NuvaRing and gyn

I started using the Ring 2yrs ago, and at age 38 thought it was the best birth control for me, however within 2 to 3 days after putting it in I had extreme low pelvic back pain,and then within the 1st month, mood changes, fatigue, depression, no sex drive at all But somehow 3 months after being on it I got pregnant. Now I am 40yrs and started the Nuvaring again about 4 months ago and have all the horrible side effects as before. I don't know why I let my Gyn talk me into again. I am now experiencing major pains in my left leg, which I have never had such pain in my leg before at all. And I believe it is the symptom of having blood clots. Which is one of the side effects that is listed. I will be going to the Doctor ASAP to check this out. So anyone else that is having any type of pain in the leg, even if it feels like a ingrown hair bothering you or a little pinch feeling or burning sensation here and there, Go have it checked out before its to late and it becomes painful and possibly a blood clot.

I USED NUVARING FOR LESS THAN 7MO I ALSO EXPERIENCED BURNING ,DISCHARGE LESS APPETITE SHORTNESS OF BREATH BACK ACHE, STOMACH ACHE AND EXTREMELY TIRED ALL THE TIME. PAIN DURING SEX SO ENOUGH I SKIPPED THE GYN AND STRAIGHT TO THE ER, A CATSCAN SHOWED A 10MM MASS , YES OVARIAN CANCER GO FIGURE , I SAY ALSO GET BACK TO BASICS CONDOMS THE MOST SAFE EFFECT BC YOU COULD EVER USE PERIOD!

I started NuvaRing just like the directions stated. I have never taken any birth control ever in my life. I am 30 yrs old and me & my husband have always used condoms. A few hours after inserting it, I had horrible cramps all night. I started feeling different emotionally and physically (bloated). I completely lost my usually high sex drive. I HATE NUVARING!!! I hung in there for the full three weeks, trying to give it a chance. I started having horrible headaches, and I became the biggest bitch in the world. My husband even begged me to take it out. After taking it out, I could tell w/in 24 hours that I was already getting back to the "old me". I am supposed to start my period now, but instead have some funky dark brown discharge and there doesn't seem to be any blood...could this really go on for weeks...any advice???? ~Very Concerned

I started using the ring exactly two weeks ago. I started taking naps almost every day. Sleep during the day has NEVER been an option for me let alone a necessity. I decided to research the ring today when I noticed that my belly was extremely bloated. After reading some of the side effects, I can recall a strange feeling of hopelessness and sadness that I've had these last couple of weeks. (I've never been depressed in the past). I've also had very strange dreams. I should have known that an easy BC fix was too good to be true. I was on Depo before I had my daughter 5 years ago and it caused serious bone loss. I loved it because of the convenience and never had an indication that it was causing bone loss (thankfully a new GYN decided to take a bone scan as a precaution since I had been getting shots for 5 years. Luckily I was young enough that my bones are now normal.) Needless to day, I pulled the ring today!

Thank goodness for this site!

I have been on nuvaring for two months and have had numerous side effects never thinking to attribute them to the ring. I have complained to all my friends that there is something weird going on with me and I didn't feel right. I thought maybe my thyroid levels were off. I am 43 and started using it at the recommendation of my gyn for pms symptoms. I have gained weight around my middle despite being very active and eating well. I have always had a flat stomach until recently. all my clothes are tight and I feel bloated all the time. I have also had terrible pelvic pain, decreased libido, vaginal dryness, difficulty with orgasms, depression, irritability, stomach discomfort and headaches. I just took it out and am looking forward to being myself again.

I have't been on any birth control for the last 5 years. Now after only 10 days I notice something changing. I first strated out with a sore throat then aches, headaches, nausea. Thought I had a cold but no one else in my family got sick plus I don't have the sinus problems usually associated with the cold.
I'm not giving up yet. My GYN recommended it to take care of some of my problem, but now the old problems look more appealing to me than the new ones.

