EluRyng and Weight Gain: 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."

• 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."

• led...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 16, 2020

For Birth Control "I was on NuvaRing for years with no side effects. I was switched to EluRyng about five months ago - despite eating super healthy and working out hard, I have gained 10+ pounds, and my breasts are always super, super tender. I've also started breaking out. Just bad - I'm getting switched off as soon as possible. Don't believe anyone when they say generic is the same!"

• Ann...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 27, 2023

For Birth Control "Main Takeaway: Trust your gut! I used EluRyng for nearly 1 year and 6 months. Should have stopped sooner. The first 6 months I had little to no side effects. It was easy to use and trustworthy. After about a year, though, I began to notice weight gain, bloating, stomach pain, and a constant need to eat. I could never skip a meal or it felt like death. It's easy to think that maybe it's just in your head or another factor with birth control, but trust what you feel! I'm now 6 months off it and I no longer have stomach bloat or pain. I've gone down 10 pounds and I think I may still lose more."

• JB1...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 2, 2023

For Birth Control "Last year, I picked up my birth control, and the packaging looked different. When I looked more closely and saw this was a generic, I was shocked. My doctor had not prescribed it, nor had my insurance company alerted me to any change, but wanting to stay on my schedule, I tried it. This was an absolute mistake. Within days, I was having terrible burning and discharge. As most women do, I decided to power through. This wasn't a good idea because things only got worse. Then came the cramps, back pain, spotting, insane mood swings, and unbelievable weight gain. I gained about 10 lbs in about 6 weeks. That is not normal! Not to mention that all of the symptoms only got worse with time. I was suffering. I went to my gyno and found out that this was an allergic reaction. In addition, my psychiatrist and endocrinologist have all had problems with their patients and EluRyng. I've had to fight my insurance company to get Nuvaring covered."

• 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."

• 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."

• des...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 7, 2021

For Birth Control "Horrible. Be careful using this. After 10 years on NuvaRing, happily loving it, 6 months on EluRyng and I gained 15 pounds, had terrible mood swings, severe depression and suicidal thoughts, anger, overall lack of energy, zero sex drive. My periods were worse than they were off BC. I couldn't figure out what it was that was causing all of this until I figured out it. NuvaRing and EluRyng are not the same and this drug needs to be recalled, it's extremely dangerous. Has anyone had luck getting on NuvaRing again? I saw it was discontinued and my pharmacy no longer has it. I'm so upset."

• nos...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 22, 2021

For Birth Control "I've gained so much weight on EluRyng. I’m disgusted. My insurance forced me to be off NuvaRing and switch to this awful version of it called EluRyng. Within the last year of switching, I’ve gained 30 pounds. I was skinny before, I had a high metabolism, as does all of my family. I was dumbfounded at my weight gain. I did bloodwork and assumed maybe I had a thyroid issue, nope. I ate well and worked out more, but continued to gain weight. I felt like I was swimming against the current. My body had erupted in stretch marks with the sudden gain, and I’ve cried too many times to count in frustration. After researching, it’s the EluRyng that’s caused this. I started gaining weight after I switched birth controls, nothing else has changed. And after seeing other reviews, I’m not alone in this. Please research fully before you decide to take this awful drug!"

• LMa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 2, 2021

For Birth Control "This has been the worst experience. My insurance no longer covered NuvaRing, so I was switched over. I gave it a chance, and after 2 months, I had longer menstrual cycles, mood swings, and the worst for me, even though I'm physically active, I was gaining weight."

• 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."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 23, 2022

For Birth Control "I was on NuvaRing several years ago before trying an IUD due to minimal side effects. I recently had my IUD removed and wanted to go back on NuvaRing but received EluRyng instead. I am experiencing awful side effects - mood swings, fatigue, nausea, weight gain, headaches. I don’t ever remember feeling this way on NuvaRing, but I will be going back on it."

