NuvaRing and Headaches: What Users Say (Page 4)

• Tka...
• July 30, 2019

For Birth Control "I have been on the ring for about 2 weeks. I’ve had shortness of breath, vaginal irritation, and headaches. When having sex, my vagina would be so irritated, this has never happened to me. I took it out to see how I feel. The first day while the ring was out, my vagina already feels better."

• Nat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 2, 2023

For Birth Control "So, I have been on the NuvaRing for about 6 months now. These are the side effects that I have experienced: headaches, nausea, soreness just in the first couple of weeks, but I was told that was normal at the beginning, so I kept on. I skipped my period for 2 months, then the 3rd month, I bled for 3 weeks VERY HEAVILY. I also ended up in the hospital with cramps like I’ve never felt before and ended up having a large mass of tissue come out of me. I thought it was a miscarriage, but it was something called a decidual cast, which is where your whole uterus lining comes out. I got extremely depressed and irritable, lashing out at my fiancé. I started experiencing “breakthrough bleeding,” but it’s been going on for 2 months straight, and I cannot get rid of this awful odor that comes with it. I’m taking it out as soon as I see my doctor. I’m scared for what could happen to my mental and physical health if I stay on it."

• Anonymous
• January 17, 2012

For Birth Control "I've been on NuvaRing for over 2 years and never noticed my side effects until I forgot to replace it one month and discovered how much better I felt. Along with a lot of other comments, like serious abdominal pain (for the longest time I thought it was a stomach ulcer until I was tested for it and it came out negative). I lost all of my sex drive, along with natural vaginal lubrication (I now have to resort to lube every time). But I also experienced serious mood swings, headaches, and depression, and the heavy discharge. I just recently went back on it and realized all of these side effects started happening again and am IMMEDIATELY ending my NuvaRing prescription. I think you should seriously take these comments into your decision."

• Anonymous
• March 4, 2010

For Birth Control "This is my first month with NuvaRing. The first week was awful. I had nausea and headache. It lasted for a full week. I was about to take it out, but I didn’t. Now I am at the 3rd week, and I don’t have nausea or headache. I didn’t want to tell my hubby about the NuvaRing to see if he could notice it. He said that he felt something there. I read before that you could take it out for less than 3 hours and still are protected. So next time I am doing that. Also, while we were having sex, it felt really warm/hot inside, so I would say that is a good idea (for me anyways) to remove it before sex."

• Jaz...
• September 5, 2015

For Birth Control "I only used NuvaRing for 8 days. I didn't have cramping or anything, but in the first 5 days, I gained 5 lbs despite exercising 5 days per week. I also started salivating a lot more (on the verge of drooling), had a much-increased appetite, was nauseous, and on the day I decided to remove it, I was very dizzy for most of the day, nauseous, and had a headache. I think I'll be going with a copper IUD."

• Boo...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• August 10, 2018

For Birth Control "I used the ring for a little over 10 years, no problems, no weight gain, but about 5 years into it, I started having chest pains every so often, as well as really bad headaches and nausea. I put up with it due to the convenience of the ring, but then started getting really painful periods to the point that I took it off and all the symptoms went away. After about 8 months, then I got pregnant, no problem. Now my husband is just going to have a vasectomy to avoid all the complications that come with birth control medications."

• mwa...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 2, 2018

For Birth Control "I had the NuvaRing in my early 20s and loved it. My insurance stopped paying the majority of the cost for it, though, and so I had to switch. I am now 30 and got back on it and hate it! I got through my first three months and felt okay. The next two months is where it got bad. My doctor recommended it for my PMS symptoms, but it made them worse instead of better. I was moody, and I mean MOODY! So much so that my boss asked if I am alright because I am typically a happy person. I felt extremely tired all of the time. Had basically all of the pregnancy symptoms. Gained 12 pounds in one month out of nowhere. Headaches all day, every day, and nothing would relieve them. I took it out a month ago and have already seen a tremendous difference in all of those symptoms."

• Del...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 27, 2018

For Birth Control "Have used NuvaRing twice. For roughly 4 months last year, after which I took it out because I was experiencing headaches, weight gain, and constant bleeding. NuvaRing did help to clear up my hormonal acne, which I get once a month before my period starts. I did not get pregnant, so it did work as birth control. I recently put the NuvaRing in again as a retrial, but it's only been a week and I'm taking it out. I have a constant headache, my appetite is haywire. I have stabbing chest pains, and after reading some of the dangers of NuvaRing, although rare, I've decided it's not worth the risk or side effects."

