NuvaRing and Anxiety: What Users Say (Page 2)

• 2nd...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• October 3, 2018

For Birth Control "I'm 27, and I just started back on the NuvaRing a couple of weeks ago after taking a 6-12 month break from birth control. I had been on NuvaRing from age 14 until I was almost 27, and I had thought it was completely wonderful. I took a break to see what my body would be like without it and actually came out of my lifelong depression, anxiety, paranoia, and horrible sleep patterns. I had no idea that stopping NuvaRing was the reason until I started back on it again. After just two weeks, I am not sleeping, fighting with my partner, accusing him of all sorts of crazy things, breaking down in tears every moment, and feeling so tired and unmotivated. I took it out a few minutes ago as I read that many others like me loved it the first time (in our younger years) and have trouble with it now."

• San...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 20, 2019

For Birth Control "Bloating, mood swings, anxiety, depression, no sex drive, made me dislike being intimate. I want to, but I can't make myself initiate sex with this birth control. It's so hard. I've never had this problem with any other birth control. I get sad too, out of nowhere, no reason, randomly. I like the ease of taking it, but it's not right for me. I gained weight, I like myself even less now. Thanks a lot, NuvaRing. It is still not as bad as Paragard, though."

• Ail...
• May 21, 2018

For Birth Control "If I could rate this a zero, I absolutely would. I’ve had the worst experience being on it. Severe mood change, depression, and anxiety. I never was able to put two and two together until recently due to the fact I had been off of it and felt a million times better, then got back on it a week ago. Immediately, the symptoms came back. The feeling when I was on it ruined my life, lost my job, eagerness to enjoy life, pushed family and friends away, hated who I was as a person. I’m not saying everyone will have this but, for me, I felt at my worst. On the positive side of things, since being off of this and going through a rough couple of years, it’s changed me for a better person, I no longer see things one way or the other, I see beauty in everyone and everything."

• Hea...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 6, 2019

For Birth Control "I have been using NuvaRing for about 10 months. In the beginning months, everything was great. I loved how easy the ring was and that I could just forget about it. I never experienced any irritation or dryness. I did use the continuous method to skip my periods. These last two months on the ring, I have been anxious, depressed, extremely quick to anger. I feel it is ruining my relationships with everyone in my life. I took the ring out to have my period and made an appointment with my doctor to get on something new. I really wanted the ring to work for me."

• DoN...
• July 17, 2015

For Birth Control "I've been using this for three months, and I'm finally taking this emotional draining mister out this next cycle. I was so excited to use this at first, but as each month went by, I felt more and more depressed and miserable. My libido went down incredibly low, to the point where the thought of even having sex would just give me headaches. I was never like this, and I've become an emotional beast using this, and it has affected the relationship I'm currently in. I don't recommend this, although it has amazing perks and it's convenient, it's not worth destroying you as a person and possibly your relationship and own overall happiness."

• BCa...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 2, 2014

For Birth Control "Birth control pills make me extremely nauseous, and the shot made me gain a ton of weight and caused bad acne, so the only method I can use consistently is the NuvaRing. It keeps my skin clear, is easy to use, doesn't bother my husband during sex, and it grew my breasts a cup size. Unfortunately, NuvaRing makes me so tired that I gained weight due to inactivity since all I want to do is sleep. I suspect it has caused anxiety and depression (although I can't be sure), and it gives me a terrible headache and nausea the first three days I put a new ring in. It dulls my sex drive a bit, but nothing major. I will probably stick with this method for a while unless something better comes around."

• ATW...
• December 8, 2013

For Birth Control "My experience on NuvaRing was a mixed bag. My first time on it was wonderful - I was CRAZY the first month on, after that, it was smooth sailing. Absolutely no bad side effects. I had to discontinue due to no insurance, but when I went on it again years later, I had a multitude of problems. BAD bloating around the midsection (I am otherwise a slender woman, and the bloat didn't look right on me), thinning hair, dark spotting of the skin on my back and stomach, borderline severe depression and anxiety. I lost all the bloat as well as the depression and anxiety when I came off it. Unfortunately, my acne came back (much to my dismay) when I stopped using it, but for me, the NuvaRing was still not worth the side effects."

• Lau...
• June 1, 2022

For Birth Control "I had a terrible experience with NR. At first, I felt good, amazing skin; after about two weeks, I started feeling very depressed and anxious. I couldn’t leave the house, palpitations, kept waking up in the middle of the night, suicidal thoughts. I had to take a month off from work to recover, and now I feel a different person."

