bleeding after the first week it was in. I took it out 2 days ago because i couldn't stand the migraines anymore, and I had horrible cramps. Ive been very irritable and angry. How long does it take for the bleeding to stop... I'm getting kind of worried now, because ive been bleeding for 9 days. Its starting to get heavier, and i had a weird clot today. I booked an appointment to see my doctor because this is driving me crazy. I am NEVER using the nuvaring again. I started it because 1.EVERY single pill ive tried has cause me to become depressed 2.I bled for 3 weeks when i used the patch and my doctor told me to stop and 3.I don't want my period to stop, or gain weight so i refuse to try depo. Does anyone have any suggestions?? I have 2 year old twins, and i want another kid within the next 3 years, so i refuse to use an IUD and possibly screw that up for myself.

I have been on the NuvaRing for two weeks now and I have had cramps almost every day. They have been getting worse as time goes on. I am cranky and starting to argue with my husband more now. The first week on the ring sex was great but now it just burns and hurts. I still want to have sex but avoid it because I know how much it will hurt. I have also experienced breast tenderness and spotting. I do not like it and plan to take it out forever after this next week.

So glad I found this site. I've only been using NR for 4 days now (started Sunday), but by Monday, I already knew that something was "off". By last night, the only thing I could contribute all my symptoms to was NR, thus why I went in search of answers. Thank you everyone for their stories ... I would have never known.

So what had me looking? First and foremost, my ankles are the size of tree trunks! They are so swollen, that you can not even distinguish between the ankle bones and the tendon in the back. Just this morning I shot out of bed due to a cramp when I was stretching myself awake.

I weigh myself every day, and normally at 6'1" I am 135-138. By Monday morning, I was 150.6, Tuesday 150.4 and so last night, I consume some water pills and a laxative ... at 149.8 ...

I am so tired, it's not even funny .... Monday night, I fell asleep when putting my son to bed at 8PM. Yet Tuesday at work, I couldn't keep my eyes open. My lunch was spend sleeping in the car. I just canceled a "lunch meeting" for today (Wednesday) as I predict I need to do the same thing again today. I can't seem to keep my eyes open.

My pants are tight, I have a slight headache, and my skin (especially my hands) are excessively dry. Last night in the shower, I actually looked to see if I had anything noticeable going on down there because I was so itchy and irritated in the vaginal area.

My doctor thought this would be really great for me, as I seem to bleed constantly ... taking the pill or not ... so their trying to get me on something that will help regulate it. I was so excited when she said it will be more direct since it is "right there", and to be honest, I've only had a spot of blood in the 4 days I've used it ... but is it worth it .... NO.

Good luck to everyone else ... this one is just not for me!

Okay, I figured I would put this out there. I am normally high strung but I am fairly flexible and try to go with the flow, if I get upset or confronted, I cry. I have been on Nuvaring for almost 3 months and didn't make the connection until the other night. Lately I have wanted to hit things, I am mad constantly about things that never used to bother me, I want to scream, I want to throw things. 2 days ago, I did, I got upset with my husband and ran through the house screaming like a lunatic (not caring if I woke my daughter) I slammed my fists in to the wall multiple times, I threw things and knocked stuff of the fridge, I told my husband (a VERY patient man) that I wanted to pummel him with the alarm clock, finally I sat in the kitchen and cried for 1/2 hour. It hit me, this all started right around the time I got on Nuvaring. I took it out last night and already had calmed down and have high hopes of returning to my normal loving self. The difference is like night and day, I can't believe the mood swings I had, I was getting violent which I have never done before in my life. I will be looking into something else b/c it is just not worth it. Good luck all, I know being female is SO much fun some times!!!!!!

I Have just spent $90 AU Dollars = $120US and after using the ring before, thought i would give it another go...its the 15th April 2009...and after two weeks of being on it i have experienced "The dreaded weight Gain" it feels more like water retention and tightness, not necessarily fat, as i am an active person, weigh 52KG , my height is 156.6 CM witch is considered normal for my age, I am 23yrs old.
BUT......now i remember what my side effects where, i stopped a year ago as i finished with my boyfriend there was no need to use it, as i have a new boyfriend now i have started it again...and my side effects are the same but now i can add two more effects its had on me:

Last year- dryness, loss of sex drive as when your body isn't naturally lubricating during the sexual experience this intern stops or disrupts the sexual process...ie foreplay and flow of intimacy.

