NuvaRing and pills

I don't have too many side effects with the ring. It does not give me nausea as pills, I don't have spotting or severe depression as with patch.
But I still have some serious fatigue and a low-grade fever, similar to cold. But no cold can last 3 weeks. I cannot make myself to do anything and that's the biggest problem. I am considering quitting NuvaRing.

I have only been on it for 6 weeks, but two weeks into it i became very dry, itchy and irritated down there. I figured it was a yeast infection, so I treated over the counter. Did nothing. I went to the dr. who said it could in no way be the ring and did urine and blood test. Until the blood test came back they put me on a cream in case it was a yeast infection and was not all gone on the outside. The blood came back that I had the cold sore form of herpes (will duh I get cold sores) and so they have me on an antiviral mediation. Three days into a five day medication the itching is worse. I keep telling my husband I think it is the ring, but the dr. says it does not do this. Does anyone else have this problem? I do not have to be on the ring for birth control, they are using it to treat something with my cycles that I am realizing would be better to live with than the itching and burning. Please tell me if anyone else has this side effect.

Hi all. this just an update from my last post having experienced symptoms such as shortness of breath and chest pains. last week i was admitted to the hospital for deep vein thrombosis and PULMONARY EMBOLISM. the nuvaring really did a number on my health and now i will be stuck taking blood thinning pills for the next 9 months of my life. the nuvaring is very dangerous

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

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

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

OMG, the only reason i am not taking this thing out right now is because i don't want my cycle to start early...but i am having all of these symptoms that i am reading about, and i feel like another reviewer when they said it almost causes divorce!! My husband thinks i am just not wanting to have sex, but btwn the low sex drive this thing is causing and the burning and painful sex, its not me, its the ring!! i always read reviews but i didn't read the reviews on this thing only because when i went to the doctor, i had planned on getting my pills that i keep forgetting to take again! i am calling my doctor first thing in the am to call my doctor and pharmacist!!

So I've been on Nuvaring about 6 or 7 months. First 2 months were cool, nothing out of the ordinary. But now it's just horrible. I took it out Sunday and I'm NOT putting it back in. First the weight gain. I've gained a good 15-20 lbs since I've been on it. Sexual desire is non-existent. And when we do I'm extremely dry. KY doesn't even work. Mood swings have been up and down. Oh my breasts have increased 4 cup sizes!! No complaint from my boyfriend about that, but its irritating when you have to buy new bra sizes every month because the others are just too small! After I take it out for the 7 days, I always get these on-going headaches that never seems to go away, even with pain relievers. So I'm just gonna go back to the pills or just the good ole condom and "pull out" method :) Wish me luck!

Wow, I decided to google nuvaring and leg cramps. I haven't had a charlie horse in 11 years, but I had one two weeks ago and I have noticed my legs are always achey. I have rheumatoid arthritis and my other joints don't even hurt this bad. After reading this I took it out. I rather have long periods than leg cramps. Guess I will call the doctor on Monday and let her know. I can't take oral pills because it goes through the liver. This sucks. I just wasted 35.00 after getting the mail order people to drop the one prescription from 67.00 to 35.00. I am anxious to see if my leg cramps go away. :-)

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.

About 4 months ago, I decided it was time to try birth control for the first time. I am 23, and I'd been having terrible heavy periods, with cramps that were so bad I couldn't move or function at work. It felt like a little alien was trying to claw its way out of my uterus. I chose NuvaRing because I know I am terrible at remembering pills, and the doctor suggested this as an alternative to pills. The first 2 months on the ring, my period started and never stopped... for two months straight, every day. The third month it seemed to have leveled out, and my fourth month is going fine so far, as far as the period is going. I went from a 6-day heavy painful period to a 3-day light and easy period, which I love. I do not love, however, the other side effects.

