NuvaRing and period

I love it. I have absolutely no adverse side effectswhatsoever -- in fact, for the first time in about 15 years of being on a contraceptive my moods are completely stable, I don't skip periods and I haven't gained an ounce . It also doesn't seem to inhibit my ability to spell (sorry ladies, but really, the spelling and grammar being used in this forum is shameful).

This is the second posting of mine about the Nuva Ring. I went off the Nuva Ring last Sunday as you can read in the other posting. I got my period yesterday unexpectedly (which wasn't too much of a shock because my body is going to be "off" for awhile from not having the hormone intake). I just finished my regularly "scheduled" period 1 week and 5 days ago....so now i've had 2 periods in the last 2 weeks. I've had some minor headaches pretty much every day...i dont usually have to take asprin or anything, but they are noticable. I woke up this morning and my period had been so heavy last night that it soked through my underwear (using a tampon) and that hasn't happened since i've been on any form of birth control (about 5 yrs). Anyways, just thought i'd update anyone who was wondering about some symptoms of taking out the ring (mid cycle). Anyone have questions about it.....ask!

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

I was on this for about 9 months. When I first started it, it was soooo much better than my previous B/C (Ortho Micronor. I had a migrane and nausea nearly every night for a year, but I was breastfeeding at the time so this was my best option then)

So when I first started this I was so relieved that I didn't feel sick and felt pretty normal. After a few months my relationship started to get worse & worse. Everything my boyfriend did irritated me and I'd pick fighs with him all the time. I'd cry at the drop of a hat, and I'd scream and yell when I was mad (I am usually a very soft spoken person) A couple people actually said they were concerned and thought I was depressed.

Along with the emotional side effects, I started spotting in the middle of the month, and my periods were over a week long. For two weeks out of the month I was either spotting or on my period. (I tried just leaving the ring in to skip periods but I always bled anyway) I had 2 yeast infections in two months; both started a couple days after I inserted the nuvaring.

I threw out my nuvaring after my last yeast infection in July and decided to go hormone free for a while. Sure enough my moods improved, my relationships improved, my periods were more regular, and no more painful yeast infections.

The nuvaring was a great idea in theory, but the wrong mix of hormones for me.

I've been on the ring for four full months now and am the most pleased with this than any other birth control I've been on. This is the first method that I didn't feel super moody and irritable. I'm completely myself and am not wanting to eat everything in sight. I have had only slight side effects, such as lower back pain, but it definitely lessened after I completed three full cycles. My periods are also super light and short. Before I started birth control my periods were 7 days and I had to change my super tampon every 2 - 3 hours for days. Now they're barely 3 days and I only use regular tampons that last the full 8 hours. I do have more discharge than normal and I have breakouts during the second week, but it can easily be covered by makeup. I'm going to change birth control pills for a few months to see if I can find one that doesn't have those side effects, but if not then I'm switching back.

I have been on NuvaRing for 4 months. I was previously on DepoProvera for 10 years, but due to bone loss, osteopenia, had to get off it. I had no side effects with Depo, no periods, no PMS, no problems.
I gained 12 pounds the first 2 months on NR. My weight continues to climb, even though I exercise and eat well. My breasts are swollen and sore constantly. I have excessive discharge, itchiness, and burning. I have also noticed I have gas more often.
I do not take the ring out for a week for a period, I just insert a new ring after 3 weeks and have experienced no bleeding. I have NOT experienced any of the other symptoms, such as depression, anxiety, mood swings, headaches, which is surprising since I have been estrogen-deficient for 10years and am suddenly on it.
Overall, my symptoms seem minimal compared to others' experiences, so maybe everyone is different. But it does scare me that these symptoms are possible in the future.

