NuvaRing and iud

I am 41 year old medical professional. I have been using NuvaRing for 3 years, since my youngest son was born. I have recently developed severe heart palpitations and bigeminy (an irregular heart rhythm which occurs 20 or more times a day). My heart tests are normal. I stopped all allergy and other meds except NR when my heart problems started. I also have constant anxiety and feeling down, moodiness, insomnia with frequent waking during the night, fatigue and constant feeling sleepy, very low libido and vaginal dryness, frequent yeast infections, and skin itching and rash. I am trying to get an IUD but my GYN can't get a good pap smear because my cervix is so friable (bleeds easily) and the blood obscures the cervical cells. I took my ring out today because my friend saw an ad from a lawyer talking about the side effects of Nuvaring and thinks my heart problems are from the ring. I am done. Either my husband can get a vasectomy or it is back to condoms! It's not worth it! Good luck to all of you.

I started the nuvaring back in Nov 2005, Dec 2005 I found out i was pregnant. Since then I delivered that baby in aug '06, tried to get pregnant again but it took 6mo of trying but finally worked, delivered baby number 2 in jan of '08, and then had an IUD inserted but within 5mo of that was pregnant again!! I delivered my 3rd daughter just 2mo ago on June 6th '09 Now I have 3 babies under 3 and my doctor is completely at a loss for what might work for me. So we decided that I would go back on the IUD and also use the NUVARING as a backup since the IUD was non hormonal. I started the NuvaRing and I am due to get my IUD inserted this fri, but tonight i finally said enough is enough and took out the NuvaRing. I put it in on the 22nd of July but will not be going back for month number 2. I am so short tempered with my 2 older daughters all of the sudden, I was steadily losing weight and now im at a standstill, my husband and i were having sex once a day and now i barely want it once a week, and i was having severe pain in my right calf, and headaches that were unbearable, and most importantly and most obvious is severe severe depression. I am constantly questioning my self worth and whether or not my husband loves me and if im a bad mom and so on and so on... Im really scared now because i am so afraid the IUD wont work again and I honestly don't think i could handle yet another pregnancy. Being pregnant every other 9mo for 3 yrs has taken a major toll on my body and emotional level alone, i don't need my birth control to do it too... So i guess my question is, are there any other forms of BC like The IUD that are non hormonal and could possibly be taken along with the IUD? I just don't trust only one since 2 of my pregnancies were conceived while on bc... any advice would be greatly appreciated!!

I have been on the ring only 2 months but have decided to take it out and be done with this medication FOREVER! First of all-I have lost my sex drive completely. Also, it came out during intercourse (gross) and my breasts have grown and are very sore. The main reason though is my intense anxiety-I have been snapping at my husband and others around me...becoming VERY angry quickly-and have been extremely paranoid. I took the ring out yesterday and I am hoping for the symptoms to subside any day now. I got on this BC b/c I thought that it was easy and no fuss-what a JOKE!

I was on NuvaRing for 3 months, in that 3 months I got married and separated. I was so severely depressed my Dr. was asking me if I was going to hurt my self. He really thought I wanted to kill myself- I am a mother of 3 and was happily engaged when I started on NR after having an IUD (another devil bc) for 2 1/2 yrs. Within those 3 months of being on NR my life fell apart due to depression, manic mood swings, lack of sex drive, crazy irritability, no energy, 3-4 day migraines, weight gain oh my god it was horrible. My husband kept trying to suggest that it could be the new bc but I wouldn't listen (I should have listened). I have been off NR for 5 months and I have ME back and my Husband!!! We couldn't be happier, I wish I would have found this website 6 months ago!!!

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!

I am twenty one years old and I started Nuvaring when I was nineteen and at first experience only one side effect, nausea. In the past two years, I have gained about 15 pounds, despite the t fact that I've been eating less and working out more than I ever have. But perhaps the worst side effect for me is migraines. I have had migraines since I was a kid but I would get maybe 4 a year. Since I have been on NR I get about two a week and the longer I've been on it, the more often I get them. I've had a migraine for the past four days. My main concern is that I love having my period regulated. Before I was on BC I worried constantly about when I would start my period. I never wanted to wear white or a bathing suit in case I would start my period randomly, which happened often. Now I am at a loss of what to do. I have to stop the NR because the migraines are making it impossible for me to function at school or work, but what about the periods?
In response to people's questions about IUDS, I have never used one but I do know people who have. At first it can be nerve racking because it has been known to fall out, but if you are using NR, you know it too can fall out. I'm going to try an IUD and look for a more natural way to regulate my periods. I encourage women to stay away from BC that is hormone based. It's very bad for your body, causing not only these side effects, but blood clots, tumors and cysts. There are other ways and I think we all need to look into them.

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

I 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!

