NuvaRing and migraines

The worst thing for me has been finding birth control that I think works wonderfully only to find a few months later that I feel like a completely different person. It doesn't help that I have migraines all the time and they last for days (up to five) on end. They say you shouldn't take the ring if you have migraines but for some reason no one told me and I just kept getting them thinking it had nothing to do with the ring.

I had been on Seasonale in the past and it made me crazy. It took about six months to get the full effect but I was in a wonderful relationship that I was over the moon about, and then one day I just woke up questioning everything we had. It was ridiculous and completely unwarranted. And it didn't go away, it left me still questioning. So I got off of it, and this was about three years ago. I thought I would return to normal but it did too much damage. I still question my relationship, with or without birth control. It's awful. It's like the pill put all those ideas in my head that I wouldn't otherwise have and now I can't stop thinking about it.
I took Nuvaring thinking that would help me out, but instead I am back to square one. I have been trying to hang in there but I just can't anymore. Not only do I have headaches all the time but I feel so exhausted that it doesn't matter if I were to sleep two hours or fifteen, I would still be too tired to do anything. I feel fatigued and lethargic and don't want to do anything that I enjoy. I seriously don't even have the energy to read, and I absolutely love to read (And it takes almost zero energy). I am questioning my relationship again and I never want to have sex. The worse part is that he wants to have sex everyday and I never want it. I seriously feel that if I never had sex again that would be fine with me, but I feel so badly for my fiance but at the same time I get so annoyed that he won't just leave me alone. I want to be left completely alone. I don't want to be around anyone because everyone gets on my nerves nowadays. I have no patience for anyone and I feel so depressed. I just wonder what else I could be doing with my life, and I feel in a rut and instead of being happy with what I have, I have the Nuvaring, which takes all my problems and magnifies it. I hate hormonal birth control. I wish I could have some luck with any of them but I have tried almost all of them and they have all affected me like this. I just want my sex drive back, I want to stop hating my life and getting annoyed by everyone (Seriously I hear one mouth noise from my fiance and I want to bite his head off) and I just want to be me. I was hoping to wait until Sunday to take it out the ring since that is when I have to anyway but I don't think I can wait. Have people felt back to normal once they took this thing out? I need some hope!

I have been on NuvaRing for almost 4 months and it has been awful. I have been extremely tired, stressed to the max, a horribly angry person, never want to have sex, plus it hurts to have sex when we do, headaches, and feeling anxious and nervous about everything. I gave birth 7 months ago so I though most of these side effects where just from that, but I though by now things should be getting better, and they haven't been. They have gotten worse. My relationship with my fiance has went down hill due to my anger issues, my not trusting him because of messed up visions and ideas in my head, and not wanting to have sex. I also have a history of migraines and battled them for 5 years before having my son. I was on a medication called Topamax, which helped, but also caused my to lose a bunch of weight. I am little to begin with so the weight loss was not a positive thing for me. My migraines with the NuvaRing have been so horrible that I have been thinking about getting back on the Topamax, which I do not want to do. Now that I have read this I am pretty sure the NuvaRing is causing my problems, so I am going to take it out today and hopefully this will help and my relationship will get back to where it was and I won't have as bad of migraines, and won't need to get back on Topamax.

I have had a TERRIBLE time. 3 months-of almost non stop bleeding (3 1/2 weeks, 2 1/2 weeks and 16 days and counting )and I do already have overactive bladder but now all the sudden if I don't run to the bathroom as soon as I have to pee(even if my ladder is not full) or if i sneeze I pee myself and i am 29!!-this never used to happen!! My obgyn finally decided to switch me to the pill thats 3 months of active and 1 week of sugar. The whole reason i tried this was bc my periods were beginning to get longer (7-8 days) and this made them so much worse. She did a biopsy and an ultrasound both of which were normal. I already have a non-hormonal iud (which i have had for 3 years) but we left it in bc i take topamax (which decreased the effectiveness of birth control) for migraines so i need the iud for birth control. im just trying something else to improve my periods and obviously this is not it! i am beginning to wonder if the topomax also causes an increase in bleeding too...