• Mcp...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 6, 2022

For Birth Control "Reading through the reviews, I feel what I had been feeling is now validated. I had been on NuvaRing for 10+ years and received the generic one day and didn’t realize it wasn’t the same product. I feel like a monster came out. In 3 months, my period changed, my weight gain was noticeable, but by far the worst side effect was my anxiety, mood swings, and irritability. The change in me was drastic. When I realized it wasn’t NuvaRing, I called my insurance, and they said it wasn’t covered anymore. I paid $177 for NuvaRing just to see if it was me or the generic, and it all cleared up. The fogginess, irritability, and anxiety cleared up in 2 weeks. We opted to completely get off birth control after that. Can’t afford $177/month for NuvaRing even though my doctor said it was “medically necessary.” I have to meet an Rx deductible of $3000 first, so it’s not covered. This is a terrible, terrible generic and by no means should be forced on women."

• Abb...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 23, 2024

For Birth Control "I actually had an okay experience with EluRyng. I have been on it for 18 months. I am getting off it next month to try Slynd, a minipill, just because the risk of stroke with combo methods spooks me a bit. It was the first birth control I had ever been on, and I only use it for pregnancy prevention. It has made my previously heavy and painful periods very light and short, and the cramping is very mild. It also cleared the cystic back acne I had. As for side effects, I have put on some weight, and I’d say I am more irritable nowadays, but it’s manageable. I actually got NuvaRing (the name brand) this month because my pharmacy didn't have the generic, and my acne came back immediately. I also am very moody and sad sometimes, and my stomach is so sensitive, I have a lot of nausea. So I think I actually did better on EluRyng than the name brand!"

• SoS...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 26, 2023

For Birth Control "I started using the ring directly after taking the pill, and its effectiveness against pregnancy works great. The comfort of the ring while it’s inserted is great as well, as is during sex (my husband didn’t feel it too much). However, I noticed several changes while on the ring, and shortly after stopping it altogether, I confirmed these changes were due to the ring. Weight gain and decreased sex drive were the main concerns. Weight gain was in specific areas where hormones tend to linger, such as under the chin and upper belly, and it was obvious since I was eating healthy and working out daily. The decreased sex drive was incredibly depressing due to lack of feeling down there and just overall desire to do anything. My body simply couldn’t handle these changes, along with other small inconveniences, so I wouldn’t recommend it."

• Dis...
• February 2, 2021

For Birth Control "I was switched to EluRyng after my insurance switched for prescription in November. I was previously on the brand NuvaRing and LOVED it (been on that over 18 months - maybe more). This is only my second month on EluRyng, and I really don't like it. I noticed slight weight gain (which I struggle with, so this was concerning), insane itchiness, and new acne on my upper body, arms, and face. I've never had acne or horrible itchiness/dry skin in these areas before. I have a motility disorder and am constantly watching what I eat, what I do with my body, and my lifestyle. This was the only change, and I can definitively say after reading other reviews that the EluRyng has caused me side effects. I was able to get my doctor to prescribe it again with 'No Substitutions Allowed,' and so far they did not charge me for it after my insurance previously said they would charge $53/month for NuvaRing! This seriously makes me always think twice regarding generics now... It is most certainly NOT the same as the brand NuvaRing!!!"

• Q B...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 21, 2021

For Birth Control "I was on the brand name NuvaRing from age 18 to 23, roughly, and had minimal side effects (maybe gained 10 pounds in those 5 years, nothing else) and absolutely loved NuvaRing. I was always thin at 5’10” and between 130-140 pounds max. Fast forward to the EluRyng generic launching and my insurance company switched me automatically. I started taking it, and 6 months in, I was feeling depressed and noticed about 15 pounds of weight gain. I was suspicious it was the generic, but there wasn’t much out there on the internet at the time about side effects of weight gain, and the pharmacist told me it was likely my lifestyle factors changing or something. I started exercising more and being mindful of my eating - and still watched myself gain 40 pounds over the next year to be 180 pounds. My body had so many stretch marks. I got off and am still dealing with depression from it."

• Han...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 2, 2020

For Birth Control "I switched from NuvaRing to the generic EluRyng. It made me gain 50 lb over the course of a year."