NuvaRing and yeast infection

I am 25 years old. A mother of 2, and i have now been on the NuvaRing for 5 years. I got on the NuvaRing the day of my postpartum check up after i had my second child.. I loved the NuvaRing at first thought it was the best thing in the entire world, hell all you had to do was put it in leave it for 21 days days leave it out for 7. Go on your period and other then that everything was great. About 2 months into using the Nuvaring i started having HORRIBLE HEADACHES that would last 3-5 days at a time without letting up. I could not stand to be around noise, light or anything that had a strong smell or it would get my head pounding to where i just could not take it anymore. So i called my doctor and told him about the horrible headaches that i have had. Explained to him that before a bad headache would come on i would have this horrible burning sensation in my head that would make you want to die.. And the doctor told me just hang in there and give the Ring time to work, so i did and then as time went on i started having other side effects along with the headaches.. Such as BAD ACNE that scars after clearing up which has made my completion not so good. Breakouts on arms, back ,chest. So i got some neutrogena soap to help with that and it has worked.. But then i got more side effects such as BREAK THREW BLEEDING right after my period was suppose to be over and after intercourse.. Then i totally HAD NO SEX DRIVE which caused lots of problems in my marriage cause my husband began to think i wasn't sexually attracted to him anymore.. And i began to think that also. Cause i had lost my sex drive didn't want to do it, the thought of it made me cringe. After being on the NuvaRing after so long you began to develop this THICK DISCHARGE that is annoying then as time goes on you get another type of discharge that is thin WATERY DISCHARGE that is aggravating cause it almost feels as if you have peed your pants a bit almost feels like a yeast infection with out the smell. Which brings me to my next awful side effect which is the Yeast INFECTIONS and the number of UTI's i have had while being on the NuvaRing never had a UTI or a yeast infection before the nuvaring. Not having a sex drive because you cant because intercourse is too PAINFUL sex it hurts like FRICTION and STABBING because of the DRYNESS the Nuva Ring causes. So i called the doctor he told me that i would have dryness at first and to just use lube so i tried that. Didn't work still had pain from the dryness so i called the doctor again and told him about the pain so he wrote me a prescription for a numbing jelly that you use right before intercourse and that was suppose to help with the pain.But that didn't work either just made everything numb till where you couldn't feel rather anything was out or in so i quit using that and hoped to god that my body would adjust to the Nuvaring. Still today after intercourse it causes STOMACH CRAMPS similar to the ones when your on your menstrual cycle,and PRESSURE similar to the pressure you have when your 8-9 months pregnant. Going to the bathroom after intercourse is a total NIGHTMARE i have had times it has burned so bad that i have pinched my stomach as i peed to take some of the PAIN AND BURNING away.Dont always work! Another side effect that i have had is DEPRESSION i have noticed that i have been unhappy and just got to where a lot of times i don't care about things that matter to me because i don't feel that i have the energy to do so.. I also have ANXIETY ATTACKS which i have never had until i got on this NuvaRing. CHEST PAINS that i thought the first time i was having a heart attack it hurt so bad. I had to take little breaths to breathe which would then lead into a PANIC ATTACK cause i felt like i was unable to breathe like i am suppose to.. So yet again called the doctor who told me that i need to be on prozac to handle this. Never got on the prozac just delt with it hoping that it was just a little side effect and that my body would adjust to the NuvaRing, but guess what NO never did.. Another side effect that i always hate is getting SICK AND THROWING UP caused by a medication, guess what i still have this after 5 years i get to cramping so bad and headaches tied onto being MISERABLE and BLOATING and DIARRHEA and DRY MOUTH so bad that you cant stand it seems no matter what you drink to get rid of dry mouth nothing can quench your thirst and this is all hours of the day. So i would take Midol which would only help for a few hours and then i was right back to square one with the B.S caused by the NuvaRing. So i call the doctor and get told "well you will have that." the side effects will be less obvious the longer your on the NuvaRing." So stupid me stays on the NuvaRing hoping this is true! Which i have found out is not. The only good thing that i have noticed is the NuvaRing is easy to use and you don't have to remember take a pill everyday! I never had any weight gain or loss while on this dang thing. Pretty well maintained the same weight as i have always been. I have tried to get off the ring several times, but always get back on it, Because while the ring is out for 7 days i am miserable mostly with a headache that last 3-5 days untop of the TERRIBLE MOOD SWINGS that i get. i truly think that my body has been on this hormone so long that i have HORMONAL WITHDRAWALS when i don't have the ring in. Cause i am fine after the ring is inserted again. People can say what they want and say that this is a issue and that they haven't had problems and that is understandable and different people adjust to hormones in different ways but the time that i have my ring out i always get my sex drive back 1-2 days before i start my period. I am not asking anyone to believe me about any of this and if the ring works for you then great, i thought that it was going to work for me also but it didn't. . I have taken the nuvaring out this last past Sunday and have no intentions on putting another ring back in.. Yet again i have had 3 days of a SEVERE HEADACHES some thing that i believe is HOT FLASHES or NIGHT SWEATS,BLOATING,DEPRESSION,CHEST PAINS,ANXIETY ATTACKS,YEAST INFECTIONS, and BAD MOOD SWINGS and i am hoping that all this will pass and my body will go back to the way it was before the NuvaRing came along... I would not suggest anyone to get this as a form of birth control i would actually tell then that the pill is better off to have in the long run.. This has caused me nothing but a miserable life that i have tried to deal with and i am just not going to do it anymore. I hope to see in the near future the NuvaRing go off the markets and not able to sale anymore.. The only reason that i was put on the nuvaring is because my doctor had a hard time finding a birth control method that my body would accept I was on Ortho- Tri- Cyclin and got pregnant and had a girl... My postpartum check up with her i was given the Orthra- Evra patch and i got pregnant with my son. Tried IUD and my body rejected it. So the doctor says" lets try this new birth control"you insert yourself leave in for 21 days leave out for 7 and have your period," the longer your on this NuvaRing the lighter your period will become and the side effects which aren't many will fade also.". "So how bout it." Well i thought this NuvaRing was a dream come true, BUT IT WAS A NIGHTMARE WAITING TO HAPPEN..

