NuvaRing and nr

I started NuvaRing in Sept 2009. I started noticing my right boob was VERY sore like it felt bruised. I also noticed that I didn't want to have sex with my boyfriend. We have only been together since May so you know we were hot n heavy until I was put this thing in! I got to where I didn't want to be around him or have him touch me and I noticed that I was horrible to my kids! I didn't want to play with them, I just wanted them to go to their rooms and leave me alone. I thought it was just me and my boyfriend having trouble and I was just waiting for him to kick me out! I was having headaches and moodiness and I just wanted to stay in bed. I also noticed I gained some weight. Now I didn't step on the scale but my pants went from a 10/12 to a 14! My boyfriend actually heard about some side effects on TV one day when he got home from work and he asked me to take the NR out because he was concerned. So, I did and lo and behold, I started my period 2 1/2 weeks early! So, now I'm "google-ing" the NuvaRing and I find all this on all these different sites...so it's NOT just ME...it's alot of women. I should have researched BEFORE i filled the script. No more NR for me...I can't stand the depressive and bitchy side of me and neither can my boyfriend!

I'm so glad I found this site. I too started using the NR a month ago. I was tired and sleepy all the time. I didn't feel like myself. I was depressed and wanted to be alone. I figured I would keep it in till it was time to take it out. The very next day after I removed it I felt like myself again. I had my energy back and I wasn't in a bad mood. I left it out for a week and replaced it when I was suppose to. Same side-effects came back immediately. I took it right out. I hate not feeling like myself. Nuvaring is def. Not for me.

omg i am soooo glad that i came across this website.
i was beginning to think that i was the only one with this problem.
i have NEVER EVER had problems with vaginal dryness..... but after about 6 months of using NR that all went to hell!!
i have lost of my AMAZING sex drive :( and that has made me feel really down... i love having sex, but with a dry vagina it is very painful to have. after i finish typing this i am going to take out my nuvaring. but i have one question for those of you who have gone to the doctor? will my vaginal lubrication ever come back??

I have been on the NuvaRing for 2 years. I love it because I don't have to take a pill. However, with the slightest change in schedule (taking it out Sunday AM instead of Sat night for example) my cycle is thrown totally off, late, spotty periods, breast tenderness when I start my new ring. This has happened to my twice and both times I went through about 4 home prego tests. If your reading this and have similar symptoms relax, from everything I have read the ring is HIGHLY effective, thats why we take it right!

I was on NuvaRing for 3 years. Just recently went off, because we TTC, I got my 2 periods. Now I'm 4 days past due. Pregnancy test came negative, I have terrible cramps, sore breast etc. I wish I never used NuvaRing....

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

I have been on NuvaRing for many years and have been in an on-again off-again relationship for 6 years. I have been experiencing head aches, heavy depression, NO sex drive, no motivation to do anything. Like many others, I have stressful things happening in my life that I was blaming for the depression, etc. I cry---easily. I have panic attacks. I overreact to small things. Recently is has been worse than ever. I decided to skip my period by using NR back-to-back, I think that has put me over the top. Um going to remove my ring and keep it out to evaluate for improvement. I am nervous though since reading others posts regarding bad cramps post NR.

WoW! Sounds just like my symptoms also! Been on NuvaRing for one week now and I feel bloated, depressed....all of the above! I have also noticed this dark brown spotting! I had a baby 6 weeks ago and my Dr. and I decided that this would be the best method of BC for me....WRONG! I thought that the spotting and bitchiness was just my body adjusting back to not being prego...guess not! I also noticed weight gain..I was down to my pre-pregnancy weight and I have gained 3 lbs in the past 7 days with no appetite! WTF! Bloating has been a major problem these past fw days too! Guess it's off to Mirena for me! We'll see how that goes!

this is B again.18 yrs old. Also my sex drive has raised.I also suffer from Anxiety. I have been have cramps when im not on my period or near cause the NuvaRing im on stops my periods.I also thought I was pregnant but the all turn out neg.