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'm so glad I found this website! I am 28 years old, and have only been on NR for about 2 months.....everything was fine the first month or so. Really didn't notice any changes. The past two weeks have been awful. I was really surprised to read about some people having nasal problems....I live in Arkansas and it's spring, so I just thought I'm finally developing allergies, but it makes more sense to me that it's NR, since I've never had drainage and sneezing like this. And I don't think it's allergies because my eyes aren't itchy or watering like they do when I'm around cats (which I'm definitely allergic to).
The other main side effect, like most people was weight gain. I've always had a fast metabolism and I can pretty much eat what I want. My weight stays around 125, and I'm a size 6. If I gain a pound, usually I just eat really healthy, drink lots of water, and maybe exercise, and I'm back down. But the past two weeks, I'm up to 130 and the scale WILL NOT BUDGE!!! No matter what I do!! I am drinking so much water, thinking it is water weight, but that didn't matter. I tried working out EVERYDAY, which I never do, and that didn't help. Cut out all sweets for a day and that usually makes a huge difference. Nothing.
One other think I noticed is that my skin is drier. I have dry skin anyway, but my skin looked awesome when two months ago. My dermatologist had prescribed a skin regimine that worked great, but now it doesn't seem to be as effective.

So tonight I took NR out. I'm SOOOOOOO glad I've figured out what the cause is before I gained any more weight. I expect to be my good old self in about a week.

I've only taken two birth control methods (the other was the pill), which completely killed my sex drive. So hormones are not good for me. Has anyone tried Para-Gard? It's an IUD with no hormones that is good for 10 years. My husband wants me to try it.

I have been on Nuvaring for almost two months. At first I liked it and now I have noticed I am depressed and cry all the time and I am never depressed! I have read other posts that sex is painful with NuvaRing. I am getting married May 30th and have never had sex so I am worried NuvaRing might make it painful. Any suggestions should I switch birth controls before the wedding? I already tried the pill and it made me sick and I couldn't remember to take it.

Glad I found this site...I have been on the NR for 1 1/2 months, this is my second attempt. First time I had it in after attempting an IUD (Murina), which gave me intense cramping (I have a tilted uterus) and bled for 7 weeks. I thought that the cramping from the NR was due to my body healing from the IUD, so I left it in for a month until I couldn't stand it anymore and took it out.

Now my second attempt at the NR, I have cramping on a daily basis, spotting to the point where I will be walking along and splat in my underwear major discharge (yuck!), heartburn, diarrhea (IBS), headache, unexplainable crying, little weight gain, I go to the gym 3 times a week and do yoga and pilates at home, my body responds really well to workouts and the scale has not budged to any weight loss.

My body is very sensitive to BC and was told by my gyno that NR has a low dosage and will not affect me like YAZ (made me a crazy person), Ortho Tri-Cyclene, Ortho-LO, which gave me migraines for 9 days out of the month.

Thanks to all the women out there (YOU ROCK!) who are posting their experiences, as of today this ring is out of my body!

I was sexually active for two years using nothing but condoms about half the time, and the other half cycle planning and withdrawal, and never had so much as a scare. However, upon going to college I started Ortho Tri-Cyclen. I had lost about 15 lbs the summer prior and was down to 150, and in my first year of school I gained about 20... leaving me at 170, heavier than I had ever been. I know the 'freshman 15' is a real phenomenon, but my residence hall had really healthy food and I went to a school where we walked/rode bikes everywhere so the weight gain was really random. I also started experiencing intense mood swings, and a lot of lethargy... just a general unwillingness to get out of bed/off the couch and do things... for no real reason. About this time I noticed a drop in my sex drive. I switched to Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo with no improvement, then I switched to the Depo Provera shot. On that I skyrocketed to 195 lbs, and my sex drive pretty much ceased to exist. Wanting to avoid hormones altogether I asked for an IUD, explaining my dislike of hormonal side-effects to my doctor. I got one, faced the frightening $1000 medical bill and luckily insurance covered all but like $30... but then I went home and looked up the name of what I had received... Mirena... only to find out that I was STILL getting hormones through this thing. I was really angry that my doctor heard IUD and instantly thought 'mirena' instead of actually listening to my explanation that I desired something without hormones. After three months of not taking off any weight despite lots of exercising (I have always been one to respond well to exercise) and not gaining any libido back whatsoever I removed the Mirena myself. I was just kind of feeling the strings and it tugged kind of a little loose... and that made me paranoid it wasn't in right so I just took it out entirely. I went for three months without any hormonal birth control and when my libido started to return and when I had taken off about 5 lbs my doc recommended nuvaring. I got a sample and tried it, but my weight loss plateaued and my desire for sex waned again, and my lethargy returned.... so I finally said that's it, took it out and swore off hormones once and for all, it sucks but I have a partner willing to use condoms so we just have to resign ourselves to that until we have kids and I get my tubes tied. Or he gets a vasectomy.. either one.