I have only been on using the NuvaRing for about 2 weeks now but I am already having mood swings and extreme irritability. I go to school with all men because I am trying to get into the aviation field and the guys I go to school with have informed me that I have become a super bitch. I did not attribute it to the ring until reading the other post's here. I usually ignore all the immature comments that the guys make but lately I have found myself bickering with them on a regular basis.

I have only had sex 3 times since I have been on the ring but each time I had an intense burning sensation on the exterior of my vagina, almost like a yeast infection. The reason that I decided to google the side effects of the ring is because ever since me period has ended I have had a think brownish discharge and cramps every day. I have been wearing panty liners for almost two weeks and this definitely needs to stop. The number one reason I decided to try birth control was because of my severe menstrual cramps, heavy periods and mid month spotting. Now I have all month spotting, what the hell!

By far the worst experience I have had since using the ring happened yesterday. As I mentioned before my irritability has definitely increased. That was very evident yesterday when while at work, of all places, I attacked a girl and beat her up. I was arrested and charged with battery. Granted the girl and I have been having an escalating fued for the last couple of months. My mother was also involved and she was more pissed with my mother than with me. But the fight had in no way been physical until yesterday when she began to curse at my mother. I lost it and swung her into the wall by her hair, she never even saw it coming. I sort of blacked out and cant even remember all the events. This whole thing was definitely out of character for me, especially since I was at work. I am fortunate to work at an office where we are all close enough to be called a family. My boss stood by me and did not fire me. He even bailed me out of jail but that is definitely one hell of a side effect

Eureka! My unexplained weight gain (10 lbs), moodiness, fatigue, acne, excessive white discharge, recurrent yeast infections, and clumpy periods are no longer such an enigma. I previously had some horrendous side effects from Depo Provera, to include severe depression, suicidal thoughts, and hair loss; I thought NuvaRing would work great for me due to the low dose of hormones. At first, the ring was fantastic....didn't have to remember to take a pill everyday and no downward spiral of depression. The first symptom I noticed was the excessive discharge and the clumpy periods. Next was the moodiness, anxiety, and bouts of crying during every week 3 (that the bf has patiently put up with!). I have been trying to ignore the fact that my jeans don't fit, I have turned into a TV watching zombie, and I have a burning sensation associated with my 2nd yeast infection in 3 months (ugh!!!!). I wish I would have found this website earlier; it would have helped me put two and two together, acknowledge the side effects, and quit the Ring much earlier (not 11 months later!). Yes, each woman's body reacts differently to hormonal birth control, but if you have undesirable side effects from the Pill or Depo, you'll most likely get them from the Ring plus a few fun extra ones:) The upside to this product: it is incredibly convenient and my small breasts filled out. So not worth it to me!!!!!

I've been on the NuvaRing for 4yrs on and off. I NEVER gained any weight from it, I do get moody but then again whenever your taking B/C expect that, your messing with your hormones! My sex drive is the same I still want it every night, but I can also say it's better actually because when I do have sex and if he does hit the Ring that's a plus to me..Maybe that's just me. I tried Depo I didn't gain any weight from it, my sex drive was the same but I did get my period for a full month sometimes..wasn't too happy about that...and then I got pregnant...I have a Depo baby!!! Next I used the patch I had many problems with the patch it would dry me out down in my happy place...my doctor (who is not my doctor anymore) gave me another patch to increase my juices lol ...I had to have a patch for my patch... next was the NuvaRing I never had a problem till this last ring I put in I got this yeast infection. I haven't changed my diet or soap that I wash with so I think maybe I got a defective NuvaRing this time(this is what I'm telling myself).. I decided to take it out clear up my infection and then put another one in and go from there...but I do like the Ring. Depo gave me my daughter, the patch was a hassle, the pill I can't remember to take that darn thing everyday, and to me next in line is the NuvaRing and so far It's been good too me except this last one I put in..if it's the Ring I'm just gonna really cry...And ladies we have to remember EVERYBODY'S BODY IS DIFFERENT!! You have to do your own studies and make your own choices. With most of your b/c contraceptives your going to gain weight I've haven't gain anything from the Pill-Depo-Patch- to the NuvaRing. It's always 99.9 percent effective. That .1 is my daughter so..some people get every single side effect in the book some people like me don't.. make your own mind up!

what a life saver this site has been. I have been on the NuvaRing for about 6 months. It worked fine the first month but since then I have noticed a downward spiral of my health. My doctor sold me on the easiness of the product. It had gotten so bad that I spent every night on WEB MD trying to self diagnose my self. I had myself convinced that I had diabetes (I am a healthy 30yr old who does not smoke or drink) when I stumbled onto this website. I took my nuva out on Sunday and have seen an upswing of my mood. my yeast infection has went away, I have dropped 8 pounds and the rash under my breasts have finally starting to fade. I have seen so many women on the internet that have died from complications from the nuva. I am so grateful that we all can post our stories and warn other women! Thank you to all you brave women who posted your stories before. you saved lives.

