NuvaRing and hormones

I have been reading all of your posts and I am surprised by what I am hearing. Especially the depression, loss of sex drive, and hair loss. I did check out their website (http://www.nuvaring.com/Consumer/aboutNuvaRing/possibleSideEffects/index.asp) and it seems they are actually pretty honest about the possible side effects. HOWEVER... although I checked the site before I started taking the ring 2 years ago, I kind of ignored the "possible" side effects as just that, "possible." Because I've never had any problems with medications or birth control before I didn't think they would happen to me.

Last week I 2 days late in putting in the ring and since then my breasts have been SO tender I can barely walk. Seriously, it's awful and I know it is the hormones from the ring. Until this point, I have had no problems with it, in fact I have really enjoyed its convenience and effectiveness. But after reading all of your posts I am wondering if I should rethink using it... I have been feeling really down, angry and anxious over the last few months and not really craving sex with my boyfriend like a 22 year old women should!! I don't want to over react and blame it on the NuvaRing if it could be other things in my life, but I also don't want to ignore it either because if taking the ring out would make me feel better, more healthy, less angry, etc...

What should I do?

I am so relieved to read all of your posts knowing that i am not the only one who becomes an entirely new, sad, pained person when i tamper with BC. I have been on the Nuvaring for 2 weeks now and am experiencing some weird chest pains. at times it feels like i'm being kicked or squeezed in the heart, and other times it feels like i have air blocked in my chest. i am so fed up with this toxic ring already i just threw it out 5 minutes ago. is it bad to stop a birth control mid-cycle? i hope not, i really wanted to wait the next 8 days to end the 21 day cycle, but i cannot wait that long. i am miserable. what bothered me the most about reading all these posts, aside from the fact that so many females are suffering due to excessive hormones, is that it seems to be a common thing for doctors to write these problems/complications off so damn quickly! there is enough evidence on this page alone to suggest that nuvaring has serious negative side effects, and yet when i went to urgent care today, none of the doctors seemed to be concerned with my chest pain and possible relation to the new birth control. our medical field is fucked up.

I have been using nuvaring for three years and all I have is yeast infections no sex drive and bad headaches at times. I have been thinking that I am losing my mind, very angry. Depressed isn't the word. I thought maybe I needed a psych evaluation. But now after reading all these comments I will be done .

I was on the NuvaRing for nearly a year, with no noticeable side effects. I only decided to switch to something else because one time it FELL OUT!! How could I not have noticed this happening?? I didn't realize it wasn't there until I started bleeding all over the place unexpectedly. That was a really close call; I'm glad I didn't get pregnant.

FYI, I'd been on "the patch" before NuvaRing, and didn't like how that upset my stomach on a regular basis. That's why I switched to the NuvaRing, and didn't have any stomach troubles with it.
After the NuvaRing fell out, I got a Mirena IUD. That thing is causing the worst side effects, and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone. I'm not sure what the best birth control option would be now; I'm kinda' ready to be done with hormones for awhile.

There are so many of us with depression/emotional issues from the NuvaRing.

For me, the NuvaRing saved me, only by revealing the MESS it created.

I was diagnosed bipolar in 2000 and spent 5 years on heavy medication in an attempt to manage it. In 2005 I went off the medication and my oral contraceptives in order to become pregnant. Following the birth of my son, I never returned to oral contraceptives AND never followed the typical path of a bipolar mother. There were no PPD issues, and I ended up not returning to the bipolar medication. I was symptom free without an explanation.

In May 2009, after years without anxiety symptoms, I went on the Nuva Ring. Within 12 hours, all of my old symptoms had returned. Within 5 days, I realized there could be a correlation and removed the ring. By the next day, I returned to myself.

With a call to my psychiatrist, who I hadn't seen in over a year, I described what had happened. She explained that the hormones do not process through the liver with the NuvaRing, unlike the oral contraceptives. This direct route into the body made the effects of the LOW dose hormones that more apparent. Thankfully, I learned that my issue all along was the hormonal birth control, and not my mental health.

My option is now a non-hormonal IUD, which has it's own messy issues, but I embrace fully in exchange for the emotional instability.

I feel that I have one of those stories that women need to hear. I do believe we are not realizing the full effects of these hormones. I took it as far as one can take it, with a full diagnosis and years of medication. I have to wonder how many women are experiencing milder effects and just don't realize that it could be the hormones.

I have been on Nuvaring for 2 months now and after the first month I went back to the doctor and she said that the side effects were normal and would go away after a few months. I don't think I believe that, cause I just feel so bad. I use to never fight with my boyfriend and now it is an every day occurrence. I get headaches all the time now it seems almost everyday. I feel so depressed and before I got on it I was happy go lucky and the peaceful one and now I am just on edge all the time and I hate it. I get nausea and for a moment i was thinking maybe I am pregnant but I am not and it is just frustrating and irritating. The best things about the ring is I don't really get cramps and no period pimples and no weight gain and no pill everyday. I never had there problems on the pill lo overall or on the patch. I must say though that it feels great to know I am not alone cause I was beginning to think it was just me and also i don't know if anyone has this but does your chest or heart feel tight at time like a palpitation? I am 24 and I never had this until now and I am so tired that all I want to do is sleep and I feel faint from time to time. I feel like i have all the bad symptoms except a few and no yeast. I honestly think this is my last month on this and thank you all so much it is such a relief to know I am not alone. Oh and I do get hot too and everything.

