NuvaRing and headaches

I started using the nuvaring on August 24 for the first time. That was the first day of my period. My periods usually last four days but I have bad cramps. My gyno prescribed the nuvaring to stop the cramps. Well this month I had the worse cramps that I have ever had. My period lasted for six days and then started the brown smelly discharge, headaches, lower back pain, tiredness and irritability. I got on the internet to research the side effects of the ring and could not find my symptoms on any of the medical sites. I found this site and found that my symptoms have been experienced by most women using the ring. It has been years, approximately 9, since I used any kind of birth control and I know my body well so I know that the nuvaring is causing these problems. I am going to talk to my gyno about it and will probably seek some other method of relieving the extreme cramping that does not cause other problems. I do not see the sense in stopping one problem but causing 10 others.

My birth control journey (including Nuvaring) has been horrendous. I was on Alesse for several years when I moved to a different country where it wasn't available. I went on Yasmin for 3 months and proceeded to gain 15 lbs. of weight I had worked really hard to lose only a few months before. I was depressed, moody, and nauseous all the time. My doctor then put me on a different pill which made me so nauseous I would sometimes vomit in the first week of the pack, then when the nausea subsided the PMS and moodiness started. Again I researched birth control options and heard about Nuvaring. I asked him if the lower dose of hormones would help and he said I should try it. 4 months later, during a routine medical exam I was told I had EXTREMELY high blood pressure. I had never had high BP before. I couldn't figure it out, I had my kidneys tested and they were fine, my diet was healthy, I just didn't understand until I took it into my own hands and googled it. It clicked that it was the Nuvaring. I took it out and have never felt better. I feel less bloated, my mood is amazing. I am having my BP tested again in 2 weeks and only hope that it's gone back to normal. I am NEVER returning to hormonal birth control methods.

I've been using the Nuvaring off and on for almost six years. I started using it after I had my son in 2002, and I never had any problems with it. I used it for a couple years, had to stop b/c of my insurance. I went back to it after the birth of my daughter, in early 2006. I started having a lot of problems around December, 2007, but I didn't even think that it could be because of the nuvaring, since I had been on it for so long already. I was having stomach problems, awful headaches, horrible anxiety, depression, mood swings, had no energy at all, horrible burning pain after sex. I started having spotting and periods that lasted for up to a month, and would pass huge blood clots. I talked to my obgyn in February and she told me to just switch my rings right away instead of keeping it out for a week for my period. That stopped the bleeding for about two months, then my period came back with a vengeance. I bled for over a month, stopped for a week, bled for a few more weeks. It was ridiculous. I've finally given up on the ring after yet another month-long period. I took it out a week ago and I have finally stopped bleeding. I've noticed a difference with other symptoms as well and I really hope my body gets back to normal soon. I found this site last week when I was trying to decide if I should stop using the ring or not and I couldn't believe how many women had the same symptoms that I've been having. I never realized that all of the problems that I've had were all due to my birth control. Now I'm stumped as to what birth control to try next. I've been reading up on them and they all seem to have horrible side effects like the ring. If anyone has any suggestions, please let me know!

I definitely could relate.
i like nuvaring. It is the first birth control i've ever been on. i started it when i was 28 - just gotten married..
the only thing recently that have made me doubt it is that i heard in the news that some young woman have suffered blood clots and just die.
But im also reading the other birth controls effects and they are pretty wild as well..
the only side effect so far after 2 yrs and a few month is about 10lbs heavier.., i had mood swings my first week of being on it., occasional headaches when my period is about to start which lasts up to 4 days, low sex drive ( but i still manage to have sex and enjoy it), some dry moments ( i use to be a fountain) so it is different but eventually it goes back to normal. ( harder to have orgasms.., )
so overall nuvaring has worked for me. I just pray it continues to do so.. now i feel like there's no point in switching right now especially - going through a career change.. now is not the time to try a new one just because i hear someone died ( although that 's a pretty good darn reason).
Eventually my goal is once i start having kids God willing.. that i can stay off all these darn drugs and either tell my husband to go tie his dingy or condom it is.. its so not fair that we have to put all that crap in our bodies.. and then we wonder why we have certain weird complications.. "Lord take care of all us..we are just not trying to have 15 little kids running around...".. the researcher..