I had been on BCP a couple of years ago but was really terrible about remembering to take a pill every day. I went off of those because I was no longer sexually active, and I didn't see any reason for it. When i met the man of my dreams and became active again I wend to my Dr. to go back on Birth Control I told her about my previous lack of ability in the pill-taking department and she prescribed the NuvaRing for me. At first I thought it would be great! I couldn't ever feel it, I never had the problems with slippage that other people seemed to complain about, and it didn't even bother my boyfriend or I during sex. After 2 months on the ring though, last night was my day to put it back in, and I didn't. My libido wained to absolute zilch (in talking with my BF about this last night, we realized that we had only made love 3 times in the past 2 months) I just never wanted it. The times that we had made love, I suffered from extreme dryness, to the point where it really hurt a lot, even using lube. I also suffered through 2 UTIs and a Yeast infection in the last 2 months. (not to mention the 10 lbs I've gained, and the crazy irritabless/depression that the poor guy has had to put up with for the last 2 months... best described by me as "a boat load of crazy")

My BF and I discussed it last night and we decided it was best for me to stop using the NR to see if my libido comes back (it seems to be on its way already) and see if the dryness improves. I think my boyfriend put it best when he said "if it makes it so that you never want sex, and when you do - it hurts, that's one hell of a birth control. Can't make babies if you never make love!"

We decided to just continue using condoms as we have even with the BC. (I know they're not perfect) We realize that there's a risk of getting pregnant, but like he said "We'll cross that bridge if we come to it."

I'll see how this next month or two goes... if I am back to normal, it's got to be the NR.

I am 31 years old. I had my daughter when I was 24 and developed pregnancy induced hypertension. After her birth my high blood pressure never went away. My doctor and I went around in circles trying to find a birth control that wouldn't make my blood pressure crazy. We finally came across the NuvaRing. I was so excited that it worked. My blood pressure was regulating and it was so perfect because I didn't have to remember a pill and I didn't have to worry about the patch showing in my bathing suit!!! I've been on the NR for almost years now and I'd say the first year or two were good. But I've had all kinds of problems that I just didn't know what was wrong with me anymore. I've had terrible headaches, nausea, severe depression, fatigue, anger issues, crying uncontrollably and lately my hair is falling out in the shower (in chunks). I actually went to a hospital and sat in the parking lot for hours because I thought I was going crazy. Every now and then I thought MAYBE it could be my birth control but then I thought, surely not! The only reason I finally started checking into this is because my boyfriend and I,who I've been with for a year and half, are having some serious issues in the bed. I have lost all desire to have sex. He keeps asking me what he did that made me not like sex with him anymore. I've tried to explain I have no idea what is wrong with me. Now I know. I hate to get off the birth control especially since I had such a hard time finding on that wouldn't effect my blood pressure, which I still take medication for, but this is killing me. I literally feel terrible. I don't wanna get out of bed and my head always hurts. I'm only 31. I shouldn't feel like this. Im so glad I found this website and Im not alone.

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

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

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

i have been on NR for 3 weeks now. i am no longer taking anti depressants, ive lost 20lbs. i feel great about my self and don't have to worry about taking a pill everyday. i have had dark brown mucus discharge with little blood in it for going onto 3 days now but is said to be expected. i have taken almost every oral b/c under the sun and have been close to self mutilation many times, sex angered me, didn't even want to be around my child or family, cried at everything then screamed at everyone for making me cry when it wasn't them at all. the nuvaring has saved my family, my relationship, and my life. i am very pleased.

I'm 24 and have had problem after problem with pills, IUDs and shots for years. Mood swings, weight gain, bleeding and pain. I thought I would try the NR as I hadn't heard of it before and thought it sounded like a great idea. I have been on it for one week today and I have literally gained 3kg in a week. Thank you all for posting your experiences, I thought I was going crazy to have put so much weight on in a week. I am going to remove it today. Has anyone found anything that they haven't had issues with? Some times I seriously wish I was a man haha

I just gave birth to my daughter 6 weeks ago and after 2 weeks of giving birth, I put in the NR, which was the first birth control I've ever used. I went to the doctor yester for my 6 week checkup and my thyroid is swollen to the size of an egg. He suggested getting an ultrasound and bloodwork done to check it out and I will be going this week but I was just wondering if the NR could contribute to this swelling since they're both hormone related. I have other symptoms but I thought it could be because I just had a baby: constipation, diarrhea, I felt like I had the flu and it turned out to be an upper respiratory infection, tired, severely dehydrated one day to the point of extreme body aches and pain, congestion, and of course the swollen thyroid now. After reading this site I'm worried I should take it out but I don't want to get pregnant again and it's hard for me to take pills religiously everyday. I thought this was an easy solution to that. I just put in my second ring 2 days ago. We'll see what my results are from the thyroid testing.

