NuvaRing and Anxiety: What Users Say (Page 4)

• Tay...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 25, 2018

For Birth Control "I started Depo in March of 2016, decided to try out NuvaRing because of the ease, and I felt like I would be in control of my body. I started NuvaRing in November of 2017, and nothing extremely noticeable went wrong. The months passed, and I started to notice my hair was thinning, but I didn’t think much of it. February of 2018 is when everything went TERRIBLE. Insomnia, anxiety, depression. I was a MAD WOMAN, I just couldn’t pinpoint my change in emotions to NuvaRing. One morning in June, I woke up and could literally not stop crying for no reason, something instantly snapped, and I snatched the NuvaRing out that day. Suddenly, my mood changed for the better. Here I am in August, and my mood swings are awful the week of my period. It feels like I’m on NuvaRing all over again. Hopefully, my hormones balance out, and I’m not stuck feeling like this the rest of my life."

• Sar...
• March 26, 2015

For Birth Control "When I first started using the ring, I had absolutely horrible anxiety for about 2 weeks. It faded with time. I didn't have any other major side effects other than it made my face explode with hormonal acne. I had very mild acne, and it got worse every month that I used the ring. I had to stop taking it for that reason. I switched to Beyaz, and I have zero side effects, and my acne is 80% better after a week."

• Car...
• February 16, 2018

For Birth Control "Soooo, this is the second time on this for me... first time I was on it for almost 4 years. Was off for about 3 years and was on the pill. I just put one in Sunday, took it out tonight. My body has been used to no hormones for over 6 months, and I noticed all negative side effects this go around. Severe anxiety, instant mood swing, crying for no reasons, depression, and basically a dark cloud. No more for me."

• Anonymous
• November 24, 2017

For Birth Control "I’m only on my third week of using NuvaRing. It’s great not having to take a pill, I haven’t taken it out yet to switch, so we’ll see how that goes. My mental processes have been completely wack since I’ve begun using NuvaRing. I have no patience for anything anymore, I get so irritable and fight to keep it inside. It’s been affecting those around me with my negativity. Prior to this, I was overly positive, people would ask me how I smiled so much. Now I fight to smile. My anxiety is so high I lay awake at night and can’t get my mind off it. No sex drive anymore, and I can feel things with my boyfriend changing due to my irritability, anxiety, and no sex drive. I’d like to stick it out to see if this works, but I don’t know if I can handle this."

• Lay...
• August 14, 2017

For Birth Control "Used it for years when I was a teenager, never had problems. Went off it for a few years, felt like it was important to give the hormones a break/let my body reset, balance itself out. Went back on it (I'm 26 now). Only been back on it for a little over 6 months -- this 2nd time around hasn't been so awesome. Makes my periods lighter/shorter/less crampy, which is convenient, but I'm tired of the dryness/itching/discharge. My vagina is some level of irritated/inflamed/bothered, pretty much 24/7. Sex drive lower, and some anxiety/nervousness/depression (though it's hard to tell if it's 100% because of the ring). Headaches/nausea, can't have sex without lube. Nice to be able to have unprotected sex, but only if you can enjoy it. Not ovulating is weird."

• Lay...
• August 14, 2017

For Birth Control "Used it for years when I was a teenager, never had problems. Went off it for a few years, felt like it was important to give the hormones a break/let my body reset, balance itself out. Went back on it (I'm 26 now). Only been back on it for a little over 6 months -- this 2nd time around hasn't been so awesome. Makes my periods lighter/shorter/less crampy, which is convenient, but I'm tired of the dryness/itching/discharge. My vagina is some level of irritated/inflamed/bothered, pretty much 24/7. Sex drive lower, and some anxiety/nervousness/depression (though it's hard to tell if it's 100% because of the ring). Headaches/nausea, can't have sex without lube. Nice to be able to have unprotected sex, but only if you can enjoy it. Not ovulating is weird."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 9, 2019

For Birth Control "This is my third month on the NuvaRing. And I have GI issues already, and I’m always feeling bloated. Once I had the ring inserted within the first week, I have had TERRIBLE mood swings. I am depressed, anxious, irritable, you name it, I feel it. While it’s in, I feel fine and my mood is better, but sometimes there's just a switch that turns back on the mood swings, and it’s awful. But I hope after the third month things will get better!"

• Sid...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 20, 2016

For Birth Control "The only good thing about NuvaRing was its ease of use. Everything else about it was a nightmare! I had horrible mood swings, and it made my anxiety and depression so much worse. I would lash out at people for no reason, and I had one night where I was so emotionally distraught that I physically could not stop crying! It also made me very nauseous and threw up quite a lot. Needless to say, I'm back on the pill now, and I have no side effects."