The last month or two, I've been experiencing headaches almost every day, nausea, dizziness enough to where I have to steady myself, and some crazy roller-coaster emotions. The nausea I can deal with, as well as the dizziness (sometimes), because they only happen once in a while. The emotional roller-coaster I've been on is killing me though. I'm the kind of girl who normally shows emotions with crying - I can't help it. But lately, it's like anything and everything will set me off crying, and the more I try to stop myself, the more I cry. Then I hate myself for crying so much, especially when it makes my boyfriend cry to see me like that. Life has been good for me - not the best spot I want to be in right now (I hate my job and wonder whose life I'm living sometimes, because it sure as hell ain't the one I wanted), but lately it seems like everything is just horrible and I'm feeling so depressed and I just want to get out of here and leave it all behind, including the birth control. And to make things worse, it feels like my sex drive has just suddenly *poof* gone away. It makes me feel terrible and wonder what's wrong with me. What's wrong with me that I'm crying all the time (damn near everyday, now) and get depressed about my life more than ever before, and am suddenly never in the mood anymore?

I really wonder if the benefits of the ring are worth all those side effects I'm experiencing. Though, it seems with any birth control you run the risk of those side effects, so I guess I'm just at a loss as to what to do.

I am 24 years old. I started using the Nuvaring about 9 months ago, back in November shortly after my youngest son was born. In January, only two months after starting it, I was beginning to have severe stomach pains and a lot of nausea that would come and go throughout the day. I went into the emergency room one night because it got so bad and they told me that I was going to have to have my gallbladder removed due to large stones. I'm trying to figure out whether anyone else has had any similar issues with the ring. I have read here and there that gallbladder disease is a side effect but I also have issues with it in my family. Has anyone else had a problem with this? I have also dealt with a lot of depression, headaches, slight weight gain, mood changes (just as bad, if not worse then while I was pregnant) and I am going to have to schedule an eye exam because it seems like the past few months, my eye sight has just gone down hill fast. I have never had to wear glasses or contacts.

Has anyone else out there had issues with their gallbladder and eyesight? Most of the posts that I see are saying issues with hair loss and depression. I am seriously thinking about talking to my doctor about changing methods, I was just wondering if there are people having symptoms like mine or whether I need to attribute them to something else. Any information would be helpful, Thanks.

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.

While in the 1st month on the NuvaRing, I experienced small bumps on my stomach area (bellow breast & above the belly button). I thought it was heat rash. However, while in the 2nd month on the NuvaRing, I experienced sunburn/welting hives (range from 1/2 to 4 inches) all over my body, swollen fingers/hands, swollen lips, swollen left side of my face (including eyes), heartburn feeling in my chest. This landed me in the ER because I had a hard time breathing. The ER doctor immediately administered Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) via an IV. I was also given Prednisone (steroids) Famotidine (Pepcid). The next day--I still have hives that pop up of I don't take the Diphenhydramine & Prednisone pills on schedule. The chemical/NuvaRing has to get out of my system!!! Beware Ladies!!!

I have been on ortho tricyclin lo, and then tried Yaz, and now i have been on nuvaring for three months. The only weird thing that I have noticed is that there are times when I feel my mood completely change. My boyfriend even notices, asks me about it, and then I have sudden urges to cry. I am a nurse, and even cried on my way into work today. Not sure if this is because of the nuvaring. As for those that have no sex drive, I have one, and on the other pills was so dry. But with this, I actually noticed that it helped with the dryness. Anyone cry all the time like i do?

I've used NuvaRing for over 4 years ~ LOVE IT! I always had a light period with no cramps or anything like that. The ring hasn't changed that. I think the only noticeable side effect I experienced recently is the inability to continue to wear contact lenses. My left eye has become extremely dry and no eye doctor could figure out why... I assume it's from the NR, though hard to imagine since I've been using it for over 4 years.

Well, seeing as that's my only complaint, I still think it's so worth it. I never used BC pills because I know I'd forget. The NR works great and I have never had any problems with it.

I am SO glad i found this website. I am 18 and have been on the nuvaring since i was 16. I have been off of it for almost 3 weeks and I feel amazing. I got the nuvaring because it was easy and I was bad at remembering pills. Since I have been on the nuvaring i feel like a totally different person than I used to be and im not exaggerating.I have absolutely NO sex drive, i have been severely depressed and low self esteem because of how much weight I have gained because of it. A total of 45 pounds! its DISGUSTING. I eat very healthy and exercise so there is no excuse for the weight gain and I seem the starve myself at times and not a pound lost. I am now off of it and my cravings have gone away, I am sooo much happier, and guess what! I want to have sex again! I would not recommend the nuvaring to anyone!!!