This year- Only two and a half weeks with the ring in and i weigh
54-55 KG'S, that is 3 kilo grams (think of 3 bags of sugar) in two weeks tight upper thighs...and bloated abdominal. Pulse dryness and i guess the loss of sex drive will kick in again....so as of today i have taken it out ...and i haven't even finished the first ring....

I am not one to air these things but the weight gain was sooo sudden, i'm not allergic to anything i'm a very happy person, laid back,never broken a bone in my body...thats not important but you see my opinion is that i think the makers prayed on the fact that most of us skipped a pill or two....

( witch I was prone to do that's the
biggest reason i went on the ring)

and thought well so many women want connivance no fuss contraception and rushed an appealing concept to us lady's and the forgetfulness in most of us took it hook line and sinker....I'm a graphic designer so i can see how they may have marketed this....look it worked on me and i study marketing....soo good luck i hope this was helpful.....

Regards,
Cc

WOW!!!! Omg.. I am so glad I recently got off Nuvaring. I recently moved and had several changes in my life, so I wouldn't be able to get more Nuvarings for a while.. I had one left and was going to use it, but after some reading online, I decided to not use that last one and to go off of it and see what happens. After reading all your comments online, I FINALLY understand what's been going on! omg and I thought I didn't really have any side effects...didn't think that my behavior and body changes related to NR. Now I know! I feel pretty sure it's because of NR, as it feels like it all makes sense now!
So, I have been using NR for about 2 years. The first month was awful, as I was bleeding pretty much all the time, and I saw a doctor about it and decided to see what happens with the next ring, we decided if it didn't get better after the second cycle started to check again and maybe go off of it, after given it some more time as it sometimes takes a while for the body to got used to it. As soon as I started the next cycle and put the second ring in, it was great and felt normal and like everything got stable. My periods we lighter and exactly on time, every month, now for the past 2 years. I've felt it's worked great, and I thought that I wasn't really affected by Nuvaring..until now!! I'm so mad I didn't realize earlier that NR may have been causing all my problems! Although I am glad that I have now stopped it and discovered all these people having similar problems and I feel like I finally have found the reason.
I thought NR was great for me until now I realize that my weight gains and emotional craziness sometimes was probably caused by it. Being sad and angry and pissed off without any big reason, tired and feeling like I don't want to do anything, weak sometimes, just pretty much instable. I thought all of this was related to various sad things happening in my life, and probably it was too, but some of my behavior should not be happening and now I understand what might have caused it.
Regarding the weight gain, I have for many years been able to eat pretty much anything and not gain weight, being about 5'6-5'7 and weighing about 57 kilos (about 125 pounds), I suddenly started gaining weight for the past few years, and not being able to lose to much, it's been soo annoying!! I thought it was because I was getting older and my body was changing (I'm 25), but maybe it was NR causing it. Recently I need to watch what I eat all the time, I am often bloated, and I feel like my clothes get tighter and tighter all the time, I can't even wear some of the clothes that I bought a few months or a year ago! Aaahhh!! It finally makes sense!! Thank you to all of you writing about your experiences online. I am so glad to have found so many people with the same symptoms. I thought for so long that I wasn't having any side effects, but apparently I did, without realizing that it was caused by Nuvaring!! Ah....
However, everyone is different, so it might work great for you. I thought it was a great BC for me, but now I realize it very likely that NR caused my problems. I can't believe I didn't realize this earlier, but I'm so happy I now know and have stayed off it. At first I was worried going off of it, as I didn't know what side effects I would have going off something I have been on for 2 years, but so far it's been about 2 weeks without it and nothing major has happened. I hope my periods won't go back to being really painful and heavy though. I had my week off and just didn't start a new cycle putting a new ring in.
Considering all these side effects I think probably were caused by Nuvaring (again, I haven't gotten it confirmed by a doctor, but it makes so much sense now that I think about the last 2 years of behavior changes and most of all the weight changes, as so many of you described as well), I now know NR is not for me..At least not now. It's been very convenient to just think about it twice a month, and it's been great for protecting against pregnancy, but I don't want to deal with all these side effects and I can't wait to see if all these symptoms will go away. I feel like I'm repeating myself but I'm soo glad to now understand and think "ooooooohhh" that's why :)
Again, everyone if different, so it might be work great for you. If you are experiencing similar side effects, please consider going off it. If you're on NR and feel great, that's great! It can be a great BC. Good luck everyone!

I am keeping everyone updated because I cannot find any updated posts through the site. I took out my ring on April 8th (I believe) which was 3 days ago and the majority of the burning side effects are gone. However, I am spotting brown now and I am probably going to have the period of my life. Sex felt better 2 days after removing it but i'm still dry and have burning afterwards,just not as intense.

