NuvaRing and Cramps: What Users Say (Page 3)

• Coc...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 11, 2017

For Birth Control "Okay, so I used NV when I was a late teen with no complications whatsoever. I'm 32 years old now and just recently started back on it again after my c-section. This has been the worst birth control experience of my life. I've used it for 3 weeks and ended up with horrible headaches, extreme cramping in my stomach for a week now nonstop, feeling delusional, and very irritable with no sex drive whatsoever when before taking this I've always had a very high sex drive. I've been breastfeeding, and flow isn't all that good anymore, but worst of all, I have found myself so hard on myself and so depressed, and it's been beyond my control. Felt like I needed to seek help. After reading about side effects, I have figured out where the problem was coming from. No more NV for me."

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 3, 2019

For Birth Control "Prevented pregnancy, but I had to stop wearing it because my period, usually light before using NuvaRing, was now very heavy, painful, and had big clots with tissue in them. Actual pink internal tissue. Not my thing."

• Mel...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 7, 2019

For Birth Control "First, let me just say, NuvaRing was a horrible experience for me. I've only been on this BC for two weeks, first day spotting, which is normal from what the doctor said, 4 days in blood clots, tiny blood clots, acne, depression, and anger issues. I literally bled for two weeks straight. Took it out today because I had the worst backache ever. I couldn't even breathe. I was waking up every day at 4:30 am, not sleepy at all, made me so hungry. I was working out every day. All of a sudden I started using this and I went from working out hardly ever, fighting with my boyfriend, had vivid dreams, just horrible dreams. One day I had a sharp cramp in my stomach that literally went to my heart, and I felt that. This was horrible, and I have decided to not use birth control, just condoms. But this was horrible."

• Sin...
• July 21, 2015

For Birth Control "I used the NuvaRing on a continuous use cycle. I loved it! Being able to skip periods was great. I experienced light cramping and my libido went down. My skin was amazingly clear and I didn't have to worry about it. My husband didn't like it because he could feel it during sex."

• Kat...
• July 27, 2015

For Birth Control "I've been on the ring for 4 years. I was on the patch before that, but I had an allergic reaction to the adhesive. I leave each ring in for 4 weeks without any gap weeks, so I don't have periods (though I take a gap week each year). I do still get moody, cramps, headaches, and sometimes spotting during the would-be PMS week. I have gained some weight since I started the ring, though I am not sure if this is because of the ring or just my eating habits (or if the ring causes my sweet tooth). I take it out for sex, it can be out for up to 3 hours a day. I have a short vagina, so the ring can be on my cervix and still be right at the opening, which can be annoying because I can feel it (not the ring's fault, just a note for others with this issue)."

• KH2...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 26, 2016

For Birth Control "I've been on NuvaRing for 6 months. I previously had the arm implant, but the hormones caused cystic acne and irregular bleeding. No problems with the NuvaRing aside from slight weight gain (a couple of pounds), which I can live with. My periods have been very regular, no spotting, no mood swings, no change in sex drive. I experienced minimal cramping the first month and continued bloating during my periods. This is a good option for those who have a hard time remembering to take the pill every day. Once a month is phenomenal!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 16, 2023

For Birth Control "I have been on birth control forever and did not like the pills, so I decided to try the NuvaRing. It was amazing until it wasn't. I was only on it for about a year before it made me throw birth control, in general, away because of the crazy side effects. The worst side effect I developed was severe abdominal cramping. It was NOT period cramps; it was excruciating 10/10 abdominal cramping that would just come at random times every day and last anywhere from 1-3 hours. It would sometimes even happen multiple times a day. It felt like someone had their hand inside of my stomach and was squeezing my uterus and wouldn't let go. At first, I nor my GYN did not think the cramps had anything to do with the birth control; I even had surgery to see if it was endometriosis. It wasn't, and I continued having these cramps. It wasn't until my SO told me not to replace it one month and see what happens that I then realized it was indeed birth control. I had severe depression as well. Has this happened to anyone else?"

• Liv...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 31, 2019

For Birth Control "Only used NuvaRing for 11 days. Breasts were so painful, super tender, and I was cramping for 7 days. After the period ended, non-stop every 5 minutes, I was craving sweets. I was kind of moody, got upset easily, sad, wanted to be alone, and felt super exhausted every day by 6 pm. I was not looking forward to continuing with the cramping for I don't know how long."