I am 25 years old and have been on nuvaring since July of 2007 (so 2 full years now). I didn't really start to notice any symptoms until June of 2008. I didn't have any of the weight gain (I actually lost weight--probably due to a battery of other side effects I'm now noticing-- I was 125 in college and am 114 today).

In June 2008 my periods started to get REALLY BAD! I mean I would put a tampon in and an hour later be leaking like a river. I was at a movie one night and actually had to tie my sweatshirt around my waist and run to the bathroom because I had bleed through my jeans SOOOOOOO bad. For the last year I've had to change my tampon every 2-3 hours and always, always, always use super sized pads to make sure I don't bleed through any more clothes! I've noticed clotting the past few months as well. Before that I had NEVER passed clots during my period.

Since April of 2008 I've been in a serious relationship with a loving man who recently became my fiance. We are deeply in love, but I have ABSOLUTELY NO DESIRE to have sex, none. This is worsened by the fact that sex causes me UNIMAGINABLE pain and burning to the point I try to avoid it at all costs (we've tried condoms, water based lubes, silicon lubes, gels, you name it, all to no avail!). I went to the OB/GYN in February of this year (2009) to tell her about my painful sex experience, because this was something completely new to me. She said I had vestibulitis (very similar to vaginitis) and gave me pills and creams to take everyday twice a day for the rest of like forever to try and help me. From reading some of these posts I'm thinking that getting rid of the nuvaring might just help more than those pills and creams (and the nuvaring probably gave me the damn vestibulitis to begin with!). I am also hoping to get any of my sex drive back at all. Please!!

The past two weeks is where the headaches, neck pain, dizziness, fatigue, nausea have really started to become noticeable. I almost couldn't finish making the bed yesterday and I've had a headache and neck pain for the past 8 days straight! I am constantly tired and have realized looking back that I've been constantly tired for pretty much the past two years. I've also realized that I've had some mild depression for the past two years as well. I pretty much haven't wanted to get out of bed or eat anything for the past few months and have no desire or energy to do pretty much anything.

I also think I have the mood swing issue. I cry, and I mean to the point I can't speak, over the stupidest things. And the crying comes on with no warning. I can be talking and fine one minute and a sobbing mess the next. I get really angry with my fiance for what seems like trivial things a lot lately. I get very irritable really easily and it seems. This is strange for me because in the past I have normally been able to stay pretty stable and even keel emotionally.

I took my ring out today, even though I really have like 10 days left for this month. Back when I was 19 and started on the Pill I did so because my cramps and periods were so bad I missed class or work. I am hoping that the next couple months aren't quite that bad, but I'm hoping to detox my system of this ring and start over. AND GET MY LIFE BACK!

I started the ring because of it's easy "put it in and forget about it for three weeks" convenience. When I was younger I was always forgetting to take the pill. I am not sure what kind of birth control I'll go back to when in a couple months, but I know it isn't going to be this EVIL RING!!!

I started on the NuvaRing in April of this year, so this is my 4th month on it. The first month was great! I loved that I didn't have to think about it daily and my libido was through the roof! The only side effects: I noticed immediately that it increased my discharge, which was a little uncomfortable on a day-to-day basis but was very nice for making love. The discharge was also a whitish color, which threw me off because I'm used to it being clear but my doctor assured me that all was normal. Also, it would occasionally fall out during more passionate sex, which wasn't a big deal. I just washed it off with cold water and reinserted it. The second month, things seemed great until the last half of the month. I noticed that there wasn't as much discharge and I would get a slight burning sensation after sex. About a week later, I came down with a full blown yeast infection. I hadn't had a yeast infection in 10 years! I treated it with an OTC 3 day suppository, which seemed to help it a little. I removed the NuvaRing like normal and a few days later I started my period. Things seemed to go back to normal and a week went by without much problem. The middle of the 3rd month I was slammed full force with yet another (or the same) yeast infection, plus bacterial vaginosis as well. I asked the doctor about the NuvaRing and it possibly causing/aiding yeast infections. She assured me that it wasn't possible for the ring to cause infection. She gave me instructions on how to properly rinse it off in case it ever fell out again. She prescribed me 2 doses of Diflucan for the yeast and an antibiotic for the BV. I took both and afterward things seemed fine for another 2 weeks. This week, I noticed that I had a weird itchy feeling down there before bed and sure enough when I woke up in the morning it appeared I had another yeast infection. I called to make an appointment but the nurse just called back and prescribed me 2 more Diflucan pills and told me to give one to my partner. I asked again about the NuvaRing perhaps being an aid in the appearance of these infections and again she told me that it wasn't possible. At this point I am really confused. I don't know if I have a really bad yeast infection due to the ring or if my boyfriend and I are simply reinfecting each other. I also asked about whether I should discard this NuvaRing and start a new one after the infection clears up and got a very vague response of "it's your call". I really don't know whether to can the NuvaRing or keep going a little longer to see if this is all a big coincidence. I just think there isn't enough known about the NuvaRing...by my physician anyway. More side effects to note in the fourth month: weight gain, loss of sexual desire, vaginal dryness (the discharge was short-lived), irritability, crying fits. I'm just at a loss...I really wanted this to work for me...