I been using the NV for the past 2 weeks. I am on my 3 rd week i have notice weight gain but the really bad side effect is my breast tenderness. OMG my breast hurt so bad it has this funny feeling like they is something in there growing. I want to stop using it but i have a very irregular period so i need it. My major side effect is the breast tenderness. Does anyone have any tips on ways to stop the breast tenderness

I was on the Nuvaring for about 2 1/2 months. In that time, I put on about 5 lbs around my midsection. I am very critical with weight gain so I went off of it. I also had some other issues such as a little dizziness and waking up with night sweats.
Since I've been off of it for two months, I feel like I am going crazy because of 3 things. I am SO hoping they are all related to going off of this ring! First, I have severe edema (water retention). I am 39 yrs old and normally 136, so I don't have a big weight issue, but each morning I wake up and my fingers feel like sausages. Well, this Sunday I noticed my ankles and feet were very swollen, so called my doctor. He prescribed me triamterene.
Within one night I had lost 5 pounds. The next night, 3 pounds. I was finally back in the mid one thirtys. Well, I go off of it for two days, and the water comes right back on. Along with HBP which I've NEVER had.
Then, as I was doing my 3 mile walk the other night, my chest felt like something was squeezing and crushing it. I was very scared and had to take many breaks for it to calm down.
I am so scared that there is something terribly wrong with me! I am giving it one more week to see if my body regulates itself. I am like an elderly person eating all low sodium, etc. My whole life is being turned upside down and I am afraid I am about to have a heart attack or have diabetes or both. This is insane.

I've only been on the NuvaRing for a month now. i just had my first cycle and the moodiness was horrible. i woke up the second day full of anger. i have been fighting with my boyfriend which isn't normal at all. he will say something and i know he doesn't mean it in a rude or hurtful way, i even tell myself that but within seconds i start yelling at him. Today i started getting angry at myself because i'm not where i thought i would be in my life. yes i get like that sometimes but today was really bad, i cried for two hours. i am super tired all the time. i have to take naps with my daughter. sex hurts because of dryness. sometimes it burns so bad with i pee it makes me cry. i'm not sure if my recently poor eye sight has anything to do with the NR but it just popped out of no where. i have headaches all the time. and the cramps are horrible. i'm really glad i checked out this site. i haven't heard anything bad from friends who use NR so i almost didn't look into it. thanks everyone!

I've only been on the NuvaRing for a month now. i just had my first cycle and the moodiness was horrible. i woke up the second day full of anger. i have been fighting with my boyfriend non stop for a week. he will say something and i know he doesn't mean it in a rude or hurtful way, i even tell myself that but within seconds i start yelling at him. i am super tired all the time. i have to take naps with my daughter. sex hurts because of dryness. sometimes it burns so bad with i pee it makes me cry. i'm not sure if my recently poor eye sight has anything to do with the NR but it just popped out of no where. i have headaches all the time. and the cramps are horrible. i'm really glad i checked out this site. i haven't heard anything bad from friends who use NR so i almost didn't look into it. thanks everyone!

I'va been on the nuvaring for 2 weeks now and wasn't on any birth control prior to the NR. I have been so tired, feeling sick, and very depressed the past couple of days. Not to mention extreme cramping and sex just isn't working with this. I thought maybe I was already pregnant or just so depressed I just want to sleep and eat the way I'm feeling until I read these issues other women are having. I am taking it out now.

Thank God for all of you.... I thought I was just crazy. I have been on NR for a little less than 2 months. I started using it because I am dating an awsome man but he is not ready for a child ( of his own I have one that he loves dearly).
I have had the chest pain, headache, nausea, lower back pain, mood swings, depression. I put it all together at work today( has to be the NR) and come home and found this site. The crying is driving me crazy I cry easily anyway but the last month has been so bad. I find myself saying I'm sorry to the ones I love for stuff I did in a mood swing. Like not understanding that boyfriend was stressed I usefully pick up on and understand, but I ended up having "a little fit" as he called. Not good since we only get to see each other about every other weekend if we are lucky.
With all that being said I want to take it out right now but I'm scared too. Why?? If I take it out will my period start.... I just put this one in on the 4of July? Really don't want that to happen boyfriend will be home this coming weekend and have not been able to have sex with him in about 6 or 7 weeks. Last weekend he was home I was on my period so we couldn't have sex, I would hate to tell him no again just 2 weeks later.(He is a Marine so I value every minute he is home)
I know this thing is coming out of me very soon and I hope and pray I can save my relationship and at least one friendship that is one the rocks because of the mood swings. The mood swings/ depression has affected every part of my life.
Thank you all for listening and I will be checking back in. Maybe let my boyfriend read some so he knows I'm not crazy.

i'm thankful to find this site as well. I was on the nuva-ring before (a couple years ago) and didn't notice the side effects. I've recently tried it again. I've had the the NR in for less than a week and already notice side effects.