Hello All! I started the NuvaRing May 2008. Like everyone else, I loved it at first. I was on the pill for about 4 years and liked it but I kept forgetting to take it on the dot every day. I was hesitant to jump on the NR bandwagon b/c it was so new and I did not trust it yet. NR was a great alternative and not much changed my first few months on it. I started to notice that my sex drive was slowly depleting. I am 22 and could not see why I was NEVER in the mood. I did not enjoy sex- how could this happen?! It wasn't until yesterday when I talked to a friend about some serious issues she had involving blood clots. That terrified me and I instantly took it out. I decided to check out some reviews from women out there and cannot believe I put up with that thing for almost a year. If you are looking through and considering switching to another bc- DO IT! Low sex drive, weight gain, risk of blood clots, migraines, and nasal congestion is not worth the "convenience". Good luck ladies!

I recently gave birth to my 2nd child in November 08. Before my second child, I had tried birth control pills (which gave me 2 periods a month) and the Depo shot ( which completely killed my sex drive and I gained 47lbs. in 6 months). After my 2nd child I had heard so many good things about the NuvaRing, so in Jan. I decided to give it a try. The first month was great!!! Although the 2nd month is when I started having problems. I was having dark brown bleeding before my period and serious mood swings. The 3rd time I removed it, I decided it was not for me. I gained almost 20 lbs. in a matter of 3 months and was a total bitch to everyone. After reading all of these side effects, I am relieved that I am not the only one and that I didn't throw a clot that could have possibly cost me my life! I took my Ring out on 3/1/09 and think that this is the best thing for me! Good luck to any women who continue to use the Ring!

I have been using the NuvaRing for over 2 years now. I decided to use the NR after many hours of research, because my husband I aren't ready to get pregnant (married 2 years now). I don't use the pill any more because I could never make sure to remember to take it at exactly the same time every day. I also had weight gain with the pill and missed my period frequently which made me worry I had become pregnant. After starting the NR I immediately loved it. I only have to think about it twice a month. Much better than every day. I haven't had any weight gain, or other side-effects for that matter. I feel really lucky to have found a birth control that works well for me. I just hope it stays that way. I have had less sex drive, but I think it has to do with stress. I moved to Germany two years ago without knowing the language, and now go to school here. I still have sex drive, just not as much as I used to. I used to want it everyday, now just two or three times a week. I also wouldn't be surprised if I took my NR out and regained my sex drive though. I am sure that messing with your hormones can give you all of the problems described in this forum. Unfortunately it is also unpredictable who will or will not have side-effects and which ones they will have. I think we all must consider the options, advantages, and disadvantages for our selves. Then pick something and try it. If it doesn't work out we try something else. Thats the only way it makes sense and can work. Good luck to everyone with the NR and other BC methods.

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 just want to point out that the NuvaRing is not necessarily "the devil's tool" to every woman. I have been using the NuvaRing for 1 year and 3 months now, and absolutely love it. I tried numerous different birth control pills and experienced many of the side effects y'all are describing from those. But the NuvaRing has given me no problems, except for a slightly heavier period than I had with the bcp's. I find that extremely tolerable compared to all of the other possible effects. I guess it all comes down to each of us being different. I'm sorry that it didn't work for any of you. It's such a trial and error type of effort to find the right birth control method. Good luck finding what is right for you!

I am glad I read about all these women and the side effects of the nuvaring. I have been using the ring for around 7 months and even though I always suspected it had something to do with my mood swings, I never really knew for sure (at least to this extreme) until I read other girls explaining their situations. I have a strong character so It is hard for me to differentiate what is the hormones acting out or just my personality. I specially have fights with my boyfriend for no reason, feel sad and want to cry (I have never been a big crier), can't sleep parts of the night (I just lay in bed widely awake with my head going 1000 miles per hour as if I had done speed). Basically I was starting to think that I was loosing it and that it is my head (not the hormones). I considered therapy (which I haven't done) because I even had suicidal thoughts and this really scared me. I am really desperate for not being able to control my emotions. While using the ring I have felt misunderstood and blamed my boyfriend for not being empathetic of what I am going through. I want to break up with him all the time and then I regret it. At the same time it makes me really frustrated since I cannot explain when I am asked WHY acting like this? which also makes me insecure.
But this is not all. On top of all the mental issues I also experienced physical problems which are not caused by nuvaring directly. I think my emotional instability didn't help. I believe that your head controls all your body even the physical part. Years ago I had my first bartholine cyst in the vaginal area. This is a painful and depressing thing to go through as a woman. The cyst gets infected and grows to the size of an orange making it hard to sit or even walk. When infected you have to get it drained (cut it open basically). In the past 7 years this happened to me twice. Since I put the ring on (7 months) it has happened to me 3 times so I am finally getting surgery to remove the 2 bartholine cysts. All this has obviously affected my sexual life and my relationship with my boyfriend.
I am really disappointed with the fact that doctors don't inform you of all the terrible side effects. They just give you a leaflet but don't really talk about it. It seems like the nuvaring is a serious thing to be prescribing it that easily. Today I have decided I am not using the ring anymore. I hope this helps someone else like the stories I read helped me.