I am 22, and a newly wed. I have been using NR since i was 18. I have been pretty happy with it until this last couple months when i have started to have some severe side effects. I actually ended up in the ER the 29th of may. i had some weight gain at the beginning but i figured that it was normal and didn't think too much of it. When i went to the ER it was because of how much pain i was in with my lower abdomen. They said they THOUGHT it MIGHT be a ruptured cyst. I went to the doctor the next day and she said that it wasn't. Since then i have noticed that my hair has been falling out, im a very thick haired blond. (not fair!!) the pain in my uterine area has been crippling. I ended up quitting my job due to nervous break down because of the pain and the not knowing why. I have abnormal pap smears the months that i used the nuvaring. Body aches, massive head aches, depression, moodiness, heavy excruciating periods, back aches, nausea, breast tenderness, and more and more weight gain. I have gained about 50 lbs since starting NR. I used it because i am AWFUL with pills. So that leaves me with nothing other than condoms, and they hurt me. When my husband and i have sex, WHEN we have sex, it hurts before, during and after. To the tune that my husband is afraid to have sex with me, for fear of causing me pain. So what to do?

I used NuvaRing for 6 months, and during that time i cried all the time. I was very depressed, I would get upset for every little thing, and i was not in the mood for sex. My boyfriend told me that i should take the NuvaRing out and i did. I felt better, but i gained weight while using NuvaRing, and even more after i stop. I always weight 120 pounds and right now i have 138. Its been 6 months since i stop and did not lose weight. While using NR i had painful periods, spotting between periods, headache, nausea, and depression, and i thought i was pregnant. I went to see a doctor and everything was just fine. The food i loved had different taste while using NR. I would get sick from some food that i loved before using NR. It felt like food poisoning. My doctor told me it is going to take some time until my body adjusts back to normal. I am afraid that my weight is not going to get back to normal. I look like during my period. I always had flat stomach, and now my stomach looks like i am 4-5 months pregnant. I would not recommend NuvaRing to anyone. I would recommend pills, my friends that are on the pill did not have bad experience that i did.I only hope my body is going to get back to normal.

Hi everyone. I posted on here in Jan. 09 about how NR ruined me. After two months of a-okay, I developed terrible yeast infections, constant bleeding, and a complete inability to orgasm- under my own ministrations or otherwise. I went off NR after the third month and left my system clear for 1 month. Then I got back on my previous method of BC: orthotricyclin pills. I am happy to report that after 7 months, I am finally able to orgasm again, nearly as often as before the whole ordeal. I was terrified that that joyous experience would be lost forever. IT'S GOING TO BE OKAY! Wait it out. Stupid evil nuvaring.