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'm 27 years old and have been married for four months. I've been on the nuvaring for about 2 years straight (i've been on bc for a total of 9 years more on than off). The first year was great despite the weight gain and constant bloating. My partner and I agreed that the pros outweighed the cons. But for the past 4-6 months or so I've been experiencing the following symptoms, all gradual but definitely in effect:

vaginal dryness, itching, yeasty discharge, migraines on the OFF week, nasal dryness, dry eyes/ intolerance to contact lenses, irritability, mood swings, weight gain, brittle hair, short-term memory loss, severe anxiety.

it seems to me that the cons outweigh the one pro that we were defending. pregnancy. i am definitely speaking with my doctor and getting more information on hormone-FREE pregnancy protection.

I have been on NuvaRing for a little over a month now and I'm going to take it out probably today. I have been extremely nausea. I feel like I did when I was pregnant with my daughter. It's horrible. I kept taking pregnancy test because I really thought I was pregnant. Thankfully I'm not but this is a horrible side effect from the NuvaRing. I'm also experiencing daily headaches and occasional migraines. I have been very tired and have no energy or sex drive. I would never recommend this to anyone

So I decided to stop my nuvaring this week, and while I do agree that every person has a different experience with hormonal birth control, this route was just not for me. I have been on BC since I was 15 and have had mixed experiences. Started with Ortho-Tri Cyclin which made me crazy, went to orthocyclin which was great until my insurance stopped covering it, did lo dose Apri for 6 years and found that it made me very lethargic and moody with use over time and i think caused me migraines, switched to the patch and ended up in the hospital with elevated blood pressure during the first week (I was 23 and 130lbs), then tried nuvaring for the last 6 months. Started off well, my period became predictable to the hour and my migraines disappeared. However, I gained 15lbs! I am 5'3" and I know it is the nuvaring because I have been training for a marathon, running 4 days a week, 2 days of weight lifting and eating perfectly! Also, my sex drive is gone, like non-existent until my no ring week when I have my period. I am tired all the time and even though I sleep 8-10 hours a night. I also seem to be waking up once or twice a night. Worst of all, I am depressed and moody for no reason, all the time. I feel so bad for my poor boyfriend who has been walking on egg shells around me because he knows I cry and snap at anything. So I am stopping for a few months to see what will happen, and then maybe consider a copper IUD. I will update this post in a few months and let everyone know what happens.

I have been on NuvaRing for over 3 years now. When I first went on birth control I was using the ortho evra patch however, I was suffering from side effects such as nausea, always feeling sick and tired. I eat a lot and everything but while using the patch I felt TERRIBLE eating the blandest toast. I am not a heavy drinker but even one cocktail would cause me to be extremely sick. I switched to NuvaRing and since then I was back to my normal self. Not only that but while on the NuvaRing my period is like CLOCKWORK, I know exactly when I am getting my period. I did not experience any breakthrough bleeding and my periods are extremely light. Overall the switch to NuvaRing was so worth it.

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'm 23 years old and I've been on the Nuvaring for 4 months. I have been having really bad migraines almost everyday. I have had light bleeding ever since I started the Nuvaring 4 months ago. My doctor said I never had to have a period if I used Nuvaring, but I've never STOPPED having a period ever since I have been using it. My doctor told me I couldn't take a pill because I get migraines and if they prescribed me birth control pills they could be liable if it caused me to have seizures or something. So she suggested Nuvaring. If I can't take a pill, and I hate the Nuvaring I don't know what else to use?

I started NuvaRing 1 week ago. After 3 Days I started having Horrible Migraines, next I started having these really bad stomach pains. I started to vomit and have diarrhea after 1 week. The vomiting and stomach pains were so intense my body was really weak. I had trouble taking BC before so when my OB told me NR was a better form of BC and I wouldn't suffer from the same side effects I had before I believed her.

The first couple of days I was fine, like I said after 3 days the migraines started. I'm taking this out because my body can no longer endure the pain. I had to miss work and stay in bed all day. I would not advise the NR to anyone who has had problems with BC before or anyone who has had hormone imbalances. The pain and side effects I've felt with the NR are the worst I have felt. Nausea, Vomiting, Diarrhea, Stomach pains, mood swings and no sex drive is not worth it. I'm taking this out tonight I can't take the pain anymore.