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

I had been taking the ring for about a little over a month. I have tried every kind of pill and other birth controls for the last 6 years, but I kept getting severe migranes, so my doctor suggested I try the ring. I also can not be off birth control because I have endometreosus and birth control helps it. After about 3 weeks started feeling very sick. I thought I had a yeast infection so I took diflucan twice and it did not work. It became so swollen that I could barely walk. My boobs were swollen and sore as well. I also gained 5 pounds right away. After a week and a half of being sick I started searching the web. I found this site and took it out immedietly. It took a few days but the infection and the swelling went away. I couldnt imagine how much worse it could have gotten if I did not take it out when I did. Doctors may not know all the side effects because everyone reacts differently. I am glad there are sights like this so I dont have to feel alone

I took out my NuvaRing about a week ago. My doctor first recommended that I try NuvaRing because I was experiencing side effects like weight gain and moodiness with Yaz and other low-hormone birth control pills. Since the Ring has the lowest hormone dose possible, I thought it was the perfect solution. I used the ring for about six months and have to say that at first, I didn't have any side effects. However, with every month that I used a new Ring the side effects started showing up and then became increasingly worse.

At the end (right before I took the Ring out) I was experiencing fatigue, diarrhea, gas, a lot of whitish discharge all the time (I was soaking through pantyliners several times a day), no sex drive and a slightly swollen and tender vagina. I actually thought I had a yeast infection at one point because of some of these symptoms and used a prescription medication (I am allergic to the active ingredients in Monistat) to try and "cure it." Needless to say it didn't help the symptoms.

After finding this website from a google search I read other people's comments and realized that the Ring was causing these crazy side effects. And only one day after taking the Ring out the discharge was gone, my vagina was not swollen or sore anymore, and my gas and diarrhea went away. My sex drive is back up and now I am back to my regular sleeping patterns and my energy level has returned.

It actually frightens me that I didn't see how all of these symptoms were interconnected until I'd been living with them for a few months. I have decided to return to condoms and spermacide for birth control because honestly, it is apparent that my body does not like being innundated with hormones and frankly, using the NuvaRing makes me never want to take a hormone ever again.

I'm so glad I stumbled upon this site, and even happier to see that the posts are recent. I have been using the Nuvaring since July of 2007. Please keep in mind that prior to this I really had no health problems other than an appendectomy, additionally I have a 3yr. old (normal vaginal birth). I have been to NUMEROUS (and I truly mean it) doctors within the past 8 months due to many of the so called "side affects" everyone has mentioned and not one doctor found a single thing to be wrong with me after an MRI, multiple sonograms (breast, abdominal), chest X-ray (will explain) and your run of the mill blood tests. Now I think I've found the answer.
I went to see an acupuncturist yesterday for the first time, she took a very detailed health history from me. I told her of how I've been experiencing anxiety attacks, severe bloating, short term memory loss, heart palpatations, headaches, exhaustion, total lack of libido, and pain/ discomfort of the abdomen on the right side as well as terrible muscle tension as well as vaginal issues. We went through everything, my diet, stress triggers etc. then she asked me about birth control and i told her I had been using the Nuvaring. It was only then when she noted my problems had all began shortly after starting the Nuvaring. I'm not blaming Nuvaring for each and every issue I have, but the one problem I will definitely pin on this product is the fact that I feel like I have a yeast infection or UTI most of the month. The itching, vaginal dryness, pain in my lower abdomen SUCKS!!!! This cannot be described as a side affect but torture!
I know this is due to this stupid ring because I actually didn't use the ring for one month (I forgot to pick up my prescription in time) and had to go without. For that month the vaginal "issues" as I like to call them went completely away. I should have stayed away from it. Luckily, I'm "due to remove" Sunday, and will never touch a Nuvaring again. Maybe I'll go back on the pill or just do something else. After all Today Sponge is back on the market.
We as a society need to be more skeptical of the pharmaceutical industry as well as of our doctors, after all they do not know everything.

I have been on nuvaring for 2 years, switched from the patch because I was having this wierd discharge that resembled blood but not red enough to be sure that it was spotting. I love the ring; I do have a low sex drive but I blamed that on my being tired from working 2 jobs and going to school full time, plus household responsibilities and stuff...So now I'll have to see somehow if the ring is what is really taking that away. But am I the only one on here that is experiencing a super dry irritated itchy vagina? I have had this problem for the last 3-4 months, and I have had a pap and exam and I don't have anything bacterial...this itch is borderline yeast-infection intense. I have been on BC since I was 16 (I'm 29 now) and I have tried everything..I will get pregnant on the pill since I will forget to take it, the patch problem is mentioned above, the shot made me spot FOREVER, I must agree with the girl that said this may be God's way of telling her it's time for a baby, cuz this itch is about ready to make me throw in the towel. If it were not for the itch I wouldn't have any complaints.

If your debating the NuvaRing... don't do it!