Also, last year I had some SERIOUS heartburn. I thought I was having a heart attack the first time because I have never had heartburn in my life. After taking Zantac150 (or whatever the max strength is) for a couple weeks and facing the fact that I may never be able to drink coffee again, it subsided and has not returned since. I can drink as much coffee as I want :) I only just now realized that happened the same month I had the Nuvaring in.... wow.

A year later I am back down to 173 lbs and the weight is coming off easily with running 2 miles once a week, that's about it. My libido is back 100% and as long as I eat healthy (fresh food) I have tons of energy. I don't restrict my food intake, I just try to switch out 'healthy' for 'unhealthy'. I've seen several friends gain 50lbs or more on Depo-Provera, and I had a friend almost attempt suicide on Yaz. I can't believe hormonal birth control is being touted as so normal. I have another friend, upon declining birth control, whose MD told her to get on prenatal vitamins! It is very possible to not get pregnant using just condoms, cycle planning and withdrawal... you just need willpower... and maybe lube.

I am 29 years old and have SUPER heavy periods so my OBGYN prescribed me the NuvaRing. I have had trouble with pills and the patch making me feel crazy, she said this one would distribute the hormones much more evenly. HA HA HA, well I obviously don't need any more hormones than I already have. I put the ring in about 2 weeks ago and for the last 4 days I have been a raging lunatic. I am the most bubbly girl in the world, except when I'm PMS-ing. But this ring makes me feel like I'm PMS-ing 24/7. I feel irritable, sad, don't wanna get out of bed, i have hot flashes, headaches, wake up dripping from sweat, and now that I think about my sex drive has depleted. I just start crying for no reason, over-analyzing everything my sweet loving boyfriend says to me. Thought I was a freak because all BC i have tried does this to me. It makes me feel better to know I'm not alone, and I'm not crazy. I recommend talking with your Dr. before removing the ring. I'm calling tomorrow!!

I started using Nuvaring 4 months ago. Im 26 years old. Nausea started like 2 weeks after I started using the ring, but I never related it to the ring since my GYN didn't tell me about possible side effects. The first 2 weeks the ring slipped out until it became really uncomfortable to the point that I thought it would come out when I sat on the toilet. So, I developed my anti-slip technique after reading the leaflet (that says it doesn't matter the shape inside), to fold it in two rings like an eight, so when it gets in, it would be open like butterfly and it wouldn't slip out. It worked out great and didn't slip out. I wasn't aware of the ring at all, not even when I had sex. It didn't bother my husband or me. However, the nausea got worse and worse with the time. There is nothing in the world that I hate the
most than to vomit and I try very hard to avoid it.

Also, I start getting really nervous for everything, first I thought it was because of the nausea, but then I started getting paranoid about vomiting in front of everyone or on the street. Then it started developing more and more to the point where I was so nauseous I couldn't be 15 feet away from a bathroom. The nausea was permanent, so I couldn't ride the subway. I also got subway-phobic, more like a claustrophobia mixed with nerves, and I felt I was about to lose my mind. I couldn't be around masses of people or the subway and that is kind of impossible in New York City. I has horrible panic attacks, e.g, fast heart beat, crazy sweating, nausea, dizziness and shortness of breath. I feel every time I was riding or underground with a bunch of people that I was running out of air. I cried all the time because of my subway phobia and felt it was nonsense, since I have been living in New York for a while and using the subway all the time. I barely went out of my apartment for almost three months and at some point I was really afraid of going outside just to my doctor appointments.

The paranoia, anxiety and nervousness was out of control. So anxious that I complained to myself about how slow I walked, even though I was almost running to get to places. I wanted everything to be fast with no reason. Not to mention that in addition I had some capillaries or broken little blood vessels in my legs they were blue and purple. I was previously been using Ortho Evra, which I stopped taking because I felt lots of pressure in my legs and when I was lying down or sleeping I felt like pins or needles in different parts of my legs. And I also broken capillaries. I was really concerned with my use of Ortho Evra.

The worst part of my situation was the severe depression I experienced with Nuvaring. I am a very positive woman. I love nature and being outdoors. I have always considered myself strong and I rarely if ever cry. Well these three nightmare months were all about crying. Once I was in a ballgame with my husband, we both love baseball. I start feeling so nauseous and bad that I start crying but trying hard to contain myself of expressing because i didn't want to make my husband upset. Thank god my husband is a understanding and patient person.

I spend almost all day at home waking up really late or sleeping all day, feeling nauseous but, don't get me wrong, I was really hungry. As soon as I ate I got nauseous. I felt in the top of my stomach really nauseous and in the bottom of my stomach really hungry. I became totally intolerant of wine or coffee, and eventually even water. I lost all interest in the gym, or making new friends or meeting my old friends, just crying and crying for no reason. I lost interest of everything, when I thought of something to do, 5 seconds later I was thinking of how negative that activity was even if my first thought was...this could be interesting. I lost interest in life, even though I love my life and love myself. I'm a newly wed, I didn't have problems of any kind. I'm a happy and positive person. My husband was looking at me weird at some point. When people were speaking to me I was like on Mars looking at the infinite. That is scary! I have never had mental problems or anything like that.