• Del...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 27, 2018

For Birth Control "Have used NuvaRing twice. For roughly 4 months last year, after which I took it out because I was experiencing headaches, weight gain, and constant bleeding. NuvaRing did help to clear up my hormonal acne, which I get once a month before my period starts. I did not get pregnant, so it did work as birth control. I recently put the NuvaRing in again as a retrial, but it's only been a week and I'm taking it out. I have a constant headache, my appetite is haywire. I have stabbing chest pains, and after reading some of the dangers of NuvaRing, although rare, I've decided it's not worth the risk or side effects."

• lac...
• June 2, 2017

For Birth Control "First couple of days it worked out okay, I had a headache here or there and was pretty moody, but other than that, it was okay. I loved not having to remember a pill every day, and I couldn't feel it at first. However, around day 4 on it, I got a yeast infection from hell. Before the NuvaRing, I only had one yeast infection in my whole life, and Monistat cleared it up without a problem. I used Monistat to treat the one I got from the NuvaRing, and it itched like crazy and felt like I had pepper-sprayed my own vagina. Needless to say, I'm switching back to the pill."

• Tab...
• January 2, 2017

For Birth Control "I was on the NuvaRing for 6 years. When I first started it, I had the typical headaches and nauseous feeling that's normal when starting BC. Over the course of those 6 years, I began having mild depression and lost my enthusiasm for life or anything, really. I would have sharp and intense pains in my lower abdomen area (uterus/ovaries), which at some points had me bent over in pain. On 2 occasions that I can recall, I had very irregular and very heavy bleeding, which is very unusual for myself, especially because both times the bleeding lasted nearly a month. When I finally got fed up enough with NuvaRing and took it out for good, I was bleeding extremely heavily for 2-3 weeks straight after my regular period. Within 2 days, bleeding was done."

• Lfs...
• August 3, 2016

For Birth Control "I had this in for about two months, at which point I started experiencing horrible headaches. I had a migraine once, too. This happened for about a week straight. That combined with the almost constant fatigue (two naps a day sometimes) made me decide to take it out. It also killed my sex drive, but I kind of expected that."

• CWI...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• June 30, 2021

For Birth Control "I was on this medicine for 7 years and then got off of it to get pregnant. After getting off of it, it took me 8 months to conceive. After delivering, I decided to get back on the NuvaRing. I was on it for an additional 8 years. During those 8 years, I would get the worst headaches of my life on the Tuesday after I took the ring out. The headaches were on one side of my head and were so bad I couldn't put my head up. My anxiety was also constantly high while on the NuvaRing. I decided to get off birth control 6 months ago, and I have not had a headache or severe anxiety since. I rated this medicine as a 10 because it did prevent pregnancy."

• ash...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 21, 2016

For Birth Control "Make sure you are aware of the side effects of the NuvaRing if using for the 1st time. My Dr didn't give me much info other than the brochure, and I wasn't prepared for the roller coaster 5 days I had (yep, that's all I lasted). Nauseous, sweaty, extremely tired, lethargic, unhappy, starving then not hungry at all, cramps, itchiness, headaches, dehydrated, fuzzy head, cough, teary, EXTREMELY teary, anxious, nervous, irritable... you name it I had it! After a very scary panic attack driving home from work, I ripped it out and will not try it again. Two days later I feel myself again. After using the pill for 14 years, I'm not new to hormonal BC, and I would not recommend this to anyone I know. It was extremely scary becoming a crazy person!"

• Anonymous
• April 30, 2010

For Birth Control "I have been on NuvaRing since January 2010 and love the convenience. Of course, I experience many side effects, such as headache, cramps, breast tenderness, bloating, breakthrough bleeding (first month only), and feeling pregnant all the time. After 4 months, it came out for the first time during sex. It hurt for a bit, then I had light bleeding. I would recommend NuvaRing because of convenience, and as with most birth control, there are always going to be side effects."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 27, 2015

For Birth Control "Literally could only tolerate it for three days before removing it. Was getting headaches, couldn't sleep, had an anxiety attack out of nowhere, and the brown discharge was gross plus it made my vag sore and itchy. I guess it's one of those things that you really like or just can't stand. If it works for you, run with it, but if you have symptoms, from what I've read, be prepared to have those symptoms for at least a month. Can't say it doesn't do its job, but are the side effects worth it?"