I’ve been on the ring for a year now. I loved the convenience of not having to take a pill every day. But I’ve gained 13 lbs over the past year and now I’m convinced it had to be the ring. I had asked my doctor before going on any birth control if there was a risk of gaining weight but she told me that was a myth and not to worry about it. So when I gained about 10 lbs the first 4 months I was on the ring I just chocked it up to being a newlywed, turning 29 and just over all weight gain. Then about 6 months after being on the ring I realized I looked and felt bloated all the time. It was like PMS bloating but it never went away. So for the past two months, I’ve been watching what I eat and working out. I had noticed that I seemed less bloated but to my surprise this week when I went to the doctor I hadn’t lost a single pound. I’ve decided I’m going to switch to the pill and hope I’m able to lose the weight. So I’d tell anyone that’s going on the ring, if you notice ANY weight gain don’t make excuses and get off the ring ASAP before you gain more. I’d love to hear from anyone that had success in losing the weight after getting off the ring but you probably aren’t online looking up the ring once you’re off…

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 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 am absolutely convinced that my life has been negatively affected by Nuvaring, and it took me a year and a bout of terrible depression to figure it out. I would NOT recommend it.

Now that I look back on a year ago when I started taking Nuvaring, my undiagnosed depression took a turn for the worse and thoughts of suicide took over my life.

I got over that with pills to help with depression symptoms, but then started realizing that perhaps my mood swings (i can be emotional but this is extreme), bloating (i didn't realize what that really meant until I read that sometimes it makes you look pregnant, which happened to me), vaginal itching (yuck), maybe just isn't entirely my own fault. What really got to me recently is that I had what people call migranes with aura or ocular migraines earlier this year around October, and I didn't think much of it. But then it happened to me again at work earlier this week, and it was awful. I had to lay down and go home early. This morning I woke up with a terrible headache which has not gone away. I also remember a period of time months ago when I always had a headache.

Why didn't I do anything? Well it seems ridiculous to pin all this on the ring....UNTIL you do a simple search on google like "nuvaring side effects". I am happy to hear that I am not alone, outraged that nuvaring would not list some of these obviously prevalent side effects, and glad to be moving on. Now my challenge is to find another form of bc, because condoms are...condoms.

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

I 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.

I used nuvaring about 2 years ago but stopped because i wasn't intimate with anyone and i wanted birth control to clear up my skin which the nuvaring did not do. Now I'm married and I was using yaz bc pills but I would forget to take them so when I went in for a pap smear I asked the doctor to put me back on the nuvaring. I noticed the brown discharge which i know is common but doesn't seem healthy to me. Lately i have also gotten sharp stomach pains and a foul smell and itching. the odor and itching made me think i had a yeast infection because i remember going to the doctor frequently 2 years ago and being treated for yeast infections but my symptoms didn't go away until i stopped using the nuvaring. i went to the doctor yesterday and he sent off tests for everything imaginable... including stds... he also told me he would bet the nuvaring is whats causing all these problems. i should get my test results by next week and will update here. the only thing i am worried about is taking out the nuvaring yesterday b.c. my husband and i had sex about three times last week and since im not on any type of birth control now, i don't know if i might get pregnant... does anyone know the chances of pregnancy in my situation?

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

I have been on NuvaRing since Feb 2008 when they made me come off the depo shot which I loved but had maxed out on the amount of time you are allowed to be on it. I chose the NuvaRing because I am a very forgetful person when it comes to pills and for the first few months it was great! My husband loved it because I went up a cup size which I was also okay with seeing as how they didn't hurt.
But last night enough was enough! For probably the last 6 months or so I had started seeing emotional side effects becoming increasingly moody and irritable...my husband also noticed this but was willing to except that I became a crazy person around the time to take it out and put it in. But since January my sex drive has disappeared completely! I am 23 and haven't had sex with my husband in almost 2 months because I physically have no desire for it. Even when we try I can't get into it.

So that's it...I would rather risk forgetting a pill and getting pregnant ( we may be trying soon anyways) than not be able to have sex at all and hurt my marriage both physically and mentally ( I am a mean person on this thing).

I had vaginal dryness, and a heavy period and when I say heavy I mean have to get up in the night 3-4 times, blood clotting mess going through a package of pads in a day.... I absolutely loved how convenient the ring was and I always had problems forgetting my pill, but I couldn't take these periods for the most part, and the stomach pain when I was on my period was gut turning.!!! Now I'm on Yasmin, and though many women complain of severe effects of Yasmin, I believe its with any birth control really Ive been through the patch, 4 types of pills, the needle and the ring, and so far Ive had no side effects with Yasmin and it has been the best!!

