EluRyng and Anxiety: What Users Say

• HRa...
• October 10, 2020

For Birth Control "Greetings, for the ones having problems with EluRyng, you can call your insurance, they add a note explaining you can’t tolerate the generic. I used this medicine as a substitute for NuvaRing, per my insurance. Physical: extreme ocular migraines for days, chronic fatigue, cystic acne, gained 30 pounds in 6 months. Vaginal smell and discharge even using the ring. Emotional: executive dysfunction, extreme anxiety, overwhelmed feeling all the time. This interacted severely with my ADHD medicine (Vyvanse). I told my psychiatrist how I was feeling, and he raised my dosage, it didn’t work. Now back to NuvaRing, balancing the EluRyng effects, I’m feeling the effects I felt taking Vyvanse for the first time, EluRyng interrupted my psychiatric treatment. The extra drug interactions list doesn’t have information about this, this is a very dangerous effect that can get a person to a really bad place. This medicine needs to be recalled, it's dangerous."

• Cal...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• May 4, 2020

For Birth Control "I was on NuvaRing for 6+ years and had no issues. It was honestly the best birth control I had ever been on! Flash to now. I got switched to the generic version that just came out. I am incredibly moody, anxious, and getting depressed. I am continually gaining weight even though I exercise and eat well. My libido is GONE. Like 100% gone. This is horrible. There is something not right about this generic version. I have decided to just stop BC because of this and switch to condoms. It's not worth it anymore."

• Kat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 6, 2020

For Birth Control "I was on this for 3 months (I usually have NuvaRing and they didn’t tell me they changed it), but I've had the worst 3 months of my life. I’ve gained weight, gotten stretch marks everywhere even though my weight gain wasn’t significant, I’ve had horrible headaches, missed my period all 3 months. I’ve been so anxious and moody, tired all the time. The other night I started having horrible heart palpitations, and I ended up having a panic attack and throwing up. I felt like my heart was going to explode. I thought I was insane, so I googled the birth control because there was no other cause, and I read all these, and I took my ring out a week early. I’m already starting to feel more normal. This shouldn’t be legal. I went and bought the NuvaRing out of pocket the other day for $177. I’m lucky I can afford it, it’s ridiculous that insurance will put women through this to save a couple bucks."

• A B...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 24, 2020

For Birth Control "My month on EluRyng has been one of the worst of my life. Week 1: nausea/vomiting, fatigue, burning/irritation, and yeast infection. Week 2: severe anxiety and mood swings -- sobbing out of nowhere, massive unprompted panic attacks, and starting crazy fights with my partner. Week 3: severe, acute depression and constant really dark thoughts. Completely numb, crying 24/7, couldn't decide if life was worth living. Week 4: all of my other symptoms disappeared overnight as soon as the withdrawal/off week started. I started feeling back to normal within a day or two, so now I'm absolutely sure that my wild emotional symptoms were entirely caused by the ring. I would not recommend the generic to anyone. My mental health deteriorated shockingly fast and I've never feared for my safety the way I did during the third week. Given other people's similar experiences, I'm counting down the days until EluRyng is recalled so no one else has to go through this."

• Che...
• May 15, 2020

For Birth Control "I was on the NuvaRing for 4 years, and I only experienced swollen breasts. It went away after 3 months. I had no problems. In March 2020, I was switched to the generic because of my insurance. Within 2 weeks, I was needing antidepressants because I didn’t feel right. I was having yeast infections like crazy, and the fluconazole was not working (this is noted as a side effect). By April, I was having outbursts of anger, feeling alone all the time, anxious, my blood pressure was out of control because of the anxiety, I was arguing with everyone, libido was gone, and I was just flat out upset about everything. Now it is May, I feel so depressed and question life every day. I’m not motivated to do anything. I’m not happy about anything. I will cry about everything. I feel so alone. Today, we figured out it was the generic causing this. I have all the side effects listed on their website. Affect liability is a serious side effect of this ring. My mental health and, quite frankly, life is on the line."

• KHa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 14, 2021

For Birth Control "I have never had such a horrible experience on birth control in my life! The EluRyng made my anxiety go through the roof, extreme nausea, irritable mood swings, my resting heart rate was around 110 bpm, and I started having suicidal thoughts. I thought it was just my anxiety getting worse, but after getting desperate to feel half normal again, I started doing research and realized it was the EluRyng (I don’t take any other medications). This stuff is scary and needs to be recalled ASAP!"