ok so here is my story, mostly i just need to get stuff off my chest... i'm 25 and have been on some form of birth control since i was 16 - i was having 12-15 day periods and horrific cramps and back pain. i tried to take the pill and was on it til i was about 20 but i never once took it correctly, i missed doses all the time. so i went on the patch for 2 years and that was much easier to take but i started having numbness in my limbs and heard horror stories so i stopped that. tried the pill again, bad idea still couldn't take it right so i was very excited when i heard about the ring. i've been on it for about 2 years and it's so convenient and i really love it for controlling my period. but now as i read other people's posts i think it may be adding to my depression/anxiety. the hard part for me is depression is very prevalent in my family, all of my immediate family members are medicated for it. i've tried some medications but did not like the side effects and taking it and then forgetting it is worse so i stopped. so now i'm wondering and really confused as to whether my depression is more due to my family or my ring. i figure the easy way to find out is to take the thing out but i have no idea what my periods would be like and i do NOT want kids at this point. but i realize that my depression has been worse since about the time i started the ring, and the hard part is that i drive people away when im' depressed and am sabotaging to my relationships with family, friends, and bfs. the way my life is going right now i should not be feeling like this - i finally started grad school so i am doing what i love, i bought my first home and i have a man who is head over heels in love with me. i don't want this ring to make me into this monster and ruin all the good stuff i have going on.

to those who stopped using the ring, about how long did it take before you felt less depressed? i'm a little worried it will take longer since i've been on it for so long but crossing my fingers it won't.

thanks for listening to me vent!

I have been on the NR for about two weeks nows. Since I started the ring I have noticed much nauseousness and stomach pain.. I like most other women have been extra tired and have experience a loss in sex drive, and much back pain. My ovaries feel like they were in a fight and lost. I was on pill BC ( alesse) because i used to experience a lot of discharge and he low hormones cleared it up almost completely, after three years on that I started having breakthrough bleeding and my doctor thought I should try the ring because she thought it was so good.. but the increase of discharge has been so heavy i have to wear a liner everyday. The past three days i have also been having mild headaches. I am going to call my doctor tomorrow.. Its good to know its not just in my head.. Good luck to everyone who has had bad luck with the NuvaRing

Hi I am 25 years old... I have been on the NuvaRing for about 2+ years. I have never had a problem with it... I actually thought it was the best invention ever for birth control until recently. I have been getting "Hot Flashes" or at least thats what I have been calling them for about 3 months now. I would be sitting at work or watching a tv and get extremely over heated to the point that if I don't cool myself down quickly I get dizzy and light headed. I didn't think it had anything to do with the NuvaRing at first but after going to the doctor and getting my blood test my Thyroid test came back basically normal. I am still waiting on the endocrinologist or gland doctor since i think i spelt that wrong. But either way I think i getting myself off of this medication. If anyone has any idea of what else this could be please let me know. I was told that it could be caused by something else. I do work with raw meat and seafood and come in contact with it on a daily basis. I also have a kitten at home. He has all his shoots but i got him when he was 8 weeks old with no shoots. Some people told me that thats a possible carrier of something that can cause this but its rare. I would like any and all impute on this if possible. Thanks and good luck to all that are having this problem. Oh and I definitely do not recommend the PATCH that made me doubled over in pain ever month.

I've been on the ring for 3 months. Before that, I was on the Ortho tri cyclen Lo for like.. 5 years. I have had no noticeable problems with the ring, other than sometimes it gets in the way during sex, but if it becomes a problem I just take it out. I have not noticed any decline in sex drive. Actually, I think I have a stronger sex drive now. I have not felt depressed. The itching some of you describe would occur if you placed the ring without THOROUGHLY washing your hands with soap. So far, this method of birth control has been completely ideal for me, as a person who has serious trouble remembering to take her pill consistently. So far, I would recommend it to my friends. I'm sorry so many of you girls have had bad experiences. For those of you reading this who are considering the Nuvaring, just consider this: People who have bad experiences with a drug are more likely to get online and make their complaints know. People who are getting along fine are less likely to get on here to report everything is dandy. It's like a restaurant review.. "If they have a good experience, they'll tell two people, if they have a bad experience, they'll tell 12." Good luck.