• gor...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 23, 2019

For Birth Control "I’ve been on the NuvaRing birth control for two years now and officially had to take it out. When I first started this birth control, it was amazing! I took the generic pill before, and it made me crazy angry all the time. So it was nice to find a birth control with the generic symptoms but nothing extreme; until a few months ago. I’m not sure what has happened, but my legs are fatigued ALL THE TIME now, even when I don’t do any workouts. For the past five months, I have had a dull cramp around my stomach. If it wasn’t for my appendix already being removed, I would swear it feels like appendicitis; it hurts that bad. My mood swings are worse than ever now as well. I used to love this medicine, but I am done feeling like this all the time."

• Tee...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 1, 2016

For Birth Control "I wanted to share my experience with the hope no one else will have to deal with. I have used Depo, the pill, IUD, and have now gone with the NuvaRing. I started that February 1, 2016, and it was out by February 22, 2016 (mind you, I was told to keep it in until the 25th). Why? Because of lots of things. I mentioned most of the side effects, and it took me a week to put it in, that's why I felt how I did. I was sleepy, nauseous like crazy, and cramping. I read the side effects over and over. I never put that the pain I was having in my chest was part of it. On February 23, 2016, I found out I have a blood clot in my right lung caused by NuvaRing!! This has caused so much stress on my family. We are still dealing with it now!!"

• Anonymous
• March 10, 2011

For Birth Control "NuvaRing has had both negative and positive effects on me. First of all, I actually LOST weight. I have an increased sex drive and have had no slipping, and it has never fallen out. Unfortunately, I have had more depressive periods, and cramps have been horrible. But on the most important note, I have been using it for a year and haven't gotten pregnant. So it's done its job, and the side effects haven't been unbearable. So if you are deciding whether or not to use this, the best advice I can give is do what is best for you and your body."

• Ten...
• April 3, 2014

For Birth Control "I have been on pills for years, and in 2012 I tried Mirena. I had cramps and terrible side effects all the time and just had it taken out last month because I have gained around 10 lbs in my stomach area. I have been on NuvaRing for about 2 weeks, and so far, it's way better. As soon as Mirena was removed, my weird stomach pains stopped, but I'm still trying to lose the extra weight."

• Lov...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• December 14, 2019

For Birth Control "I've been on the NuvaRing for about 7 years now! It's been great up until this last year. I've experienced constant cramping outside of my period all day, every day. I suffer from constipation and credited my pain to constipation cramps until I realized there were times I'd have the pain with normal bowels. I recently took my NuvaRing out to check, and each time I felt better... Finally, I came to some extreme clarity when I had an intense day of pain and finally called my doctor. He told me to take out my NuvaRing, and I haven't put it back since. I've been pain-free now for 2 days, and I'm still in shock at the level of relief. I gave this drug 5 stars because although I'm suffering now, it has worked extremely well for my PCOS, bleeding, etc., and I've maintained healthy hemoglobin levels since being on it. Contraceptive pills made me nuts, and the IUD kept falling out. This was a lifesaver, I'll sadly need to move on."

• MCT...
• January 10, 2016

For Birth Control "I've been on NuvaRing for about 6 years. No complaints or side effects. Sex drive is good, acne cleared up for the most part, no discomfort, and no weight gain. Easy to use, and I just set a reminder on my phone to take it out every 3 weeks. I used to have awful problems on various birth control pills such as Yas and Yazmin, such as cramps and random spotting. Haven't had these problems since I switched to NuvaRing."

• Sta...
• August 8, 2019

For Birth Control "I've been on NuvaRing for two months now for my adenomyosis and the awful PMS I get a week before my period (tired, cramps, leg pain, mood swings). It was awful. Well, being on this thing isn't better, it's worse. I can't stop bleeding, and I'm too afraid to take it out because I don't want to bleed more. I've never had cramps this bad. I feel like I can't walk. I spent all day Tuesday in bed crying. I'm a teacher, and I don't know how I'm going to get up in front of the kids and talk to them when I feel like such a mess. The pain is unbearable. My doctor could care less and was like, “It's normal, give it more time.” I hate the ring, I hate that I'm having so much pain and bleeding with no signs of it ending. I look like I've gained 20 lbs from bloating. I think I'd rather live in my personal hell prior to the ring than this."

• Luc...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 18, 2013

For Birth Control "I was off birth control for a while, considering getting pregnant. I had used other types of birth control before, the pill, the patch, etc. I decided to get back on birth control but didn't want to worry about taking a daily pill, so I requested the NuvaRing. When I started the NuvaRing, I felt it inside my body and had a lot of cramps. A few days later, I started experiencing more cramps and very strong upper stomach pain. They were so bad, I missed work for a week. Finally, I ended up going to the ER, and they couldn't figure out what was wrong. I finally asked the doctor, and it was the NuvaRing side effects."