My husband told me I was completely another person and that he felt I wasn't the person he married. I consulted our family doctor who referred a gastro for my uncontrollable nausea. I was loosing weight really fast - 14 pounds in total - and I am very thin and that was concerning. The gastro prescribed some antibiotics, thinking was some kind of infection and
prescribed medicine for the acid, both of which made the situation even worse. I never talk to him about the depression because I couldn't identify my negativity and depressed feelings with my stomach. I got really constipated and even more depressed. Also I got night sweats that would wake me up. I didn't see anyway this would end.

The gastro told me that he couldn't figure it out and my lab test came out with good results. So his next step would be a endoscopy to see what was going on. Every day I was trying to return to normal activities like riding the subway, going shopping, walk some, etc. I went to a store one day. Like 10 minutes later, I felt really dizzy, couldn't see very well, sweating, nauseous and about to faint. I left the store really fast throught the elevator
(the fastest way to leave, so my problem wasn't quite claustrophobia) And I went home thinking of how miserable I have been these days and how much I hate it of course crying like a baby. I had to cancel at the last minute a wedding in the Caribbean of a friend that I really wanted to go. And the fact of missing the wedding was so sad that I started thinking of all the medications I was taking.

Of course the ring was not taken by mouth and I wasnt aware of it, just when it was time to change it. I start reading all the leaflets that comes with the medicines and voila the ring side effects are bloating, nauseas, vomit, depression, weight loose or weight gain, among other serious side
effects.

I took out the ring two Sundays ago, Oct 19, and the nausea considerably lowered down after a few hours after I took it out. It has been lowering down gradually since I took it out. The nausea comes like a wave, but is not constant as it had been, and is coming less often. I haven't feel depression since Wednesday, Oct 29. And I am getting better
every day. I don't know when all these symptoms will disappear, but I hope really soon. I just know that this hit me really strong and I don't wish this to anybody. Stay away from ,Nuvaring!! I know not all the bodies are the same or have the same reaction, but, If you have to choose, don't use hormonal contraceptives. Please look reviews before you try a medicine, so you are aware of the side effects. Make your family aware so that if you have strange behavior they could let you know. The doctor told me that it will take two weeks or more to get rid of the hormones in my body.

Looking for an alternative I found a natural way called cycle beads that I will try, and there is also the rhythm method. The only good thing about the ring it is that keeps you from getting pregnant and you just think of it once a month when you're taking it out. That's it! I felt I have wasted 3 months of my life, but I am willing to recover and enjoy my precious health these future months.

I have been on NuvaRing for about 10 months. And I’m happy with it. However, these past couple of months, I have been acting crazy. And it makes me so happy to see that it’s not me. I am constantly paranoid about everything, especially my boyfriend. Before I got on the ring I was always happy and never let anything bother me, but now I am moody, irritable, stressed, depressed, anxious, and unsocial. And I’ll start crying about anything, It has definitely caused unnecessary fights and distance between me and my boyfriend. I am feeling clingier than I ever have before and I don’t feel like me. However, these are the only symptoms I have encountered. I never had any irritation or burning, my period has been the same if not better, my sex drive is the same, and cramps are definitely not as painful as they used to be. Honestly though, its not just the NuvaRing that has side effects, birth control in general is unnatural and life threatening.

Wow. This news gives me so much hope. I've been on the Nuvaring since it was still in the post-trial stages and nobody had even heard of it. My doctor recommended it because it was supposed to help with acne and weight gain, and I'd been having no luck with Yaz or Ortho Tricyclene. I've always had irregular periods, I've been depressive since high school, and I started having migraines when I was 13. Ten years ago, I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia. What this means is that all these symptoms that everyone was describing here, while they have been getting dramatically worse, were nothing I would even think of ascribing to my birth control. I've gained 40 pounds in the last 3 years, but I blamed that on my increased depression and general malaise. I'd stopped having migraines more than once a year, but now I get migraine-like (not usually as bad as the originals) headaches as often as 4-5 times a month. I've had insane mood swings ranging between white hot anger and debilitating depression (even having thoughts of suicide for the first time since high school), and sex burns and leaves me walking funny about 99.9 percent of the time. I thought it was just me, or the fibro (which leaves me feeling pretty sensitive all over); same with the nausea, especially in the morning and always during my period. Could this seriously be the Nuvaring? Oh my god, I hope so. An easy solution like that makes me want to cry from relief.

... but how do I do birth control now? Do we always have to use a condom? I've never been pregnant, so I've been told the IUD isn't nearly as safe if your cervix hasn't been violated by childbirth. Oh well, better than being crazy, I suppose.