I've been in such a terrible mood for the past 3 days (including crying fits) and couldn't identify the problem. My boyfriend is even being affected from it (as i am not the happy-go-lucky gal he is used to). I got to thinking that it may be due to a a hormone increase via the NuvaRing.

And here I am... with just a simple google search.. I realize i'm not alone. I can't wait to tell my boyfriend so that i have something to blame this on

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 used the nuvaring for 3 months about a year ago and I thought it was the greatest thing ever. This time around however I'm so disappointed. My feet have been swollen since insertion. To the point that they are bruised around my ankles. I sweat non-stop and am constantly hot. I also have the worst skin pigment issue on my face. It's almost like the maternity mask that you hear about pregnant women getting. My face has turned like dark tan but stops at the neck line. So it looks like I have the worst make-up line ever! I also starting loosing extreme amounts of hair and have had some weight gain. I seem to have a discharge like you get during ovulation but all month. I have taken it out. My feet are slowly reducing in size and my face seems to be returning to it's normal color. My hair is still falling out and the discharge hasn't stopped. I haven't had a period yet. I so sad because this is a really really awesome answer to mt birth control issues. I'm now thinking of getting my tubes tied. I read lots of your entries and didn't really find any with these types of side effects. Has anyone experienced anything similar?

I am so happy I found this site. I have been on the NR for about six months and I have noticed significant weight gain. At first I just thought it was that my metabolism had slowed down. I noticed that my stomach looks really big and swollen. So tonight I googled weight gain with the NR and I found this site. I am so happy that now I know whats wrong with me. After reading 6 posts I immediately went in the bathroom removed this thing from my body!!! Now hopefully my weight and my life can go back down to normal!!!!!

I am 17 years old and have been on NuvaRing for about 5 months. My doctor put me on birth control because i have polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) and would not be able to get my periods on my own. I've noticed that ive been much more tired and can sleep longer but that isn't what bothers me. PCOS made me have severe cystic acne but after being on the NuvaRing for a few months my skin is completely clear. Also, I find it convenient not to have to take a pill every day. The side effect that really bothers me is the weight gain. I have gained 10 pounds over the past 5 months and being 5'2 I really can't handle it. None of my clothes fit, my face looks fatter, and I am completely insecure. My boobs went up a cup size which is always a plus, but I really can't deal with the weight gain. I've been on birth control before and it made me gain 10 pounds also, and I was wondering if anyone has seen the weight gain disappear after using the NuvaRing for longer periods of time. If not, I plan on switching to a low-dose birth control this week but if the side effects of weight gain start to go away I would like to stay on the NuvaRing.

I started taking nuvaring 2 months ago and haven't been able to have sex since the day I put it in. I have ABSOLUTELY no sex drive and even the thought of sex makes me want to fall asleep. I also feel very dry down there. Other than that, I haven't had any side effects from nr but I will say this is going to be my last month on it because I feel really sorry for my husband. Any recommendations for another form of bc?

I have stopped using the NuvaRing due to my horrible mood, and breast tenderness...it has been two weeks now since I have been off of it, and the moods swings have vanished, but my breast are still so very tender. Has anyone experienced this after taking it out? or should I go by a pregnancy test?

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.

Hi Ladies,
Okay, So I added a post on here a couple days ago. I had mentioned about my mood swings that I was having...Well on Friday it was the worse day in the world for me it felt. The rage the I was feeling that day was completely unbearable, I felt so unfunctional. When I left work for the day things just got to me, and I cried the whole drive home...I thought to myself ok this has to do with the NuvaRing. As soon as I got home, I went and a took it out, this was only yesterday and I have to say I feel so much better, kind of like day and night. ADVICE: If you are feeling any of these horrible side effects from the NV I suggest you take it out ASAP, I promise you will start to feel better within hours.

Okay, I had to stop reading all these posts because it all makes sense now! Never even attributed half of my symptoms with NuvaRing and so I got up in the middle of this and took the thing out for good. I just started the NR about 1 week ago and I was joking with my boyfriend that my lack of sex drive but be how the birth control works. haha I haven't used anything besides condoms for about 6-7 years until now.