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

I just want to say that all the nuvaring is good for is regulating periods. I would not recommend using it if you are in a relationship. I have been using birth control since I was 16. I've been on ortho tri-cyclen and the low dose version before I switched to the ring only because I started to forget doses. I refused the patch because that is not cute on a black girl when she wants to wear a bikini. It's kinda hard coordinating a BC patch into your sexiest outfit. I've been using the ring on and off for five years. It's not until I got into a serious relationship that I noticed that I had no sex drive WHATSOEVER. I've been off the BC for a week after being on it for a year and have noticed that I'm horny as hell. My GYN and I have a lot to talk about. I haven't had any weight gain at all while on any BC, nor have I had to start anti-depressants. I should have though because I was having suicidal thoughts and moody as all hell and could sleep the entire day away and will be up all night wishing I could sleep. I know I have depression, just never found someone I trust enough to get help. Everything got worse these past few months. I'll say this though, I never had a day of nausea on the ring the whole time. I pray the depression and other things get better. No more hormones for me though. I'm DONE!

I am almost 23 and have been on different birth controls since I was 16. Almost every pill imaginable, and each either made me sick or very moody and depressed with no sex drive. I have depression already, so I then switched to the patch, but after all the lawsuits and still no sex drive I switched to the nuvaring. I have been on it for almost 2 years and loved it. NO moodiness that I can account to the nuvaring, have my sex drive, not sick, and didn't have to think of it all the time. well 2 months ago I missed a month and ever since then I have had non-stop cramping, the gyn. found a cyst on my fallopian tubes, but didn't relate that to the pain. She has now switched my birth control to see if that is it (i am very uncomfortable with birth control now). I started taking Femcon FE today and have been sick ALL DAY, I read about those side affects...and let's just say I think I will be switching. I miss my nuva! I am really wanting to stop taking birth control all together...it just cannot be good for you, but I cannot bc then I will not have a period...

So glad I found this site!! I have been prescribed the NuvaRing after a total hysterectomy. I took Femring (estrogen only) for about 1 year, but was still having hot flashes. I complained to my GYN and she said I would *love* the NuvaRing since it had higher levels of estrogen and some progesterone (which I was getting none with the Femring).

Well, 2 days of severe nausea and being so ANGRY at my kids...I decide to look up side effects and found this site. I'm calling my GYN back on Monday.

Thank you ladies for posting!!

Wow am I glad I found this! I decided to check out NuvaRing side effects because I suddenly have a brownish discharge and oder I can not wash away. I've been using it about six months now, this began a few weeks ago. But after reading the other postings it answers a lot of questions for me! About 3 months ago I developed an awful pain in my lower abdomen (left side) went through a bunch of test which found nothing! Then it after over a month of suffering, it's just stopped! I never even considered the problem could be the NuvaRing but now I do. I'll be calling my GYN on Monday!

What a relief to see all these new postings. I took out the NuvaRing after a month and a half. I'm still experiencing terrible anxiety, paranoia, and some depression, but I think I'm a little better. I'm not seeing weird/disturbing images anymore, and the all over breakouts and immediate weight gain have gone away. About a week after I took the NuvaRing out I couldn't sleep for like two weeks. Then I could sleep, but I was still extremely anxious and depressed... incessantly crying, feeling completely hopeless. Mainly I haven't felt in control of my thoughts or feelings since the NuvaRing. I still feel anxious and paranoid and I can't sleep again. Hopefully this will run its course and I'll go back to normal, but I've been scared shirtless for so long. Please sent me a message if you have words of consolation or any idea how long it will take to feel normal again. I'm still pretty miserable and it's been two months since I've discontinued NuvaRing :(
PS: I had a horrible (but not quite as bad) experience on the pill too, though I didn't know that was the cause at the time.

I was on the NuvaRing for about four months and I loved it until I asked myself why I was even on it considering my boyfriend and I had not had intercourse for as long as I could remember. I realized every time he wanted to I had no interest and would make up excuses and could not achieve an orgasm for the life of me. That's not all, I began to noticed a very unpleasant, potent smell that became increasingly noticeable as the days led on and it got to the point where I could smell it when I was fully dressed out in public and I can assure you I have never smelled anything like this. I have been off for a about a month and a half now and the smell has disappointed, and my sex drive is back but the smell won't seem to go away in full and it soaks into the skin of my partner and he has to wait for days for the smell to go away after he spends time scrubbing himself. This is no way to live! It's humiliating!! I also feel that since I have been off I get extremely tired and pass out in the middle of the day not even realizing that I've fallen asleep! I sleep for hours and I was late to work yesterday because of it. I know that I am not pregnant, and nothing has changed in my life except the NuvaRing