• Woo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 26, 2020

For Birth Control "I started this EluRyng a month ago. I take it out tomorrow. My doc gave me the NuvaRing, but I went to the place and got an EluRyng instead or whatever. I've never had fatigue like this. I call it beached whale syndrome. I can't get up or do anything, and I feel loopy. I also don't sleep. I have conflicting moods like anxiety and depression and am on edge easily. I can't eat food a lot. I feel prego. I have vertigo and migraines. The migraines feel like I got stung on the head. And I can't walk straight, so I had to call out for work, which I already have anxiety over. These migraines last all day. Sometimes I'll take a glass of hard liquor to help. I've been eating a crazy ton of bananas, though, for it. I don't think I wanna continue this medication. My sex drive is nonexistent. But hey, I do love estrogen. My IUD caused me lots of problems, and this makes me wetter and less uncomfortable. So at least the infections are gone."

• For...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 2, 2020

For Birth Control "Like others here, I’ve experienced more than noticeable side effects after being switched from NuvaRing to the generic brand by my insurance this May. I had been on NuvaRing for more than a decade with no issues whatsoever. Since being on the generic, my periods have been heavier with spotting in between, along with a 30 lb weight gain. I would say that about 10-15 lbs of this weight gain was due to quarantine (not being as active with gyms shutting down, spending more time at home and snacking, etc.), but in the last few weeks since I’ve been on the generic, I have ballooned in size. Truly alarming. I have also experienced increased anxiety, fatigue bordering on narcolepsy, and have been restlessly kicking in my sleep, where I previously never had any sleeping issues."

• Rac...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 12, 2020

For Birth Control "I am 36 years old and have been off and on birth control medications over my lifetime. I have tried NuvaRing before and had no issues. I barely felt I was on birth control at all with it for over a year. Then I went off to go all natural. Then, as my periods got longer over the year or so off, I decided to get back on. I was given EluRyng instead of NuvaRing, and it was rough. I only stayed on it one cycle because I had every side effect possible. I was moody, angry, anxious, and tired. I also got my period on day 15 and spotted for a week after. It was the worst experience I’ve had on any birth control!"

• cic...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 24, 2021

For Birth Control "Awful product. My side effects included: yeast infection, vaginal irritation, painful heavy bleeding (6 weeks), acne on my jawline and ears, anxiety/panic attacks, nausea/vomiting, extreme breast tenderness, insomnia, insane mood swings, self-harm, and depression so severe I almost had to check into inpatient psych care. My relationship almost ended because I went fully nuts. I didn't experience a single positive emotion the entire time I was on this BC. The FDA should take this off the market. DON'T put this in your body."

• Ano...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 22, 2022

For Birth Control "I was in tears last week reading all of these comments. I used Nuvaring for 7 years with no issues. In July 2020, I was switched to EluRyng. Never had issues with my period while using it, so didn't connect the issues I've had for over 2 years now to the generic version being different. I shared with a friend last week that I think I'm already in perimenopause at 35 because there's no explanation for all the symptoms I have and all my tests come back normal. I've gained 25 pounds in the last couple of years, and no matter how hard I work out or cut calories, nothing works. I've had the worst extreme fatigue, migraines for days, crazy anxiety, heart palpitations, ZERO libido, leg cramps at night, insomnia, horrible mood swings, depression, dark self-harm thoughts, fogginess, and my vision has changed significantly 3 times in the last year and a half. I took my ring out 8 days ago and already have so much more energy. Getting the hubby snipped and done with this poison!!"

• Jax...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 1, 2021

For Birth Control "After reading these comments, I feel justified. I’ve been feeling the absolute worst for the last 2 months without any obvious cause. I’ve spoken to my doctor about this mystery illness, gotten bloodwork done, all to no avail. After my insurance switched me to EluRyng from NuvaRing 2 months ago without telling me, I have literally wondered why I feel so bad. I have had a constant-and I do mean constant-headache every single day. I’ve had bouts of nausea and vomiting. I’ve lost 5 lbs this month. I’ve never been so fatigued in my life. My anxiety, which has been under control, has been off the charts, and I’m snapping at people for no reason. I’ve had absolutely no sex drive, which is unusual. And we hate to say it-but we shouldn’t-suicidal thoughts. This is the worst “medication” out there. And I really hope you read this BEFORE you also experience these symptoms and find yourself on Google because you think you’re wondering how to keep living."