Lost all my sex drive
burning sensation the one time I had sex
Food cravings and weight gain
MOODY, I am such a light-hearted person and now everything ticks me off and trying not to be mean to my new boyfriend...but DON'T TOUCH ME
Breasts are so sore. Can't touch them at all.
Night sweats
Sleepiness
all day blahs and no desire to work or be productive
Stop wearing my contacts because of dryness.

All of this within a week. I thought I was crazy and got online to check low sex drive as a side effect for NR and found a lot of similar symptom with other people that I would have never put with the NR. I will wait a week or two and then come back and update to see if I go back to normal.

I can not say that NuvaRing is the reason for my illnesses but I am a fitness competitor and athlete and have always been very healthy with the exception of IBS that was diagnosed 5 or 6 years ago.
I am 37 years old and started using NR in August of 2008. In late August I went to emergency for extreme pain in my back and stomach. They put me in surgery to remove what turned out to be healthy appendix. Since then I have been to the Dr constantly with fevers, sinus infections, ear infection, bronchitis and most recently am undergoing tests to find out why my kidneys and pancreas are infected. I have been on antibiotics 4 times since January.
I started putting time lines together and decided to research the NR further. After looking at many symptoms, I opted to take the NR out in April of this year and go back to the pill.
I go back for another set of tests on my kidneys and pancreas next week and hope to find all is well. I have been off antibiotics now for 3 weeks and no sinus, ear or upper respiratory infections for the first time in month.
This is all unfortunate because I did appreciate the convenience of the NR but I am not willing to risk my health.

I've been reading some of the responses of you ladies on the NR, and I just don't understand it at all. I'm 29 years old, and I've been on it for over 6 years-ish, and I absolutely love it. It took me many years to find a BC method that I liked, and I'm so sorry you all have had such horrific experiences, all I can say, is keep looking for one that you like, something is bound to work for you, but keep tabs on your own health. Remember that NOBODY knows your body like you do, and if a doctor thinks you're crazy, go to a different doctor.

Oh, forgot to add -- the few times I have actually had sex while on the NuvaRing I had this intense burning sensation to the point where I was almost in tears and I had to ask him to stop!! Has anyone else experienced this??

I have been on NR for 3 weeks now. I'm 23 and haven't taken any form of BC in a few years but now that I am in a serious relationship I wanted to protect myself. I was so excited about NR because I didn't have to remember to take a pill everyday and my GYN told me that there are virtually no side effects. YEAH RIGHT!!!!! I thought I was crazy for the way I have been feeling lately but after reading all of these posts I am soooo relieved to learn that i'm not!

The first side effect I noticed that came on immediately and has not stopped since I started NR is a cramping feeling in my lower abdomen. It feels like period cramps only not quite as bad. It doesn't really hurt it's just annoying. The second side effect I noticed which started about a week after I began NR was that I lost my sex drive almost entirely! My boyfriend and I just spent a week on a cruise together alone and we didn't even have sex once!! The other side effect I have is migraine headaches. I got my first one the 2nd week after starting NR and they are horrible!!! I'm also constantly hungry! I have gained 10 lbs in the last 3 weeks! And every time after I eat I get really nauseous for about an hour or two. The last thing is that I have been super moody lately. Things that normally don't bother me I am getting really irritated and annoyed about. I'm already on medication for anxiety and mild depression which I started way before the NR so I know that the NR is what is causing it.

I was recently tested for a hormone imbalance which came back negative a few months ago so all of these problems HAVE to be coming from the NR. They all started within the last 3 weeks which is when I started using the NR.

For any woman out there who is considering taking NR PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE seriously think about. I have heard more bad than good about this product!!!

NR has been great birth control...but only because my crazy mood swings & crying jags don't exactly put either my BF nor myself in the mood for love. I've always been one of those "stiff upper lip" types & have never been able to remember when asked when the last time I cried was (nor the reason)...at most, I cried once or twice a year, usually out of sheer exhaustion from work. However, in the past two months since I started NR, the answer now would have to be either "yesterday" or "I'm crying right now". Even my mother (with whom I talk daily) has noticed that I'm not the same strong person I used to be & it started with the NuvaRing. I am so tired of feeling like lying in the dark, listening to Joy Division & feeling sorry for myself, that after sobbing though (yet another) commute, I pulled the ring out & threw it in the trash on the way into the house today. Now, all I need to do is find a new birth control method...

I totally agree with the symptoms being discribed by everyone. I've had the NR in for about 24 hours now, and I've already experienced anxiety and depression. I'm going to try and give it a fair months trial, but it's not off to a great start...