• ban...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 23, 2019

For Birth Control "(21 yr old) I've had the NuvaRing in for almost a year now, and I'm taking it out. The first few months I loved it because I had minimal side effects, so I thought my body needed some time to adjust, but it's gotten worse. I'm moodier, have low motivation, ZERO sex drive (I used to have such a high sex drive, now sex is repulsive). Constant debilitating cramps and bloating, headaches, chest pain, depression, and anxiety. I've also gained about 10 lbs recently, despite eating the same. The heavy discharge I can handle with some pantiliners, but sometimes there's a strong, horrible scent. I've always had heavy periods and cramping (lasting 7-8 days), but now it lasts about 14 days. I've never been able to skip my period on this because I bleed when the ring is still in, it just gets heavier on the day I'm supposed to take it out. I liked the ease, but it's taken a toll on my body, mental health, and life. I wish I had taken it out sooner."

• Anx...
• July 15, 2013

For Birth Control "I tried the NuvaRing as a sample. Within two weeks, I had very bad mood swings. I was anxious and paranoid all the time. I got very nauseous and had bad headaches. It put me out of commission for a whole day because I felt so sick. I took it out that day, and within hours, I felt like I was back to myself. Of course, there were still hormones in my system, but the nausea and the severe headaches went away almost instantly. As far as the convenience, it was awesome to not have to remember to take a pill. I didn't feel it at all. If I didn't mind feeling like a lunatic all day, I would have definitely kept using it."

• TGr...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 21, 2017

For Birth Control "I started to notice a pattern that the day I would insert it, for the next 24 hours following insertion, I was incredibly nauseous, but I dealt with it. The reason I ultimately got off of it was because after 7 months of severe anxiety, mood swings, and angry outbursts with no explanation, I figured out that it could potentially be my NuvaRing. I'm a 23-year-old, active student/teacher. I lost all motivation to get through the day or go to the gym. I constantly picked fights with loved ones, and I was so hard on myself and my personal appearance. I turned into someone I wasn't. I was going to therapy 2 times a week for 4 months, trying to figure out what triggered my anxiety. I got off of NR once I put 2 and 2 together. Finally back to my normal self."

• tuf...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 12, 2021

For Birth Control "I thought it was not noticeable when inserted. I just left it in during sex, but if you want, you can take it out and put it back in after. I went off it recently, and I'm so glad I did. Each month, before my period, I would get really bad migraines and cramps. Also, I consistently had anxiety and no confidence. I would always have a few very depressing days before my period, which made me want to do bad things. I'm thankful I did not act on those thoughts. I thought it would be a more local form of birth control, but it certainly had an effect on my whole body. I also gained weight, about 10 lbs when I started it, though they claim it doesn't cause weight gain...."

• E71...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 10, 2013

For Birth Control "NuvaRing is very convenient to use, but after 3 years, I am finally getting off of it. I get major mood swings, anxiety, depression, leg cramps, and not interested in sex. At first, I did not think it was the NuvaRing causing this, but after reading reviews, I can relate to a lot of women! It was very convenient, but I will be changing to another method."

• Ret...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• April 25, 2018

For Birth Control "I used NuvaRing during the entirety of my 20s and loved it. It is an extremely effective birth control method, and I didn’t experience any negative side effects. However, I just began using it again last week after a 3-year period of abstinence, and I am experiencing really severe anxiety and a sour stomach. It was wonderful before, so I’m just going to wait a month or two to see if I adjust to it, but I really wasn’t expecting this at all based on my prior experience."

• Sea...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 26, 2015

For Birth Control "The 6th day I took it out. Usually, I am calm and pleasant to be around. This stuff made me hateful, I was violent and intolerable. Depression and anxiety were a big issue. The day after I removed it, with it still in my system, the depression got worse, and I was having suicidal thoughts. I am NOT that kind of person, but this hell ring turned me into an emotional nut job. I do not recommend it at all."

• Cat...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 5, 2016

For Birth Control "Yesterday, I stopped using NuvaRing for the 2nd time. The first time I quit, I wasn't sure if it was the ring causing my depression or just the things going on in my life at the time. A year later, I went back on it because I became more sexually active, and I loved not having periods and the clear skin it gave me. The first 2 months, it gave me horribly sore boobs, I also noticed I was a little moody but thought it would go away once I regulated after 3 months. 7 months in, and I'm a full-blown basket case with life-ruining depression and anxiety. I'm mad I was in denial that NuvaRing was causing it for so long. Do your relationship/mental health a favor, do not use NuvaRing. I feel so bad for my boyfriend for putting up with me for so long."

• Sam...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 28, 2016

For Birth Control "I started using the NuvaRing in January 2016. At first, I thought of it as a worry-free BC where I don't have to worry about taking a pill at a specific time each day. However, as the months of me using it piled up, so did my mood changes, killer cramps from hell, and increased anxiety. I'm depressed all the time, anxious all the time, and I get mad at my boyfriend for no reason at all. He's asked me to see a counselor. That's how bad it's been. I also have a decrease in sex drive, vaginal dryness, and discomfort when having intercourse. I spoke to my gyno about my situation, and she suggested leaving the ring in for 4 weeks rather than 3. After reading all these reviews, I decided to take out my ring today, and I'm going back to my gyno tomorrow."