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

NuvaRing was great for me for years and then I began experiencing most of the symptoms noted by others. However, when my LYMPH NODES become ENLARGED AND PAINFUL I realized it was time for me to take out the ring and give my body a rest from the foreign substance. Once I removed the ring completely, within two-weeks my HAIR BEGAN TO FALL OUT each time I washed it. After weeks, my JOINTS became so INFLAMED I could not walk even though I had been working out four-days per week for many years prior. I also experienced HAIR AND SKIN TEXTURE CHANGES, and ONGOING FLU-LIKE SYMPTOMS which included: BODY ACHES, SEVERE FATIGUE, NIGHT SWEATS (DRENCHING), HEADACHES AND WEIGHT LOSS. I saw numerous doctors to try to figure out what was happening to my body. After over a year, I was diagnosed with an AUTOIMMUNE condition (SLE). It has been two-years now, since permanently removing NuvaRing, and my condition has improved with time but my IMMUNE SYSTEM is still out of whack and my LYMPH NODES ARE STILL ENLARGED throughout my body. If anyone else has these systems and has been diagnosed with an AUTOIMMUNE DISORDER after using NuvaRing, please respond. CAUTION: please be careful young women as added hormones are not good for our bodies and really should not be pushed so readily by the health care profession. Also, keep in mind that your doctor will not back you when you are experiencing problems from medications that he/she prescribed. You will ultimately be told that the medication did not cause the problem in order for him/her to avoid becoming a party to a lawsuit.

I was on the Nuvaring for about a year, never had any problems with it until this last month. I started having spotting 3 weeks before I was supposed to get my period (which i actually wasn't supposed to get because i just switched rings instead of having my period) then that turned into break through bleeding, fairly heavy and I bled for the whole 3 weeks. I was worried that i may have been pregnant but after taking a test and finding out i wasn't, i talked to my gyno and said i wanted to switch to the pill. I have now been taking Loestrin 24Fe for 5 days and haven't had any side effects. But as far as side effects I did experience with NuvaRing, i would get terrible headaches when i did have my period that would last for the entire time i had my period (i'm talking about a constant headache for 5 days straight). I had absolutely NO sex drive what so ever, and sometimes would get slightly depressed. I always just thought that was the way I was but after reading these comments and comments on other birth controls it makes sense as to why I felt the way I did. I realized that I started having depression around the same time that I started taking birth control (15, i am now 20) ((how come the doctors would rather load you up on different medications for anxiety and depression and migraines, rather than link the problems to the birth control? hah)). Basically what I have collected is that, it doesn't matter which birth control you take, you're going to eventually run into some problem with it. Also, EVERYONE IS DIFFERENT. we all react in different ways to different medications. many people forget that birth control IS a medication, sometimes you just have to give your body time to get used to it. if problems still persist after the 3rd month i would suggest switching.

This is my second time on NuvaRing. The first time followed 6 years of pills. I first switched to NR because I always had breakthrough bleeding on the pill. I had no side effects. Loved it. I got off birth control because my husband and I wanted to try for our first child. I am now on the NR again. It is the 2nd ring since I started on it again. The first month I had some cramping..on and off and never bad enough for medication. I also had some vaginal irritation. During sex, the irritation caused some pain. But I was determined to see it out because I had loved it before. Well am I glad I did!! I have had no cramps, pain, irritation, no vaginal dryness, no mood swings, no weight gain...nothing except for not having to worry about taking that pill every night.

Birth control is like any other medication. Everyone reacts differently to each one. Look at codine...some people do great on it then you have people who are fatally allergic to it.

Dont go by what people say happened to them. You maybe completely different.

I am sooo glad I found this site; I have been thinking I am going crazy. For the last six months (since starting NuvaRing for the first time). I have had a mild case of depression (I am not one to struggle with depression , NO sex drive which is unusual for me, my boobs have gone up two sizes, I ma always tired and I am a fairly energetic person. My stomach is always bloated and I can not loose a single pound and I have been doing weight watchers and working out. I have one week left with the ring and I will NEVER use it again!!

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!!!!!!!!

Well I thought I was going crazy and needed to see a Psychiatrist but after reading all these other side effects that NuvaRing does not list on their label I know I am not going crazy. My side effects are as follow: extreme headaches at times, one was so severe I seeked medical attention because it felt like a stroke; stomach pains, depression, INSOMNIA (Tylenol PM helps; but who wants to become addicted to sleep meds), decrease sexual drive, and crying for no reason. So after all of this I have one more week until my cycle and I am retiring the NR. After all, I can find something more economical like the pill to cope with rather than that $35.00 I was spending on my Rx.

I am so relieved to know that I'm not turning into some crazed basket case!
I've been on nuvaring for over 2 years. In the beginning, I couldn't believe the product...it was phenomenal! Put it in, and forget about it! Also, skipping periods was never so easy! I never spotted...just inserted a new ring and went on my merry way!

Well, that all changed about a year ago. I was planning my wedding, so I chalked my moodiness and depression on this huge event (of course! makes sense, right?). Time went on, and the feelings have not dissipated. I have always been a very emotional "in tact" female...a tuff Texas girl! I've had management jobs where my even keel disposition has been key to my success. Now, I'm afraid I'm going to breakdown at work...that would be BAD...really bad.