• Nur...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 15, 2020

For Birth Control "I used NuvaRing for 3+ years before my pharmacy switched me to the EluRyng for some reason. I assumed it would be the same, but I was so wrong. Enter low libido, painful sex, increased anxiety, among other things (none of them pleasant). NuvaRing got rid of my period cramps before BC, but they are present with EluRyng. I was considering switching to the patch or injection until discovering my experience mimicked many others'. I will be switching back to the NuvaRing as soon as possible. If you are considering switching, please know they are NOT the same drug and the NuvaRing is far superior. I wish I had known earlier. I spent around 9 months on EluRyng. I didn't get pregnant, so I guess it accomplished its main job, but if I knew these side effects would happen, I would have never used this med. So disappointed."

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 13, 2020

For Birth Control "I tried this generic because it was cheaper, and I don't have insurance. The first time I tried, it gave me Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS) so badly that I thought I had blood clots. To reiterate, I had no insurance, so it was very, VERY scary. I went back to the Nuvaring at over $170 a pop, and the symptoms eventually went away. When I googled RLS, it can be caused by an iron deficiency. This month, I decided to try EluRyng again because I had bought multiple when it first came out. I upped my iron and vitamin intake the months before, so I figured I was good, and I had a Nuvaring in the fridge just in case. Surprise, surprise, RLS is back! I switched immediately back to the Nuvaring. EluRyng was a horrible, scary, anxiety-ridden, painful experience that I won't ever fall for again!"

• Emi...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 18, 2021

For Birth Control "I switched back to the other generic NuvaRing (made by Prasco), and I am back to normal. I had to get an override from my insurance company and had to make a bunch of calls, but it's been well worth it. I had one month of misery on the EluRyng (anxiety, itchy arms and legs, headaches, etc.). I am so glad I read everyone's posts and reached out to my doctor. I really thought that all generics were the same, but I was clearly wrong."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 26, 2022

For Birth Control "Worst birth control EVER!! I was on the NuvaRing for years and have had no problems, I loved it! This thing is crap. I’m constantly spotting. My periods were super regular and always lasted 4 days. Now I will be on my period for weeks, then I spot randomly when I’m not. It’s sometimes painful to have sex. I have legit had such bad anxiety and depression! One night I broke down and told my husband I was suicidal!! Horrible headaches, feeling nauseous and tired all the time. I have thought multiple times I’m prego because of the side effects I was having. HORRIBLE birth control, I would rather use condoms than deal with this rubbish. Do NOT use this. It honestly should be recalled."

• Emi...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 4, 2021

For Birth Control "This is my third week on EluRyng, and it’s horrible. I have used the brand name NuvaRing and a different generic and have never had side effects like these. On this generic, I have experienced near-constant anxiety, itchiness on my arms and legs, nausea, and bowel problems. I didn’t connect the itchiness to the ring until I read other posts. I feel like I am going to have a panic attack at least once a day and have cried at minor things (like not wanting to cook chicken for dinner one night). It’s also fallen out a few times, which rarely ever happened with the other two. I have been using a lot of deep breathing and grounding exercises to combat the anxious feelings. No one should have to tolerate these side effects. I have three more days left on this ring and then will never be using it again."

• Ano...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 7, 2020

For Birth Control "I was using the NuvaRing for several months, and I was very pleased with it, I never had any side effects. One day, my insurance switched me for the generic EluRyng. It causes me vaginal itch during the first couple of days after insertion. I’ve been having morning headaches. My stomach feels bloated. I had mild depression and anxiety in the past, which was under control, but this medication set it off. For the last two cycles, one or two days after I removed the ring, I experienced a terrible headache that will not go away for a day. I’ve never had headaches like those before. At the same time, I’m experiencing weakness, palpitations, cold sweat, and lightheadedness the week the ring is out. I called the insurance, and the doctor needs to request approval to put me back on the NuvaRing. They said it shouldn’t be a problem. Looking forward to getting back on the brand."