I have been on the nuvaring for 3 weeks now and i just took it out 3 days ago so i can get my period. The stomach pain that i am experiencing at this very moment is horrific and i still haven't gotten my period. Is it supposed to take this long to get your period? should i be worried? Im going to continue to take the nuvaring for a few more months to see if it gets better.

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

I am on my second month with NuvaRing. At first I loved it. I had tried the pill and quit using it because it made me sick to my stomach and I couldn't remember to take it So I switched to NuvaRing. This second month I have noticed I cry all the time and I am feeling depressed and I never feel depressed! I have read other posts who say sex is painful with it. I am getting married May 30th and I have never had sex and I am worried with the NuvaRing it will be a bad first time. Any suggestions should I try something else before my wedding or stick with the NuvaRing?

I am 23, I have been on the NuvaRing for over a year now. Before the NuvaRing I had tried practically every other kind of birth control out there: Different kinds of pills, the patch, Depo shot, even an IUC (Mirena). All of these didn't work, they each came with their own horrible side effects. Like I said before, I have been on the NuvaRing for over a year now and things have been going great. No problems. Until a few days ago... I am supposed to take out the ring and have my period next week. But for the last 4 days I have been brown bleeding, with pieces of uterine lining! I have also been having cramps, and feel SUPER tired, like i was having my period. But i still have the ring in! I was so happy with the ring! I don't want to have problems and have to, once again, try to find a BC that will work w/o horrible side effects! I don't want to go to my GYN because i know what she will say "Just wait a couple months and see what happens". I know i shouldn't be freaking out about this but BC has been such a huge problem for me and i thought i had finally found one that worked! Has anyone else had brown bleeding BEFORE their period??

I was on the NuvaRing for about 6 months. When I first switched from the pills to the ring I was completely very happy. After about two months I experienced the same kinds of things previously mentioned: weight gain, depression, no sex drive, headaches, and getting hot/sweaty during the night. In addition to this my periods changed. I started have bad cramps again and passing large clots (which I had never done before). My periods starting being longer and heavier. I talked to the doctor and went off the NuvaRing.
Since then I still experience problems. My cycle became very unregular which was not surprising at first but after about 4 months my doctor was starting to become concerned. I would have a period for two weeks and then start again after anywhere from a week in a half to three weeks. On November 10th I started my period and it did not stop until the doctor put me back on the pill after Christmas. This weekend I had another horrible period, massive clots, extremely heavy and so much cramping I could not move and ended up throwing up. My OB is very concerned about the changes the NuvaRing took on me.
If you are thinking of using the NuvaRing, please read up on all the side effects and talk with your doctor. Make sure you understand the risks. I never had any issues other than some slight weight gain when on was on the pills. My periods became light and shorter. Since I started as a teen I have always been very regular, but had lots of cramping and pain during my first couple days. At this point I miss those days and seriously wish I would have never used the NuvaRing.

I have been on the nuvaring since May of 08 to relieve my endometriosis. At first I loved it; less cramping, lighter periods, but then around November I started feeling stressed. Lots of anxiety during the first few days of every cycle to the point it was like I was paranoid. I'm not one to worry about what to do if my husband dies but with the Ring I was getting these feelings. I thought it was stress of work messing with me, maybe some winter blues. When I finally got around to seeing my Dr. he said it could be the ring and I needed to get off of it. He's putting me on the pill and I look forward to seeing if things change.

I've been on NR for almost 2.5 years. I have to say that I loved it at first. I have really loved it the entire time because I didn't have to worry about remembering to take a pill every day. But, in retrospect, I really think I have experienced a loss of libido since I've started it. I've had two boyfriends through the last 2.5 years and I've had libido issues with both of them (from a previously health libido). I kept thinking it was just me, but after reading through these testimonials, I am starting to think it is the ring. I've also had increased UTIs of which I NEVER used to get. Itching, burning, discomfort. Etc.

I have switched my diet in the past four months to that which is much healthier and natural (raw vegan lifestyle) so birth control in the form of pills/ring, etc. seems unnatural. I think I am going to go off for a few months and see what happens. I'll let you know how it goes.