I had been on the NuvaRing for the 2 1/2 months. Shortly after beginning the NuvaRing, I lost concentration, went from a being rather elegant speaker to a babbling idiot, crazy moody, no sex drive, pain during and after sex, back and muscle pain, and severe sick headaches. Most of the above can be normal birth control side effects which sucked, but hey, I had lighter periods! What isn't normal, in my opinion, are the following... I began having symptoms of what felt like a cross between a bladdar infection and a yeast infection (burning, itching). Then, I started spotting. I thought I really had something wrong with me. That was until I began searching my symptoms online. I determined it was most likely the NuvaRing and removed it that night. By the next day, all symptoms of what I thought was an infection were gone. I felt much better. Unfortunately, I then had one of the worst periods in my life... not even a two weeks after my last period! I have always had horrible, heavy periods. In fact, I was put on birth control at 14 until I could get them under control. This one takes the cake. It pretty much reminds me of what I went through after having my baby.

The NuvaRing just is not worth it, ladies. Save yourself months of frustration and stay away from this form of birth control.

Okay soo... I have said before that I liked it... well my mind might be changing. I had a bladder infection last month and after using antibiotics to get rid of it got a yeast infection which is not abnormal, when I use antibiotics I normally get a yeast infection. Well this month around the same time I got a slight yeast infection. I have also had breast tenderness the last week or so, I had a weird discharge on saturday but it only lasted one day and I was very emotional last week. So... here is my dilemma is this because of the ring or am I pregnant? (we did have sex while I was on antibiotics which does counter-act birth controll) I took a in home pregnancy test two weeks ago and it came up negative. But I had a friend who was on birth control and her in home tests came up negative when she was pregnant(with twins even). Can anyone help me out here, let me know what you guys think? Or have any of you had negative pregnancy tests on the ring and actually been pregnant? Or has anyone gotten pregnant on the ring? Just some questions I've been having. Thanks!

Snowflake, and others who want to know what happens after you stop, yes, I am MUCH better. (My original post was done on Oct. 31st.) My therapist has even noticed the dramatic change in me. Good to know the majority of my depression and severe anxiety was due to the NuvaRing. If I have an issue, it is nowhere near as bad as it was before. I have gotten my sex drive back, though haven't lost the weight yet. ;) Gonna have to work on that. I feel like my old self again and my relationship with my finance is getting better. Though a couple weeks ago, I had my first period off of it and after gotten a yeast infection. I have never had one before, and I am 25. I stopped it a little over a month ago, but it could take about 2 to 3 months for the hormones to fully be out of your system. So my advice to you would be next period, try something else. I am waiting a while until this is all out, then going to consider another option. Again, all birth controls affect people differently, so I am in no way bashing the NuvaRing. Wish it worked for me because it was convenient in other ways. Hope that I was able to help, and hope you feel better soon.

I'm not one to contribute to open forums, but in this case I feel there is a need. I have been on the NuvaRing for roughly one year. I decided to start the ring due to my inability to correctly take the pill (my schedule was too hectic). I encountered a few issues in the beginning to include nausea and headache, but I had anticipated that. These symptoms gradually subsided within a month or two. (Speaking in hindsight) Very gradually I began to develop more of a need to be independent....I had started a new relationship and really cared for him, but found myself progressively wanting to spend time away from him. I also became far more irritable and to combat that, I would spend more time alone. During the past year I have had some significant transitions in my life and I always would attribute these emotions to stress, but the transitions were all positive. Recently, within the previous two months my irritability and need for isolation have truly spun out of control. Furthermore, I developed a yeast infection for the first time in my life (28 years old). I have never considered consulting a mental health specialist in the past, but I have contemplated it recently. Fortunately, I consider myself a logical person and would try to pick apart why I felt the way that I did and finally I couldn't attribute lashing out on everyone close to me to 'temporary depression' or transition and I couldn't justify giving up activities that once were of great interest to me or deciding that it would be 'easier' to break it off with anyone close to me in order to save myself from feeling remorse for treating them badly.
One aspect that contributed to my realization of what was causing this was that I knew that I was far more interested in intimacy when I was on my period, which led me to that it was possible that my symptoms were related to the NuvaRing.
I removed the NuvaRing 6 days ago and with each day I feel exponentially better. I've even had comments from those that are close to me. I have been far more motivated and in touch with my feelings in the very short period of time that I have been without the ring.
I am very happy that I was able to piece this together before my destructive behavior did more permanent damage, but I am also upset, because there was a short period of time where I thought the ring was the answer. Although I am thrilled that I feel like myself again I am concerned about being able to find a contraceptive method that is effective and does not provide such side-effects.
The worst part about this experience was that these side-effects really do creep up on you. It is not obvious at all.

How long does it take for the side effects to get out of your system and go away??? I was on NuvaRing for the past 5 months. At first it seemed okay, besides the constant bleeding. That went away and then horrible side effects began. My Dr. told me it would just take a little while for my body to adjust. Well..finally after 5 months, I TOOK IT OUT yesterday for good. I have had very bad lower back aches, horrible leg cramps on and off, a yeast infection ( which is gone since i took it out yesterday), anxiety, and zero patience. I feel like I have been living in a different world for 5 months...my poor kids and husband!! I am so ready to be back to my laid back happy self!