I was on the ring for 2 months after taking out my IUD. I was very hesitant about using a hormone type of BC...but he insisted that i try it...so i did...i gained 5 pounds...i had absolutely noooooooooooo sex drive at all! in which before i had the ring i did....then i was horribly moody all the time...i was so depressed and all i wanted to do was cry...i couldn't take it anymore so i took it out and i will never ever use it again. I highly recommend do not use it. It put tension on my family and my husband because i was so moody all the time. DON'T DO IT!!!!!!

I'm so glad that I have read all of these. The last 3 days have been horrible. This is my second month using the NuvaRing. I put the 2nd ring in on Monday night and I starting throwing up Tuesday night and haven’t stopped. I can’t hold anything down (not even water). I drove to work on Wednesday morning, while throwing up and literally falling asleep at the wheel. I couldn’t see anything, my vision was awful. I had lost feeling in my arm earlier that day. I took an early lunch yesterday and fell asleep in my car. I fell asleep at my desk and couldn’t see my computer screen. I thought I was dying. A few girls looked up this website and told me to immediately take the ring out after lunch. I had become so dehydrated and weak I left work early and went to the doctor. The Doctor immediately referred me to ER. I have a horrible infection that has gone through my body. I am on strong antibiotics to get better.
Now that I read all of these stories; I realized that I have been extremely tired for the past month and would fall asleep anywhere all the time. Like mentioned from the other girl below it was like I was in a coma. I have lost all my energy. Others have noticed a change in my attitude. I’m usually really hyper and now I’m very quiet. This ring could have wrecked my new relationship. (He noticed my attitude change and that I couldn’t even stay awake to watch a movie) I had a rash on my forearm a few weeks ago that freaked me out. I started getting acne on my face and dark spots on my cheek. And now that I think about it I have thrown up many times in the past month for no apparent reason.
Now that I have read all of these and have went through this horrible experience; I have a much better understanding and will never use the ring again. I feel bad for the girls that are going through this horrible experience now and in the future.

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 am basically here for some help...i have been on the nuvaring since the 19th of june.things went fine for about two days.then i started bleeding heavy and having awful cramps.it has been like this EVERYDAY now.i am supposed to take is out on the july 3rd.did it do this to anyone else? or does anyone know why it is doing this? my menstrual bleeding has never been this heavy or have i ever had cramping this bad! and it most certainly hasn't lasted for almost three weeks! also i don't know if it has anything to do with the nuvaring or not but my knee's have been killing me! i have never had this problem before and i am a fairly active person and always have been.i also recently had a child.she is two months old now.i weighed 160 the day i went in to be induced,and i lost down to 125 within a matter of a month and a half.i was doing so good with my weight loss.i wasn't exercising or anything.i had just gotten into the groove of only eating one time a day and it was not bothering me or affecting my energy level.since being on the ring i am now up to 130 pounds and i am hungry ALL the time! after reading all of this i am seriously thinking about taking out my ring after i finish this post.i do need some form of birth control though...i am thinking an IUD???

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

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

I have been on the pill for several years and never had any problems...except that I still got pregnant. My doctor recommended the NuvaRing telling me that it was great. Never mentioned any side effects. One year later I went to the emergency room and found that there was a large blood clot in my lung. I am very lucky to be alive. The doctor's know that it was the NuvaRing because I had no other risk factors other than the NuvaRing. Beware. Blood clots in the lung can be fatal. I was lucky. I still have horrible anxiety because of it. I am on an IUD and have had good luck with it so far. Just thought I would share.

I have only been using the NuvaRing for about 2 weeks and have noticed a ton of side effects that my doctor didn't seem to mention. My boobs hurt really bad, it's very painful to even put my bra on, I want to eat everything in sight, I have been on my period for 12 days and it doesn't look like it's going to let up any time soon (I'm 25 and have never went longer than 6 days), and I get raging mad or really sad over nothing, when normally I am very patient and unemotional. I also am very tired during the day and cannot sleep at night. I have had severe headaches, but didn't think anything of them until I read the comments on this site. I'm definitely going to take the NuvaRing out and try something else. I want to try an IUD, but the insertion kind of freaks me out.

I love the NuvaRing. I've had no problems whatsoever, just some spotting after my periods when I first began. I used it for 5 years, until I realized it is cheaper to have an IUD. But you should see the websites about those side effects!! So I have one now, Mirena, and the insertion was seriously intensely horrible (I haven't ever been pregnant). We will see if it is as great as it sounds. But if it isn't I won't hesitate to go back to the nuvaring, my sex drive stayed on track, and I didn't have the headaches or anything. I am on anti-depressants, though, (Wellbutrin XL) and have been since before nuvaring...so maybe that has helped prevent some side effects? I don't know.