I cant believe I stayed on this torture device for so long! I was on the NR for about 3 years. I started getting migraines shortly after starting it, but liked the idea of being on a BC that was easy to maintain. The migraines kept getting more severe, more frequent, and lasting longer (4 days). I would vomit, have diarrhea, miss work, and social opportunities and waste my life away lying in bed in dire pain, sometimes to the point I wanted to shoot myself in the head to ease the pain.

Finally, last month, I took the NR out for good! I did have a very small migraine last month, but it was nothing compared to what I have had, and this month, I have not had a single one!

So long NuvaRing.

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.

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

Hi Ladies! I'm soo glad to have found this site and to read others' feedback! Yay, I'm not going crazy! I am 37 and have been on NuvaRing on and off for about 5 years. Well, I loved it at first for the convenience as well as the fact that it relieved my sometimes unbearable PMS. I went back on the ring last April ( about a year ago) after taking a break from it for about 6 months. I don't know if they changed the formula in it or something, but I have had some changes for the worst that I was chalking up to stress. My weight was normally always consistent, but since last august I have gained around 10pds. I have also had a lot of emotional ups and downs and very irritable. Always tired as well and feel like I haven't had enough sleep. Sex drive?? What sex drive? My husband is not sure what to think of it all with my mood swings as well. Don't even get me started on the migraines I had out of nowhere! The last month and a half I have had pelvic discomfort and pain as well during sex. I'm suspicious of an infection or some sort of inflammation going on in there.Has anyone else experienced this? I did not bother putting my ring back in after my last period until I go to see my GYN next week to figure out my other options. I am gradually feeling better since removing the ring a week ago. I will update you all on my outcome in the next couple of weeks!

I recently began using the Nuvaring (about a week and a half ago). I've suffered from Migraines for 14 years and take regular medication that allows me to control the symptoms. Since beginning this BC method, I have been unable to manage the headaches. Taking my normal medication will work for a few hours, but then the headache will come back. My only options are to take more medication (and risk over medicating, thus causing other problems; liver problems, kidney problems, etc.) or deal with the pain. The migraines interfere with my vision and cause serious nausea, making it nearly impossible to continue with school, work, or anything else for that matter.
Additionally, I have been experiencing a dramatic increase in vaginal discharge, serious mood swings ranging from anger to depression with really no triggers, anxiety about my safety in strange situations such as driving or walking through campus, abdominal cramping in the region of my ovaries, what I can only assume is vaginal tenderness due to the rings presence, and I have been waking up at the same time in the middle of the night since I started the NR. I usually sleep an average of 9 hours each night, without interruption. Now I'm sleeping about 4 hours, waking up, and then sleeping another 4. I wake up feeling tired and with the feelings of an onsetting migraine.
The only benefit I have experienced is an increase in sex drive. I have gone from wanting sex an average of once or twice a month to wanting it several times throughout each day. I do have low levels of "free" testosterone according to my Gyno, so she recommended the NR.
Finally this morning I had enough of the symptoms. I took out the ring and within just one hour, my headache dulled, my abdominal pain lessened, and I feel slightly happier.
My question is, has anyone experienced symptoms like mine, that only lasted a few weeks when starting NR? I really love the convenience of the NR, but if I had to choose, I would not take the symptoms for the one benefit.

Wow! So after reading all of the notes, I don't feel like a nut! I have been extremely exhausted at all times but not able to fall asleep and stay asleep. Then when I do FINALLY fall asleep I wake up about 2-3 times a night drenched in sweat. These "self sauna sessions" I feel have led to a change in my type of acne...my most major breakouts before NR consisted of 1 to 2 pimples (even in my teen years!!) I am now having a constant 5 to 7 pimples on my face at all times, huge, deep, painful ones! On to my emotional state....I am a realistic, down to earth person who NEVER pre NR, broke out in fits of anger or crying. Now, my poor boyfriend just looks at me like an alien has taken over my body....not that I blame him. We will not go into my weight gain, which even though I eat really healthy and go to the gym 5 times a week can not seem to shake!!! So, long story short, I switched to NR back in September of 2008 and have been thinking that I have gone insane since then....today the dang thing is coming out of my body and I am calling my gyno on Monday! OH, the ONE pro of NR is that my severe migraines have stopped occurring....