• Sam...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 28, 2016

For Birth Control "I started using the NuvaRing in January 2016. At first, I thought of it as a worry-free BC where I don't have to worry about taking a pill at a specific time each day. However, as the months of me using it piled up, so did my mood changes, killer cramps from hell, and increased anxiety. I'm depressed all the time, anxious all the time, and I get mad at my boyfriend for no reason at all. He's asked me to see a counselor. That's how bad it's been. I also have a decrease in sex drive, vaginal dryness, and discomfort when having intercourse. I spoke to my gyno about my situation, and she suggested leaving the ring in for 4 weeks rather than 3. After reading all these reviews, I decided to take out my ring today, and I'm going back to my gyno tomorrow."

• Bri...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 27, 2019

For Birth Control "I started NuvaRing about 5-6 months ago. It started out great because I LOVED not having to remember it every single day. I didn't notice the subtle changes, which makes me disappointed. Side note: my medicine is delivered and NuvaRing had to be refrigerated. The postal carrier kept refusing to deliver it if no one was home and would never try to redeliver. The last time my postal carrier refused to deliver, I came off of it completely - and I'm SO glad I did. I thought that I'd been moody due to recent life changes and all. I had no sex drive, I was angry all the time, I was constantly depressed, and my anxiety was through the roof. After the initial 'ring-free week', everything started getting clearer and clearer every day. It was INSANE. The part that sucked was not being told by anyone that I was becoming more irritable every month. Definitely not birth control for me..."

• Dan...
• January 18, 2020

For Birth Control "I will say, the only good thing about the NuvaRing is that it has effectively prevented pregnancy. My fiancé and I don’t have a hard time getting pregnant, so I tried the IUD and my body rejected it. My OBGYN recommended the NuvaRing. I’ve been using it for 10 months and I am done. My depression has gotten worse, I had to start antidepressants. My anxiety is through the roof. I always have headaches, and I’m so angry all of the time. It’s either I’m mad or crying. I don’t like this feeling. I do not like the NuvaRing. I’m also sensitive to medications, and it could be the hormones, but still. Not a great experience."

• ano...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 2, 2022

For Birth Control "The first couple of months, I noticed the changes I was feeling, such as being very anxious or upset, but I didn't think anything of it and basically got used to the feeling. This was in 2018. Now, 2022, after having a serious talk with him, I have decided to stop the NuvaRing. For about 3-4 months now, I have noticed a dramatic change in who I am and how I view things. I was sleeping about 80% of my day, I always felt super sick with terrible migraines, constantly so depressed, or crying, or so ticked off over the slightest things. I noticed I wasn't loving myself the way one should. My breasts were always hurting and no sexual desire. A week off, and I feel so much relief and so much happier, positive! I will say NuvaRing did cut my periods down to 3 days and did help with cramps, but my overall well-being is more important than anything."

• Pro...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 16, 2013

For Birth Control "I love the NuvaRing. I started on it after my son was born 6 years ago. It's easy to use, gentle to put in and remove, doesn't move at all while in there, and I never ever feel it during sex. After I started using it for about 3 years straight, I came off for 2 years as my fiancé was out of the country. I just started back in June 2013, and love it even more now. It doesn't decrease my sex drive, and although I am newly married, I have to admit my sexual desire has increased. With every birth control, there are bouts of sadness and anxiousness, but you distract yourself by watching great movies and eating popcorn, not tons of goodies which probably increases weight gain. I have never attributed weight gain to the NuvaRing, but my own diet."

• Anonymous
• June 29, 2015

For Birth Control "Let's see... I've tried over 6 birth controls in the past 8 years (including the shot), and NuvaRing has by FAR been my favorite, which I've now been on for 11 months. My boyfriend and I only find it a problem with intercourse due to us both feeling the ring. So I just take it out and place it back within the hour. Very few cramps when my period arrives, which is exactly Wednesday to Friday every 4th week (double awesome), plus my skin feels so soft, and all of a sudden my hair grows wicked fast? So strange, but never in my life would it before. Downside? Anxiety, but just raised at work. Sometimes gross white discharge like the day after or of that I remove the ring and a little before my period. Other than that, fabulous contraceptive."

• Con...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 2, 2020

For Birth Control "Horrible for my daughter. Went to the ER with shortness of breath, primary care was worried about blood clotting, had a massive increase in anxiety and stress. Most miserable experience for all involved."

• Con...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 2, 2020

For Birth Control "Horrible for my daughter. Went to the ER with shortness of breath, primary care was worried about blood clotting, had a massive increase in anxiety and stress. Most miserable experience for all involved."