I have been on the ring for 2 years, ever since my twin boys were 1 year old. I never had a problem until 2 months ago when I had spotting a week early, swelling in my face hands and legs and my breast were really sore. Just this week my breasts are sore again and I have had two fibrocystic areas that have been mammo'd but now they are so prominent that you can feel it through my clothes! I think it is the hormones from the ring and I am now considering an IUD!

has anyone noticed excessive breast tenderness with the NuvaRing. my boobs have always been a little sore the week before my period, but now they start feeling sore, and even aching, up to two weeks before. it freaks me out monthly as breast tenderness is a sign of pregnancy.

Hello,
I've posted on this site before and wanted to give some updates. I had been on the Ring for 1.5 years and took my last one out in February. I feel much better. Some of my symptoms included:

Pain and discomfort in legs
Extreme fatigue
Coldness all the time
Loss in libido
Pain during sex
Dryness
Dizziness etc.

So, my boyfriend and I have been looking into other options and I wanted something nonhormonal because I don't think there's a hormonal BC out there without negatives effects.

Anyway, we went to the gynec at Planned Parenthood and it was so frustrating. Both the nurse and the doctor kept telling me that my symptoms were not related to the Ring and when I mentioned this site, the doctor said that on the Internet people can and will write anything.

I didn't understand why she was defending the NuvaRing and not validating my feelings. I don't think I'm ignorant or naive and I don't think any of you are either. If we did not have these effects prior to or after the NuvaRing, then it's safe to make the connection.

While I know sometimes people can make faulty causations, I don't think we're wrong on this one. Just because my doctor has not had any patients complain about these problems doesn't mean they don't exist.

I agree with the previous comment. Hormonal BC is dangerous even though everyone reacts differently, it doesn't mean it's completely safely.

My boyfriend are doing the condom and spermicide thing right now to give my body a break until we find a new method. My doctor recommended an IUD which I'm looking into. Please email me if you have experience with this.

I do feel better being NuvaRing free but I think it will be awhile until I'm back to normal. I can't wait to get my period. I hope the best for all of you.

I used the ring for five years and really didn't recognize the symptoms. I gained 9 pounds, got worse acne but it was really my happiness that suffered the most. My boyfriend broke up with me and so I stopped using the ring. Even while I was incredibly sad about the break-up, my mood improved so much I began to suspect the NuvaRing had been messing with me. The weight dropped off and I became way more recognizable to myself. I then tried it again. My appetite increased, I got really crabby and tired, I took it out after two weeks and the effects disappeared. I think I just have to realize these birth control options are serious medicine, and not built for everyone. I am thinking about getting a copper iud but am worried about that, too.

I have been using the NUVARING for over a year. I have gained 12lbs because I am bloated all the time and want to over eat. I used to be active, fun and happy. Now I hurt all the time, my lower back aches like I am in Labor and my breasts hurt. Sex just grosses me out, which never happened on any other form of bc. I can hardly stand myself I am so cranky and tired.

I have a history of migraines (which I now realize began with my IUD which had hormones too. But nothing like the migraines with the NuvaRing.) The NuvaRing has seemed to worsen them and they last for weeks. Also, I barely have a menstrual flow and am depressed all time, no energy and am angry for no reason. My quality of life is awful and now I know why. After reading your blogs I removed the ring right away. My husband has made an appointment to ensure I never have to have birth control again. I want to be the happy, thin and pain free person I used to be! Now I have hope. This method of bc is not worth the problems it has cause me and my family...and my career. I am in "sales"...you can't be depressed and be in sales.

Thank you all for giving me hope with your honesty!! I thought I was going crazy.

Has anyone else had severe migraines last for weeks since starting the NuvaRing? Also, anyone here ever had the IUD??

I'm 22 years old... I'd been off of birth control for 2 years when I started NuvaRing in October. My gyno said it was great with very few side effects. I have always had really clear, pretty skin, but since I have started NuvaRing, I have had awful breakouts. I am constantly nauseated, have terrible headaches and the mood swings are unbearable. My fiance thought I was losing it - I'd be high as a kite one minute, then rock bottom the next.
Luckily I found this site... does anyone have any recommendations as far as other options? Is OrthoEvra (patch) worth it? Please reply... thanks, ladies!

Yuck. When I first put in NuvaRing, I experienced the severe nausea, but that only lasted for a day or so. I've been on it for almost 3 months now and have noticed that am not sleeping as well as I had in the past. I'm always feeling tired and slightly down. I try to lead a very healthy lifestyle; I exercise daily and eat a very healthy, balanced diet. Despite these facts, I seem to be slowly gaining weight. Don't get me wrong, I love the convenience of not having to take a pill everyday, and the NuvaRing has actually helped to clear up my skin. I'm not sure if the hormones are throwing my body out of whack or what. I don't think I'm willing to sacrifice feeling and looking good for the sake of convenience. I hope there are other options that don't screw with a person's lifestyle. I think I'm gonna check out IUD's...