• 25 ...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 19, 2021

For Birth Control "I began this early February after a year without the NuvaRing. I used NuvaRing for 5 years before and loved it with my whole heart, used the pill before, and the ring made it so much easier for me with no issues or side effects. The EluRyng has broken me out pretty horribly and decreased my sex drive massively, but worse than that, it’s made my anxiety 10 times worse to the point where I stopped my newer dosage of antidepressants for a week (that had been working very well!) to see if that was the cause, and it was not. This has sent me into a deep depression period. Really wish I’d have read more on this first but thought I would be getting the NuvaRing. It took about 2 months for me to determine this was definitely the EluRyng and I took it out. If you have any issues with mental health, I would not even take a chance on this, and I hope I can get back on the NuvaRing."

• Mai...
• November 15, 2022

For Birth Control "I would not recommend this to anyone. Like many other reviewers, I was on the NuvaRing and had no issue. Honestly, it was the ideal birth control. My insurance no longer can cover NuvaRing, and I was given this generic brand. I am never one to look down on generic brands (food, cleaning products, etc.), so I didn’t mind. However, 1.5 years later, I wish I would’ve taken the change seriously. I have gained so much weight. I don’t even look the same, I went from a size 4/6 to a size 10/12. On top of that, during my time with the birth control, I was so anxious to the point of nausea. Before any social event, I needed to drink so much to calm down. I was just an anxious mess! I decided to get off this terrible birth control at the end of July (about 4 months ago). I feel mentally better and I can actually go places without being drunk! I am working out and finally seeing results! I went from 215 to 193 - I have a lot more to go, but this is progress! I wouldn’t recommend this birth control."

• rei...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 7, 2022

For Birth Control "I do not understand how this drug is on the market. It's a shame that health insurance companies feel they have the medical prowess to change medications that have such a negative impact on women's lives, and it seems like it's on a very large scale. And the fact that we live in a world where men can't even handle a birth control study based on these types of symptoms saddens me. Something needs to be done because this simply is not okay! I am currently battling with health insurance to get the name brand after 9 horrible months on generic without knowledge of them changing it. I had severe depression, anxiety, nausea, vomiting, irregular periods, shedding hair, loss of appetite... I could go on, and I went to so many doctors trying to figure out why this was happening. If you recently changed to generic, stop taking it right away! I hope to feel better soon once I change back to name brand soon."

• Sal...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 5, 2021

For Birth Control "I began cramping as soon as I inserted it until the day of my cycle that I was supposed to remove it. I became angry and depressed and anxious and even suicidal. I stopped torturing myself after one month and didn't use EluRyng again. All of these symptoms were relieved after the ring was gone. This medication is a disaster. I weep for my fellow sisters."

• Jen...
• July 13, 2021

For Birth Control "I had been on NuvaRing, but insurance would no longer cover it, so I was switched to EluRyng. I started getting migraines twice a week or more (I used to get them 3-4 times a year). Weight gain and horrible anxiety and depression. I’ve been crying, depressed, and feeling suicidal. I’ve never had depression or these kinds of thoughts before. I’ve been taking my anxiety medicine daily to try and cope. My hair has also started shedding noticeably. Big fistfuls come out in the shower. I just took the ring out yesterday. I really hope my body can get back to normal. I really regret trying this."

• Yoa...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 28, 2021

For Birth Control "As most everyone else, I had been on NuvaRing for 5 years with absolutely no issues, switched to the EluRyng due to insurance no longer covering the brand name. When I first started, I immediately got really bad cramps! I started to get kind of moody and was experiencing severe anxiety, my neck and back hurt significantly. In December, I was having anxiety attacks, migraines, felt shaky, vertigo, and sleeping all day. I saw my doctor in December, forgot about the med change, and said depression and anxiety could be because of the pandemic. I started having panic attacks, and anxiety and depression continued. I couldn't wear my eyeglasses and had bad tension headaches. At the end of March, I looked up medication and read reviews of others, immediately contacted my gyno. I’ve only been back on the NuvaRing one cycle, but overall I feel better, still adjusting. I wonder how long before they pull it off the market because no one should have to go through these side effects."

• Eve...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 21, 2023

For Birth Control "I’m surprised to see so many negative reviews on the EluRyng. I know everyone’s experience can be different. I was on the NuvaRing for about 7 months until my insurance switched me to the EluRyng. I’ve been on it for about a year. So far, I had a great experience with it. I didn’t notice any difference from the brand name to the generic, except that the EluRyng is squishier and more flexible. I didn’t get any weight gain or mood swings. No headaches or anxiety. It has cleared my skin and helps knowing when my periods will come. I have the app to remind me. Overall, I give it a 9. I have nothing negative to say about it, except that it’d be nice if it came with an applicator."