Hi
I first used the ring 3 years ago when i got married. ever since then, I've had extreme pain upon penetration. Basically, we haven't had intercourse for 3 years. My vagina burns like crazy, like sand paper every time my husband penetrates. I also haven't menstruated in 3 years. So far, doctors have not been able to treat the problem. I am going to an endocrinologist now who will prescribe hormones short term for my period. Has anyone had a similar experience? I would appreciate any feedback, advice, doctors, etc.

I have been on the Ring for 4 years. I have had minimal side effects compared to other birth control (BC). IT IS A HORMONE. The nausea, tiredness, weight gain, moodiness is because we are elevating the hormones in our bodies to make our bodies THINK its pregnant. All BC have these effects to some degree. If the Ring doesn't work, try a different kind of BC and then different levels of hormones, or types of hormones. You have to "shop around" to find the BC that gives you the least side effects for your body.

I have had weight gain and a reduced libido but that is nothing compared to the side effects I had with pills (crazy nuts, sore breasts, pain with sex, constant periods). And I am getting older (now 33) so I expect some of the changes are likely part of me aging and if not they do not out way how easy the Ring is to use and my assurance I am protected ea. month. I have been very happy with the Ring.

Now to my problem. My husband and I decided the possibility of blood clots (I am a smoker over 30) is not worth the risk to be on BC at all. So, after my last cycle I stopped the Ring after 4 good years.
I am soooo sore now. I feel like someone punched me in my ovaries and uterus. I hurt so much I can't hold in my stomach. Is this common when you stop BC or just the Ring?

Well I was on the Nuvaring for two and a half years. I was taking it purely for the birth control, my periods prior were fine. I had no side effects until about 2 years in. It was December of this year and I started pulling over on the side of the road with horrible panic attacks. I was scared to drive feeling like I was about to pass out. I started going to and acupuncturist in hopes of relieving my anxiety. Right away he said it was my hormones in the birth control, but I didn't want to believe him. About 3 months later I asked my Gyno and she swore that the hormones from the birth control would not cause anxiety. Well slowly it got worse. I was panicking on an airplane- which I had never done before. I had panic attacks in the middle of the day, when I saw the sun set; I was feeling claustrophobic in my own house. I was constantly nervous, and had lost my appetite. So I decided to take out the nuvaring. Within 4 hours I felt better. It has been amazing the change I have felt. I am not 100% feeling better, because I scared myself with bad thoughts while feeling nervous, but I am on my way back to my old self. I caution the use of the Nuvaring, only because it caused me to feel like I was going crazy, and it took years to see those side effects.

Well, I am so glad I found this website. I am 39 yrs old and my husband is fixed....so I have no reason or desire to take any form of hormonal birth control. I never liked the idea of inserting a ring or taking hormones after the many female issues I have endure. I only agreed to this because I have painful ovarian cysts chronically, at least 6/year and 3 or 4/year that take me into my OB/GYN for a scan. I have previously had a tubal pregnancy (tube was saved because my OB/GYNs also specialize in fertility) and have had endometriosis. I have had 3 laperoscopic surgeries and 3 miscarriages. First for the tubal, second for follow-up endometriosis and third to remove a GOLF ball sized ovarian cyst to prevent ovarian torsion. Finally, I agreed for the 4th time to take birth control (previous attempts were thwarted by side affect from oral products. I used the nuvaring for 3 weeks and removed it today. Five days into the use I started cramping and bleeding AGAIN (10th day of my cycle). I have been bleeding, heavily for 11 days now, suffered dizziness intermittantly, have had a headache for the last 6 days and been more anxious, moody and tearful. I removed the ring today! I see my gyno on Tuesday. My cycle was predictable before, albeit painful and with ovarian cyst. Just want to say to all who took the time to share. Now I know it isn't in my head.

Thanks ya'll,
~ Texas Pharmacist

i also have been having pains in my back, i just cant wait for the day to end, some days i feel like i worked out all day. The things that i used to i don't do anymore like dancing,exercising and being more energetic. I haven't had trouble with the sex drive actually i want sex more and i don't have drywall either. I really have a sexual drive the week i take out the ring. this past two months have been the worst the for me, i taking to my doctor soon but every time i tell my doctor and i get checked for the problem the results are always the same that nothing is wrong. so what can i do

Hi I'm 19 years old, I've been on the NuvaRing for about 4 months now and I'm taking it out this weekend to switch to the pill. I loved the convenience of it and not having to worry about taking a pill everyday and it was always comfortable. But I've noticed in the past 3 months or so that all I do is sleep! I've experienced the worst fatigue of my life and I've been really depressed for no reason and have no interest in doing anything which is not myself at all. I've had crazy mood swings where I'll be screaming or crying one second then laughing the next, absolutely no sex drive and always dry during sex, every little thing irritates me, i'm always hungry but have only gained about 5-10 lbs, I'm bloated, my skin is always itchy and extreme vaginal itching, I've had a yeast infection, a urinary tract infection and bacterial vaginosis all in one month of using NR, and I've noticed I've been stuttering here and there as well? I was always recommending the NR to my friends because of it's convenience but after reading this I realize that all of my symptoms are due to NR and I do not recommend this anymore!

