NuvaRing and sinus infection

You have no idea how happy I was when I found this site. I went through a TERRIBLE experience with NuvaRing for almost four months. And for me, it progressively got worse...which made it harder to pinpoint what was going on with me.

In June, I went to my annual checkup and just asked my doc what my other options were regarding birth control. There was nothing really wrong with the current one I was on...I just was interested in hearing what else was out there. He mentioned the NuvaRing and I was intrigued by the convenience of it so I decided to give it a shot.

Everything seemed fine at first. But it was hard to tell because I was going through some changes in my life and had a sinus infection the first week...so that overshadowed anything I may have normally noticed in a switch. So, I was loving the convenience of not having to worry about a pill each day and just going about my business.

As I mentioned, I was going through some changes and had a lot on my mind, but then I started to notice how I would dwell on the negative things. And by dwell, I mean they were starting to consume me. It was all I could think about. I started questioning my friendships and my marriage...and I have WONDERFUL friends and an AMAZING husband...the thought of this now is absurd to me.

I found myself getting upset at the drop of a hat. I was extremely sensitive to anything slightly off that my husband would say. Toward the end of this, I was crying pretty much every day. And I kept saying, "I don't know what's wrong with me...I'm trying to get over this, but I don't know what's wrong." Which caused me to be even more confused and contributed to more sadness.

I am a person who loves working out. Many days, I was so tired and unmotivated...all I wanted to do was lay around and watch TV. I also now realize that the reason I was feeling short of breath and anxious was because of the ring. One thing that really scares me...there was a point where my hand felt asleep/numb and it lasted for two full days. After reading other posts, I'm thinking it might have all been related. Truly scary. I also experienced the dryness and itching as well. Horrible.

I really feel sorry for anyone who has had this type of experience. To question your relationships, to put the people you love most through this...it was a really sad time for me. I feel for any of you that have had to deal with this.

For reference: I was on Ortho Tri Cyclen for probably 6-7 years, and then Ortho Tri Cyclen Lo for the few years before the ring. I really had no issues with either. I thought this was supposed to have even lower hormone levels, so I thought it would be fine. Not the case.

Please pay attention and if you experience symptoms like many reported on this site, take it out! I took it out before bed, once I realized it might be the problem...and I felt way better even the next morning. It's now been a week and I haven't cried since. :) Good sign. I feel like myself again.

Good luck to you, ladies. :)

Hello. I am 25 years old and have been using the ring for about three months now. I just removed it today. I have also tried the patch, Yasmin, and yaz before switching to the ring. I am very sensitive and birth control has always seemed to make me sick. Although lately i have been having weird vision things like little flashes of light, or very quick dimming for like a 10th of a second. I also suffer from anxiety and have many physical symptoms of anxiety including headaches which seemed to have increased since starting the ring. Has anyone else heard of weird vision changes. I saw my doctor today and she wasn't sure, she wants me to come back tomorrow morning. My blood pressure is also elevated. I also have chest pains which are due to anxiety but seem worse with the ring. And it takes me a long time to have an orgasm with the ring. I feel scared lately and man my husband and i hate using condoms but i don't know what else to do! Ahhh it sux being a woman. Why cant they hurry up and make a birth control for men huh? any responses would be really appreciated.