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

Hello everyone, I have been going nuts trying to find people who have had side effects from the Nuvaring. I used to be on the patch before that, but I am sure many of you have heard about the deaths that occured to some people on it, so I decided to switch to the ring. It sounded amazing, leave it in for 3 weeks and that is it. The patch also used to come off here and there, so this sounded perfect. Then the side effects started. The only thing I ever had from the patch was a like a 10 pound weight gain, fuller breasts, and a regular period. I didn't know there are many women who feel extreme anxiety from certain birth control. Just within the last few months, I figured out the timing, and about a month or so, maybe less, after I switched to the ring, I started having serious anxiety, nervousness to where at times I thought I was going to have a panic attack, feeling like I was going mad, every so often would have a breakdown, gained more weight and in places I never had before, occassional night sweats, occassional chest pains, though could also be related to anxiety, depression, crying many times a week, and some other effects. I just started counseling because my anxiety has hurt my relationship. I always had a healthy worry when it came to my fiance. Part of it is caused by my past, but nothing I couldn't let go. Now I have for about a yr and a half constantly think he is going to cheat on me, always think he is lying, checking his phone as I see someone else posted on here as well, etc. I also worry about my friends too, like when they don't return my calls soon, I worry they are mad at me. I started therapy because all of my friends and family thought I should because they all see the man I have, and I have lost sight in the beauty this relationship had. So I took the ring out almost 2 weeks ago so I could get my period, and staying off from now on. I know it takes a few months to get out of your system, so hoping the anxiety goes away. I have also lost my sex drive due to all this. I know I wrote a lot, but hoping to help out others with my post. I am glad you all posted, and thank you for making me realize I am not alone. Just remember, some other birth control can have the same effects, but not all. I may consider the pill after I let my body get over this. Good luck to you all, and for the ones who love it and have no bad side effects, i am happy for you. It is great because it is so easy, but unfortunately, can't use it.

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.

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

Right now, I'm in shock of all the reviews because I started the Nuvaring 08/17. By 08/19 when I checked the ring..a glump of white discharge came out. I thought then.. wow it's really starting to protect me. By 08/21 I had irritation down their and called the doctor...which was yeast infection. I ignored and took the medicine and thought maybe my body just trying to get used to it. By a week later... I was a walking nightmare. I would be mad at the world. I had all the systems of pregnancy. Breast tenderness, nausea 4 times a day, constant eating. I had lost 68 lbs in a year before I got on this thing and due to this ring in me I gained 8 lbs. and that's with me lifting weights 4 times a week and cardio 11/2 - 2hours a day everyday ...although I was eating for possible 4 people. I constantly slept my days away. You would've thought I should had been the most well rested person after all the sleep I did. When I came to this site... and read everything....I immediately ran to the bathroom and ripped it out. After 1 1/2 weeks.. was enough for me to see what it could've done. I want to say thank you to each and every one of you that typed a review because now... I don't have to walk around mad with the world. I'm sure when I walked out of stores and etc... people were calling me every name in the book due to my attitude and my co workers looking at me like...she's going to gain every bit of weight she lost if she keeps eating 3 separate meals just for breakfast not including lunch and dinner. GOOD LOOKING OUT... LADIES.. THANKS SO MUCH.

I HAVE BEEN ON NUVARING(THE RING OF DOUBLE HOCKEY STICKS) FOR A YEAR AND A HALF I HAVE BEEN MOODY AND JUST NOT MYSELF I WENT TO THE DOCTOR TO GET MEDS FOR DEPRESSION ZOLOFT, WELBUTRIN, AND ZANAC, AND THAT SEEM NOT TO HELP I THOUGHT I WAS LOSING MY MIND OR GOING CRAZY, MY HUSBAND THINKS IM NUT AND MY CHILDERN DO TO, I WOULD HAVE NEVER THOUGHT I WOULD HAVE SOMETHING TO DO WITH MY BIRTH CONTROL, MY BREAST HAVE BEEN KILLING ME FOR ABOUT NINE MONTHS NOW THE DOCTOR SAID IT WAS CYST TO STOP DRINKING DRINK DRINK MORE WATER SO I DID I CAN DRINK 10 GLASSES OF WATER A DAY AND NOT GO PEE BUT ONE TIME, I WAS LIKE WAIT A MINUTE I SHOULD GO MORE THAN THIS THEN HERE COMES THE WEIGHT GAIN, I COULD NOT FIGURE IT OUT I HADNT CHANGE MY EATING HABITS WHAT IS GOING ON, SO I STARTED EATING RAISINS AND BANANNAS DURING THE DAY AND SPECIAL K AT NIGHT AND I STILL GAINED WEIGHT, THEN I TRIED ON BOWL OF CEREAL A DAY AND STILL MORE WEIGHT, I COULDNT FIGURE IT OUT, AND MY BACK HURT ME ALL THE TIME , THEN HERE COMES THE YEAST INFECTION, THEN I HATED TO HAVE SEX BECAUSE IT HURT AND IRRATED ME THERE WAS ALWAY A BURN DURING AND AFTER, I KNOW THEY SAY THINKS HAPPEN AFTER YOU TURN THIRTY BUT MY GOD, MY LEGS HURT AND CRAMPED ALL THE TIME I STARTED GETTING FLUID BUILD UP IN MY KNEES AND ANKLES IT MADE IT HURT TO EVEN WALK AND IM ONE THAT LIKE TO WALK IN THE AFTERNOON AND WORK IN MY YARDS BUT THIS YEAR I HAVENT EVEN WHEN OUTSIDE I HURT TO BAD, I JUST FELT LIKE I WAS FALLING TO PIECES ALWAYS TIRED AND IN A BAD MOOD, THEN THE BREAST PAIN GOT SO BAD I DIDNT KNOW WHAT TO DO, I KEEP THINKING ANDTHINKING WHAT IS DOING THIS, THEN I THOUGHT MY RING MIGHT I WAS HAVING ALL THE HEADACHES NIGHT SWEATS PAIN JUST FALLING APART SO I GOT UP ONE MORNING AND I COULDNT TALKE IT ANYMORE I WHEN AND TOOK THAT THING OUT AND NOW IM LIKE I NEW PERSON THE FIRST TWO DAYS ALL I DID WAS PEE AND LOST 5 POUNDS MY BREAST DONT HURT AS BAD THEY GET BETTER EVERYDAY I DONT HAVE TO WRAP THEM AT NIGHT ANYMORE BACK PAIN GONE SWELLING GONE KNEES FELL ALOT BETTER , JUST OVER ALL BETTER LIKE IT WAS BEFORE I STARTED USING THIS THING I CAN LOOK AT A TOY ON THE FLOOR NOW AND NOT GO INTO A RAGE, I KNOW ALOT OF PEOPLE LIKE THE NOT HAVING TO TAKE A PILL EVERYDAY BUT ALL THAT I HAVE BEEN THROUGH IS NOT WORTH THIS, I HAVE NEVER HAD ACNE NOW I DO BUT ITS GOING AWAY TOO. THE MORE I WRITE THE MORE I CAN THINK THAT HAS HAPPEN TO ME, IM GLAD IT GONE AND DONT EVER WANT TO USE IT AGAIN...........