I was on the pill for years and eventually decided to have a break from pumping hormones into my body... After about a year my boyfriend and I were getting sick of condoms so I decided to ask my gp about other possible options as i didn't want to go back on the pill due to the weight gain I had experienced previously. I started on Nuvaring about 6 months ago and originally loved it. No weight gain (except for my boobs which wasn't something i was going to complain about!) and no crazy mood swings etc. But about a month ago I realized that my sex drive was COMPLETELY GONE! I had always had a really high libido and was constantly pestering my man about how we needed to have more sex! Now I have no desire for sex whatsoever. I just cant be bothered at all. and when we do have sex im so dry, even when I feel turned on I have no lubrication down there at all. Also over the past 3 months i have developed really really dry itchy skin on my face that is only getting worse and nothing i do seems to help, so Im wondering if this could have something to do with the nuvaring...?
Im taking it out tonight because i cant stand my total lack of interest for sex and am also hoping it has been causing the problem with my skin... fingers crossed!

I am 40 yrs. old and have been on nuvaring for almost 3 years for treatment of PCOS & endrometriosis. Unfortunately, I had to go off the pill after experiencing a number of migraines w/an aura. The first year was great, no pills to remember, but then I started to have discharge and slight yeast infections on occasion. As we were experimenting with replacing the ring 2 months at a time to lessen the migraines, I thought it just may be my hormones adjusting. About 5 months ago, I was placed on Inderal LA to help with the migraines and started to notice hair loss. I instantly thought it was the Inderal and have been off it now for 6 weeks & still have hair falling out - more than before. I'm wondering if perhaps it could be the nuvaring, after reading all these entries. It will be interesting to see if it continues. I don't think that nuvaring has had any worse side effects then any other BC I've been on....it's just what your body can handle.

I am writing this because my girlfriend is currently in a rehab facility for Alcoholism and depression. Tonight we came to the realization that the severe depression, suicidal thoughts, and alcoholism all coincided with her starting the NR. She has suffered from depression in the past but since starting the NR it has become so severe that she had to be admitted to rehab facility. Reading this makes me realize that she is not the only one suffering from such adverse side effects. I believe that if anyone is suffering from depression or anxiety that it would probably be a good idea not to use a medication that messes with your hormones.

I have been on the NuvaRing for a year now and this was the first month I skipped by my own fault in forgetfulness. I went on the ring to regulate my hormones and thought it was useful to have a birth control method that overcame my pill-taking forgetfulness. It has worked really well not only in the hormonal department, but with period regulation and cramps. So many have had adverse reactions with their sex drive and emotions, but I was a lucky consumer. BUT THEN I forgot to insert the ring this past month; I was traveling and one day led to the next and you know how it goes. I brushed it off as a "medication free" month and proceeded with making my plans to move from the West Coast to the East Coast.

Last week was the week before my period and I began to experience HEAVY anxiety. Though I was happy and life was great (even with the large change in my life) my body was reacting in distress. At first I dismissed it as anxiety from moving, but then when I got my period it dawned on me. Usually I would experience heavy cramps before my period but the anxiety replaced it. I didn't even know my period was coming. My regular body clues were off base and this anxiety lead to a heavy chest feeling, short breaths, dizziness, headaches, breast soreness and general feelings of depression. As a woman I can be perfectly honest and say this is entirely hormonal because

Today I went online to research and was more than happy to see that I am not alone in the symptoms this birth control has caused me. Oh my goodness, I am almost excited to get back on it after my period to see if it dramatically changes on the flip side. I cannot continue feelings like this.

This is the biggest relief. I am sure you can all relate finding this website. I started using the nuvaring back in February and the side effects started soon after, I just haven't tied it to the birth control until now. The first month I started using it I was planning to move from my home in boise to Orlando Florida to live with my boyfriend.. which is very stressful so needless to say my high anxiety stress irritability and anger all seemed to be pointing to the stress of moving from my home although it is what i wanted it was still scary. I have been here in Florida for 3 months now and still experience the same things adding one to the mix as living with your boyfriend should spark an instant sex drive when you haven't been living in the same city for a year. NOPE no sex drive at all. Maybe once in a blue moon i get in the mood but i literally have to talk myself into it which is pathetic. There are times when i am laying next to him and i have to tell myself if he wants i should go along with it. but though of sex just drives me away. Also the depression is unbearable I am a very happy goofy person and it is a struggle to keep my temper in check or to try and work up motivation to leave bed. I am constantly tired and have no drive to accomplish anything anymore which is out of my character.
Headaches I have always had and migraines i have had before the nuvaring about once a week now i have migraines at least 3 times a week and a headache every day in between. My breasts have been extremely sore so much that i thought maybe i was pregnant in combination with my extreme mood swings. I have thick hair and i shed a lot never thought that it may be due to the birth control. I am getting somewhat angry that this is the way we all have to find out. It is frustrating to feel like a crazy person and wonder what happened to the person i use to be. I have not experience any weight gain fortunately, but since have no motivation i am not in the shape i once was because i have no desire to go to the gym.
The itching sensation i didn't realize as a symptom before reading others stories. Now it is so clear how aggravating. One month my cramps were so bad and a couple of months in a row i felt so nauseous that i would get sick. One time i was driving to a friends house when all of the sudden i knew i was going to be sick and ended up vomiting all over myself... so embarrassing and i couldn't figure out what happened. Tomorrow morning im calling my doctor to see what we can do. This is my last day with the Nuvaring Thank god for this site and thanks to you all sharing your stories it brought me peace of mind knowing ill be myself again soon.