My experience with hormonal birth control has not been good, but I have used a few different pills for a year or so at a time when I was younger. A girlfriend told me she LOVED her Nuvaring, so I gave it a shot last year and immediately had issues, including constant, low-grade headache and heavy period with severe cramping/diarrhea (not at all normal for me). Needless to say, I went off of it immediately and switched to a more holistic woman's health care center. I did this because I didn't feel that I was listened to when I told previous providers that I felt uncomfortable taking hormonal birth control. My new provider was great! She introduced me to a diaphragm, which I LOVE! It is the perfect birth control for me and there are no hormones to worry about EVER!!!! Keep it in mind ladies. It is a good opportunity to understand your body and cycles better AND give the finger to dangerous, money hungry pharmaceutical companies. After all, you're only fertile 4 or 5 days each month!!!!!

uuuugh! I am on month 2 of nuvaring. I have been on some b/c pills in the past that made me a little 'crazy' so before I started this one, my husband and I came up with a code word before I started. That way if I was in an emotional downward spiral, if he said the word, I knew it was time to take the nuvaring out and call it quits. I still cry, although my husband says that I seem angry this month instead of weepy, I have noticed that my teeth have been extremely sensitive. Any one else? Also wake up every night covered in sweat? What's up with that?

I stopped using the NuvaRing the first period after I broke up with my boyfriend. I just wanted to be off bc and let my hormones get back to normal. I haven't experienced any depression (maybe a little because of the breakup), but I've been spotting like crazy! It'll last a couple days, then go away. I think it'll be over and then it'll come back. I used to have horribly irregular periods, pre-NR, so its kind of irritating. I liked the NV when I was on it, but I did have some discharge, moodiness, and cramps when I was on it. But the discharge was the worst. My jerk ex actually told me that he was "grossed out by my vagina" (actual quote, one of the reasons for the breakup). My doctor told me it was normal, and I had switched to the ring because the pills I took before that did the same thing. Anyway, I think all bc is just going to give us unfavorable side effects. What can we do? I guess just grin and bear it.

I was using the NuvaRing for two months before quitting it yesterday. It caused me to have alopecia and now I have a bald spot three inches in diameter. I'm super sensitive to all hormones. I have tried 10 different bc pills in the past 7 years - all with bad results, but never this bad. Not worth losing hair for.

Shame on me... I had read similar reviews when I was prescribed NuvaRing a year ago, and thought "Side effects vary among women", but the general consensus seems to be that WE are the majority, not the "occasional" exception.

I have been experiencing many of the same disastrous effects of the Ring for the past 12 months I have been on it. Depression, ZERO SEX DRIVE, headaches, intense mood swings that lead to physical aggression, frequent (nearly daily) uncontrollable crying, anxiety, more vaginal discharge, pain after sex (on the rare occasion that it DOES happen) and overall a poor outlook on life. It's ruining my relationship with a wonderful man, who (bless his heart) is nearly at the end of his rope dealing with me and all the tribulations listed above.

To those of you who thought you were crazy, BEFORE you blame yourself, consider that the Ring may be a contributing factor.

Well, I personally have had no problems AT ALL with NuvaRing. Actually, it is the ONLY birth control that my body has handled without side effects. I've tried SO MANY different kinds of pills and even Mirena (IUD). I either had VERY heavy periods with awful cramps, or I had random spotting between periods. I have 2 kids and can't handle periods like that every month and when it comes to random spotting, my husband won't touch me when I'm bleeding cuz it grosses him out. And let me tell you...if Momma ain't happy...ain't NOBODY happy. It really depends on the person so don't be afraid to try it. If I never tried NuvaRing, I'd prolly have 5 kids and pregnant again.

I'm 20 years old, a wife and a mother to a beautiful 1 1/2 old baby boy. I've been on the NR for 4 days now, before that I was on the Depo-Shot for 1 1/2 yrs. I choose to get on the Depo b/c i got pregnant with my son while I was on the pills. So far I've been experiencing REALLY bad breast tenderness, and Swollen nipples along with BAD veins going around my nipples...and I have MORE discharge coming out of my nipples( Even before I got on the NR i had some discharge and milk that never dried up from having my son ) Is this normal???? My chest hurts soooo damn bad that i have to hold my chest and keep my arms from brushing against them. I could understand getting side effects later, but not this soon....maybe I'm just crazy, but this really hurts, and the veins aren't very attractive. Not to mention, I have really bad nausea. If anyone could please reply to me, and let me know if this is normal or not, I would really appreciate it a lot.