So heres the deal ladies.... No matter what, ALL BIRTH CONTROL SUCKS........... But we're ALL in the same boat. They ALL have side effects, different to each person. My Nuvaring story goes like this... I have tried EVERY birth control only to have HORRIBLE MIGRAINES. So, after years in my 20's of constantly thinking I was pregnant, freaking out all the time which is what I think has psychologically screwed me up the most, I tried Nuvaring. I was 27 years old, 5'5, banging body w/ NO fat in the mid-section. I'm not even kidding that w/in 3 days I gains 10lbs. of fat(love handles) in the mid section. I work out 3-4x per week and have ALWAYS been a fitness fanatic. I have never been able to get this stomach fat off since. But here's the deal......... I could go on forever about how BC sucks as I had MANy other side effects, nausea being number one. But we don't have a God damn choice. I am now 31 years old and thats just the way it is. You know, heres even the more real deal. When I was in college I gave a speech on MALE contraception. Hello, it's out there. But they don't market it because it will be a waste of money because men are stupid and won't take it. Men assume that all women when we have sex are on BC and they could give a shit if we aren't. We need to stand up as women and make THEM take all precautions. For the most part, I wouldn't change being a woman for anything. I love it! But when it comes to birth control and constantly having to worry about pregnancy, it sucks................................ But we dont have an option, seriously!!!!!!! What's worse??????????? Losing your mind because of side effects or losing your mind constantly thinking your pregnant??????????????????????????????? After 31 years of age, I know it's just a no win situation........... J., Chicago......

I'm 51yrs.old. I was put on the NuvaRing to help eliminate my migraines and control my hot flashes. It's been 5mo. and I've gained 10lbs, and have the worst migraines I've ever had that last 5 to 7 days at a time. I'm lucky if I don't have one for a week. I have itching and it can be uncomfortable during sex so I end up taking it out. I hadn't had a period for 6mo and thought I was through with that but now have it monthly since I've had the NR. I get emotional at times and stressed out easily. I think after reading everyone elses side affects I'll be taking this thing out and try a different route. I can put up with less headaches and the hot flashes. I also have severe leg cramps every night.

November 27 2008

on NR since February, had taken a break since my fiance was away for work for 4 months and thot it wasn't worth using it and spending money. I noticed slight weight gain4 lbs roughly, but since the first of November i get my old migraines back again used to have them only twice a year with aura, but now nearly every day, read the posts and shot the ring out of the window, out of my life literary, not to mention my mood swings, paranoid over my fiancee being away and nagging him all the time abt affairs etc..worrfying abt accidents, losing a relative ecc...Thank You Jesus I found this site!! No More NuvaRing.

I just realized I am not alone.... what a trip! Birth control. I think I have tried a lot of things in the market, pill, injections, IUD, NUVARING; I am 35 years old and I am exhausted of this never ending pregnancy avoidance. But it is inevitable. I want to live my life the way it is.
I have used Nuvaring for over a year now, and it has successfully helped me avoid pregnancy, however, in the last couple of months I have had an increase in the frequency of the migraines accompanied by weakness, shakiness and deep emotional struggles. I get super irritable, or super sad; which is not very normal for me, I am somewhat balanced, I have noticed this marked mood swings around the times of my migraines. I am just exhausted, because I am intolerant to higher levels of hormones and also intolerant to latex. My boyfriend said we should just be "natural", but I think that would just make me more scared than anything else.
Another side effect is that sex is somewhat painful sometimes, I enjoy sex more on my week off the ring, it might be psychological, but I think it is also physiological.
Oh, well, I am glad I am not alone, I am going to talk to my doctor about it. I just want to be at peace with this.

I've been on Nuvaring for about 2.5 years until recently. What I liked the most about Nuvaring was that it significantly helped out with my PMDD (super bad PMS ) and kept me from getting pregnant – not to mention, it’s easy to keep track of. The worst side effects I had were major lack of sex drive and migraines approaching the p-diddy (menstruation). About a month ago I decided to get off Nuvaring because I wanted to restore my body’s natural chemistry. . During this past month I have been soooooo depressed and from the previous postings, I think I found my culprit. I’m going to hang in there because I know it will pay off. So for anyone out there who is wonder if their horrible withdraw symptoms are from the nuva, they most likely are. And for those who are on it, be-aware. Find some comfort in knowing you’re not alone because I sure feel a lot more reassured after reading these posting.