• Pri...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 27, 2017

For Birth Control "I gave the NuvaRing a 3 only because it did effectively prevent pregnancy for the last 7 months, but the other side effects are just not bearable. I have been using it for about 7 months and decided enough was enough the day after Christmas and took it out days before it was due to come out. The reason is extreme exhaustion/fatigue. I attributed exhaustion and anxiety/depression to just about everything, but I realized it is the ring because last month I removed it 10 days early by accident, and even though I bled for a little while (insurance would not cover the ring early), I felt full of energy, which is how I am normally. The first time I picked it up from the pharmacy, the girl said it made her feel 'hungover.' I shrugged it off at the time, but that is how I feel!"

• Man...
• December 1, 2018

For Birth Control "I used the NuvaRing for four years. It took me that long to figure out what caused my problems, such as: attacks of crying for no reason (2-4 hours on end), anxiety, depression, fatigue, rage, severe mood swings, difficulty in breathing, headaches, migraines. Eventually it became too much, I had to go on sick leave due to severe cognitive impairment. I wasn't able to follow simple instructions or engage in conversation. I suffered from memory loss, and I will probably never be the same again. Four years have passed since I stopped using the NuvaRing, and I still struggle. Shopping for groceries demands several hours of planning, and my attention span is 25 minutes long. Whenever there's a social event, I'm looking forward to a migraine soon after it ends."

• Biz...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 27, 2018

For Birth Control "I have given this a 1 only because it has prevented pregnancy. I have been on the NuvaRing for 8 months and have hated it. Severe, SEVERE anxiety and depression, thoughts of no longer wanting to live. Thinking that I’m just crazy. Fighting with my husband over absolutely nothing, with the worst anger, is the no sex drive. My family has watched me dwindle into an angry person, and that’s not who I am. I can hardly sleep, I stay up until 2 most nights and sometimes later. Along with stomach pain. Unable to lose weight. If I could give this a negative number, I would. I just hope I can get back to my old self after all of this for so long."

• Kat...
• November 26, 2018

For Birth Control "Apart from it being very convenient, I have almost nothing good to say about the NuvaRing. I've been on it for 2.5 years now. I cry every day about everything, and I am so fatigued I get up at 7:30 and will nap before lunch, then again before dinner. My eyes are so dry I had to get a prescription for eye drops to improve my vision. My gums bleed when I brush my teeth. A little over a year ago, my partner and I started having issues as sex became very painful for me, and I have almost no more sex drive. About 6 months ago, I was diagnosed with anxiety and depression and was put on medication for it. The people I love have noticed a huge difference in my personality. I took the NuvaRing out this morning and will be getting an IUD soon. Here's to hoping things turn around for the better! TAKE THIS MEDICATION WITH EXTREME CAUTION, my symptoms took about a year before they started getting bad, and we think it will be months before I start to feel myself again."

• sam...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 29, 2018

For Birth Control "I love the NuvaRing. I've been on it now for about a year and haven't had any horrible side effects. It was an amazing change compared to the pills I was on, Tri-Lo Marzia (generic and non-generic). That pill gave me horrible anxiety, depression, excess mucus, and vomiting. I don't feel the ring during sex or in general, it has never fallen out or caused pain, and my partner isn't bothered by it. I couldn't recommend this enough, if you haven't had great luck with pills, try the ring."

• Glo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 2, 2021

For Birth Control "I just started not that long ago, but for the past few weeks, I have been cramping like crazy and have had several unexplainable anxiety attacks. While I had it in, I had every symptom of a period except the blood. My depression has been getting better, and I think it's the birth control, but my anxiety and mood swings have been going crazy, and I have no explanation for this."

• Amz...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 22, 2015

For Birth Control "I was on the Nuva Ring for approximately 9 months and feel so good that I've cleansed myself of it. I became depressed to the point of wanting to place myself in an institution at times, had a massive fight with loved ones, put on 8 kg, lost my passion for life, was always tired, needing to eat ALL the time... Need I go on? So I went back on the pill for 2 months following, before my sister-in-law convinced me to try other contraceptive methods such as condoms with my supportive (yet freaked out at first by the idea) fiancé. For 2 months I thought I was going to lose it with anxiety from 'coming down', but I am pleased to report I've never felt better in my life, and my partner doesn't even know he's wearing a condom! He literally has to check!"