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

I have been on nuvaring for about 9 months. I have the followin symptoms:

-tired all the time
-horrible headaches
-smelly discharge
-lower back aches
-hate having sex
-weight gain
-very very moody

I havn't had any of these problems until after getting on the nuvaring. I never thought it would be the nuvaring until i found this website. I have 2 kids so i always thought that stress and work was making me tired. I seem to never catch up on sleep! I have low thyroid so i even thought it was that so i went and saw my Dr. but my thyroid was fine, but i was still soooo tired! I am soo mean to my husband and other people. I snap so easily now! I get soo agravated! This is not me!! I have the worst headaches ever! My back hurts all the time & when i stand up too long it hurts really bad down there. & again, i thought maybe because of having kids, but i never had these problems before i got on nuvaring & my oldest child is 3! This discharge is discusting! Alot comes out when i pull my ring out! & it smells reall bad! I smell all the time because of this discharge! In the past 4 months i have gained weight, so bad i even thought i might be pregnant! Oh & i got my 1st yeast infection being on nuvaring! I have never had one in my life before!! & i hate having sex, i just hate it!! I get soo mad when my husband even mentions sex! This nuvaring has messed my life up! I just took it out a few days ago b/c im on my period! I'm not putting it back in and hopefully things will get better!!!!

Been on NR for 10 months. I had been off the pill for a few years after being on it for 15 years straight. The 1st few months on NR I noticed the mood swings from the insertion and removal of the ring, otherwise it was ok. I also lost about 9 pounds. But it has stated to creep up on me that over the last 6 months I felt like I had to really work hard to focus on anything. Very spacy and possibly depressed, critical of myself and others and a bit obsessive about certain things. This was nothing like the laid back person my friends knew before. Then I got a urniary tract infection and a few months later, after very painful sex, I got a yeast infection. Since the yeast infection a week ago I have gained 5 lbs. I hope it is bloating and will go away after this period. It feels is like my body is completly out of synch. I have felt extreamly tired over the past 6 months. It wasent a constant tiredness, but when it came on it was very difficult to stay awake, at work, in meetings etc. I also could not get out of bed sometimes, I had the achy bones and sorness that others have experenced. I kept looking at my nutrition intake to make sure I was getting what I needed and I should have been fine. I keept wondering what is wrong with me...... Then one day I wonderd if the extreme need to sleep, and the general feeling of not beeing fully conected to my surroundings could be this ring and the hormones. I am thinking of going off it to see if my life, sleep, etc. improves. I also wanted to mention that the NR website does not address if there are any issues with using a yeast medication over the counter or the pill. I have seen on other websites that both can cause issues. When I called NR they could only comment on the Monistat, Miconazole-That it will increase the level of hormones-and it is safe to use. Now scientifically if the levels go high enough it can cause spontanious ovulation......but they could not comment on that. They had no information on Diflucan- the pill for yeast infections or its possible affect. How is it possible they do not know if common medications can cause you to potentially become pregenant or have other side affects. I now truly question if this company has did the research in shlud to be on the market.

I haven't been on any type of birth control in 9 years. I stopped because after a year of oral contraceptives I was keeping a yeast infection. Since I wasn't sexually active (I was using the pill for cramps), I discontinued the oral contraceptive and the infections went away.
I am getting married in November and need to start on some form of birth control. I tried the NR on a recommendation from a friend. In less than 24 hours I had a raging yeast infection (swelling, discoloration, itching, burning and some mild pain). Taking diflucan has helped, but not made the infection go away completely.
Should I take out the NR / will it mess up my cycle if I take it out now??? I don't know if I can stand it much longer!