Also, my weight has been a thorn in my side. Although, I am not a big girl (135#), I'm bigger than I'd like (used to be 125). And, what's up with the belly pooch!? NEVER in my life have I had a belly that pokes out like this! I work out 4-5 x a week and eat healthy (yes healthy, you skeptics). My breasts have blown up like the Macy's day parade which my husband is all for, but I'm, quite frankly, getting a little scared of them:)

I am taking my nuva out on Sunday, and I CANNOT wait!! I want to go back to my fun, happy-go-lucky self.

BTW!! - To you men reading these entries with a girlfriend or wife that has recently turned into a crazy loon...stay strong for your lady. My husband has been an amazing man. I know he's wanted to get in his car and run away a couple times, but he has stuck by me. And I'm about to rock his world with my new and improved sex drive (when it decides to come back).

Best of Luck and I'll see you lovely ladies on the other side!!

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 have been on Nuvaring for 2 1/2 years now and have just realized that alot of the symptoms I have been experiencing are related. I guess I was not educated before hand about this product...but now realize that my moodiness, weight gain (that occurred without any change in diet or exercise habit along with not being able to lose it after cutting calories and exercising more), headaches, and lethargy are caused by this product. I have already begun the steps towards getting an IUD insertion (sans hormones of course). However, I probably won't be able to get the IUD for another month considering I have to find a day that works within my work schedule. I am on my off week for the Nuvaring but am now thinking that I will not put another one in before getting my IUD. I cannot take the side effects anymore and want to start progressing toward a healthier life without nuvaring messing up the works. I guess I'm also disappointed in myself for not researching into the products I've used before putting them in my body. Now I know...especially with the help of these websites.

Can anyone tell me what to expect when I stop the nuvaring? Should I expect irregular periods? relief of symptoms? etc?

This is the first time I have actually looked up side effects to NuvaRing. I have been on it since March of 2006, so about 2.5 years. I never really noticed side effects, and I have been to the doctor more than once and told them about the same side effects that have been discussed here. They blamed it on lack of vitamins, lifestyle changes and other random facts of life. Maybe that is the cause of my problems, however, why would they all happen at once???

Until today, I was soooo happy with NuvaRing, and I still am. I am just more aware of why I feel the way I do....It is soo easy to use!! I would NEVER remember to take a pill everyday, I would not like the patch, and the shot wouldn't go with me very well either.

Seems as if every birth control has side effects...here are mine from NR

EXTREME fatigue..
I asked my doctor about this. It has been going on since January. I sleep for 13 hours a day and am still exhausted. I cannot get enough sleep. I am a 20 year old that used to lead a pretty active lifestyle, but it seems the last few months that I have slowed waaaaaaay down. It isn't like me. I usually stay busy

Weight gain
I can accurately say that I have not been as active as I was in the past...but in one year I have put on about 17 lbs, and no matter what I do, the scale keeps climbing....I joined a gym for about 4 months, and I didn't lose a single pound. Before, I was able to LOOK at a treadmill and get in shape, now I spend an hour a day on it, and it does nothing for me.

SEVERE Headaches...with sensitivity to light and sound
I have not had this bad of headaches. EVER. It usually starts in the back of my head and moves to only one side. My doctor told me to wean off the caffeine. I did and they are still there. I drink no caffeine daily and I still am getting these terrible headaches. I work at a casino, so sometimes it really interrupts my daily life, with the lights and sounds and everything.

I AM ALWAYS THIRSTY!!!!!

I have NO sex drive
My boyfriend and I used to have sex every single day when I just started the NR, but now I NEVER want to. I have to pretend that I want to have sex, just so his feelings are not hurt. Sometimes I even catch myself thinking "is it over yet??" That is SOOOO not like me. I was an animal the first few months I was on NR. Now I have no desire.

I feel as if I am just living the motions of life sometimes instead of participating in it. Like I am just here everyday, not always feeling what is going on around me. I am semi moody, but nothing out of the ordinary. Week 3 of the ring is ALWAYS emotional, but the week before my period has ALWAYS been like that. I find it very normal.

My periods are WONDERFUL. I used to have a full 7 day period from hell. Now they last only 3-4 days, and I can basically tell you when I am going to start to the hour. It is AMAZING.

All in all, I love NR still. I am not going to stop taking it yet. I am just glad I found this site so I know the reason behind all of these changes in me. I have never put two and two together....that NR was causing all of these things...but now I know it could be. Or maybe it isn't. Who knows, but as long as I keep an eye on symptoms, I think I will be okay...

If any of you have any questions I have been on NR for quite a while, so feel free to email me at ******

My body must not be shaped properly for this thing because even after 6 months it still slides out partway all the time. I had to tie it in a knot to get it to stay in for more than 2 minutes. that aside, I had many of the side effects everyone else is talking about:

extreme anxiety. weird tingling in my arms and feet and 'on edge' all the time. waking in the night with horrible panic attacks and feeling sick to my stomach. so bad that I'd be afraid to go back to sleep for fear I may not wake up. I can't even describe how anxious I was. It was like I was outside of my own body all the time. I'd have to wiggle my toes or pinch my arms at times to make sure they still moved. In the night I'd wake up and intentionally wake up hubby or a kid just to know that I still existed.