I have been on the NuvaRing for my 3rd month now. I seriously just went into the bathroom and took it out! I have been having some intense anxiety, and I swear my hair has been thinning out, and feeling depressed. Not to mention I've been gaining weight!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I looked at the NuvaRing website and seriously I have experienced almost every single symptom. I have not felt like my normal happy go lucky self the past 3 months and was wondering if it was just me. Now I know it's just the nuvaring. I also experienced extreme extreme headaches. My head feels like it will explode, for hours on end. The only way to get rid of those headaches is to sleep. Also I have never been so chubby in my life, I've always had a nice stomach and now it's getting flabby.... like seriously.... this is not even worth it. I'm so glad that I read this website and that everyone is experiencing the same problems with this as I am. I think I'm going to just stick to condoms bcuz that's going to be so much healthier for me! Too bad if my hubby doesn't like it.... I just can't take all these crazy changes... or else I'm going to go crazy! I've also been kind of crazy like totally filled with anxiety or feelings or resentment. Sex kills with the nuvaring! It hurts so bad. I'm not sure why, but it burns like heck. I've also felt fluid retention, big time! And my legs are super achey. Does anyone else have achey legs? And oh my gosh, my boobs hurt so much from the hormones NR injects into me. I feel like their getting like too big. Also over the past three months I haven't had any appetite, which would make you think that you would loose weight... right? WRONG! I have actually been gaining weight! So dumb! Take my advice and don't go on the NuvaRing, it's a waste of your time... and your life. Your life will change when you go on it, and you won't recognize it at first... but believe me, it will. I've also experienced the brown discharge for the first month, and changes in my menstrual cycle. & on my honeymoon I got a yeast infection bcuz the NuvaRing!!!!!!!!! That was pretty much the worst!

I have been on the NuvaRing for over a year. I chose it because the medication I was taking for a neck problem was not safe for pregnancy, but I wanted to have the ability to get pregnant quickly once I was off the medication. I had no side effects or issues at all while using NuvaRing. Of course there was spotting and irregularity when I first went on it, but that is standard when there are hormone changes. Periods got lighter and shorter over time, and that is one of the stated side effects. My neck problem is resolved and now I am going off of that medication. So I did not re-insert a NuvaRing this month. Wow, what a change! I am having horrible hot flashes and night sweats. So two possibilities as I see it: 1) these perimenopause symptoms are with me for the next few years and the NuvaRing was holding them at bay, or 2) my body was expecting NR and its associated hormones but since it didn't get them, the resulting hormone changes are causing short-term hot flashes and night sweats. I sure hope it is the latter. But either way, I can't see where NR is at fault. I would recommend it.

I started the Nuvaring about 2 weeks ago, and I've been an emotional mess ever since. About 3 days after I put the ring in, my breasts started to grow and get ridiculously sore and I got unbelievably moody and sad, to the point of crying all the time- at work, with friends, everywhere. I've been getting severe nausea every day, and despite not eating a lot, I've gained 5 lbs. I can't BELIEVE how suddenly these symptoms came on and how incredibly emotional I am about it. Even though it's only been two weeks, it feels like FOREVER. Part of me wants to rip it out, chuck it in a blender and destroy it forever, but another part of me thinks I need to be reasonable and give my body time to adjust to the hormones. I really like the idea of the nuvaring for birth control because it's so easy, but the way I'm feeling right now is SO not worth it. I'm wondering if my symptoms will subside over time. Has anyone had that experience?

The nuvaRing is bad sooo bad. I'm always tired, achy body, my feet hurt to walk at times, my boobs look like they did when i was pregnant. And then I get migraines about 3 times a month instead of one. MY HAIR IS FALLING OUT!!! Blood test revealed all levels of hormones are fine. Stomach pains, bloating , Depressed, irritated and want answers.

I'm loving it.

After trying every HRT and pill under the sun for surgical menopause, and I'm in my 30's, I'm glad I've finally found something that makes me feel better.

Trust me here. Everyone is different and it may take you a thousand different medications until you find the right one, especially with hormones, but when you find the one that works for you life as you know it changes for the better.

Don't listen to that bollocks about HRT or the Pill causing you breast cancer and death... not having HRT or the pill etc can cause you just as many difficulties. Some of you may get osteopenia, vaginal atrophy, and other things that are very private. Let's face it, death can come after you even if you're not on hormones, just look at a children's hospital if you want proof.

I wish all of you suffering from hormonal conditions a healthy long happy life. I know the journey there is hard, but never give up. Just try something else. Even giving hormone therapy a break for a few months and then trying a different drug or approach such as a smaller dose.

Perhaps it's not even your hormones causing the problem, perhaps you should seek a specialist physician, immunologist, endocrinologist or just find another doctor that understands what they are doing and actually helps you.

All of the above saved my life. All of it. Together. It is a long hard road ladies but it's your life.

Blessings to you all.

wow! I have been on NuvaRing since it was introduced in 2001. Previous to that I had only taken the pill (Ortho Tri Cyclen). I have been continually on birth control since 1998 at the age of 14 for acne/cancer prevention and eventually birth control. Because of that I don't really know if I have any side effects like loss of libido or mood swings since it's been 12 years! I am totally disturbed by all that I have read here but I have to say that the Nuvaring has been a completely positive experience for me. It is expensive and getting worse but for my husband and I it is worth the peace of mind of not having to worry about remembering a pill. I also like that it is better for the environment than a pill since it's not introducing hormones into our water supplies!
I'm so sorry to hear of the horrible side effects but it does work for some, our bodies are all very different.