I was prescribed NuvaRing about three months ago. It's funny, I had a bad feeling about it as soon as I saw it. I liked the idea of just worrying about it once a month though. I tried the ring right before my wedding - bad idea. I could feel the ring during intercourse and it tore me a couple of times. But since my libido no longer exist that really isn't a problem any more. So here I am a newly wed and I don't want my husband to touch me, I have constant mood swings, I'm irritable all day, I have zero energy and I've had a headache for about a month now. I actually left work early today because of my headache. (and I can no longer go the gym)
Finally I had enough and Monday I went to the GYN and said get me off this ring. She said that these side effect do occur in some women. I asked to be put on the Yaz pill. I haven't started it yet, but I'm hoping that my life will go back to normal (before NuvaRing) and that my husband and I can start acting like newly weds. Luckily he hasn't threatened to divorce me after the three months of hell I put him through.

Hello! I have been diagnosed with chronic daily migraines. Yes, a migraine everyday for 5 months straight. Next comes swelling of fingers, hands, arms, legs, ankles and feet with major pain for the last 5 weeks. I have gone to the neurologist, ob-gyn & family Dr. I had 4 Dr/ER visits of testing to see what the problem could be. Tested for heart failure, liver disease, kidney failure/disease, lung, lupus, ms, chest x-ray, ekg and a brain CT scan...all to be negative THANK GOD! All of my Dr's including the ER staff said....hmmmm I think its the NUVARING! After some research my symptoms matched the nuvaring side effects exactly...the part that says...if you have any of these...then call the Dr. immediately. It has been approx a week and 1/2 of the removal of the Nuvaring and the headaches are no longer everyday or a "10" in rating. I was so busy typing that I forgot to mention that I match quite a few of your symptons as well...like no sex drive, depression, nausea, dizziness etc. I'm not sure about what happened and if my symptoms will go away without the nuvaring. I can say that it is worth a try. I also want to tell you all that no, you are not crazy and please listen to your body. Nuvaring came along when I really needed to regulate my periods...so I know the feeling of being relieved, but I wish I had taken a break from a 3 year run with the "Nuvaring". Please take care!

9/25/07 (Previous post)

I am 26 yrs old and I have been on Nuvaring for about 3-3 1/2 years. I thought this was the greatest thing not having to remember the pill and the short light periods. I have always sworn by this BC! I have been having side effects I never thought came from the ring until now. I have read a lot of the side effects others are having and I think my lack of sexual desire for the past 1 1/2 yrs. MAY be due to Nuvaring and not my getting married 2 yrs. ago. (lol) I also have headaches often, not bad ones but enough to carry Tylenol in my purse. And another is dryness before intercourse, that I never had a problem with 2 yrs. ago. I never put two and two together until I racked my brain and wondered why I struggled so badly with my lack of sexual desire. I could care less if I have sex or not! That just wasn't me 2 yrs ago! I just couldn't figure out what had changed, going back on any medicines I had taken the past 2 yrs., the Nuvaring is the only thing that was constant. I have a Dr. Appt today and I am going to discontinue use of the ring and see if the side effects subside like they have for some others. I will post again when I have an update. Please let me know if anyone else is having the side effects more than a year after using the Nuvaring!! Thanks!

UPDATE 11/8/07

I took my Nuvaring out for good on Sept 29. Started on Wed Oct 3rd. And with the advise of my OB/GYN this would be my last period with the Nuvaring. We decided to go hormone free for a while. I no longer have the dryness I did before while on the ring and my sex drive is coming back around, I actually enjoy sex again. Daily head aches are a thing of the past. Things seem to be much better now off the Nuvaring. I started this time just a few days late with a fill blown period. Not the little light "Nuvaring Period" that I had for over 3 yrs. Welcome to life without hormones! Any side effects going off the Nuvaring?? I have had is a few days of my nipples being sensitive, that went away. I am looking forward to seeing what this next month brings without all of the bad side effects. When I decide to use birth control again, I guess I will choose to choke down the pill again. Until then....I'm FREE!

I suffer from Endometriosis that alone is a horrible disease. I'm lso severly Anemic, with that alone my Gyn advised me to try the Nuvaring, Yes it has stopped my period. That part is Great ! I've had it for about 3 months.. once my third week came along where I rest for a week. I havent I'd place another sot hat I wont Menstrate. This time around, I've rested due to My husband and I wanting to concieve. The side effects have been the worst feeling ever !!!!!! I've had to miss about 1 week from work. I will never use or recommend this to anyone. I haven't been able to drive due to the DIZZINESS!!!