When the ring first came out, I used it for about 2 years. It was great. No problems, no side effects whatsoever. I recently had a child and decided to start back up on the NuvaRing after a 3 year break with no BC. It was not the same as before, I was sick to my stomach all month, very dizzy, nausea and felt like I was pregnant again. After that first month of torture I decided to try one more month, thinking that I was just adjusting to it. And second month just the same. I decided to switch to Pills, which I forgot to take constantly and made me feel even worse than the ring. I really do think that something changed with the Nuvaring because it had never done me wrong in the past, and it would be my only option of BC to go back to... but now I really don't know what to do. What a shame. It was so convenient too.

After reading this I feel inclined to write. I am a 35 year old mother of 2. I decided to use NuvaRing as my bc after having the morena (sp?) IUD taken out due to weight gain and excessive acne. I was really excited about the ring as pills make me feel pregnant i.e. go to bed early and force myself to eat saltines.
I have in the past 4+ years of being on this drug noticed huge mood swings and definite lowered sex drive. This is suppose to be my sexual prime and man, I feel like a dead fish. I am recently separated and filing for divorce so it is interesting to think that all my husbands comments about my mood, over the years, may have been directly due to the NuvaRing. I thought that he was being insensitive (which he has always been guilty of).
Don't get me wrong...my marriage was abviously not strong enough to withstand such hormonal turmoil especially for this length of time, however, this is all very interesting. I have felt rageful around ovulation time. I cannot keep from yelling. Also prior to my period I am again feeling a little crazy. I had excessive eating and drinking due to depression but some of that could be my unhappy relationship.
I did have leg cramps mostly at night that I did not understand. Nausea seems to hit mostly at night and headaches were something that happened off and on. The fatigue I remember off and on over the years.
I believe that I was one of the first people to try this drug and was very happy with it. I always recommend it to others. I thought it was wonderful. I did go off at one point and remembered why I need regulation...My periods are long, heavy, painful, horrible and irregular.
I am due to put the ring back in tomorrow, however I will be heading down the road of recovery alone, with out my beloved NuvaRing that may have led me astray long ago.

I responded to a previous post but don't see it here so I'll post again. The post I was responding to suggested that maybe it was a different ring than the past rings:

You may have something there, regarding a change in the ring's chemistry. I'm 47, and I've been on it, happily, for 4 years. Just this last month I had my period and, at 4 weeks am still having it with large clots coming out. (I went through 3 boxes of 40 tampons, 2 boxes of 20 and 2 packages of pads. I'm extremely dizzy and sleep 12-14 hours a day, still waking up exhausted. I went to my natural doctor and he gave me some supplements that usually help immediately, but still I bleed. I've decided to take the ring out after reading all of these posts. Have you stopped? I'm hoping to get my life back. I've had no energy to do anything, I love the beach (live 3 minutes from it) and went ONCE this whole summer. I've read that some women feel better within a day or so of taking it out - any thoughts? Also, I, too, went through a period in June/July of extremely high blood pressure. I'm normally 120/80 and I skyrocketed to 250/120....felt like I was going to collapse. I also couldn't sleep which is SO not like me. I love my sleep. I went to the doc thinking it was my hormones. He said "If you're on BC your hormones are regulated, so I don't want to do a panel." He then prescribed Ambien for a few days just so I could get some sleep. Three days later I couldn't stop crying and was extremely depressed. I thought it was the Ambien. I never thought about it being the ring, just thought it was my high-pressure job. I really wonder if they've changed it in the past few months. There are lawsuits against NuvaRing - does anyone know about these? Take Care.

I am 45 y/o , and have been on the NuvaRing for 6 years and I love it!! Some months I get a little PMSish but I take Pamprin and it really does help. I have been spotting for a week before my period for several months now. ObGyn said it looks like peri-menopause, so I am going to stay on to help me through, plus the added bonus of helping to prevent certain cancers. I am sorry to hear that others have trouble with this type of BC. I tried pills, several different types and ALL made me sick. Tried IUD and I swear I could feel it in me. I just fold the nuvaring up into a little circle, insert and I don't have to think about it for 3 weeks! ..take it out...and a week later put a new one in. I will never use anything else!!