I had a copper wire IUD, but after having an ectopic pregnancy, likely caused by it, I had it removed. I tried condoms for a short while, but they are so inconvenient, so I went to the NuvaRing. I put in the NuvaRing and felt fine the first day, but by day two I started experiencing pain behind my knees, dizziness, headache, pain in my eyes, spaciness, nausea, lack of appetite, and weakness throughout my body. I didn't have any mood swings, in fact I felt quite good, mentally. However, by day three I couldn’t stand the headache and dizziness and took out the NuvaRing. I was skeptical in the first place to use a hormonal birth control, and this confirmed it. If any one has a suggestion for a non-hormonal birth control form that is convenient and safe, let me know.

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

So glad I found this site. I have tried almost every BC product on the market and they all had side effects that were disconcerting enough to make me stop taking them. I have dismennorhea which means horrendous cramping so bad I have been prescribed Darvocet (heavy muscle relaxer). BC has always seemed to help this in the past which is why I began using the Ring. I have noticed that my breasts are so tender I dont even want to put a bra on in the morning and the constant spotting is driving me insane. I have literally thrown out 20 some odd pairs of underwear because they have been ruined. I think I could deal with it if it was just this but the emotional side effects are tearing my relationship apart. I have cried every single day for absolutely no reason and pick fights on a near daily basis. My boyfriend, who is so supportive, is suffering because of my insanity. I cannot stand a single thing he does anymore, whether its the shirt he decides to put on or not taking the garbage out the instant I ask him to. Eventually I lose it on him and then end up hysterically crying because I realize how insignificant the thing was that set me off. I have said things so hurtful I didnt even think I was possible of conjuring up. The symptoms I am having are akin to how I felt taking the Depo shot, and they did NOT GET BETTER!!!! My last option is a non-hormonal IUD but my doctor is unwilling to prescribe it to me because she does not like them. I guess I am out of luck!!!

I'm so glad I found this site. I, too, thought I was going mad. I had a baby 7 weeks ago, and have been on the nuvaring for 7 days. A few days ago, I started experiencing social anxiety, severe insecurities, crying at the drop of a hat, depression, severe nausea. I felt like everyone at the grocery store was staring at me. I found myself snooping through my husband's phone because I was convinced that he was having an affair. I'm a normally happy and confident person. When my tennis team asked me to lunch, I felt like it was only to be nice and that they secretely hope I won't go. I am feeling like a burden to everyone in my life. So, I took it out last night. Had great experience prior to having baby with the copper-t iud b/c of no hormonal side effects and it lasts 10 yrs. My husband is going to get a vasectomy, but I guess we'll use condoms until he's cleared with that. Thanks for listening.

I have been on the NR about a month and a half now. Have headaches, my breasts are definitely bigger (swollen and very tender), I have nausea from time to time, vaginal discharge, and I can definitely tell that I'm feeling more depressed. I'm SO glad that I found this website. I had no clue what's been going on with my body. I was on depo the past 3 years and my doctor recommended that I get off it for a while to let my bone density get back up to where it should be. I had no problems and no periods with depo and I want to be back on it so bad!! I'm going to wait it out until the end of the 3rd month, and if I'm still feeling this way, I think I may look into getting an IUD. But hopefully I can maybe just get back on the depo. Patch doesnt stay on for me, and the pill makes me have bad nausea too.

Had been put on nuva ring as i get migranes from the pill and enormous breasts, i cant take the injections for the same reason so nuva ring being such a low dose seemed ok, but i only lasted i month i had a period the whole time my boobs went up at least one whole size, along with headaches, dizziness, terrible skin and nausea. i wonder has anyone had success with the coil or iud and which one as hormones do not agree with me and condoms are not an option for my boyfriend.

Been on this thing about 10 months, recently have been having blurred vision and 2 days ago passed out, thankfully not while driving with my two children in the car. Decided to see if this was what was causing all these problems. Other side effects have been no sex drive, cranky, anxiety, mood swings, eating all the time, breast tenderness, excessive discharge-usually about a week after inserting a new ring- but to the point of changing panties 2-3 times daily and then before bed, headache, back ache- upper and lower. Obviously I think this may be what is causing all of this due to the many of other women that are experiencing the same things, and also that a few of the serious symptoms are listed on the official web site. I have every form of birth control other than the IUD and of course having my tubes tied. I am at the point that I want to try the IUD, but am tired of all the side effects from every one I have ever tried.

I am on this ring for almost 3 months. And I am feeling as if I am loosing my mind. Moreover, my husband invited my father in law for three months who was very demanding. Once he left he did invite my brother in law to stay with us may be for whole year. I am so cranky, irritated always fighting with my husband. It’s causing a bad effect on my 2 year old son. My husband feels I am turning bad and I should be more welcoming to his family members. I am spotting whole month. My doctor suggested waiting for another month. My sex drive is gone and I am going through extreme mood swings and anger. Does anyone have idea if all birth control causes this, including IUD? If IUD is safe then I would think of switching on it. As my life is not at all happy.