Total bitch. I even hated being around myself. the sound of someone eating would irritate me so bad I'd have to leave the room before i hit someone or broke something.

totally down in the dumps. not suicidal, but didn't find joy in anything. I didn't want to do anything, yet felt bored all the time.

headaches non stop. Literally had 2-4 headaches every single day for 3-4 months. Not one day without. went to bed with a headache, woke in the night with a headache, woke in the morning with one... painkillers would take off the edge, but not eliminate it.

I seriously was terrified I was going mentally insane.

I had used the pill years ago with no side effects. I've been off nuvaring for 6 months now and don't know what to do because I have problems with cysts (and possible endo.) and their 'solution' is hormonal contraceptives.

I was better almost immediately after stopping the nuvaring. the headaches lingered for a bit more, but the rest disappeared.

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

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

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

Oh my HELL!

Here's my story...

Well, first of all I am SO happy to read all of these posts.

I have been on the NuvaRing for about 8 months now... At first, it was GREAT! I had no side effects, I could maintain my weight, even my skin cleared up... But I don't know what all the sudden triggered it but here goes the list...

Nausea
Heartburn
Diarrhea
Headaches
DIZZINESS - and this is scary people, especially for someone like me who's never experienced anything like it
light sensitivity
ANXIETY - this also freaked me out... I'm a singer, I do all kinds of stuff on stage, but I'm SCARED!? all the sudden??? this makes no sense!!!
loss of sex drive
mood swings
fatigue
dry mouth
sore joints
acne worse than when i was 18

And the thing is, it worked, WELL, for a long time. But now, I'm convinced. The NuvaRing is Satan... even if it seems to work in the beginning... don't be fooled... I won't use hormones ever again. Ever.

I'm going to be fitted for a diaphragm and that's that. I can't wait.

Thanks for all the support!

PUSS LIKE BUMPS/PIMPLES, HAIR LOSS, WEIGHT LOSS, DEPRESSION, NO ENERGY, NO SEX DRIVE, MOODY, HEADACHES, PAIN IN MY LEGS, VOMITTING, NIGHT SWEATS, CRYING AND CHANGE IN THE TEXTURE OF MY HAIR, CYSTS...

Thank goodness for this sight. If you are thinking you're crazy and can't figure out what's wrong while you're on Nuva, scroll down, you will feel like you're getting a big hug!

I am 27 and have been on the NuvaRing for coming on 8 months and everything has changed. At first I had severe migraines with nausea, a day after starting, that kept going and still occur. They will last all day long and I can take 8 of my migraine medicine and nothing will help. The headaches ruin days, make work difficult, and ruin weekends.

Second: I gained weight around my middle, so perceptibly, I thought I was pregnant. The bloat and gas is constant, I'm always popping Gas-X extra strength but the gas doesn't quit. It was funny at first (yes, I'm immature) but now I'm so uncomfortable, and my pants are tight around the middle but nowhere else. Boo!

Third: ANXIETY. I've been the most relaxed, calm person until I started on NuvaRing, and now I have a prescription for Valium just to keep me from having nervous butterflies all day. The anxiety goes hand in hand with depression, which sucks because I got engaged literally 2 weeks after starting NuvaRing and am always nervous, anxious and sad, and I'm so in love with my fiance but our home life is strained! I sometimes wonder if it's cold feet, but I know it's not. Which leads me to:

Fourth: NO SEX DRIVE. Gone. Dead. Zilch. Zero. I have been the horniest person I know my whole life. I love sex. But I am almost scared of it now. I have no desire to have sex, recoil when my fiance touches me, and get butterflies when I think he's going to try to have sex with me. I sleep as far away as possible, never masturbate anymore, never feel sexy and the idea of sex just doesn't even pop into my head. So unlike me. This causes anxiety, too.

Fifth: Yeast infections and pain during sex. I've never had either of these before. I'm extremely hygienic, and my underwear are constantly filled with discharge. So gross and painful.

I'm going off of it in 5 days and I cannot wait!

I've been on the nuvaring for about a year now. I had been on the Nuvraring from November of 06 thru May of 07. When I broke up with my boyfriend, I stopped using it (giving my body a break) from May until August when I started seeing somebody seriously enough to consider having sex again. I love the ring because it just has to be inserted once a month (although I HATE the feeling I get taking it out...). My periods take almost 4 days to start once the ring is out and then it lasts for about 5 days. The cramps during the first day or two are almost unbearable, but the periods are light. SOOOO many pros and cons.