I wouldn't try the patch because of skin sensitivity, shots just seem really wrong to me, but I have been taking different oral contraceptives for nearly fifteen years. Fortunately I haven't had a pulmonary embolism which was definitely a risk because I was a smoker the whole time. Every time I switched pill brands, it was because of insurance copays, it would be non-preferred. However, I was still diagnosed with endometriosis and had one ovarian cyst removed laparoscopically and one ruptured on its' own. Endometriosis is less common in women on the pill because of the ovulation regulation...so I imagine things could have been so much worse. I was able to ask to take the pill continuously, meaning I'd skip the sugar pill week. Oh heaven! Without the pill I have severe cramps, PMS, heavy bleeding, pain and numbness in the crotch area, diarrhea, and was emotionally unstable. Although I suffer from depression, I don't feel that the pill has affected that much at all. I've recently quit smoking, and now am on the Nuvaring because of drug interactions. I've been spotting for 10 days now at least, and been on the ring for a month. I know there is a transition period, but this is not acceptable. My request to my doctor is to get back on some sort of pill on my insurance's preferred list. I'm starting to break out too. I want my pill back!

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

I thought that been on the ring would be more covenient than taking Ortho Tri Cyclen Lo. And it is but, the headaches are too much for me. I only was on Nuvaring for 3 weeks and discontinue its use. I started feeling the side effects about 2 weeks after inserting it. I would be so hungry and my head would kill me. I thought maybe it was me, because I normally get headaches when I wait to long to eat. But these headaches were horrible. After I would eat I would still have a headaches, so I knew it had to be the ring. I also experienced excessive wetness and irritation. My ring would always come out. I tried to push it back in, but later in the day it would push its way back down. I waited until the third week to take it out and call my gyn to get back on the pill. The pill is inconevient since you have take it everyday, but I don't suffer from any side effects. Before using the ring recently, I was on the pill for 2 yrs with no problem. Everyones' body is different so use whatever works for you. But don't put yourself through unnecessary pain. If you are feeling awful discontinue it and try something else. There are like 15-20 different types of birth control. And please don't just not use anything unless you are planning to have a child. Good Luck to all!

I am sooo relieved that I found this site. OMG. I was on the NR before for about a year and 3 months. I didn't have any side effects whatsoever. I went of the NR because my boyfriend and I broke-up and I wasn't having sex. About 4 months later, I developed 2 ovarian cysts that ended up rupturing in my right ovary. BTW, I turned 30 in the same month. I was in so much abdominal pain, hot flashes, painful menstrual cycle, passing huge blood clots, depression, crying all the time, thoughts of suicide, anxiety attacks, very irritable, easily frustrated, inability to concentrate, and nausea. I had NEVER had any bouts of depression, crying all the time, thoughts of suicide, anxiety attacks in my life before. NEVER! My OB/GYN told me my hormones were all out of wack and that I should go back on the NR to regulate my hormones. So, I went back on the NR, my cysts went away and I felt 100% better immediately. Now it's 2 months later and I'm having all the same symptoms I had before the NR, although, it’s not as bad as it was before. Apparently, I'm still ovulating while on the NR although the NR STOPS ovulation. I have developed more cyst(s), haven't gone for the ultrasound yet, in my right ovary, even though my last ultrasound showed that the last 2 cysts went away. Right now, I am emotionally drained and physically in a lot of pain. I think that if I get off the NR my symptoms would be a lot worst. I’m allergic to the patch because of the adhesive, coming off of depo caused too much pain, and I forget to take the pill. So I don't know what to do.

Oh my god!!! I just read through all the posts looking for someone else with this issue! After using the NR for a few months, i developed this horrible back pain that kept me awake at night tossing and turning trying to get comfortable. I also had a tightness in my chest and although i did not develop a rash, i felt itchiness all over my body. I started having flu like symptoms and wondered if I developed adult onset allergies since I never had them before. I even went back to my GYN and told him and he made me feel like I was crazy...I had stopped the NR for a month and then restarted and the back pain returned...So, i stopped again...strangely enough though, the pain remained for another month...I did also develop a severe migraine headache a few days before I had to remove the ring each month. I tried switching to an oral contraceptive but the naseau always stops me from taking it. Reluctantly, I went back to the NR this month. So far, I have naseau daily which comes in waves, bloating, increased discharge, fatigue...I feel pregnant...just figure my body just needs to get used to it again. Not ready for another baby so don't feel i have much choice right now. Any suggestions?

