NuvaRing and Depression: What Users Say (Page 3)

• kks...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 21, 2016

For Birth Control "After hearing a lot of good things about NuvaRing, I've decided to give it a try. At first, I have to say I absolutely loved it. No side effects, easy to use, and helped with period pain. Now I am 4 months in and I lost my appetite (which all in all is not a bad thing), I have terrible mood swings, and got extremely teary and depressed. I cry approximately 70% of the day. I constantly feel very sad and poorly, lost my enthusiasm for life, and feel worthless and hopeless. The last time I felt this way was 16 years ago when I was on the pill. I stopped it immediately after I realized I was capable of harming myself. I've only today stopped NuvaRing, and hopefully will start feeling better soon."

• kks...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 21, 2016

For Birth Control "After hearing a lot of good things about NuvaRing, I've decided to give it a try. At first, I have to say I absolutely loved it. No side effects, easy to use, and helped with period pain. Now I am 4 months in and I lost my appetite (which all in all is not a bad thing), I have terrible mood swings, and got extremely teary and depressed. I cry approximately 70% of the day. I constantly feel very sad and poorly, lost my enthusiasm for life, and feel worthless and hopeless. The last time I felt this way was 16 years ago when I was on the pill. I stopped it immediately after I realized I was capable of harming myself. I've only today stopped NuvaRing, and hopefully will start feeling better soon."

• Ash...
• December 10, 2016

For Birth Control "I started using NR because oral contraceptives made me extremely nauseous, so my Dr. suggested skipping the GI tract altogether. I'm on birth control and also take metformin to help manage the symptoms of my PCOS. I had chronic sharp pains in my abdomen for years, and the NR has been the first thing to help. I can't explain how thankful I am to not feel like I'm being stabbed from the inside every day. That being said, NR has given me extreme mood swings and depression and also very low libido. I find myself not being able to feel any emotion but anger. I took the ring out because I would rather deal with the physical pain than the psychological pain. Back to the drawing board for me."

• 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."

• 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."

• Kas...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 14, 2015

For Birth Control "The ease of use is great... Unfortunately, I have to give it up... I get the worst of the side effects: severe moodiness, depression, roid rage, bitchiness. I'm always angry and depressed at the same time. My sex drive is gone... And my face is broken out to the point where I get new blemishes daily. After reading reviews from people who suffered for months, there's no way I can handle another day, let alone week."

• Mel...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 25, 2016

For Birth Control "I've never written a review about BC. I've been using NuvaRing for 2 months now, and I'm enjoying it. I think I've found the right method that works for me and my body. I was nervous about it because I still have not found anything wrong. This might just be the one! I was on the pill before, and I definitely felt the side effects... I was hungry all the time, breakouts, moodiness, and depression... and weight gain. With the NuvaRing, my weight has been stable (I did start a workout/diet plan, so this may be the reason why I haven't gained any weight). No moodiness, no nausea, no headaches. I don't feel it during sex, neither does my partner. Very easy process. The only thing I've noticed is that my libido has decreased significantly!"

• Ber...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 18, 2019

For Birth Control "The worst birth control so far. I do not feel in control of my emotions. I had depression with really negative thoughts. I turned to everyone around me for validation about myself, including my boss. I’ve suffered from severe paranoia, complex of inferiority, self-doubt, self-hate, and I would cry at everything. I also gained 10 pounds and have not been feeling like my confident self."

• Ber...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 18, 2019

For Birth Control "The worst birth control so far. I do not feel in control of my emotions. I had depression with really negative thoughts. I turned to everyone around me for validation about myself, including my boss. I’ve suffered from severe paranoia, complex of inferiority, self-doubt, self-hate, and I would cry at everything. I also gained 10 pounds and have not been feeling like my confident self."

• 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."

• 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."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 16, 2019

For Birth Control "I was on the NuvaRing for about two months. I took it in hopes of clearing up some acne I had, first mistake. Well, after about a week, I was already feeling depressed, emotional, and easily angered. I had also gained weight, had sore breasts, and might I add, experienced no change in my skin (it was possibly worse). Not saying this won’t be for you, but it definitely wasn’t for me!"

• 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."

• 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."

• Jus...
• September 19, 2019

For Birth Control "I have been on the NuvaRing for three weeks today. I have a history of seizures, depression, and anxiety. I haven’t had a seizure in almost 12 years. My depression and anxiety were under control when I started. The last three weeks have been some of the lowest in my life. I ended up having a seizure a week ago, and my anxiety and depression are back in full force. I literally cry over everything and anything, have had the worst mood swings and emotional outbursts, and just feel overall awful about myself. I have experienced such heavy bleeding for the last three days with horrible blood clots (worse than I normally have each month). I have also had a feeling that I can only describe as “brain fog” since starting the ring. Today was my scheduled day to take the ring out, and I did, and I am not putting a new one in. I honestly feel so much better mentally, and this thing has only been out for an hour. My experience has been awful."

• 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."

• Lzm...
• February 18, 2013

For Birth Control "So, I'm young, no pregnancies, etc. I was on the pill for a while, I had no negative side effects, but wanted something a little more safe. I then was on Depo, which was absolutely miserable. I was depressed, sex hurt, and my libido was gone. When I switched to the ring, all had been restored. It took 3 or 4 months to regulate, but I am so happy I waited. I am finally happy. And, the best part, my libido is back! This is the best, most fool-proof low-hormone birth control, and it is perfect for me! I only have 3 complaints with this: 1. My boyfriend can feel it and says it sometimes hurts, but I usually remove it during intercourse. 2. There is more discharge. 3. This product is expensive. I receive it for free, but if I had to pay for it, I might not be on it."

• 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."

• 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..."

• 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."

• Tif...
• May 28, 2019

For Birth Control "I was on the NuvaRing for four years and six months. No periods after two years of being on it. No breakouts. No nothing. After the fourth year, I noticed my face was becoming extremely broken out. My blood pressure was getting worse, I am still on medication. I did not have blood pressure issues before the NuvaRing. My blood pressure issues started during my fourth year of using it. I gained weight like crazy. My depression was horrible. I had awful nightmares. I could never sleep peacefully at night. My body always ached. Keep in mind, I never had bad migraines or headaches until being on the NuvaRing for so long. They would be so bad, I would vomit profusely. I would stay so tired. My body was literally attacking itself and the NuvaRing. My appetite was like a man's appetite. I could never stop eating. Let's talk about the sex. I never had sex. I hated looking at a man or even thought of sex. My libido was gone. So my OBGYN finally said enough is enough."

• 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."

• Ang...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 26, 2019

For Birth Control "Got the NuvaRing about 10 days ago, prior to it, I had been on Depo for over 17 years until 2015 when I went off it. I had the ring in for 7 days, I was extremely fatigued, fell into a dark hole of depression, gained about 8 pounds of water weight, so much water in my hands that I could barely bend my fingers. I became unmotivated and started to cry over everything. I had gas and bloating, and my breasts swelled up. I took it out 2 days ago and tried to go to work today but only lasted 3 hours and had to go home sick. What a horrible experience, I need my life back!"

• 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."