I have gained back the break up weight and then some. I was blaming it on being in the "comfy relationship" status where you eat out a lot and blah blah blah... my boyfriend and I started working out together and he was dropping pounds like it was his job and meanwhile I was working out with no results. I'm a solid 10lbs heavier than my normal "I'm not working out" weight. My breasts were always a full C now I'm a small D. The week before I take out my ring I'm ready to kill my boyfriend for not cleaning out the litter box or for leaving me dishes to wash when he's been home... normal things that I'd just make a comment about and move on become HUGE events (for example: eating my leftover burrito= WWIII).

I was on the pill (can't even remember the name) and spotted all the time. I found it hard to take it at the same time... and I spent more time not having sex because I was always bleeding. I'm only 24 so I won't use the "I'm not as young as I used to be" excuse.... I wish there was a way to prove it is the ring causing me to gain weight without having to stop using the ring,. I really don't feel like messing up my cycle only to find out I'm just chunky now-- nothing to do with the ring.

I've been on the Nuvaring for a year now and love it but I have also had a loss of energy this whole year. I didn't put it together until last weekend that it was probably my B/C. Then after reading these side effects, I have noticed I get headaches more often and I do have a decreased sex drive, but my husband's makes up for mine so its not really a big deal. ;) All of these have not been severe enough for me to consider changing. You will have side effects with all birth control and everybody reacts differently to it. The worst one for me is lack of energy and now that I know what is doing it, I can try to work around it. Still more convenient than having a baby right now! And I still love the ring!

I put in the the Nuvaring and within the first 4 hours I started to have a terrible headache. I called my Doctor who said to keep on with it, it was probably not related to the NuvaRing. I continued to keep the ring in. By the second day, I became very nauseas. By the 4th day, the most horrible pitting acne began. I stuck it out for 2 weeks, then yank it out. It has been out for 4 weeks, and I am still struggling with headaches,nausea,and skin problems. Also, waiting for a period as well. I would not recommend the ring to anyone it was horrible. Now, I keep taking pregnancy tests in fear that I am pregnant, since I have not had a period yet. My breasts are still so sore I can barely touch them. Tests are all negative. I'm still waiting for the hormones to flush out of my system.

I have only tried the pill a couple of times in my life and the side effects were too much for me to handle. My OB suggested the nuvaring. I've been on it for a year and a half and I'm glad I found this sight. I've experienced the 2 week heavy periods, fatigue, weight gain, the headaches, I had unexplained swelling in my groin area, severe depression and anxiety (which my doctor dismissed as she stated she never heard of anxiety being associated with the ring). I'm glad that I'm not the only one. I'm getting married in November and plan to stop using it then. My general practioner put me on prozac because the anxiety got so bad. I'm lucky that my fiance is a patient and loving person and that this craziness hasn't driven him away.

I have been on the ring for 4 years now, and I haven't really experienced all these crazy side effects. I do have headaches, loss of energy, mood swings, decreased sex drive (which doesn't stop me anyway). Its all the same bull****. It really is true that everybody is different, but seriously, ALL forms of birth control WILL give you some kind of side effects. we are ruining our bodys natural order buy consuming these dangerous hormones. All because we want to have lots of sex without the troubles of a baby. Its a choice and a risk that we are taking. Now after reading all these scary things, its making me thing if I should switch. But how am i supposed to know if taking a different BC is going to make it better. its just going to be another batch of side effects. And is it really healthy to keep switching to diff BCs? A part of me wants to change BCs but another part of me loves it. I guess Im just scared of ALL birth control.

This is so interesting. I have been taking NuvaRing for over a year now, and for about a year I absolutely loved it. Recently, however, things have changed. In Feb. I accidentally left the ring in for one week too long and then put it in one day late... I didn't think much of it, but then in March my period was really light. In April, my breast began to swell and got very tender and I started having headaches and a lot of nausea and I started gaining weight. At the end of the month, my period was just spotting. I, of course, took a pregnancy test, which came out negative. In May and June things have continued to be bad...spotting periods, extreme fatigue, a lot of weight gain, constipation, bloating and pain in my abdomen during sex. I took two more home pregnancy tests and even went to my doctor for a blood test...all negative. Today, my family doctor suggested that it could be my nuvaring. I had no idea! That's why I googled NuvaRing side effects today and found this sight. I've scheduled an appointment with my OBGYN so I can change my BC method. Looking back, I have noticed that I am much more aggressive than I was 1.5 years ago. I used to have great relationships with my students and used to be such a patient person, but over last 1.5 years I have started to get aggravated really easily...I even honk my horn at people. That is really not who I am! So hopefully after I take the NuvaRing out, I'll go back to being myself and feeling healthy.