I've been on the NR for 4 months and was really happy with it.... A little discharge and I knew it was from the ring because I don't ever have discharge but it was not bad at all. This past month I started having the most horrible LOWER BACK PAIN. I started mattress shopping and ALMOST bought a $4000.000 mattress to fix the problem.. Then it came time to remove the NR and within 1 minute (or less) of removing my back pain completely went away and I'm again sleeping like a baby, when before I was up most the night with lower back pain. I haven't seen lower back pain as a side effect so I just wanted to post to see if anyone might have the same problem. Not sure if it was just in the wrong spot and I should try again this next month or not..

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

I began using NuvaRing about a year ago not for birth control, but to help minimize heavy period. For that purpose, it was worked. However, during the same time I became very depressed and emotional. I thought it was all related to losing my dad. For the past few months, I have had edema in feet and legs, shortness of breath, racing heart, fatigue, and most recently excrutiating pain in my hips, legs, and feet. I have spoken to my OB/GYN about this and have seen my family doctor. No one has suggested NuvaRing as a possible contributor. I removed the ring two days ago and as of today, the symptoms have not subsided. I really don't want to use the NuvaRing anymore, but will have to ask OB/GYN for something else so I don't revert to the horrible periods. If someone else has experienced any of these symptoms, please let me know. I feel so out of control

I began using the Nuva Ring four years ago after deciding I was too irresponsible to remember to take The Pill every day. 3 years ago, I started began getting the worst headaches I have ever had in my life, and my sex drive became non-existent. At the time, I decided it was stress-related. I had started school full-time, after taking three years off. In addition to the above side effects I was also slightly emotional and depressed. This continued for three years before I started to notice more changes.

Last December, I realized I had gained 15 lbs. Someone told me they saw it happen over a period of three months. I didn't really notice because I never weigh myself, I have been consistently the same weight for the past 10 years. When my clothes started getting really tight I got on the scale and was shocked. In February, my breasts started swelling to the point that I could not even hug someone without falling over in pain. In addition to this, I was experiencing breakthrough bleeding, which I have never had before. And once again, my sex drive hit the floor.

At the time, I figured it was because I had an impacted wisdom tooth pulled. It started with a tooth infection and then I had it removed, so I was on anti-biotics and pain killers for about 3 weeks. Combined with lack of good nutrition (I could only eat soup and milkshakes), I figured my body was having a hard time adjusting to the change in diet and the sudden surge of medication.

However, this continued the following month, and the one after that, and the one after that...... then I noticed that the breast swelling started about 5-7 days after inserting the Nuva Ring. Followed by that was the breakthrough bleeding. Coincidence? I think not. I then started thinking that maybe all the years of migraines may very well be related to the Nuva Ring.

I decided I was going to consider getting off birth control. I paid a visit to my GYN, and told her about my symptoms. What was her response? "Well, that is so strange, for this to happen 4 years later!" Really? I could have guessed that myself, don't you think? So what was her answer? "You might want to try a different birth control. Have you thought about the patch?" Actually, I'd rather be free of all of this stuff. So I guess what really pissed me off, was that she had no solid answer for me, and just wanted to throw me on something else. Thanks, Doc.

My plan was to continue BC until September, since I am taking a vacation in August and don't want any unpleasant changes in my cycle to ruin my trip. I picked up my new ring on Saturday, and brought it to work with me on Sunday since I had been running late. On the way to work, I get a call from my boyfriend. "Go pick up the New York Post and read the article called Birth Control Killed My Beloved."

So I pick up the paper and read the article. I was in complete shock. These women, young, healthy, and look what happened. I am 24, a smoker, a drinker, and rarely exercise. The only thought going through my head is how lucky I am to be alive and in decent health.

So I made the decision right then and there not to put my ring in. However, still being nervous about my vacation, I thought I would give a call to my GYN to see if she could prescribe me the patch until after my vacation. Before I did this, I googled this event, along with the 37 lawsuits that were filed against Nuva Ring two weeks ago, and found out THEY ARE ALL THE SAME. All of the birth controls. I am now officially off birth control, for the rest of my life. How I could be so oblivious to this, I have no idea.