• Anonymous
• February 6, 2012

For Birth Control "For the first month, I thought NuvaRing was great. I couldn't feel it, and neither could my boyfriend. Around the 6th week of using it, I started getting horrible side effects. Zero sex drive, horrible headaches, 24/7 nausea, ache, and diarrhea. The nausea and diarrhea are always worse just after I've eaten. It's getting to the point where I don't want to eat. I talked to my doctor and plan to start Paraguard or Mirena."

• Lyn...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 28, 2020

"I’ve had it for years now, and it’s been perfect for me. I took it to help my adenomyosis by not getting a period. Every four weeks, I change it and put in a new one and avoid getting a period. My friend used it, who didn’t have any health conditions, and she cramped so badly she had to remove it. My other friend, who has what I have, used it and had headaches and backaches. But for me, it’s been perfect!"

• JDa...
• August 27, 2019

For Birth Control "I wanted to try the ring because I was tired of taking a pill. I wanted something convenient. Week 1 on the ring was fine, put it in and let it do its thing. Week 2 & 3 I continually spotted, now I expect this when changing birth control, so I was patient. I wanted to skip my period, so week 4 I left it in. Ring 2 I spotted for 3 weeks straight, I was still patient but frustrated! At that point, I decided to give ring 3 a chance and decided I would change the ring out every 3 weeks, not 4, hoping that would help with spotting. So 3 months in, which is when I think side effects should start wearing down, but it got worse-week 3 of that ring I was beginning to bleed like a normal period. After that, I yanked the ring out and am back on the trusty pill. After 2 more weeks of spotting while my body got used to the pill again. What a bummer as a wife to be spotting for 3 months-and with headaches. Be cautious with the ring, it was a nightmare for me. I give it a 2 simply because it was convenient."

• Anonymous
• February 26, 2012

For Birth Control "I have been on it for two months now, and love the simple use. I don't have to worry about taking a pill every day or making sure patches are sticking properly. The downsides are that I seem to have an easier time getting headaches, but so far the more painful ones are not happening more than perhaps twice a month. Another good thing, though, is that my menstruation is lighter and regular now. Before, it was very heavy and irregular."

• all...
• March 7, 2012

For Birth Control "I just have to say I love NuvaRing! I used to be on the pill, and it was a huge hassle for me (I always forgot to take it), and I had a long list of negative side effects (weight gain, upset stomach, and headaches). I haven't had any of these problems with NuvaRing, the only thing I have against it is my skin seems to be a little more prone to breaking out when I'm on it. However, I will take that over the 15 pounds I gained while on the pill. I've been on NuvaRing for over a year now, and I don't plan on switching anytime soon!"

• Tip...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 19, 2018

For Birth Control "Easy to use, loved how just pop in and don’t worry about it. I have found the first month a mild headache daily while it settled in. My sex drive has gone down, but I just blamed my useless boyfriend, haha. My appetite did go up. I’ve been on for 3 months, and I think it’s made me put on weight. Give it a try, as it’s really convenient, see how you go. At least you're in complete control and can take it out yourself, no Gyno appointment for removal like others."

• ano...
• February 20, 2017

For Birth Control "I started the NuvaRing about two weeks ago. And for the first couple of days, I felt nothing. I loved it and thought it was going to be a smooth experience. Well, I was wrong. I soon began to once in a while feel headaches and lots of tiredness. Then I did not feel myself at all. I felt like I had no feelings whatsoever toward anyone at all. It was making me not even want to have sex at all, so what was the point of even getting on it? Even my mom and boyfriend said I didn't seem myself. I was super moody and kind of depressed. I took the ring out last night, and I already feel better and back to my happy self. Do not recommend."

• Hat...
• August 13, 2018

For Birth Control "I've been using the NuvaRing on and off for 3 to 4 years. I never got any effects like vomiting, headaches, etc., and I never got pregnant from it, so it seemed like it was good. Until I started getting depressed. For months, I couldn't pinpoint what it was (of course, life in general sometimes causes it: work, relationships, etc.). However, something kept telling me to stop using the ring. I stopped using it at the beginning of last week, and I have a completely different outlook on life now! More energy, no mood swings, and I generally feel happier. I'm done with tricking my body with hormones, it's back to rubbers for me!"

• try...
• December 9, 2015

For Birth Control "I have been on NuvaRing for 4 months, and as far as comfort, I don't even notice it, and neither does my partner, so initially, I loved it. I was sold until I noticed I have been consistently breaking out like a teenager, I am unusually dry, and it is painful at first during sex because of this. I was willing to deal with that. What scared me off of the ring is that every month, a week before I start my period, I have gotten really dizzy, lightheaded, and have been getting headaches. After reading all the reviews about blood clots, I just don't think it's worth the risk and side effects."