I've been on NuvaRing for a year and I thought It was working great. After having two rings "disappear" I decided to talk to my doctor about a different form of b/c. I have not had a ring in this month and I cannot believe the sex drive I have now. I'm single so I hadn't really noticed it was gone but now that it's back I realize how much the NR had affected me. As I was reading posts here I was amazed at how many symptoms I share with others. I have always been prone to headaches but since starting this a year ago they got more frequent and more intense. I also had issues with fatigue, however, being a single parent of a one year old I just kept blaming the baby but so far this month without the ring I hardly ever need a nap anymore. I have also noticed my mood swings are not as severe...I won't blame NR for all my moodiness because I have always been a moody person but I can tell a difference. I never had problems with the nausea or charleyhorses or tender breasts but all hormones have a different effect on different people. NR may work well for some and to those I wish congrats. I am hoping that my new method of b/c works out for me but I will be paying attention this time to what the hormones are doing to my body.

What a relief! I've been on the nuvaring for 2 months after having the mirena for about a year and a half. The mirena caused aching pain in my abdomen during and after sex, but that seems very minor compared to what I've experienced while using the nuvaring. My sex drive decreased dramatically, I've had headaches like no other, and to top it off I've gained almost 10 pounds while decreasing my diet and running about 5 miles 3 times a week!!!! This thing is coming out today!! Not to rejoice in any one else's suffering, but I'm soo glad to have found this site and realize that I'm not absolutely nuts for thinking the nuvaring is responsible for the changes going on in my body! I'm not sure what b/c to use now - I've gotten pregnant twice while taking the pill religiously - condoms aren't really an option, my husband hates them. Anyone have any suggestions?

I have had great results with the Nuvaring. My period is predictable and my mood is normal. However, I just stopped using it due to the fact that I don't want this kind of stuff in my body anymore. I hear way too much about strokes, etc. Since I went off it(about a week), I've had headaches and mood swings. Does it take awhile for our body to get back to normal?

Terrible headaches, depression.

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

Im 24 years old, i've been on NuvaRing since April I a can say that my husband has noticed I scream, and I seem to be in a bad mood all the time.
I do have headaches, sharp pains on the left or right side of my head, strange discharge that is smelly, the pins and needles feeling in my left leg that some of the other women here are talking about. I've never been known to have a temper, or have headaches, sinus problems, or pins a needles in my legs, or any kind of 'smell'. I have also been sooo sad, empty feeling.
So I know it has something to do with this product. I'm just happy I was sitting here on the computer and stumbled upon this site after I typed Nuvaring in the search. This product may work for some woman but it is just not for me.

Hello,
Just thought I would add some pro nuvaring commentary to the chorus of horror stories here. I've been on the nuvaring for about two years now and so far I have no babies (yay!) and no side effects I could confidently link to the ring. Like most women I get headaches (about once a week or so), experience pms, and my sex drive is not what it was in the first few weeks of my relationship but I'm unwilling to ascribe any of these 'side effects' soley to the ring. In particular I find it difficult to believe as some of your postings indicate that the side effects of the ring seem to be worse than the pill- depression, weight gain (in one post 40-50 lbs!), headaches, etc. when the dosage or hormones is lower. So I guess simply put, I am satisfied with the ring and although it's not my place to criticize another woman's choice of birth control, I wouldn't let these posts scare you away from what is, in my experience, the best form of hormonal birth control based on its user-friendliness and lower dosage of hormones.

I'm 36 and i've been on the NuvaRing for about 4 years now. It was great at first, since I kept forgetting to take a pill. This last cycle I was two days late to insert the new one. My side effects are awful! And this is the first time this has ever happened. I want to sleep all the time, my stomach is cramping horribly, my breasts are tender, and I am so bloated. I was thinking maybe I was PG, but after reading this, maybe it's just side effects...? Anyone else?

I was using the NuvaRing for about 6-7 months. I started feeling quite a bit out of my head. I figured being a college student and nearing my graduation; that I was just a little stressed out and nervous about the future.
School long gone now, and still feeling weird, I decided to take a look into the side effects of the NuvaRing, since I had noticed the slight changes in my mood sometime after I began taking it.
I started out with a severely decreased sex drive. I joked how "wow this birth control works by making you not want anything to do with sex!" After a while, it wasn't funny anymore. I became uninterested in doing anything. I didn't want to be around friends anymore. I started getting snappy and easily aggravated at people, mostly my boyfriend and the people I work with. I started getting headaches a lot, which didn't help my mood, and I started getting really bad eye sensitivity to lights, which didn't help the headaches at all...
I started feeling horrible. Nothing was worth looking forward to. I was always anxious or nervous. I felt useless. The relationship with my boyfriend of two years was hanging by a thin thread.

I came across all of your comments about your experiences with the NuvaRing and I'm so glad I'm not the only one; I thought I was going crazy.

I love how nice and convenient the NuvaRing seems to be, but there is really nothing convenient about the things it has done to my mind, body, and my relationships.