Hello... and I want to thank everyone for thier comments. I am 23 and have been on the nuvaring since my son was born two years ago. Since I have been on it I am tired, irritable, and had no sex drive. Every doctor I went to said that the s/s were from being a busy mom. Over time things have gotten worse I never think about sex EVER (my poor husband). I have been gaining weight in my stomach, butt, and thighs for no reason. For the past 2 months my vagina is completely dry and it was always the opposite. I barely have a period. I freak out on anyone for no given reason, even to hear someone speak. I sleep 24/7 and it is not enough. I am nauseated 24/7 to a point I feel like I am going to vomit. The only plus is I use to be a large A cup and in 2 months am a large C cup. And I am not pregnant.
Sooo...I asked my MD to check my hormones. To find out my Estrogen level is 40. With low estrogen this causes all of these s/s I have been having. Did the nuvaring cause this? Am I going to be able to have anymore children? I am taking this nuvaring out and I never want to see one again!

Now I am personally freaking out. I went to see my gyn this morning because I have had terrible anxiety and depression (I suffer from anxiety and depression anyway). I was hoping that it was due to a hormonal imbalance. Well..we didn't do any tests. She put me on the nuvaring to balance out any hormones...to give me a constant flow of hormones.
I am freaking out. I don't feel bad right now. I want this to help not hinder me.
Does anyone have anything good to say about it? I can't take any more anxiety or depression.

WOW!!! I am SO GLAD I stumbled across this site. I have been on the ring for about 4 1/2 months. The first few months were fine, but these past few months I have been experiencing the exact same side effects that everyone is describing in their posts. I have no sex drive whatsoever, have been extremely moody and depressed, constantly eating & wanting to eat. My cycle may be a little off, definitely lighter (which is a major plus), I don't really get cramps anymore, which is great. But now after reading all these posts from everyone, I am convinced the reason I have been so depressed with no sex drive is because of the ring. I am also constantly tired and fatigued ALL THE TIME. Wow, am I glad I came across this site. Thank you so much to everyone for your posts. I believe it is the end of the ring for me :) Does anyone have any suggestions as to another form of the pill that may not have these crazy side effects? Thanks so much!

Like many of you, I am relieved and thankful that I had the patience to click around a bit and find this website.

I have only had the ring in for five days and this afternoon I realized that my breasts were extremely tender and swollen. The more I thought about it, the more I also realized that my mood has been absolutely awful for these entire 5 days. I'm a pretty emotional girl as it is, but it's been ridiculous! Angry, impatient one minute, sad and pensive the next minute. Really not what I'm used to. Not only that, but I've had some spotting as well. What's worse I've already gained about 6 lbs and have been eating like a monster. At this rate, I definitely do not want to see what happens if I keep it in any longer.

I've been on birth control for once in my life prior to this, for about a month in high school, and that also messed with my body a bit. My mother raised me not to put any hormones in my body, and although I'm older now and it might be an added measure of protection, I know that I am not willing to allow my physical and mental well being to be this affected. My boyfriend and I always have protected sex, and although I can get a bit paranoid around that time of the month, I am going to make it a point not to since we use condoms properly and they have been around for such a long time for a reason.

I took out the NuvaRing at the end of May 2009 after three years of use. I am 34. I had been using NuvaRing for the past My decision to take it out was due to extreme breast tenderness. Since taking it out I have had vaginal bleeding or spotting for the past 15 days (after my period was finished). Is this normal due to my body adjusting itself now that I am not receiving hormones from the NuvaRing? Has anyone else experienced this? If so, did the spotting go away and how long did it take? Thank you to everyone who has posted on this site.

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

I only used the Nuvaring for one month because I could no longer handle the side-effects. Physically, it was great. I did not gain weight and my boobs became noticeable larger. However, the mood swings were unbearable. I cried all the time. I went on vacation and the entire time, I felt fat, ugly, and just DEPRESSED! I fought with my boyfriend non-stop, fortunately, he was very understanding and knew that these mood swings were not me, but my medication. I hated him seeing me become this monster that was completely hormonally induced and not at all a reflection of who I am. All I wanted to do was drive in my car, listen to sad music, and cry. I have one of the most fun jobs in the world and I LOVE it, but I suddenly hated going to work. I grew increasingly resentful and then depressed by my own behavior.

I kept the NuvaRing in for the full three weeks, then took it out. When I awoke the next morning, it was as if a haze had been cleared away. The sun was shining and I felt a thousand pounds lighter. The familiar feeling of MYSELF had returned.

My doctor really wanted me to stay on Nuvaring for another two months, but I refused. I've had problems with low-dose hormones in the past, so I switched back to a high-dose hormone and have not had problems since. I'm back to loving my job and no longer cry because the wind changes direction.

I just started the NuvaRing, and Everything seems to be going okay with an exception for the extreme breast tenderness. I put it in the day I started my period and, like clockwork, my period was gone, but still with some of the period pain such as ovary pain and breast swelling. I asked to be put on the ring because of my extremely painful periods and cramping and plus obviously I don't want to get pregnant. After being on it for something like..a week and a half, I've only noticed mood swings once, and that was last week during what should have been my period, and I think it's because my body is still working out the period symptoms that I should have been experiencing. I'm really worried about weight gain though. I'm not really that hungry unusually or anything.. just kind of normal but I've only been on this for a short time so I am fearful of increase in appetite and weight gain in the near future.. Has anyone had weight gain issues??