Hey, I totally know what you all mean about the personality changes. I was on NuvaRing for about 6 months. For the first few months the ring was great. I gained a tiny bit of weight (maybe a couple pounds) but nothing crazy. I am slim with a tall frame, so while I was a bit bummed, it wasn't the end of the world. And my boobs got bigger which was cool, lol. I didn't have any physical side effects with the ring. No cramps, my periods stayed pretty much the same, no spotting, no weird infections or irritation. Just normal. but the mental side effects have been so out of control lately that they have been interfering with my relationship. I used to be totally go with the flow, chill, happy go lucky, outgoing, and very confident. In the last few months my self confidence has dropped to zero even though I am doing well at work and life, etc. it's like I think everyone is out to get me, and it has gotten progressively worse. I cry at everything, have mood swings, depression and the paranoia about the boyfriend (even if he is going to study with a male friend I get jealous! Lame!) I was starting to wonder if I had suddenly become bi-polar until I figured out it was the ring! I still had a sex drive, but it was harder to get fully aroused. It's like I wanted to have sex, but it wasn't as good. So I took my ring out today and my boyfriend and I are going to research our options. The Pill does the same things with me. condoms make me a little nervous as to their effectiveness, though we will be using them for now until we find something else. I'm thinking of going with the copper IUD, as there are no hormones in that one but it is still very effective. My main concern with the copper IUD is the physical side effects (irregular bleeding, super heavy periods, etc.) but as I have not experienced any physical side effects with other forms of birth control, i'm hoping it won't be too bad. Ah, the struggles of womanhood!

I am not currently using nuvaring anymore because of a side effect I haven't really found anyone else experiencing. I would like to share my story and if anyone has had the same or similar symptoms please let me know because I am totally bewildered about it. I started using nuvaring after the birth of my daughter in December. I was on the ring for about one to two weeks. At first everything was fine but I started to experience very unique chest pains. The best way I can describe them is they felt like they were in the tissue and flesh in between my skin and my rib cage, and it felt like the area was being squished in a vice, and then my back would start to hurt alot. They first started about once every other day, but then got more frequent to the point when I stopped they were constant. I could not sleep because the only comfortable position was to sit down hunched over with a pillow on my stomach, with my back up against my headboard. My husband brought up the point that it could be the ring, and at that point I was willing to consider anything. I quit using the ring, and the pain stopped, for a little while. But it is still ongoing to this day. Although it only happens about once or twice a month, the pain is no less severe. I am sure it was the nuvaring or the ingredients in it that has triggered this because I have never had this problem before using it. Please if anyone has any advice or ideas, your help would be very much appreciated.

WOW!!!! So many people out there with the same symptoms as me. This is my 3rd month on Nuvaring. I just started developing frequent headaches (which I NEVER used to get), I've been so tired, even when it's an absolutely beautiful day outside. for the first couple months, my appetite was increased but now I feel nauscious (like I was when I was pregnant). I actually took a bc test just to make sure I wasn't pregnant. I've also been very stressed out and feel a lack of "loving life" (if that makes sense). I've also been emotional, which I rarely cry or get up-set. I decided to take the ring out yesterday, so hopefully this will free me from these symptoms. I started the ring thinking it would be easier to take, rather than normal bc pills. Now after experiencing all this, I'd choose bc pills any day over feeling like crap. Good luck all.

Ive been on the nuvaring for about four months and for three of those months everything was fine. my doctor told me that i could leave it in for 3 weeks and have a period for a week or three weeks and change to a new ring. well being that most women hate periods, i decided not to have one four four months. But now i am having this weird brown discharge(no smell) and i have had reoccurring yeast infections (white discharge, itching, burning). this skin around my vagina was raw for a week or so. gross i know. can anybody tell me whats up with this. i have been overly emotional because i thought something was wrong with me. is it?

Hey, I decided to try Nuvaring about a month and a half ago & this morning I decided to take it out! My skin is normally fine, until this past month I broke out like crazy! I also got migraines from it. I've also noticed that this past month I was depressed, moody and a bit bipolar. My boyfriend also noticed my mood swings. I've also been extremely itchy on various parts of my body, I'm not sure if that's from Nuvaring, but I am not taking anymore chances with this thing! I'm going back to the pill, I never had a problem with it in the first place. Nuvaring just seemed a little more convenient. But I'd rather have my clear skin back, so goodbye Nuvaring. & Good luck to anyone who decides to try it, I hope your body handles the side effects better than mine did!