No birth control is worth that much aggravation. I stopped taking it 2 weeks early, about four days ago. No real signs of improvement yet, but I'm hopeful that I'll soon be the same kind of person my boyfriend started dating.

I'm hoping to find a new form of birth control, but I'm mortified to get on another type that does the same things...
Has anyone switched from the NuvaRing after these kinds of symptoms and found something that works and doesn't do horrible things?

Hi ladies, I've been using the NuvaRing for about 3 years now. Until this very day I thought I may be absolutely crazy. I was on the ortho patch before the ring, but switched because I didn't like the adhesive left by the patch. I was 31 then and had been with my boyfriend for 1 year. Thankfully we are still together because I have had the life sucked out of me. Sex happens almost never, it's extremely dry when it does, I have headaches often, I am DEPRESSED and the anxiety is unbearable. These symptoms have gotten worse over the years and I thought I may need some help. I never believed I could "get" these symptoms from a ring. I took it out as of 5 minutes ago and hope this will take me back to the happy, healthy, loving person I know I am. I will keep you posted if this helps me. If anyone else is having similar effects please reply.

Wow, I can't believe how many people have had such a problem with nuvaring! I have been using it for 6 months now and have never had a single side effect, my period has never been more predictable, I start the day after I remove the ring and stop the day before I put a new one in. That is crazzzy!!! I was on Ortho Tri-Cyclen for about 8 years and in the 8th year...I got pregnant, and I was taking the pill every single day at the same time...I hated the pill! nuvaring is sooooo much more convenient, albeit pricier but I think it's worth it, my boyfriend never even knew it was there until we talked about birth control one day. I have never had headaches, or moodiness on it, as I frequently did with the pill....I love it and will continue to pay the extra money!!

This is my second NuvaRing after getting off of Yasmin for 6 months. I will be taking out my NuvaRing in a few more days.

The first time I used NuvaRing, my eyes started to hurt and could not tolerate contacts. Now it's fine. I had a bit of cramping. My boyfriend could kind of feel the ring and so could I. My first period came and it was HEAVY! I had to change my Super Absorbancy tampon every 2 hours, even at night, for at least 5 days. My periods are usually 7 days, with the heaviest during the 1st and 2nd days. However I've never had a heavy period like this before. I thought I was losing too much blood.

Right now I'm on the second NuvaRing, and I've been getting bad cramping that ended up with me going to the bathroom to relieve myself. This has been happening for the past two weeks. After eating, cramping. Sometimes I even have to lay down as it feels like I am rupturing my abdomen from the inside out. And tremendous bloating. I could not zip up my pants because it causes cramping.

I've cramped and bloated with Yasmin, but not as bad as this. When I am on top of my boyfriend, it is highly uncomfortable and hurts for me to try to move. I felt that I'm on an emotional roller coaster all the time and headaches come and go. I have almost no sex drive because of the discomfort.

I'm done with the NuvaRing. I'm going back to Yasmin.

whoa...this site should be called Nuvaring Nightmares!! I'm 26 years old and got switched to Nuvaring because I had headaches and low sex drive from the pill. 2-3 weeks after inserting the ring, i started feeling extremely depressed to the point of wanting to commit suicide! what is it with this ring??. I did notice that my hair grew and became much shinier though. I just don't know if it's worth the cost...Anyways, i decided to no longer use it and have been off birth control for a year! My sex drive is great, my boyfriend is having a hard time keeping up!

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

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

I must say I love the NuvaRing. I've been on it for almost 3 years. It is extremely convenient. I do have some issues with weight and depression, but I've had those for a while so I don't think I can blame them on NuvaRing. I was previously on Depo for 3 years, and before that various pills (which I could never remember to take). I loved the Depo for it's convenience, but I think it caused a lot more weight gain and loss of sex drive than any other birth control method I've tried. I also tri-cycle my rings (I only have my period after every third ring cycle). The less periods the better in my opinion. I have very very light bleeding during my period. The only drawback is I have one day of horrible cramps that I never used to have. I just take some Ibuprofen and remember that it's only one day every three months.

Unfortunately I have crappy health insurance that won't cover NuvaRing, so I'm thinking about switching to Mirena. I'll miss the Ring, but hopefully Mirena will be good to me.