I am 30 years old and have been on the NuvaRing for about 9 months. I have been on approximately 13 different birth control pills since college. Started off with the mini-pills until I bled through and basically went through every single pill on the market that was "low dose". My doctor convinced me to try the nuvaring since it administers an even level of hormones in your body for three weeks and then take it out for the fourth week. Overall, it has been great but slowly but surely I have definitely gained weight. I have lost my sex drive, feel very emotional all of the time and feel like I am picking fights with my boyfriend ALL the time. I have gained weight around my hips and stomach - ALL MY PANTS ARE SO TIGHT. I feel very lethargic, it's summer and I feel like I could stay in bed all the time. I am going off the ring and will miss having a 2-3 day period but I don't want to feel like this anymore; fat, depressed, tired and out of it.

I took the Nuvaring for 3 years. I switched to it from the pill because of the side effects I was having from that, and the nuvaring supposedly has a lower dose of hormones (plus I thought it would be nice to not have to remember to take it). On the pill I was an emotional wreck (I'm normally a very easy-going/happy person), which did get a little better on the ring. When I went on the ring, my libido completely disappeared, and every time my husband and I had sex, it was extremely dry and painful for me. I got frequent splitting headaches, and had several stomach problems (constant cramping and bloating). I still had some small bouts of depression and frequent mood swings. I went off the NuvaRing in Nov. '08. My last period lasted 2 weeks, and was very heavy and painful. I am very happy to not be on the ring any more, and all of the symptoms I have listed here have gone away since I took my last ring out.

I started the ring and about a week later got intense itchiness and break through bleeding. It was supposed to be time for my period, and I thought since I timed it wrong possibly I was going to have it anyways. So I took the ring out. The itchiness went away immediately. Also, I could NEVER get the ring all the way in. It dropped down considerably, and I made many attempts to move it. Two days after I took the ring out I had HORRIBLE depression, thoughts of suicide and self harm. Also I was exhausted but unable to sleep. I feel a bit better, and I have no idea what it's half life is and if it will wear off, or if a new medication is needed to rebalanced the hormones. I hope not, as I had a bad experience with hormone balancing medications in the past.

I believe that my friable cervix is from the hormones so close to my cervix that are constantly being released from my NuvaRing. All tests for STDs and abnormalities came back clear. Other than that, I do not have any noticeable side effects.

I've been on NuvaRing since April 1 after having my IUD-Mirena removed. I have been bleeding since, and it has been dark thick blood not like my period. My doctor was surprised to hear that I was bleeding at all since the IUD came out and NR went right in, the hormones never stopped. I have been so moody, irritable,and lost my sex drive, too. I had a bad painful break out (chest, neck, face, back) in the 1st month, it has since calmed down but left some scars. I also had terrible leg cramps in the 1st month, they did a scan and found no sign of clots in my leg. Just last week I had a terrible sharp pain in my chest which was tender to the touch and remained for a few days but eased away... now wondering if that was related? I thought I would give it time to straighten out (I am 29 yrs old and have yet to find BC that doesn't screw me up) and see if I can live with it. I may try 1 more month but I don't think its the BC for me, either. Thanks for all the info!

Holy Moly...Basically I think all birth control methods suck, especially hormone based ones. Women always bear the brunt of the hideous side effects.
Used rhythm method for years, no problem. Conceived 2 kids when I wanted to. Afterwards, I thought Mirena would be good idea. AWFUL! Stupid thing poked him and me. OUT! Started Nuvaring 2.5 months ago. Sound familiar: Great for first month...I thought. Didn't fall out which was the big thing I had heard about. Now, noticing 1) weight gain despite running, tennis, etc. and following weight watchers. 2) Thin, brittle hair. 3) knee and joint pain which makes exercise hard (thought it was my sneakers) in addition to upper-thigh soreness. 4) IBS symptoms for first time in 38 years! Bloating, diarrhea, gas, etc. 5) trouble staying asleep despite fatigue 6) new level of fatigue 7) vaginal dryness which never had EVER before hormones! 8) increasing disinterest in sex.
So, yup, took it out yesterday after finding this site. NO more hormones for me! Abstinence or condoms, I guess. Geesh.

I have been on the NuvaRing just over a year and didn't realize it was causing a lot of problems for me. I just went to see an new GYN after watching a Doctor Phil episode on hormones, and he's going to test me for imbalances. However, he did tell me that the NuvaRing is an estrogen based birth control, so for many women, it's too much estrogen. He said NuvaRing is a good birth control and that he likes it, but some woman's bodies just don't deal well with the extra estrogen. I had made my appointment with him because after watching the episode where Robin talks about hormones, I thought I might have an estrogen imbalance. After he told me NuvaRing was estrogen based, I thought about the timing of my problems, and they all fit perfectly around the start of NuvaRing. I started on it last March, and by July I was on Lexapro for depression. I've been gaining weight, getting headaches (which I never ever got before), been incredibly moody and forgetful, and had no sex drive. If you research estrogen dominance, you'll find those exact symptoms. So for those of you who haven't tried it, it's not that it is a horrible medication. It's just that some women may already have a little higher level of estrogen to begin with, and using the NuvaRing tips the scales too much and causes these problems.