I have been on b/c for about 7 years. 6 o those years was on a low dose pill and this last year I have been on the ring. I have experienced a steady annual weight gain despite a relatively active lifestyle. I would estimate I have gained a total of 15 pounds since beginning bc. I have an average of two migraines a month which I initially thought were sinus headaches and were later diagnosed as migraines, I have been able to track them to specific times in the month, which indicates that it is directly related to the hormones. I have experienced a significant decrease in my sex drive, and since switching to the ring I have had issues with vaginal dryness and pain following sex. My periods are light, cramping is very mild and it is a very effective method of birth control. However, I am at a point where I just don't feel that the side effects are worth the advantage. As a married woman with no children, my husband and I are seriously considering an alternate form on bc. Does anyone have any recommendations of success with non hormone birth control?

I have been on birth control for 11 years, never having any severe problems. I had a baby 3 years ago and was taking Yaz. With being on Yaz I had a migraine about every 3 months. My Dr. suggested me trying the NuvaRing. I was on it for 2 months and my bleeding was uncontrollable. During the time of switching bc, my grandmother got really sick and I lost my job. I was concerned about the heavy bleeding and clotting and questioned my dr. and they just told me to hold on for another month or so, it was probably from the stress. I changed from the NR to Seasonique, still the bleeding was uncontrollable. I never had menses like this in my life. Going back to the dr. I had a pelvic examine and they just gave me provera to help stop the bleeding. Well it worked for a week and then here we go again! After about 4-5 months of this cycle I decided to stop taking any bc and let my body try to get back to normal. About a month later I started hemoraging and had to go to the er. They kept me for 2 days and found that I have a fibroid on my uterus. I also had to get a blood transfusion. The fibroid is pushing on my uterus causing my uterus to be double in size. WTH? Where did this come from? I am now having to take the Lupron shot to help shrink the fibroid and hopefully in 3 months I can have it removed. I can only blame this on the NR. I NEVER had problems like this before. It is truly discouraging. I advise anyone thinking about the NR to clearly STAY AWAY!!! I know have several medical bills all from trying to stay away from migraines. I can deal with those much easier than what I have been thru.

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

I'm glad I found this site. I have a history of migraines so I never thought it could be the Nuvaring. I got on it in Nov 07 and I just realized I experienced a loooottt of the symptoms. Headaches that turn to migraines, suddenly crying even listening to a song on the radio, I get hot and sweaty at night and feel cold at the slightest feel of air conditioning., mood swings, scattered thoughts, lower sex drive, no desire to socialize. weight gain in 10 months I've gained 11 lbs. I welcome it actually cuz I've been 110 for like 8 years. now I am a whopping 121 pounds. I have curves now, I love it

The perks: my breast went from a b to a nice c love it. the ease and clock work of my period. That's about it

I had a migraine so bad I couldn't keep my eyes open, I took the ring out immediately and within hours I felt relieved. I've spoken to my doctor about other forms of birth control and after all my research Nuvaring is actually still the top choice. We all know these BC's have side effects. How can they not. After all the craziness I have read about Ortho, Depo, Yasmin, Yaz, I see only one option. Get off the pills completely be back to my old self I used to be fun and get my boyfriend to wear condoms.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

i have been on the nuvaring about 2yrs give or take. Just about 2mths ago i discovered having head aches. They have not gone away ever since. I have have blood work done, and mri. the mri showed i my jaw pops out of place when i open my mouth to wide. The doctor says that it looked lik TMJ but there to independent things. So he suggested to stop using my birth control. I called my gyno, she said that people have had cases of getting migraines but its unusual to be on it for so long and suddenly develop migraines. I have been on lots of medication nothing seems to work. She told me to stop taking it after my next menstrual cycle, im praying that this will cure my migraines.