• Han...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 25, 2013

For Birth Control "After I had my son, I was pretty leery about birth control because my cycle was so heavy and harsh. But! I decided to try the NuvaRing, and it has been one of the best choices I have made! It's so easy, and I only have to worry about it once a month! Awesome, right? It's helped regulate my periods and control my cramps. Safe to say I love my birth control!"

• Sar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 14, 2018

For Birth Control "I took NuvaRing for years in my mid to late twenties. Loved it. I never gained weight, it prevented pregnancy, I had no cramps (except for the first two months), I loved the option of having a period or not, and I liked the monthly option vs. daily. The only downfall I experienced was more mucus “down there.” I then took a break from the Nring so we could have children. I am now 35 y.o., back on it, and my experience with NuvaRing is completely different... and I’m getting off it stat! I’ve had major weight gain (12 lbs), am extremely moody, I get the worst cramps, my sex drive has diminished, I feel less motivated/more tired, and I’m getting frequent migraines. I did read the risks of taking it if you’re 35 and older beforehand (blood clots), but I never had symptoms and felt I’d give it a try. I don’t recommend this at all for women 35 y.o.+ and those who have given birth. The estrogen that is added to the ring has been no bueno for me."

• sog...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 27, 2013

For Birth Control "This is the first form of hormonal birth control I have been on. I'm 27. I love it. I have had no negative side effects at all. I normally have bad PMS, mood swings, and bad cramping. My doctor has me using it in a way I only get a period every 3 months. It has normalized my mood, which is the main thing I was hoping for besides not getting pregnant. I have to switch, though, because there is no generic, and my insurance only covers $10 of it. So it's expensive for me."

• Anonymous
• May 18, 2009

For Birth Control "I have just finished my first month on NuvaRing. I am unable to take regular birth control because of high blood pressure, and so far no problems from NuvaRing. Also, I have migraines regularly and didn't want to try an IUD or anything inserted in my arm. The only problem I have had is when the NuvaRing is out after the 3 weeks, I get VERY heavy menstrual flow and bad cramps. This is unusual for me, since I usually have a 2-day period with light flow. Don't know if it has anything to do with the NuvaRing or with having a baby 8 months ago."

• dis...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 12, 2018

For Birth Control "I have been using the NuvaRing for about 2 weeks, roughly. It has caused me stomach aches in the beginning, followed by headaches. As it's coming up to the date where I'm supposed to take it out, I'm feeling menstrual cramps, mood swings, anxiety/panic attacks, and waves of depression. I do not feel like myself. I can't sleep, and I can't eat properly. I was recommended to use this medication because I was diagnosed with PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome). I am 24 years old, I have never been on birth control till now. I will be making an appointment with my doctor about this, it's actually really bad."

• Kay...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• October 4, 2016

For Birth Control "I started NuvaRing when I was 15. I don't trust the pill and have only had NuvaRing (recently switched to Skyla). I was on NuvaRing for 5 years. I liked it. It did get a little annoying because it would sometimes start to hang low due to certain sex. Helped with cramps, but periods got confusing. Found out I misused it for a few months to a year, messed up my timing on my calendar. But I was still fine. I recommend it."

• sab...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 27, 2013

For Birth Control "I was on NuvaRing for about 6 months. I stopped because I started gaining so much weight, and it felt uncomfortable sometimes. I went from 150 lbs to 167 lbs in a matter of months. Other than that, the NuvaRing worked well for me! Did not get pregnant, kept my periods lighter and sometimes shorter. I did notice hair loss, and I did start getting leg cramps during my time on this medication. Good for teens!"

• Chi...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 3, 2015

For Birth Control "I don't like it! Bad depression, bad temper, bad cramps, sensitive breasts, weight gain, tired, and not in the mood for anything. The only reason I'm doing this is to regulate my periods, and it's the only thing that's working."

• Ean...
• December 1, 2016

For Birth Control "Has anyone on here tried NuvaRing and had an extremely poor experience? I was looking for new BC, and my doctor recommended NuvaRing. NEVER AGAIN. EVER. I have only had it in for two days and have felt very nauseous, extremely tired, dizzy, angry, depressed, and have had a terrible headache and cramping. I've been so dizzy, and my stomach has hurt so bad I couldn't even get out of bed. As soon as I put it in, I immediately felt different and in the most awful way. I just took it out, and I'm throwing the rest away. Like I said, never again. I've heard some people have great experiences with it, but that certainly wasn't mine. I just want to feel normal again and hopefully will soon. Anyone else experience symptoms like this while using it?"