I went on NR in Feb 2006. I bled for over a month straight when I first went on it. Dr. said this was "normal," my body was adjusting, etc. I noticed a drastic decrease in my sex drive almost immediately after going on it. I have had sensitive breasts the entire time I have been on it; it's painful for my boyfriend to touch them. I also lactated when I first went on the NR, but chalked this up to resurgence in hormones or something I had stopped breast feeding a few months before going on the NR). I started taking meds for back pain and anxiety, and now I'm wondering if it had anything to do with side effects from the NR after reading comments on this site. I also did get one horrendous yeast infection. I agree with the person who posted that she starts to feel emotional about a week and a half before its time to take it out--- like super bad PMS; really moody,craving sweets, depressed, etc. I also did not bleed until Thursday or Friday after taking it out on my scheduled Tuesday, and my period was minimal- just a day or so. I did not put a new NR in on my scheduled day (Tuesday of this week), and I feel like a complete emotional wreck. I mean, even with the PMS and such while using it, I still felt relatively able to cope. I have been crying over everything the last few days, irritable and volatile, and I'm not one prone to volatile. I am wondering of anyone else whose gone off of it experienced anything like this... I'm hoping it's just my hormones balancing otu or something, but I feel like an insane person...

I began using nuvaring a year ago and discontinued it about 5 months ago because of the incredible amount of yeast infections I got. Trouble is, it messed up my pH so much that I still have a yeast infection. Nothing works to remedy it. I take 4 yogurt supplements a day just to keep going. This has happened to everyone I know who has used this medication. I'm trying a new remedy that has worked for my friend--gynazole cream plus 2 weeks (at least) worth of boric acid suppositories. If that doesn't work I'll throw myself off a building. Stay away from Nuvaring and spread the word.

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

I had been using the nuvaring for a year when I started noticing side effects. At first I thought it was just me adjusting to a new partner, or that it was a yeast infection. But then it returned at the same time during each of the next three months. A few days after I took it out, the skin of my vulva would become sensitive and itchy, somewhat swollen or red, and it became difficult to use my keeper (a healthy alternative to tampons). But a few days after the ring went back in it would go away, only to return again. Well, my skin became so sensitive, that my vulva actually tore- almost an inch gash- when I was having sex with my boyfriend and blood was everywhere. I promptly went to my gyn, who had no immediate idea as to the cause of this sensitivity. There are a few possible skin conditions, such as lichen sclerosis, but the thing that stands out is that it happens at the same time each month. My Gyn also said that lack of estrogen can cause the vulvar skin to thin, which would make sense then since it happens when the ring comes out. Perhaps, she said, my body has stopped compensating by creating its own estrogen when on the nuvaring, and the nuvaring is not an adequate replacement. Anyway, its a possibility that the problem is unrelated. i am going for a biopsy tomorrow. But have already comitted to never using the Nuvaring ever again. And my boyfriend is totaly supportive of leaving hormonal contraception behind!

i keep getting a yeast infection

I've been using the NR for about a week or two now. I wasn't given a pamplet or even directions. Instead I recieved a sample from my GYN with little to no side effect information. I should have asked, but I was already asking a lot of questions about possibly losing it or having it fall out.
Well, I was dealing with heavy stress, constant crying over little things or nothing at all, total bi-polar syndrom or something! And when I cry, sometimes I cry hard enough to feel like I have asma or something. I can't breathe, and trying to do so makes me uncomfortably dizzy. I've been gaining weight, too! I was 115, now I'm 123. Though it's not much, looking at that extra weight in the mirror only causes more depression. Also, I've been feeling like I've had a yeast infection for a few days. But I KNEW it couldn't be. The symptoms were off. My discharge is as it should be, but the itching is intolerable. Then, the burning, painful sensation after sex was enough to drive any woman crazy! Now I'm too afraid to have sex, and I'm a very sexual person. My boyfriend is in complete disarray through it all and he has no idea what the hell is going on! I thought all this was simply results of moving out on my own for the first time, bills, not enough pay at my current job, hardly any food in the refridgerator, hardly seeing my family anymore. You know...the usual stress when you first leave the safety of your family and their money.
Then, I decided to check up online for the side effects or allergic reactions. I was sick and tired of not having the answers and waisting all the fluids I have on tears. I ran into this site, read most of the complaints and totally mirrored by all the same effects! Everything you all said sounded like I was reading something I had already felt and done. It's a real burden off my shoulders.
At this point, I can't handle more stress and hormonal inbalances. I already have too much on my plate. If side effects are truely supposed to stop in three months, I will continue on until I can't continue for that three month period. If nothing changes, I'm going to freaking rip this damn thing out of me and ask for another form of birth control! This is ridiculous! Thank you, all of you for finding the time to write out your symptoms. It's helped me out a lot!

I am so glad that I found this site. I've been using the ring now for 3 months continually. I just don't want to have a period anymore and my doc seemed to think this was a better option that an IUD. Well ever since I've started my depression is worse!!! (I have post partum). I just went to see my doc about adjusting my meds. I've also had severe vaginal irritation and a raging yeast infection. And let me tell you about sex. there's been none of that going on and my husband is starting to get pissy. This is just not worth the frustration. The only problem is that I just had my script refilled for anouther 3 months. I just hate to think of losing the $45 I just paid. But mental health and a happy husband is definetly worth it.

Let's see . . . . where to begin? How about vaginal burning and discharge, raging yeast infection, and joint pain, just to name a few? Oh yes, high BP, too. All symptoms dissipated shortly after I removed the ring. Except the yeast infection, it's a doozy! I haven't had one in at least 15 years so I know it's connected to the ring. After 22 years of marriage, I think I'll just stick to OTC birth control from now on. I'd rather have my husband use a condom than have to deal with chronic crotch rot!