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

I am a woman in my early 50's I was given nuva ring to control my migraines a menopausel symptom. In July of last year I was taken to the ER room with serveral pulmonary embolisms and lay near death for 36 hours as I was given the dangerous clot buster drug.The vena cava filter was inserted in my vein and it was not removed because this condition exsisted past the safe removel time. It was a hard recovery and I was just lucky that I did not die. After several tests from cardiologists and hemotologists, pulmonary doctors and many more physicians. It was determined without a doubt that the Nuva Ring caused this condition. Unfortunately, as a result . I must stay on blood thinner the rest of my life and I have a foriegn object in a very important area of my body that will also be there forever. This means blood testing on a regular basis for life and blood thinner for life, The hospital and doctor bills for this incident have been astronomical and there are many more to come. Please use extreme caution in using this method. It is indeed dangerous. Our home is 5 minites from a hospital that happens to have a quick response time to these conditions. We were just a few days from leaving on a road trip. I often wonder what would have happened if I was away from home and out on the road somewhere when these clots hit my lung. But by the grace of God I would surely have died.AM

I HAVE BEEN ON THE NUVA RING FOR 2 YEARS AND AFTER ABOUT 6 MONTHS I NOTICED I HAD A BUMP WHERE THE NUVA RING WAS PLACED. I HAVE NOW LEARNED THAT THE NUVA RING MAY CAUSE A CYST. I HAVE WENT TO MY DOCTOR BUT I HAVENT FOUND OUT FOR SURE IF THATS EXACTLY WHAT IT IS. ILL POST LATER TO LET EVERYONE KNOW WHAT TO LOOK FOR. I ALSO HAVE MOOD SWINGS, NO SEX DRIVE, MIGRAINES, AND OTHER SYMPTOMS.

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??

Hi, when I first started NUVARING I loved it. I didn't have to remember if I took a pill everyday, my migraines were gone, and my boobs were getting bigger. However, I was always irritated, crying, anxious, and annoyed. I thought it was just because I didn't like my roommate and I missed my life at home (I'm currently in college). I would call my mom at least two times a day crying my eyes out, I never associated my sadness with my birth control. About a month ago I started getting curious about these side effects because I felt like I was having an allergic reaction. I am a clean person, especially in my special regions and I was having intense itching and I also had little red dots down there.

When I talked to my mom today, I was crying once again, and she said that she really thought that my crazy bipolar emotions were because of the NUVARING. So I decided to type NUVARING side effects into Google and see what came up. When I saw what other girls were experiencing to be honest I was relieved. I was so happy to find out that I'm not crazy, I'm just having side effects to my birth control. I've never been so happy to have been so sad haha.

I just called my doctor to see if I can get back on the pill. Everyone who said they stopped taking NUVARING says in about 4 months they got back to the old them...I'm only hoping this is true, for my sake and for my boyfriends sake.

I inserted mine a week ago. I've used the ring in the past and had minor side effects that went away after the first month, but his time around has been very difficult. The first day, I cried uncontrollably for 4 hours and couldn't hold a thought. The past few days its been confusion, a constant headache (that slowly works into a migraine during the day), nausea, and twitching in BOTH of my eyes (which I think is the beginnings of migraines).
I will be removing it and trying to find another form of BC!

All I can say is thank you ladies for posting all of this. I was on Nuva ring for almost 2 years. my boyfriend complained I was getting worse and worse in terms of my anger and mood swings. He called me a monster. Then days after my 20th birthday I experienced lots of itchiness and pain after sex so I thought it was a yeast infection. When I did not respond to over the counter meds I went to the hospital to get testing for STDS. When all the test came back negative I went back to my regular doctor two weeks later. Again, I was tested and a month later tested again. No one could figure out why I was having burning and itchiness with no other symptoms and all my STD test negative. Finally I gave up the ring and have been symptom free now for nearly 6 months. To this day the situation plagued me because the doctor swore I couldn't experience this from the Nuva ring. I spent a whole summer in pain because of this. Now I am birth control free but my boyfriend of three years and I would love to add to our family.