I have been looking into the side effects (mainly safety concerns) of NuvaRing when I stumbled on this site. From all the info I've read, it's a pretty high dose of hormones. I have actually had the best luck from NR and have been on it since it came out in 2001. (I will be 29 this year) Also, I only have my period 4 times per year. (Love it!) I understand that this drug causes many problems for women but I have had a long history of hormonal imbalances, yeast infections, UTI's (caused by yeast infections, seriously) and this is the only drug that has helped me long term. It has vastly improved my mood, I have had significantly fewer yeast infections and am very happy about having my period less often. I am pretty active and eat a healthy vegetarian diet, but I feel much better when on NR. Perhaps it is better for women like me who have pre-existing hormonal problems. ?? Also, for what it's worth - Organon (the maker of NR) made the birth control pill that I responded best to before NR. If you have problems with NR, you may want to take a look at the type of hormone used and stay away from it as some other BC pills & patches do use the same hormone as NR. Best of Luck!

Hi everyone. I am a medical professional and former user of the nuvaring. It is true, birth control as well as most medicines does affect everyone differently. However, I was an absolute emotional disaster (frequently contemplating self-harm) while I was on this medication. I initially attributed the mood swings to my then current stressful situation. When I finally graduated from NP school and my stressors were alleviated, my depression persisted. Within a week of stopping the NuvaRing, I was back to my old self and have not had any of those symptoms since. It is a rather large dose of hormones so if you're feeling these symptoms as well, perhaps you should contact your provider about a more appropriate method of bc.

If somebody's just getting the info online about the nuvaring thinking about switching to it, I would not recommend to do so!
I started using the nuvaring 1 1/2 month ago after 2,5 years of being BC free thinking it has less hormones; and I'm totally disappointed in the nuvaring and the health care provider who recommended it to me. Well the first month of use I experienced the worst yeast infection ever with burning and itching and abundant discharge.
It seemed to go away by the next cycle, but my sex drive was almost completely gone (which is not like me at all) accompanied with the dryness and dull pain after intercourse, i gained weight and started feeling like blah. I wear contacts and i started experiencing dryness and blurred vision prob. I still decided to leave it till the next period cycle. But then my husband and I came across a different problem, this time with him. He got a cluster of achy pimples at the base of his penis- that made the decision clear for us. I took it out the same day and tried to find out what exactly was wrong with him, my result for yeast inf. was negative and we are 100%negative for other STI's.
My health care provider could not help me at all, just suggested switching to a pill. BTW i couldn't find any info on side effects in men, but did come across some other comments on other sites left by men with the same prob.
I'm only 25, in a good shape (or at least was before the gain and stopping going to the gym, coz it didn't feel like that any more) and without bad habits, no allergies either; so the side effects have nothing to do with the age, your health condition or the lifestyle.
Well, now I don't see why even try the nuvaring? I see it as a costly damage of your body and letting you man suffer with you.
We usually slip the side effect part thinking it's not gonna happen to us, but i learned my lesson and I really don't know what else to try now.

I have been on the nuvaring for almost 3 years.
The first year was great! I hated taking a pill everyday, so at first i opted for the Depo, which was great for a year, but i really didn't trust it and not having periods made me uneasy.

The nuvaring seemed like a blessing! I had no trouble for the first year and a half. I recommended it to all my friends. I didn't have any side effects, and I loved the convenience!

However, now i am experiencing some serious side effects, and thanks to this website I realize I am not the only one. I have two concerns that i link to the BC: depression and no sex drive. Some days I just want to lay in bed, and sleep. I do not want to leave the house, or see anyone. I have told my BF (of 3 years) that i just need some "me time". I am fatigued and show many symptoms of depression.
I am only 24 years old, and i have NO sex drive. It has taken a tole on the relationship with my boyfriend. Many nights i try to get in bed before him, so i can appear asleep. There have been so many nights where i would tell him "i'm sick", "i have cramps"... sooo many excuses. When we do have sex it is usually forced, and i do it because i haven't in a week!

This past year I have also had digestive problems, which seemed to have appeared out of no where. Im not sure if I blame them on the nuvaring, but I've noticed a few other people have mentioned it as well.

im not alone. i have been so concerned about low sex drive. I have also had increased digestive problems and received every test possible to only be told Im ok. Well, I don't feel ok. It has been 1 month. I am now experiencing light headiness and nausea. Maybe my body is getting used to not having the hormones. I wish I would have looked up this earlier to know I wasn't going crazy.

I was on nuvaring for about 1.5 years until I quit late summer/early fall of 2008. I'm 25 and I quit because I always felt "dry" and had no sex drive. I felt like I was just pumped full of hormones and wanted to give my body a break and quit all birth control for a while. Around the time I quit, I began to bleed during sex. Not every time, just "hit and miss", not very much, but one time there was quite a bit. I ignored this for a while and then started looking things up on the net which lead me to freak and think I had cervical cancer. I rushed in for a pap test and even during the exam, I bled (pretty badly) this made my results inconclusive and I have to go back in 3 months after the cells on my cervix have re-grown and they can get a proper sample. I'm less worried after finding this forum, but wondering how many others out there have suffered from the mysterious bleeding during sex? Is anyone still suffering from this after discontinuing use?