Death. A 30 year-old Visalia CA mom of three (one is eight weeks old) started having side effects just after she started using the NR. She stopped and got pregnant. During her pregnancy, her side effects returned for about three months. Later in her pregnancy, she seemed to improve. Her baby was born March 8 and both were healthy. She was suffering from headache, nausea, stomach pains, depression, throat constriction (she could no longer eat solid food). She died May 1. The coroner hasn't been able to determine a cause of death. Every medical "professional" she saw told her she was "just depressed" and "there's nothing wrong with you." Now, she's dead.

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

I just put the NuvaRing in last night and today I just don't feel right. I had a slight headache this morning which I didn't attribute to the ring because I was already on my cycle but I have been on an emotional rollercoaster this morning. After reading the side effects I got scared. I started having shortness of breath, which is one of the signs they tell you to look out for and call the doctor immediately. However, I am not sure if the shortness of breath is from the ring or me having a panic attack which I do have occasionally when I get nervous and/or scared. So needless to say I have called my doctor and asked her to call the pharmacy and refill my RX for the OrthoTricyclen that I was previously on which I will probably start to take tonight after removing this thing. All of this and it hasn't even been 24 hours.

Omg, I thought I was crazy until I read the reviews on this site. I've been on the NR for over a year now and it has been HORRIBLE. I originally thought it was okay b/c I didn't have to remember to take a pill, but now I'm excited to be going back to the pill! My skin was crystal clear when I was on the pill (all the different kinds ive tried), but that ended when I got on the NR. I am BEYOND moody, anything will make me snap, I cry instantly, have WAY too much v-discharge, sex hurts really bad.. to the point where I can't even do it twice in a row with my boyfriend anymore, and besides that I don't even have a sex drive. I have to force myself to do it.. and thats hard because I can barely get wet anymore. Oh and here's the worst thing: I'VE GAINED 31 POUNDS SINCE I HAVE BEEN ON THE NR!! I went from 105 to 136. And I've always been the kind of person that NEVER could gain weight.. but now I realize that the ring is the reason I'm having so many issues. I am switching to Ortho try cyclen lo next week and am BEYOND happy. I can't take this anymore! I don't recommend that ANYONE try the NuvaRing.. it is HORRIBLE!

i've been on the NuvaRing for over a year and i have a really low sex drive now, im on topamax for headaches from it, and im also having awful side effects from it too. i suck with medication i guess. haha

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 have been using the NuvaRing for about 6 months now. I thought it would be a blessing because I would not have to take a pill everyday. I am 23 years old. Have a fantastic serious boyfriend. and NO sex drive. I have always been a happy person, so this behavior has been obvious to not only me, but others. I have been considering going to see a therapist because i just can't seem to get out of this "funk". And thanks to all of the posts, I now think I have a legit answer to my behavior. Besides having little, to no, sex drive.. I have been having waves of depression, headaches, moodiness, feeling anxious, fatigue, weight gain, (looks like someone put an air pump in my face, ugh.) and plain weird thoughts. I really just feel out of my body, just not with it at all. I have tried diet changes, regular exercise, etc. Basically, trying to fix my depressed feelings/anxiety without having to see a doctor or get on another medication. Does anyone know how long it takes to get the NR out of your system. Just ready to get back to normal!!!

I've been on the Nuvaring for about a year and I didn't experience any of the crazy stuff people are mentioning on here. Every birth control is different for everyone, so you really have to know your body and what works for you. I.E., someone mentioned crazy thoughts while either on or when taking out the NR like suicide and suspicions of a cheating boyfriend. I was wicked anxious while on the Shot, and crying for anything! So, really, it depends on what works best for you.

I happen to love the ring, and I'm on here looking for more information on long-term effects if anyone knows where I can read about that. I know it's fairly new, so this may be hard to find.

I have been on the NuvaRing for two weeks now and I have had cramps almost every day. They have been getting worse as time goes on. I am cranky and starting to argue with my husband more now. The first week on the ring sex was great but now it just burns and hurts. I still want to have sex but avoid it because I know how much it will hurt. I have also experienced breast tenderness and spotting. I do not like it and plan to take it out forever after this next week.

I have been using the Nuvaring for about 5 months now and I can say that I wasn't a fan from day one.

I have been taking BC since the birth of my second child 6 years ago but I often forgot to take my pills and I wanted something easy. I thought the NR would be perfect until I got one.

I have been extremely moody, I have terrible headaches, occasionally the anxiety is so bad that I get nauseated, and all I want to do is sleep.