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

wow so i was completely freaking out because i just couldn't figure out what was wrong with me. My breasts were killing me-which i was beginning to think i was prego, but wasn't seeing ne real reason why i should be. I started having mood swings, feeling extremely depressed, and breaking down and crying over every little thing in my life. I keep getting migrains (which i have never had before) and feeling dizzy to the point of passing out, and nausea. Also i have excess discharge, and kept feeling like i had a yeast infection but realized that it was simply just the ring that is irritating me. Im completely fed up with feeling this way, and just dont want to deal with the emotions, or pain anymore. Im going to my gyno on monday to try and figure out a different type of birth control to go on. Its going to be rough sticking it out through the rest of this week!!

I was on Nuvaring from 2002 until 2006, in that time I started having horrible migraines, I had never had a migraine previously. My migraines by June of 2005 were daily..... I was taking Topamax 400mg, Neurontin 2400mg, Altace 2.5mg and Celexa 40mg all daily. Along with Maxalt, Phenergan and Vicodin. I had 3 bottles of botox shot into my head to stop the pain. I went to 3 Neurologists, none of which had any explanation. I was sent a letter telling me that the Nuvaring would not prevent pregnancy with Topamax. I quit using the Nuvaring and within 48hrs my daily migraine went away. I now only take one daily med and will have a migraine during ovulation/period. All of this can be supported by my medical records. I had to go on disability for a short time due to them.

Amanda DeLay RN

I've been on the NR for about 6 months now.
Now that I'm reading all the comments, I see that my migraines, lack of sex drive (NR kills your sex drive, therefore it is doing a good job of preventing pregnancy :-), bloated feeling, sharp abdominal pain - like someone stabbed me from inside, pain during sex (so we can only do certain positions) ... can all be attributed to NR. I also experienced that my natural D cup breast feel like DD because they are constantly swollen. I'm off the NR for about a month, strangely my migraines disappeared entirely and I do not have to take Excedrin migraine every other day. I'm going to my doc to check out my ovaries since I think that the sharp pain is related to perhaps some cyst.
I'm not sure what will I use in the future as BC... I'll probably try this new minipill called Cerazette, it is a pill without oestrogen.

I've been on NuvaRing for the past three weeks and decided today to abandon this contraceptive. I'm disappointed, especially because it's incredibly easy to use and doesn't give me the side effects i experienced on the pill (which included intense vomiting after one or two drinks). Only this morning did I realize that the irritability, lack of sex drive, migraines and depression I've been experiencing recently could be attributable to NuvaRing. I have been dealing with a massive workload recently and thought everything I was experiencing stemmed from that. But this morning after my boyfriend and I discussed my mood swings and complete lack of sex drive, I checked the side effects in the NuvaRing packet. No mention of loss of sex drive (can someone explain this--I feel like I've had tons of friends experience this side effect from hormonal contraceptives so why is not an official side effect?), but the packet advises women with a history of depression to consult with their doctor frequently. I have a history of depression (my doctor didn't inquire) and have been experiencing suicidal impulses the last two weeks for the first time in years. Though I originally attributed those impulses to overwork and exhaustion, I'm now wondering how much of this can be chalked up to NuvaRing.

i'm 24 year old student and i love the fact that i dont have to take the pill everyday. But the MIGRAINES ARE KILLIN' ME!!! I had to leave class it was so bad. i have to take like 2-6 excedrin, almost every day, the week before and during my period just to get through the day. although I do have a history of headache and mingrines i have never expericened one so intense that it impairs my eyesight so that i cant drive home. luckly I dont have any vaginal irritations or mood swings at all like so many other women have described.i'm just a natural bitch..lol j/k. i'm I have only been using NR for a month and I know for a fact that it takes a while for your body to get used any type BP, so i'm gonna stick it out for rest of my 4 month trail and i'll be back to tell whats going on good luck to everyone else

I've been on NuvaRing for about a year now. Prior to NuvaRing, I used the pill and the patch. I really do prefer the method of the NuvaRing over the patch which slides on my body and the pill which I had to remember to take. But I've never had migraines as terrible as this. The morning that I am supposed to take out the ring, I wake up with a migraine on the left side of my head. My blood vessels at my temple are literally throbbing and I can feel it pulsing when I touch it. My eye on that side hurts with the light and I feel nausated. I take both aspirin and ibuprofen and I still have pain! Not only that but it usually last for 2 to 2.5 days. I think I am going to quit it and go back on ortho tri lo. Not only that but having sex now feels like a chore! I've completely lost my sex drive!