I was on Yaz for 4 months. I didn't notice the terrible side effects of that unitl I sat and realized that my being anxious, worried and sad all the time was due to that stupid pill. I had no sex drive and my work outs were harder and harder to go to all the time.....so, I called my doctor and asked to be switched to something with less hormones. They suggested Nuvaring as it has less hormones than the pills we hear of. Well, I put it in last night....but after reading all these posts,,...took it out this morning....soooo, 55 bucks down the drain but sounds way worth it!!!! I'm only on them to help with endometriosis....who the hell needs no sex drive, weight gain, depression, headaches, vaginal dryness, constant worry and being tired to name a few side effects to supposedly help with our cycles???? I'll go back to painful perioids and being me. Good luck to you guys out there,,,,, Cheri

Wow - I am so glad that I found this website. I have been on the NR for about 3.5 years and have had it with bc pills. I also gained the weight but thought it was just my eating habits although I do exercise regularly. However, I lost interest in EVERYTHING - exercise, sex, work, life in general. This week I had the worst migraine I have ever had (and I have had them for 8 years now) and thought about going to the ER. It lasted 3 days and I could not physically move. I also lost interest in sex esp b/c it was extremely painful. Fortunately I have an understanding husband. I felt so guilty all of the time b/c I had no interest in anything and have even been avoiding my family. Well, today is the first day I will not be on it and I am curious to see what happens. I can't take the pills b/c I have my period for about 26 days and I will be 35 in a week so I guess after 17 years it is time to be free of the pill. Somewhat liberating I guess. Good luck to everyone!

I've been on the NuvaRing for over a year now and love it. I was having some of the symptoms that have been described here when I was taking a low-dose pill, but I discussed these issues with my doc. Luckily I have a great doctor and she explained how different birth controls have different levels of progesterone and estrogen and which ones contribute to which side effects. I'm guessing each of us has different natural levels of each hormone, so different birth controls react with us in different ways. Like I said, I LOVE the NuvaRing, but a friend in my office just got on it and is experiencing a severe migraine right now (that's what prompted me to look up the side effects). Her doc told her to insert a new one the day after she started her period (which is NOT what my doc told me!) and she's been suffering for about a week now while I've been fantastic. I think it's great that there's a forum here to discuss side effects, but as far as removing it from the shelves... I don't think that's a fair comment since it's working better for me than anything else I've tried. I would recommend telling your doctor EVERY SINGLE effect you're experiencing, and as someone else said, if your doc blows you off, get another one. We as women shouldn't have to suffer in our daily lives just because we're trying to be responsible in our sex lives! Good luck to you all, and I hope you do find something that works as well for you as the NuvaRing does for me!

I am in my third week of using the nuvaring and after reading everyone's comments, I am relieved that I am not alone. I have absolutely no sex drive (it has hurt like a b*tch the TWO times I've felt like trying), have had headaches, cramping, am constantly yawning (but sleeping terribly), spotted for over 2 weeks, and have zits like mini-volcanoes where I've never had them before! Even using lubricant stung like the dickens. My poor husband has been doing tons of research to find out why I've been feeling this way. Apparently these lower dosage birth control pills are causing these types of issues for all ages, whether you've had children or not. Call you doctor today if you are having problems and really talk to them. If they dismiss you (ie tell you to use more lubricant like I've been told) then find another doctor. I've not been on birth control for almost 7 years but have had ovarian cyst issues, so my doc said the nuvaring would help. I would rather have the pain of a ruptured cyst than deal with this. Good luck!