PROS:
easy to use, convenient
only have to take it once/3 weeks
big boobs!
no period

CONS:
weight gain
breast soreness
yeast infections, itchiness
excessive discharge
gas
cost $35 every 3 weeks (my Depo was free)

I found this site while searching for "tired, achy, bloated, weight gain" on Google. I'm wondering if this is what is going on with me. I have been on NR for about 8 months now and lately I have been so tired that I fall asleep when I get home from work, and I can't do more than a couple of hours of errands, etc, before I am worn out. I am a photographer and after I do a wedding I ache so bad and am so exhausted that I can barely move the next day. I have also experienced increased discharge. My first few periods on NR were heavy, but just last month it was barely enough to use anything. I have no idea what is going on but would like some consistency.

My wife has been on N.R. since Nov. 06. Like other people here, her first side affect was a lost sex drive. Before she started it, she wanted sex close to every other night, shortly after starting N.R. it slowly decreased to once a week if I was lucky. Her and I both blamed it on the stress of planning and paying for our wedding. However after the wedding it only got worse. Her sex drive was gone, and her periods started to go away. Over the course of 3 months her periods went from a full week to no period at all. We took several preg. tests, and all of them were negitive. We tried calling Nuva Ring, to talk to them about the problems, but they were so sure of their product, that they told my wife she was pregnant. Well we finaly decided to just take the ring out (only 3 days after inserting a new one) and see when happened. About one week later, her period returned and her sex drive is slowly incresing. - a happy husband

I started the ring seven months ago and thought, at first, that it was perfect. Though my period lasted 12 days when I first inserted it and my mood swings were monstrous (upon insertion) the first couple months After about 3 months my moodiness - now, one week before I start my period - has become uncontrollable. At first, it was just sore, enlarged breasts and a slight decrease in my sex drive, then it became, depression and crying for no reason, then a burning sensation in my hips and now my depression and crying jags have become all consuming and detrimental to my entire well-being. I would like to know what type of BC that women with similar symptoms have started taking. I need to change before my entire life becomes compromised because of my mood swings.

I was on the NuvaRing for about 4 years and loved it. I never had any spotting or break through bleeding the entire time I was on it. I did notice that my periods lasted longer than before. I never felt the Ring when it was in, not even during sex! I guess everything just reacts differently with different people's bodies. I would at least recommend that everyone try this out. It was great not to have to worry about taking a pill every day. I recently switched to Seasonique becuase the idea of 4 periods a year sounded great. I am experiencing a lot of nausea and some other side effects that I never had with the Ring...if the side effects don't subside within a few months I will be switching back to the Ring.

I have been on NR for 5 months. I have experience all of the symptoms metioned in these postings. I have to tell you its a relief to hear I'm not the only one. I feel like I'm falling apart. My periods are about 2 days of brown spotting, the nightsweats are terrible. I know its summer but for no reason I just break out into a sweat and not only at night. Also I have been having kidney pain and what are described as "ice pick headaches". I didnt see these mentioned here. Anyone else feel it? It also feels like I have something in my stomache but it turns out its all the bloating. I also read one poster how she would drink and drink and not go to the bathroom. That happens to me too. I will be making an appt to see my OBGYN to discuss other options.

Hi! I started NR about a year ago. I also thought it was great when I started it. It has helped me in many ways...my skin has gotten clearer....my periods are on time and the same amount of time every month (5 days). I don't get as bad cramps as I used to. There are negatives though, as with any medication. I am VERY irritable. I didn't notice until my friends told me. I am very negative and pissed off more than I used to be. This past month, I got my period, it ended and I put my new ring in on sunday. That was last Sunday. I have my period again and it started yesterday. Its very strange. Anyone have this happen?

I was on the nuva ring for about 7 months. At first everything was fine. Then I started to get cramping and brown spotting in the middle of my cycle and periods that would last a long time. I never seemed to stop bleeding. One incident that occured was a terrible itch, but I was told that was associated with wearing tampons too much, since I was bleeding too much! I got sick of the cramping and spotting so I quit the ring. I've never been on anything else.