It is now Monday, the day after I should have started my new cycle. I was hoping to feel like a million dollars, like I have read some women do, but instead I feel like crap. I am extremely moody and have a bad headache. I am hoping I will return to normal soon.

I have one thing to say to all of you: Every woman is different, and every BC is different, but if I were any of you, I would get off whatever you are taking NOW. It's too risky, and who knows what kind of side effects we may have down the road? It's not worth it!

I've been trying to find out if NuvaRing can cause Pelvic Inflammation. I've never had a problem with sex being painful,but since I started the Ring, Sex is so painful that I hate it. Nothing else has changed, I've only been with my husband, so the only thing I can think of is that it's the ring. Has anyone else experienced anything like this?

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

I was recently diagnosed with endometriosis. For the past 6 monthss i've been dealing with cramps so bad I had to be on percocet for weeks at a time just to be able to get through my days. After my laparoscopy two weeks ago my gyn suggested that I get on bc to help supress all fo the cramps and the cysts. As of right now i'm on day 7 and I'm miserable. I cry all the time and snap at my fiance constantly. I've been eating twice as much as i used to. I'm constantly exhausted and sex? What sex? No sex drive what so ever. It's completely gone. Not to mention I'm to tired to even bother anymore. And vaginal itching is very uncomfortable. No yeast infections, just itchiness. I'm calling my doc today to see if there's another bc that would make me a little less depressed. Last night I actually thought of suicide.
Ladies, you know your bodies the best. If something is not right, tell you doctors. Bug them until they listen and treat you properly. You do not need to deal with symtoms like this just because our docs got free samples from the drug companies. Tell your doctors what's going on with you. and good luck to all of you.

I had been using the nuvaring for a year when I started noticing side effects. At first I thought it was just me adjusting to a new partner, or that it was a yeast infection. But then it returned at the same time during each of the next three months. A few days after I took it out, the skin of my vulva would become sensitive and itchy, somewhat swollen or red, and it became difficult to use my keeper (a healthy alternative to tampons). But a few days after the ring went back in it would go away, only to return again. Well, my skin became so sensitive, that my vulva actually tore- almost an inch gash- when I was having sex with my boyfriend and blood was everywhere. I promptly went to my gyn, who had no immediate idea as to the cause of this sensitivity. There are a few possible skin conditions, such as lichen sclerosis, but the thing that stands out is that it happens at the same time each month. My Gyn also said that lack of estrogen can cause the vulvar skin to thin, which would make sense then since it happens when the ring comes out. Perhaps, she said, my body has stopped compensating by creating its own estrogen when on the nuvaring, and the nuvaring is not an adequate replacement. Anyway, its a possibility that the problem is unrelated. i am going for a biopsy tomorrow. But have already comitted to never using the Nuvaring ever again. And my boyfriend is totaly supportive of leaving hormonal contraception behind!

I've been using the NR for about a week or two now. I wasn't given a pamplet or even directions. Instead I recieved a sample from my GYN with little to no side effect information. I should have asked, but I was already asking a lot of questions about possibly losing it or having it fall out.
Well, I was dealing with heavy stress, constant crying over little things or nothing at all, total bi-polar syndrom or something! And when I cry, sometimes I cry hard enough to feel like I have asma or something. I can't breathe, and trying to do so makes me uncomfortably dizzy. I've been gaining weight, too! I was 115, now I'm 123. Though it's not much, looking at that extra weight in the mirror only causes more depression. Also, I've been feeling like I've had a yeast infection for a few days. But I KNEW it couldn't be. The symptoms were off. My discharge is as it should be, but the itching is intolerable. Then, the burning, painful sensation after sex was enough to drive any woman crazy! Now I'm too afraid to have sex, and I'm a very sexual person. My boyfriend is in complete disarray through it all and he has no idea what the hell is going on! I thought all this was simply results of moving out on my own for the first time, bills, not enough pay at my current job, hardly any food in the refridgerator, hardly seeing my family anymore. You know...the usual stress when you first leave the safety of your family and their money.
Then, I decided to check up online for the side effects or allergic reactions. I was sick and tired of not having the answers and waisting all the fluids I have on tears. I ran into this site, read most of the complaints and totally mirrored by all the same effects! Everything you all said sounded like I was reading something I had already felt and done. It's a real burden off my shoulders.
At this point, I can't handle more stress and hormonal inbalances. I already have too much on my plate. If side effects are truely supposed to stop in three months, I will continue on until I can't continue for that three month period. If nothing changes, I'm going to freaking rip this damn thing out of me and ask for another form of birth control! This is ridiculous! Thank you, all of you for finding the time to write out your symptoms. It's helped me out a lot!