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 am 25 years old. A mother of 2, and i have now been on the NuvaRing for 5 years. I got on the NuvaRing the day of my postpartum check up after i had my second child.. I loved the NuvaRing at first thought it was the best thing in the entire world, hell all you had to do was put it in leave it for 21 days days leave it out for 7. Go on your period and other then that everything was great. About 2 months into using the Nuvaring i started having HORRIBLE HEADACHES that would last 3-5 days at a time without letting up. I could not stand to be around noise, light or anything that had a strong smell or it would get my head pounding to where i just could not take it anymore. So i called my doctor and told him about the horrible headaches that i have had. Explained to him that before a bad headache would come on i would have this horrible burning sensation in my head that would make you want to die.. And the doctor told me just hang in there and give the Ring time to work, so i did and then as time went on i started having other side effects along with the headaches.. Such as BAD ACNE that scars after clearing up which has made my completion not so good. Breakouts on arms, back ,chest. So i got some neutrogena soap to help with that and it has worked.. But then i got more side effects such as BREAK THREW BLEEDING right after my period was suppose to be over and after intercourse.. Then i totally HAD NO SEX DRIVE which caused lots of problems in my marriage cause my husband began to think i wasn't sexually attracted to him anymore.. And i began to think that also. Cause i had lost my sex drive didn't want to do it, the thought of it made me cringe. After being on the NuvaRing after so long you began to develop this THICK DISCHARGE that is annoying then as time goes on you get another type of discharge that is thin WATERY DISCHARGE that is aggravating cause it almost feels as if you have peed your pants a bit almost feels like a yeast infection with out the smell. Which brings me to my next awful side effect which is the Yeast INFECTIONS and the number of UTI's i have had while being on the NuvaRing never had a UTI or a yeast infection before the nuvaring. Not having a sex drive because you cant because intercourse is too PAINFUL sex it hurts like FRICTION and STABBING because of the DRYNESS the Nuva Ring causes. So i called the doctor he told me that i would have dryness at first and to just use lube so i tried that. Didn't work still had pain from the dryness so i called the doctor again and told him about the pain so he wrote me a prescription for a numbing jelly that you use right before intercourse and that was suppose to help with the pain.But that didn't work either just made everything numb till where you couldn't feel rather anything was out or in so i quit using that and hoped to god that my body would adjust to the Nuvaring. Still today after intercourse it causes STOMACH CRAMPS similar to the ones when your on your menstrual cycle,and PRESSURE similar to the pressure you have when your 8-9 months pregnant. Going to the bathroom after intercourse is a total NIGHTMARE i have had times it has burned so bad that i have pinched my stomach as i peed to take some of the PAIN AND BURNING away.Dont always work! Another side effect that i have had is DEPRESSION i have noticed that i have been unhappy and just got to where a lot of times i don't care about things that matter to me because i don't feel that i have the energy to do so.. I also have ANXIETY ATTACKS which i have never had until i got on this NuvaRing. CHEST PAINS that i thought the first time i was having a heart attack it hurt so bad. I had to take little breaths to breathe which would then lead into a PANIC ATTACK cause i felt like i was unable to breathe like i am suppose to.. So yet again called the doctor who told me that i need to be on prozac to handle this. Never got on the prozac just delt with it hoping that it was just a little side effect and that my body would adjust to the NuvaRing, but guess what NO never did.. Another side effect that i always hate is getting SICK AND THROWING UP caused by a medication, guess what i still have this after 5 years i get to cramping so bad and headaches tied onto being MISERABLE and BLOATING and DIARRHEA and DRY MOUTH so bad that you cant stand it seems no matter what you drink to get rid of dry mouth nothing can quench your thirst and this is all hours of the day. So i would take Midol which would only help for a few hours and then i was right back to square one with the B.S caused by the NuvaRing. So i call the doctor and get told "well you will have that." the side effects will be less obvious the longer your on the NuvaRing." So stupid me stays on the NuvaRing hoping this is true! Which i have found out is not. The only good thing that i have noticed is the NuvaRing is easy to use and you don't have to remember take a pill everyday! I never had any weight gain or loss while on this dang thing. Pretty well maintained the same weight as i have always been. I have tried to get off the ring several times, but always get back on it, Because while the ring is out for 7 days i am miserable mostly with a headache that last 3-5 days untop of the TERRIBLE MOOD SWINGS that i get. i truly think that my body has been on this hormone so long that i have HORMONAL WITHDRAWALS when i don't have the ring in. Cause i am fine after the ring is inserted again. People can say what they want and say that this is a issue and that they haven't had problems and that is understandable and different people adjust to hormones in different ways but the time that i have my ring out i always get my sex drive back 1-2 days before i start my period. I am not asking anyone to believe me about any of this and if the ring works for you then great, i thought that it was going to work for me also but it didn't. . I have taken the nuvaring out this last past Sunday and have no intentions on putting another ring back in.. Yet again i have had 3 days of a SEVERE HEADACHES some thing that i believe is HOT FLASHES or NIGHT SWEATS,BLOATING,DEPRESSION,CHEST PAINS,ANXIETY ATTACKS,YEAST INFECTIONS, and BAD MOOD SWINGS and i am hoping that all this will pass and my body will go back to the way it was before the NuvaRing came along... I would not suggest anyone to get this as a form of birth control i would actually tell then that the pill is better off to have in the long run.. This has caused me nothing but a miserable life that i have tried to deal with and i am just not going to do it anymore. I hope to see in the near future the NuvaRing go off the markets and not able to sale anymore.. The only reason that i was put on the nuvaring is because my doctor had a hard time finding a birth control method that my body would accept I was on Ortho- Tri- Cyclin and got pregnant and had a girl... My postpartum check up with her i was given the Orthra- Evra patch and i got pregnant with my son. Tried IUD and my body rejected it. So the doctor says" lets try this new birth control"you insert yourself leave in for 21 days leave out for 7 and have your period," the longer your on this NuvaRing the lighter your period will become and the side effects which aren't many will fade also.". "So how bout it." Well i thought this NuvaRing was a dream come true, BUT IT WAS A NIGHTMARE WAITING TO HAPPEN..