At first I loved my nuva ring, it was convenient, simple and I never even noticed it was there. Then I started having problems, I am very moody (although I thought I might have been bipolar before), I have depression (more severe than before), anxiety attacks (quite frequently), nightmares almost every night except for the week when I take it out. The ring has started slipping during intercourse causing some major discomfort, I am always achy and hot! I am sure there are other things that I have noticed that are different now that I have been taking it but I can't remember them. All I know is next week is my yearly appointment and I'm telling her I want to go back on the pill. ach why can't they ever get birth control right I was on the patch before this but as soon as I found out that it was no good either I stopped using it. Problem is I have PCOS and have to take birth control to keep having periods every month. Otherwise I only have them like twice a year. So yeah i wish they would figure it out!

I've been on NuvaRing for almost 6 months now and absolutely LOVE it! I had tried a few other oral birth controls before and decided to try this one after a close friend told me about it. I have not had any unusual symptoms and recommend it to all my close girl friends. But, everyone's body reacts different so you never know. I love the fact that the hormones are being released at a steady rate, that has made my periods a breeze!

I started having sex for the first time a few months ago with my boyfriend, so I decided to go to the Obgyn and get on birth control for the first time. Before I went to the doctor I did quite a bit of research to decide what type of birth control I wanted to get. I got to the doctor and she suggested NuvaRing. I hadn’t considered the option much but from what she said it sounded very convenient and simple. I liked the fact that you could just leave it in and not worry about it. She told me that she had many patients who really liked it and didn’t list many side effects that sounded too unbearable. I decided to start it but regretted it very soon after. The first week went fine and I didn’t notice any side effects at all. Then about a week after ending my period, I started another one! At first I thought it might just be spotting because it was listed as a side effect and the bleeding wasn’t heavy at all. I kept waiting for it to go away but it kept on coming, and getting worse! Three days into it I was bleeding more than I do during a normal period. I keep waiting for it to stop but I just keep bleeding and it’s now been going for seven days, four days longer than my periods normally last. It also smells really bad and has a brownish color that is not usually present in my normal periods. I am extremely annoyed and don’t really know what’s happening. I feel really gross all the time and have absolutely no sex drive. Although I haven’t even had sex since starting the ring because of this never-ending bleeding, any other type of sexual activity I engage in either hurts or just doesn’t interest me at all. I have also had cramps and lower back pain persistently since I started using the ring. These pains haven’t been excruciating, but they certainly have been annoying. I thought these were the only side effects until I found this site and started reading. I have been considerably more moody and irritable lately and never really made the connection until now. I don’t usually have too many fights with my boyfriend but lately we have been constantly fighting for really no reason at all. He seems to avoid me and we have been spending a lot less time together and it’s making me quite depressed. I am irritable and impatient at work and everything and everyone seems to annoy me. I am uptight and have trouble letting lose and having fun or finding joy in simple things. I recently had a close friend die, and I just figured this was the cause of all of my emotional problems, but after reading all this I’m starting to think it is NuvaRing that’s causing all these problems! I also read some things about women getting cold sores because of this product, and guess what? I’m getting a cold sore! I’m definitely going to start looking for a new birth control option. I’m very disappointed because at first I thought NuvaRing was a great, simple, convenient option but it’s not at all worth all these side effects.

I just finished my 5th cycle on Nuvaring. I decided to use Nuvaring because my OBGYN suggested it as a contraceptive, I did not want to take the pill everyday and I was hoping it would help regulate my periods. Nuvaring is the only birth control I've been on and the information I got with it did not list mood swings as a major side effect. I did not realize at first that my moods had changed until a few months after I started the medication. I've been having horrible mood swings, depression, and anxiety. This caused a lot of fights with my boyfriend and I thought that it was all his fault but I realize now that I have become very testy and I overreact... I did not act that way before the medication. I now realize that these severe mood changes occur the worst on the day I take the ring out and during my period. At first I was so happy that my period was lighter and not sporadic. I have not had any of the other side effects I've read on this forum but I am going to discontiue using it. I recently saw an advertisement for a birth control pill that is suppose to have less side effects and I am going to ask my OBGYN about it.