• mae...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 27, 2012

For Birth Control "I was only on the NuvaRing for 30 hours. Within a few hours of insertion, I was feeling lightheaded. I didn't think anything of it until I woke up multiple times throughout the night feeling like I was on fire and sweating profusely. The next morning, I was unable to go to work due to vomiting, jittery, and feeling overall sickly. It became worse throughout the day. It came to the point I was hardly able to function that my mother called the doctor, who advised to remove the device immediately that my body was rejecting it. I wasn't even on the NuvaRing for birth control reasons, it was to help regulate periods."

• Scr...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 25, 2017

For Birth Control "I was so excited for this birth control, and now I can't wait to get it out of my system. Only 2 weeks in and already have a yeast infection, major anxiety, feeling depressed, and a loss of sex drive.... I'm miserable and can literally cry at any moment. I will never try this again."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 20, 2017

For Birth Control "NuvaRing has done its purpose in a very effective way to prevent pregnancy, considering it prevents without having to remember to take it every day. However, I have been overcome with horrible anxiety. Anxiety has always been a problem for me, but I was always able to manage with therapy and medicine for almost 5 years now. 2 months on the NuvaRing, and I feel crazy. I'm paranoid, constantly making up scenarios and pretty much convincing myself they are true, and not to mention I feel helpless. I am not a cryer, but I cry every day now. I'm also tired constantly and have experienced pretty intense headaches and a lower sex drive. My friends and family have told me as well that I seem off. I took it out today in hopes of getting better."

• Cmw...
• May 8, 2023

For Birth Control "Had the NuvaRing from age 16-19. I found sex unbearably painful, and I thought something was wrong with me. After having the ring removed, it was like a new world. I was able to have pain-free sex for the first time in my life. It also made me very anxious and depressed."

• lco...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 19, 2016

For Birth Control "I'm four days in, and the mood swings are terrible. I have no history of depression or mood swings. Two days after starting, I began feeling anxious and depressed. Ease of use is great, I have had no cramps, bloating, or breakouts. I can't feel the ring when it's in, and it doesn't fall out. I recommend, if you want to try the ring, it may work well for some, but keep an eye on your emotions and call your doctor if something feels out of place. Don't feel ashamed or embarrassed that your mood changes! Birth control messes with your hormone levels, and it is better to let a doctor know than to suffer unnecessarily. May be great for some, but this birth control is not for me."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 23, 2012

For Birth Control "My first 6 months on NuvaRing were wonderful - my doc was using it to treat my symptoms of endometriosis (vomiting, intense cramping, etc.). Slowly, over time, I noticed my mood (which is normally rock solid) change, and I started losing all interest in sex. I thought maybe I just needed more time to adjust to it, and now, a year and a half later, I have absolutely no sex drive, am exhausted, and cry/am anxious for no reason. I am switching to something with an even lower dose, hoping to lose some of these side effects. I am generally sensitive to medication, so this may be why I had such a bad experience. I just wanted to share my experience since I didn't get side effects right off the bat - it can take a while for these side effects to emerge."

• Ono...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 17, 2016

For Birth Control "I had it in for 2 months. Got hot flashes, panic attacks, and insomnia. Took it out, got migraines, hot flashes, anxiety, and irregular periods. My advice: take the pill. It's annoying, but it's a better method."

• Rhm...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 26, 2019

For Birth Control "I’ve been using the NuvaRing for 2 and a half weeks, and I already had to take it out due to the extreme mood swings. I’ve cried every single day with it in. If you suffer from depression and anxiety, please think twice because it worsens it. I’ve also experienced itchiness and feeling swollen. I was really hopeful that this could be the BC for me, but it’s not."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 4, 2019

For Birth Control "Today is my 5th and final day on NuvaRing. 5 days in and I already have been experiencing crazy anxiety, numbness and pain in legs at night, weird chest pains. No thanks. My body is sensitive to medicine, but I figured it would adjust. But I honestly couldn’t continue because the anxiety was too much. I’ve had anxiety for years, but have NEVER had a full-blown panic attack until this medication. My legs feel fatigued, and I have an overall feeling of uneasiness. Also, sex drive is literally in the negative. Just took it out, and I don’t intend to ever put one in my body again. Like everyone on this page has said - listen to your body!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 4, 2019

For Birth Control "Today is my 5th and final day on NuvaRing. 5 days in and I already have been experiencing crazy anxiety, numbness and pain in legs at night, weird chest pains. No thanks. My body is sensitive to medicine, but I figured it would adjust. But I honestly couldn’t continue because the anxiety was too much. I’ve had anxiety for years, but have NEVER had a full-blown panic attack until this medication. My legs feel fatigued, and I have an overall feeling of uneasiness. Also, sex drive is literally in the negative. Just took it out, and I don’t intend to ever put one in my body again. Like everyone on this page has said - listen to your body!"