I started Nuvaring in March 2007 after a hospital stint due to my IUD. I had the IUD for several years after the birth of my last child and then I developed PID and it had to be removed. I had always been against hormonal birth control for a few reasons. 1. My mother died of breast cancer and 2. I had a strong reaction to the Pill. But, feeling desperate for a reliable form of birth control left me with very little to choose from. My family was complete so Nuvaring was the next best thing to the IUD. Big Mistake! I should have followed my instinct because for the 6 months on it, my life was a nightmare. I had terrible mood swings, nausea, breast tenderness, pain in my pelvic region, numbness and tingling in my arms and legs, zero sex drive, headaches, sleeplessnes, cold sweats, hypertension, elevated pulse, sleepiness, and 15 lbs of weight gain. There are more side effects, but these were the most dominant and I had had enough. I took it out 2 weeks ago, before my period was scheduled to start, but I just couldn't take how I felt anymore. I am starting to feel more like myself again but I am really frustrated about the weight gain and wonder if it will drop off or if I am going to have to work twice as hard as before to watch my weight. I would love to hear anyone else's experiences once off of Nuvaring. All I can say is 6 months was much too long. It just wasn't worth the side effects.

I am just about to finish my 3rd month of nuvaring. I have never been able to take the pill (I either vomit, or bleed non-stop). I have been having side effects that are increasing daily. I have a bit of lower back pain, started bleeding the day before I took it out on the 2nd month. I have been spotting this month since Thursday of last week, and have 3 more days before I am supposed to take it out. I am using a tampon today because it is so heavy.
I have nausea that comes in waves for the first 10 days. I also have severe breast tenderness.
I have minor headaches in the early evenings. I am not a headache person; never really have them.
The worst part is is the panic attacks (which I have never had). It starts with me holding my breath, tightness in my chest, and severe anxiety. I have felt weepy and out of control. It is getting worse the longer I am on it. It feels like someone else is driving my feelings. I don't recognize myself, nor my reactions to things. I feel a bit paranoid about things. My fears have been irrational. I feel sad, and cry for no reason at some point every day. On the 6th day after I put it in, each month, I have cried the entire day. I am taking it out tomorrow after I speak to my doctor, and getting an IUD. This is a nightmare. I also have night sweats. I also think it is pushing on my bladder. I feel like I have to urinate all the time, and then I sit down to pee the tiniest amount imaginable, and I do not have the ability to push my urine out quickly, which I could do before the ring was in. I had my doctor check me for a UTI, or any other problem like that, but I was "fine."

WOW. I am so happy this site is here. I have been on NR for a little over a year now and have been so moody and mean. I have completly lost my sex drive and gained 12 pounds over the past year. I am only 21..... My dr. told me that i need to switch birth control and try the IUD but i am not getting great reviews about that either. I have learned to start researching my medication before i just say yes, because this is my body and the doctors just arent getting it right.!

I HAVE BEEN ON THE NUVARING FOR ABOUT ALMOST 2 WEEKS AND I FEEL VERY IRRITABLE AND I GET THIS VERY NASTY DARK DISCHARGE ]. CAN ANYONE RELATE TO WHAT I AM SAYING....
I THINK I WANT TO GET THE IUD BETTER..... CAN SOMEONE THATS EXPERIENCED THIS BEFORE PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT TO DO. THANK YOU.....

THANK YOU EVERYONE. I thought I was crazy. I put the thing in one week ago tomorrow, after having a non-hormonal IUD for 3 1/2 years.

Weight gain, headaches that won't quit even after max doses of iburpofen, depression, NO SEX DRIVE and feeling generally crappy.

I'm done this is for the birds.

I am so glad that I found this site. I've been using the ring now for 3 months continually. I just don't want to have a period anymore and my doc seemed to think this was a better option that an IUD. Well ever since I've started my depression is worse!!! (I have post partum). I just went to see my doc about adjusting my meds. I've also had severe vaginal irritation and a raging yeast infection. And let me tell you about sex. there's been none of that going on and my husband is starting to get pissy. This is just not worth the frustration. The only problem is that I just had my script refilled for anouther 3 months. I just hate to think of losing the $45 I just paid. But mental health and a happy husband is definetly worth it.

I have been on the ring for just a few months but I have definately noticed side effects. cramping, lowered sex drive and I have awful dreams, absolutely horrible actually. I am looking into switching to the IUD in the next few weeks or so. Nuva Ring may be convenient but that's about it.

Im on the Novaring I have very bad headaches I also had them with the patch. I also tried the shot but I gained weigth and I hate needles so that didnt work. In june I had the Iud put in, It folded and had to be taken out. my doctor said shoud I stop using birth control so I quit seeing her and stayed on the ring cause I dont want any more kids rigth now.Can I get that diaphragm thing from the store?