This site and you ladies saved me!!!!!! I thought I was going crazy! I am having so many side effects mentioned. I started the ring because I was on depo and was tired of gaining weight and breaking out, etc. In my earlier BC years I maintained 125lbs now thanks to depo and the ring I am 150lbs and it won't go away, even while exercising 4 days per week. Anyways, I also had a sinus infection that I was treated for 2x's during my ring bout. While this was going on I started having panic attacks, then I had a couple bacteria infections(BV) followed by YI's which of the 5-6 diflucans I took none worked. I have been on the ring for 5 months and last week I started my sixth ring. Over the last month I have experienced intense burning, irritation, raw feeling, NO SEX DRIVE, (It hurts too bad) it had been going on for some time but this month had been the worst. I went to DR. and they diagnosed me with cervicitis. WTF??? I had no idea what it was! I had never heard of it.. I assume after researching the causes of cervicitis that the Nuvaring put pressure on my cervex and caused the inflammation b/c I do not have STD"s. My boyfriend had to also be treated along with me by antibiotics b/c its considered an STI.Last night I threw the ring I had in away after reading the postings of this site and I"M DONE with this torture device... I know that had I not got rid of it I would keep feeling all the wonderful symptoms i had been rewarded with! Now I am looking forward to a long nasty painful heavy period after being on BC for 10+yrs.. I am done with all BC!!!! TOO MANY side effects, and I am ready to let my hormones return to normal. Guess its back to condoms and puling out in the hopes they work.. Could anyone tell me how long until this burning and irritation goes away that has discontinued use of the ring??? I would greatly appreciate any comments or answers.

I am on the nuvaring for about 2 months now and have had 2 severe SINUS INFECTIONS about 3 weeks after I started the Nuvaring and now again 3 weeks later i have the same severe Sinus Infection. I never used to get sinus infections but now I have realized that the cause of this is from the nuvaring. I went online and read about some of the side effects and one of them, believe it or not, is a Sinus Infection, strange as it may sound I am suffering terribly from this sinus infection and will need to get onto antibiotics to get rid of it.
So to all those that don't want to go through what I am going through right now just take this into consideration before trying the nuvaring.

I have been going crazy the last 4-5 months due to nasal congestion and what feels like a thick mucus in the back of my throat, that will not go away...no matter how hard/often I swallow. This is an all day, every day problem. I am so grateful for reading the other postings that state similar situations. I have also seen a huge decline in my sex drive. I was recently at the Dr. and have just put on amoxicillin, thinking it may be some type of atypical sinus infection. Thank God for these postings. Now I know I am not going crazy!

I have been on Nuvaring for almost 3 years now since I had my second child. I haven't had many issues with it and actually really enjoy not having to remember to take a pill every day. However, in the past few months out of nowhere I am now experiencing extreme dizziness, which I've never experienced before. I am not sick nor have a cold or sinus infection. I have not changed my eating habits and work out regularly. Now after reading this I am really tempted to take the ring out and look into other options. Since the birth of my second child my sex drive has been nothing - so I don't even really need it because I don't even have sex because I don't want to. I've always had mild depression but I am definitely more irritable and depressed now - of course I also have an extra kid and more stress in my life - so I'm definitely not blaming my mood on the ring. However, the dizziness is just strange! I think I'll definitely talk to my doc after reading these posts!

I have been on the NR for 3 months now and have had a severe headache that started after the first time I took out the ring. It was thought to be a sinus infection, but after having a CAT scan they ruled it out. It is now 2 months later and I still have the headache. I removed the ring a few days ago and will not be putting it back in. I have also had very bad heartburn, cramps, and lower back pain for a month as well. I have been unable to eat properly and have lost 13lbs so far. This is the only thing new I have been taking. My head hurts above my eyes, top of my head, and the back of my head and neck. The pain above my eyes is a sharp pain and the pain on my head and neck is more of a numbing pain. My scalp is very sensitive as well. I do feel this is from the ring and I am having a bad reaction. Hopefully I will be feeling better in a few days...

I just started the Nuvaring 4 days ago. For the first two days I was wicked paranoid and believed my boyfriend was cheating on me. I didn't think much of the paranoia at first as I have had similar problems with other birth control products.

Now however, I have woken up the past two days with a crippling migraine, extreme dizziness and shortness of breath. I can't even walk up a flight of stairs without getting dizzy and winded. I keep in pretty good shape but the past four days I have felt like total crap. In addition, I have been having intestinal troubles with everything that I eat and my hunger has actually decreased. I have to force myself to eat and then I feel nauseated afterwards.

I don't know if this is from the Nuvaring or if it's psychosomatic, but after reading all the testimonials here I am wondering if I should just take myself off of the ring. It's only been a few days so hopefully it won't cause any major side effects.