I took the Nuva Ring out about three weeks ago for reasons unrelated to any symptoms. I just happened to find this site today looking at something else. I had no idea that the things that were going on with me could be related to the Nuva Ring until I'm reading these posting today. I've always had migraines so I didn't attribute them to the Nuva Ring - however several months ago (I started using Nuva Ring in March) I had to go to the hospital because I had a severe migraine for over three days and the Imitrex that usually alleviates the pain - sometimes even temporarily did not work at all. Also I had suffered from depression before taking Nuva Ring but over the last several months it had become severe. My moods were out of control. I had anxiety, crying all the time, extreme mood swings. I've had extreme fatigue but just thought it was related to the increase in depression. Last month I went to a psychopharmcologist to have a medication evaluation because I felt the depression meds weren't working anymore. The doctor doubled my dosage! I've had weight gain but just thought I was eating more than usual - no idea the Nuva Ring could have been causing the increase in appetite. I've had night sweats and during the day I'm always freezing no matter where I am. At work I use a sweater and a small blanket for my legs. This is crazy. I just thought my office was too cold (maybe it is). Some bloating but nothing I couldn't live with. I have not had any problems with bleeding or unusual cramping. No vaginal discomfort at all. Sex has been good. No problems with dryness. I found it completely convenient. I just had no idea the problems I was having could be associated to the Nuva Ring. I am so happy I found this site. I was going to start back on tomorrow but I definitely will not.

I was on the Nuvaring for 3 years. I had similar experiences to everyone else here. They came on so gradually I seriously thought it was something else. I had night sweats almost everynight some nights so bad I had to change clothing and bedding in the middle of the night. I thought I had cancer! And then the migraines came on a couple times per month, and headaches every evening some lasted until morning. . I never had a migraine before but I attributed it to stress. I also had chronic swollen glands in my head and neck that were sore. I kept asking my doctor she just did blood tests and said I was fine. All of these would cycle so you thought it wouldn't happen again and then it did. I loved the convenience of it so I stayed on it too long. I just got married so I went off it 2 weeks ago and I haven't felt so good in years!

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

Crippeling Migranes......I went to see two doctors and complained about the migraines I have been getting. All they want to do is give you more pills to pop. I was in bed all weekend thought about going to the ER. I have always suffered from them but in the past year they have become increasing worse. I know about the other side effects, I've been on the ring sense November of 2006 and they passed. When i went to Rite aid the pharmisist told me that the ring causes migraines.....Hello, both doctors knew I was using it, they couldn't tell me this?

I have been on NR for 2 months now. I have a history of blood clot in my family, so my OBGYN wants me on low dosage hormones. So far the past 2 times I have put a new ring in that night I get really nauseous and feverish. After that night it goes away though. I have been experiencing migraines, but I have not noticed if they are more frequent on this bc than the others I have been on. My sex drive is much better than it was when I was on Yasmin however. My weight also fluctuates more on this bc as I am usually pretty consistent.

I've been on it now for about a year b/c it is a slow release in hormones and I get migraines from all the other pills. I've noticed a lot of what some of the other posts had noted such as:

- constant discharge (I always feel wet and dirty)
- a smell coming from the area all the time
- mood swings like crazy
- Absolutely NO SEX DRIVE
- fatigue (although this has been a new one I have come across in the past month, so maybe its not related)

none of this is really attractive at all, and I am seriously contemplating going off of it. Does anyone have an suggestions for people who get severe migraines from the pill???

I just went to see the Dr. last night after a full week of nausea and migraines. My simptoms are getting worse and worse every month that goes by. I started NR about a year ago; my Dr. said that he never heard anything negative about the ring, so I tried it. It made my periods very regular, but this past year has been very challenging. I'm constantly upset about something, felt depressed many times, extremely tired and had no sex drive... at all. I have to make an effort (physical and emotional) to have sex with my husband. I even bitch at him after sex becuase it was terrible for me... well, after reading these other experiences I can explain the changes in me. I'm taking this thing off RIGHT NOW!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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