Hi all, I've been using the nuvaring for about 2 months now. I had twin boys in Feb, and DO NOT want to get preg for a long time. I originally wanted the Mirena IUC, but my dr ended up having a medical emergency and is no longer practicing. Anyway, for my 6 wk checkup I got a male dr who "doesn't do the Mirena thing." I was so mad. My mom has had a pulmonary embolism from estrogen therapy before and I shouldn't be taking estrogen because of that. This doctor said that isn't a problem for me and I believed him. Now I'm having the worst headaches I've EVER had in my life. I am so dizzy all the time, I almost dropped my son this morning and did drop him the other day. I am unable to focus on anything or remember anything that i need to do. I'm also experiencing vision problems which ****** states could be a bloodclot in my eye. YAY, at least I have an AWESOME family doctor and he is going to see me asap tomorrow morning. I hope these headaches go away soon, I took it out today after what is now the 6th day of barely being able to keep my eyes open. I'm wearing sunglasses now so I can look at the computer!! Hope everyone gets their situations with this resolved and we all find something BETTER.

I just started my second month on the nuvaring before starting I had been off birth control for about a year the first month I put the ring in before the fifth day of my period like I was told to after the first week my period continued in fact I kept bleeding anywhere from light spotting to like a full period for the whole three weeks I had it in I thought maybe it was just my body trying to get used to the birth control I took the ring out for the seven days I was supposed to had a period for a couple days then stopped bleeding I thought maybe by body finally straightened itself out when I put my next ring in three days ago everything was fine then I started bleeding again this evening I've also experienced headaches nausea tiredness lack of appetite

I have been on the 4 months going on 5. i may have gained a little weight but just water weight. My skin has cleared up and i am not getting the PMS breakouts anymore. I just turned 29 and still get acne so anything that helps is welcome. however i have been noticing slight headaches here and there. i typically don't get headaches and from what i have read on these blogs the ring may be to blame...other than slight weight gain and a headache or two it's been good using the ring. i also don't get ravenously hungry before my period anymore which is a blessing, i would eat anything and a lot of it-lol! i am going to be paying more attention though, and come to think of it i have noticed been tired and i workout a lot so i usually have tons of energy. tough call, i guess every birth control method has draw backs.

I am a 29 year old healthy woman and have been on the NuvaRing for 3 years now. I LOVE it... I joke with my Dr that I would do a commercial for them if they asked me to.

I was placed on the ring after Ortho Tri-lo's hormone dose was too low to keep me from having breakthrough bleeding. I would get sad before my period, (like cry at a Pet-smart commercial) but since being on the ring I have been fine.

I haven't had headaches or weight gain in all these years. I also had a full physical this past fall and was found to have the best cholesterol reading my Dr had ever seen.

I think that every birth control out there effects us in one way or the other. You can search any pill out there on this site and find 100 women who have had VERY bad side effects. I guess it's all about trial and error and compromise. I wish you all luck with your method.

Wow...this is the first birth control that I've had since i've been out of high school.I've been on the ring for about 13 months. I really that my boyfriend had given me an STD, because of everything that was going on. I have NO SEX DRIVE AT ALL!! It hurt to have sex and to have a period. Headaches all the time, EXTREME dryness during sex, especially after i had an orgasm. And would walk around feeling no moisture down there at all. So after my STD test came back clear, that's when i realized it was the ring. After thinking about it now...none of these problems started until about 3 months after i started this BC. PLEASE DO NOT USE THIS BIRTH CONTROL!!!!! IT MAY SEEM FINE AT FIRST BUT TRUST ME, THE SIDE EFFECTS WILL COME AND IT WILL NOT BE PRETTY!! I'm currently inquiring about a another form of birth control...

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.

well i have been on the nuvaring now for about 4 months now and well the one big problem i have had is that i am always tiered and sleeping, now that maybe caused by me not having a job and getting out much, buti am 19 turning 20 so i thought i shouldnt be that tiered but the problem is that i also cant go to sleep till like 3 or 4 in the morning then sleeping till like noon or so after.....some of the other side effects that i have gotten that i wonder if anyone else has is like this weird feeling in me liek bubbles and always feeling like i need to pass gas...i have gained weight but common girls every birth control makes you gian weight...and well as of the headaches, i dotn know about those becasue i have always had really bad headaches though.....oh and my boobs are very tender and my dirve for sex has gone done sorry ladies i dotn mean to sound gross but my fiance can not get me to well orgasim or you know cum does anyone else have this problem too....then my last question for you ladies is does anyone know if i go off of this pill will it make my boobs down size i am afriad that they will go down and i will get strech marks beacuse i was a size 32 A and the ring made me a 34 B so going off of it i am affraid of the strech marks if they down size.....

I was on NuvaRing for 3 yrs. I lived with a CONSTANT headache, had MRIs and brain scans done, nothing was found. I finally googled tha ring and found out that headaches are a bigggg side effect. I also had 4 abnormal paps, 2 cryosurgeries, weight loss, hair loss, 9 yeast infections, vaginal itching, extreme moodiness, depression, pre-cancerous cells on ma cervix x 2 and almost anything else u can think of. NuvaRing is a nightmare!!!! the minute i decided i was done with it and popped it out, the headache went away, never had an abnormal pap since and every other thing that was wrong immediately righted itself. NEVER NEVER again!!