I have been on the ring for almost three months, and def notice some side effects. Besides feeling way more sensitive and moody (aka psycho) I get severe muscle cramping in my feet and calves, once even in my chest. They feel like charlie horses. I am assuming this is related to the ring, considering it has never happened before. As well, I get a yeast infection and irritation the 3rd week. Also slight weight gain (@ 5 pounds) but I can work with that. I really have moments where I feel crazy and depressed- but I do not want to get pregnant, so...
Does anyone else have these cramping issues? Do you know of any supplements to relieve it?

Hey everyone.
I wanted to thank you for all your comments. I've been on NR for 5 or 6 cycles now and didn't realize that it might be the cause of recent issues.
1. My breast are lumpy/sore and have increased a cup size
2. Some weight gain and salt cravings (I feel like a pregnant woman) which, in turn cause me to bloat.
3. Facial bloating
4. mood swings. I'm on top of the world the first to weeks it's in then im awful the last week.
5. Worst worst, is the constant feeling going into the end of the 2nd/3rd week that i'm on the verge of getting some kind of vaginal infection.

I had something going on over Christmas (my gyno thought it was a yeast infection or cysts) with vaginal pain ovarian pain and back pain that I thought I had PID or even herpes even though tested negative for everything.

I took it out today on my normal cycle and I wonder if I should just stop completely. It scares me because of my fam. history of breast cancer. I've only been on nuva. is there some other form of hormonal birth control that's right for me?

I have been on the ring for a little over 2 months. I have had discharge and a nasty yeast infection. I started feeling the start of another one this week and used some Monistat vulvar cream on it before it got worse. I am always a motivated upbeat gal and lately I feel so blah. I feel like I'm losing my mind. I have no motivation to do things that normally make me happy. I feel like I could cry at any time and I can't get myself to go workout. I feel sad and depressed. I haven't even been motivated about Christmas. What's wrong with me? Is it this ring?

I haven't had this confirmed yet, but I think this itchy, swollen skin in the perineum area is from the Ring. I've been using it since July of 2005 and honestly didn't notice any problems at first. I am loving the short menstruation time, actually. Then this past spring I noticed this severe itching in the groin area and the doctor actually said she didn't know what it was!

Just wondered if anybody else had had something like this. I know its not a yeast infection or any other type of infection (the doctor tested for that stuff).I haven't had any other negative experiences with the ring.

Wow - I have been lucky on the ring. I've been on NuvaRing for over a year now. My side effects are recurring yeast infections, spotting, and increased discharge.

I was on daily pill BC for 10 years (4 months on, one week off). I switched to Seasonale for a few months and I had terrible depression, weight gain, etc. Then I moved on to NuvaRing. At first I had some cramping and diarrhea, but it resovled quickly. I never had depression or headaches on the ring. However, I have been battling yeast infections. My doctor suggested that I clean well after intercourse and sleep without panties to keep the area as dry as possible. I've gone for 3 months without a yeast infection so I hope it continues to work.

I'm using the ring continuous, but after about 3-4 rings (9-12 weeks) I have breakthrough bleeding. The only way to rid it is to go off the ring for a week, have a light period, and then start again.

Good luck to everyone in finding a BC that works for you!

I just started nuvaring 2 weeks ago after having my left ovary and tube removed due to endometriosis, I am only 23. I have been on 11 differtent b/c pills since the age of 15 because the hormones will "slow the proccess" of endo. I have had very bad reactions to all forms of b/c, even the patch which blistered my skin. Nausia, horrible mood swings, weight gain, severe cramps daily--every single day(due to endometriosis) but not like this! I had an immidiate discomfort upon inserting nuvaring, a yeast infection that wont go away- not to mention i am already on zoloft for depression--WONDERFUL stuff! But since nuvaring it is not working at all! And talk about headache!!! I cant sleep, not even with tylenol pm. The reactions to this nuvaring SUCK!! I would advise anyone who does not need b/c for a medical reason--please consider comdoms! They dont make you feel like yelling at everyone who looks at you or crying for no reason!

I've had nuva ring in for six months, since then I've been tired, very moody,and I'm having white vaginal discharge,and i know it's not a yeast infection because it doesn't itch or it doesn't look like cottage cheese it's just a white creamy feeling. I don't like it at all.

I've been on NuvaRing for 3.5 weeks now. Off the pill, I have pretty bad PMS, but on the pill I have no PMS whatsover. Thought I'd try the ring as I hate remembering to take the pill. Instant yeast infection, but no big deal. But a week ago I started feeling what felt like PMS, and it's still going. Definitely the worst and longest-lasting PMS I've ever had. I want to stick it out, but if it doesn't ease soon, I'm going back to the pill.
Also, my boyfriend CAN feel it, as can I--it adds a definite level of irritation during sex. No trouble to take it out, but hurts a bit when I forget.

I am at the end of the first month on Nuvaring and not only have I been majorly depressed, I have a yeast infection the whole time I've been on it. Has anyone else experienced this?

I have been of Nuvaring for 2months now and I started getting this trouble itch where the lining of my panties lay and I started my period Sept. 25,2004 and til this day which is Oct. 11,2004 I am still bleeding old blood. And the itch is still there. I itch so bad that some of my skin is missing where the lining of my panties lay at. I know it is not a yeast infection because I do not have a discharge. What is the problem I really like the product but I don't like the side effects.