Other side affects were weight gain, panic attacks, and major hair loss.

i love the internet. you can find so much on nuvaring effects it calms me down a bit.

im 21

so i started nuvaring on March 1st. sex a week later, and then the second week i started getting very sick, terrible nerves and stomach aches. i cried all the time so much that i was sent home from work almost everyday for 2 weeks. surprised i wasn't fired... goodness. i took the ring out the middle of the 3rd week it was in and debated using it again. i decided i would after reading all the other comments and reviews. i put the ring back in and all ive been experiencing this month are slight headaches and the brown discharge. the discharge freaked me out a little at first, but ive read that its normal and just your vagina cleansing due to the hormones? anyways. okay i haven't gotten my period yet and i took the ring out a few days ago. im a little worried, but i haven't shown any symptoms of pregnancy so i guess im okay. ive read it is also normal to be late or miss it while on it. i really like the nuvaring, but if it doesn't work out ill go on the pill. my love doesn't feel it during sex either. but he likes to play a little sometimes when he's fingering me.... silly boy. im also losing weight. ive lost 4 lbs since being on it. well i guess since i started having sex. haha. we don't use condoms during sex, just vaginal film sometimes. things have been great the past 3 weeks. im hoping this continues and no pregnancy occurs! hope this was helpful to others.

i recommend this to people under 180 lbs (due to it is more effective if under that weight) and as long as you can bear the terrible sickness for the first month you should be fine. take Vitamin B-complex, it helps to balance out the depression and stress. its like a natural anti-depressant. if you freak out a lot then use a second method when you are on it.

I Just started NR a week ago on the 1st day of my period, I have already gained 5lbs, have constant cramping (not severe but noticeable) my boobs hurt, and I have constant lethargy. Went for a walk today with my BF and could hardly stand it. Just wanted to lie down...

We then got in a huge fight because I was freaking out about every little thing. I was crying and screaming at him, and we almost broke up. I am normally not like this. So I just took it out. Im sure my OBGYN would say to give my body a chance to adjust but I can't take another day! So Im probably messing up my Menstrual cycle but I'll take that chance especially after reading all the experiences of you other poor ladies.

I had tried to get an IUD after many of my friends recommended it. I chose Mirena although I am usually anti hormone, but my doctor says that the hormones in Mirena do not go into your blood stream but stay locally in your uterus. My friends who have Mirena love it, less periods, no cramping, no side effects. My one friend who had the non hormone one had terrible heavy bleeding, severe cramps etc. So after TWO TERRIBLY painful attempts at inserting the Mirena, ( I had to come back a second time on Valium, Vicodin, and a pill to dilate my cervix) I was told I am not a candidate because my uterus is TOO SMALL! The U.S only has two IUD's. Europe, Canada, even Mexico has smaller sizes available.

Sooooooo, long story short, I either have to fly to one of these countries, (England is farthest but will do it for free) or find another option. My friend just told me about a promising sounding option called Lea's shield- ****** which is like an updated, easy to use, strangely shaped diaphragm. Its available from Planned Parenthood, and due to its unique design is one size fits all so you don't have to get it fitted and can order it online. Hope this helps. Thanks everyone for your frank sharing, hope I have helped someone too!

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

This site and you ladies saved me!!!!!! I thought I was going crazy! I am having so many side effects mentioned. I started the ring because I was on depo and was tired of gaining weight and breaking out, etc. In my earlier BC years I maintained 125lbs now thanks to depo and the ring I am 150lbs and it won't go away, even while exercising 4 days per week. Anyways, I also had a sinus infection that I was treated for 2x's during my ring bout. While this was going on I started having panic attacks, then I had a couple bacteria infections(BV) followed by YI's which of the 5-6 diflucans I took none worked. I have been on the ring for 5 months and last week I started my sixth ring. Over the last month I have experienced intense burning, irritation, raw feeling, NO SEX DRIVE, (It hurts too bad) it had been going on for some time but this month had been the worst. I went to DR. and they diagnosed me with cervicitis. WTF??? I had no idea what it was! I had never heard of it.. I assume after researching the causes of cervicitis that the Nuvaring put pressure on my cervex and caused the inflammation b/c I do not have STD"s. My boyfriend had to also be treated along with me by antibiotics b/c its considered an STI.Last night I threw the ring I had in away after reading the postings of this site and I"M DONE with this torture device... I know that had I not got rid of it I would keep feeling all the wonderful symptoms i had been rewarded with! Now I am looking forward to a long nasty painful heavy period after being on BC for 10+yrs.. I am done with all BC!!!! TOO MANY side effects, and I am ready to let my hormones return to normal. Guess its back to condoms and puling out in the hopes they work.. Could anyone tell me how long until this burning and irritation goes away that has discontinued use of the ring??? I would greatly appreciate any comments or answers.

Had anyone ever experienced breakouts? I have been on it for less than two months and my face is outta control with pimples. I just took it out a week in a half earlier then I was suppose too. I am done with it.

I got on Nuvaring back in Nov., because I was getting married (I had not had sex prior to this). I liked the convenience of not having to take a pill daily (I'm very bad about remembering to take pills), and that it was a lower dose of hormones than pills, which to me made it seem safer.
Unfortunately, once I got married, I noticed I have no interest in sex w/ my husband, which stinks because I was really looking forward to it before. I thought something was wrong w/ me, because we've been married 3 weeks tomorrow & probably have had sex 10 times or less, which I discovered REALLY bothers my husband, but I hadn't given it much thought. The sex is ok (as far as I can tell) when we DO have it, although I do notice I'm drier "down there" than before, but I'm just not interested in it.
Other than that I've had no problems w/ Nuvaring. If they could work this one issue out I'd be sold on it!