I've never been on any formd of birth control before. But after having my 2 kids, Me and my husband decide not to have anymore soon.
My OBGYN recommended nuvaring, I like the fact that u control your own cycle and its 99.9% efeective.
ANYWAYS, its been over a year now since I first started it, and just to let u know, there side effects arent going anywhere.
At first, I hate the way it makes me feel, so I called my GYN. She recommended to use it for 3 months and the side effects will all go away.(My body just need to get use to the harmone).
Well, its been over 3 months and I'm still waiting for the side effects to go away.
I HAD ALMOST ALL THESE SIDE EFFECTS LISTED HERE.
-Crying for no reason
-depression. (suicicidal thoughts)
-having trouble sleeping
-upper Resp. infections (during the mornings when I wake up, I have a severe runny nose, headaches, and I feel like I'm pregnant having morning sickness). I would also cough up alot of THICK MUCUS off my chest.

I've been dry as a desert and feel like someone just turned her off down there. It just isn't working- there is no desire and when I actually give it a go- OUCH! I burn intensely and then begin to feel so irritated until my period comes back. It's a dependable cycle every month. I get relief from my period and then it's back to irritation and serious dryness. When I asked my OB/GYN about the relation to NR, he said no. So, this month (6months after asking my Dr. that)I took it upon myself to leave the thing out because I was so desperate for relief. Guess what- someone flipped the switch because I actually feel tingly and ready. I forgot how it felt to want my husband.
I also was put on Lexapro for anxiety after begining the ring- maybe a relation? Didn't think of it 'til I began reading others side effects.

well i have only been on nuvaring for 2 weeks, but it is already a godsend!! i have been bleeding everyday since the birth of my second daughter in dec 2005. my gyn has tried several types of bc pills and none of them stopped my bleeding. i have had ultrasounds done to rule out any other probs. finally he said i should try another type of bc. he offered nuvaring, i said no bcuz the whole thought of that up there for 3 weeks freaked me out. but he told me to give it a try, so i did. i woke up the day after putting it in and my bleeding had stopped...and i have had no bleeding for 2 weeks. i do have a slight discharge but i will GLADLY take that over bleeding every day, anyday. no other symptoms to report.

I started the nuva ring about 4 weeks ago recommended by my OB-Gyn for ovarian cysts. Since starting the ring, I have experienced just about every side listed. I actually ended up in the ER last night for severe abdominal/back pain and cramping, dehydration and nausea. Of course, the doctors said they could not find anything wrong with me, and sent me home with painkillers. But on the positive note, my ovarian cysts are gone. But I would rather put up with the discomfort of the cysts, than having to experience these side effects. My OB is insistent that my problems are not due to the nuva ring , and is encouraging me to ride it out for three months. But I can't do it. I am a mom to three kids under the age of four, and I can't live with myself like this. My poor husband does not know what to do with me, I am soooo moody. And the cramps are so bad that the heating pad has become the only thing I will let get near me, so don't even think about sex! I am glad that I have read other postings, I only wish that I had read them BEFORE trying the ring. I had thought that I was going crazy because I know that something is not right with my body, and every doctor is telling me that it can not be related to the ring. But I know that this all started with the use of the ring. I would not recommend this type of birth control to others. Please let me know if anyone else feels the same way.

My 16 yr. old daughter is being treated for severe endometriosis with the Nuvaring. Started wearing it after first surgery, last May. She wears 3 rings over nine weeks, then has a period for a week. She started having lower back paing that interferred with her life in July or August. By her second surgery in Feb.'06, back pain was debilitating and she had to leave school and switch to home school because she is mostly bed ridden. Every movement causes her tremendous pain. She is currently taking five meds for pain, including morphine. She can bearly walk. Doc (GYN) says it's not related to anything in his department, yet MRI, bone scan, x-rays, blood test are all negative. While we are pursuing further testing, I believe that the ring may be responsible for this. So far there are no other explanations, and the research I have done so far is pointing in that direction. My once vibrant, active happy, college-bound teen is now 25lbs lighter, severely depressed and in constant pain. I hope it is something as simple as discontinuing the ring, and I hope that little ring hasn't been the source of her suffering all this time.