I am on my 3rd NuvaRing, and my last NuvaRing. This thing has cause me more pain and problems than anything I have ever used! The first time around the only problem I had was an increase in UTI's and extreme discomfort in my vagina and urethra, especially during and days after sex. I was told these side effects would go away within the next trial of the NuvaRing. Boy, were they wrong. After Taking out my second NuvaRing my period lasted from JULY 5TH to JULY 18TH! I also had to face the heaviest period of my life. I would go through a super plus absorbency tampon and panty liner in less than an hour. How embarrassing, inconvenient, and uncomfortable! I have had two ultrasounds, and 3 pelvic exams since starting the NuvaRing just 3 months ago. I have also had to face headaches, stomach pains, MOOD SWINGS, IRRITABILITY, and depression. This thing has put a damper on my sex drive and my relationship with everyone around me including my boyfriend of 3 1/2 years. I would not recommend the NuvaRing to anyone!!!!!!!!

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 am thinking about going on NuvaRing. But after reading these posts i am very scared to do so. But i really need to get on birth control, i am 17 and i already have a one year old daughter and i don't need any more babies until after high school. I really don't know what to do guys! There are so many more cons than pros with the NR or that is what it sounds like, but maybe the women who use it and have little to no side effects just don't come on this site. Wow I'm so confused! Help!!

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.

THANK YOU JESUS! haha. I cannot describe how happy am I to have stumbled upon this site! I have been on NuvaRing for about 4 months and I have since then been an emotional WRECK. I'm moody, cry over ANYTHING, gained about 10lbs, have migraines about twice a week you name it from any of the below posts and Im right there with ya sisters! Today I was scheduled to take it out...and that baby is staying out. My poor boyfriend is such a trooper...putting up with all my dramatic outbursts and constant tudes! Convenience or not, the NR is totally not worth it. Good luck to the rest of you!

Wow! I'm not alone! I've been on the Nuvaring for about 8 months and have been miserable! I have had awful nausea on and off almost every day, gained about 8-10 pounds, constantly feel tired/unmotivated/fatigued, I get stressed out easily, have bad cramps and the worst of all- have NO sex drive. This has been a huge problem in my relationship! I kept trying to convince myself that it wasn't due to the ring because it's so convenient, but I finally went off it about a week ago. I still feel the side effects a bit, but hope they wear off soon. Thank God I found this site! Good luck to all!

I am so glad I ran into this website. Thanks ladies. I got on the NuvaRing last Tuesday (one week ago) and I already started feeling most of the side effects you all are explaining here. I got cramps in my calves, weight gain, my right breast got much larger than my left breast and is highly sensitive. It hurts when I lie on my belly. I have been sleeping a lot more too and feeling drained. 2 days ago i said forget this. I took it out and i feel so much better now - truly. it's amazing how quickly those hormones can get into your system and make you so different. It's not worth it. it's not natural and feels highly risky. I feel much better now after having read all of your side effects. Thank you.

I read your post about Nuvaring. I am only on my first ring. So far it seems okay and don't know if it is to blame for my hair that has been coming out non stop also. the hair loss started when I had the paraguard inserted into my cervix. I did some google research and a lot of women were complaining of the same thing. I immediately had it removed but the doc said it was non hormonal. I thought that perhaps my body just didn't agree with the copper that it is made from. she told me about the NuvaRing, so here I am trying it. the hair loss is still there and it has been going on for about 1 month now and I have lost a lot of it. I just gave birth to my second daughter 4 months ago, and don't know if my hair loss is postpardom or related to all these wacky methods of birth control. Has anyone else suffered hair loss from the NuvaRing or paraguard. Does anyone have recommendations on how I could improve my hair and stop it from falling out. when it is coming out the root tip is with every strand. I'm so scared over this...