I began using NuvaRing about a year ago not for birth control, but to help minimize heavy period. For that purpose, it was worked. However, during the same time I became very depressed and emotional. I thought it was all related to losing my dad. For the past few months, I have had edema in feet and legs, shortness of breath, racing heart, fatigue, and most recently excrutiating pain in my hips, legs, and feet. I have spoken to my OB/GYN about this and have seen my family doctor. No one has suggested NuvaRing as a possible contributor. I removed the ring two days ago and as of today, the symptoms have not subsided. I really don't want to use the NuvaRing anymore, but will have to ask OB/GYN for something else so I don't revert to the horrible periods. If someone else has experienced any of these symptoms, please let me know. I feel so out of control

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!

Wow...its so nice to find this website!! Thank you!! I am 32 years old, and have never been on birth control. I decided that I wanted to try the NR because I have severe cramps, vom, etc. every month with my period. I thought the NR would be better than relying on the pill.

Anywho...I cant even begin to explain the out of control depression I am experiencing. I dont know if it is related to the NR.

If anyone can help and let me know if once they removed the NR, if they were back to themselves.

Thanks Bunches Everyone

i recently have been concerned for about 2 weeks.
i forgot to take the nova ring out. I took about 2 pregenacy test. both are negative. im only 18 yrs old. i missed my period for about a week.
what should i do??

chelsea

It's nice to know that I'm not the only one that has been having side effects with the Nuvaring. My doctor put me on it to help with my Periods. I was going 4-5 months without a period and then getting a major one. I have been on the Nuvaring now for like 2 1/2 months. I have no sexual drive (poor hubby); depression; dizziness (no fainting though); major stomach pains/cramps; minor headaches and just feeling majorly crappy. As of right now on Wednesday I will have my Period for two weeks straight. I can't deal with this. I am calling the doctor either tomorrow or Wednesday and saying I would rather go back to the way I was then feel the way I do now. I am just oh so glad that I am not alone. Thanks for sharing your stories.

I have been using the ring for about 9 months. I have used it both as directed - 3 wk in, 1 wk out - and continuously for 3 months at a time. My 'side' effects have been: (1) vaginal discharge, which took a little getting used to but is actually an improvement over the extreme dryness I had with Orthotricyclin pills. (2) noticibly fuller breasts with occasional tenderness, mostly in the 3rd week. (3) Finally, my periods are so light on the ring, it's almost spooky - I'm glad to read here that this is not uncommon. Overall, I'd say the ring suits me well. Notably, I haven't experienced any changes in mood. Good luck to all of you out there who are trying to find the right BC!

I've been on the NuvaRing for 18 mos. The NuvaRing has made my periods lighter; however I have frequent headaches. I thought they were stress related. But, after I went through times of low stress, the headaches persisted. I also have lost my sex drive. I'm going off of it next week.

I did not like the ring at all! I was on the patch (loved it) for a 1 1/2 years and did not have any problems until the end I started having headachs. So I started the ring, talk about acting crazy! I was crying all the time for no reason, had cramps so bad I had to stop what I was doing until it past, had cramps all the time, my periods lasted a week and half, and NO SEX DRIVE at all! I am now starting ovcon-35. I hope it does better for me. Good luck to anyone on the ring and I hope you don't have any of the problems I did.

I have been using Nuvaring for 5 months. It took me a while to realize that it caused all the problems I've had recently:
Migraine headaches
Nausea
Insomnia. I woke up every night for 2-3 hours. I have never had any sleep problems until using Nuvaring.
Agressivity. Friends describes me as someone patient, calm and suddenly I became mad a teveryone
Cramps durong periods
Weight loss (I'm slightly underweight, and do not need or want to loose weight)
loss of libido

I'm probably forgetting some as there are so many..
I took the ring out 2 weeks ago and already feel better, and I can sleep