NuvaRing and Headaches: What Users Say (Page 5)

• Nen...
• February 26, 2017

For Birth Control "I've tried the NuvaRing before, 5 years ago, before I had my daughter. Then, after having her, I got the Implanon in my arm. I had so many complications with that, so I switched back to the NuvaRing after being off of it for a whole year. I didn't have any problem with the NuvaRing when I used it before, but... the second time is killing me! I have severe headaches, breast tenderness, and I'm tired all the time. My periods are heavy and my cramps are unbearable, but my periods are shorter. I like it because of the fact that you put it in and forget it, take it out and have your period, put it back in and repeat. I just can't take all the side effects. I want to get rid of it, but it's the only one that works for me as far as convenience at this time."

• not...
• October 18, 2017

For Birth Control "Took this for three months but had to stop. Reasons I didn't like it: my partner could feel it every time we had sex. Stinging during and after sex. My boobs were always sore and heavy. Headaches. Bloated constantly. Itching. Depression. Anxiety. When the anxiety got so bad that I couldn't sleep at night, I took it out and felt much better within two days. Wish it would have worked for me because I don't like taking a pill every day."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 10, 2012

For Birth Control "I am not sure how long I have been on NuvaRing, but it can't be more than 3-4 months. All I know is that since I've been on it, I've had massive headaches for weeks at a time and nausea constantly, and I wanted to attribute that to my gluten sensitivity and maybe eating something wrong. But apparently, some people have been experiencing the same symptoms. Other symptoms I've had: constipation, 15 lbs weight loss, dryness, crazy hormones, and no desire to eat or have sex. I still have sex regularly, but I don't think about it constantly like I used to."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 16, 2012

For Birth Control "Pro: No headaches or nausea. Usually cannot feel it during sex, but if I (or he) does, it is easy to remove. Easy to remember to insert since it only needs to be inserted once a month. My period is like clockwork now. No mood swings. Con: Cost. Seems to make me retain more water than before."

• Anonymous
• July 30, 2011

For Birth Control "Let me start by saying that all birth control I have ever tried has had some of these side effects for me. The positive side of NuvaRing is that it is very easy to use. You put it in and forget it. Great. You can also forget about your sex drive! In just 2 weeks of use, mine vanished. That didn't matter since I also had bleeding, mood swings, and felt so bloated I doubt I was all that sexy to my husband anyway. I also felt mentally 'slow,' like I was in a daze and couldn't really process things or even think of what word I was looking for. I retained so much water that when I stopped using it, I lost 6 pounds overnight. I had headaches, felt unmotivated, and indifferent about life. Adding more hormones to your normal levels = crazy."

• Anonymous
• February 28, 2012

For Birth Control "Within 24 hours of using the NuvaRing, I had severe stomach pain and dizziness that would not seem to go away. I took the NuvaRing out, and now I've had unbearable headaches. NuvaRing was definitely not for me."

• CMi...
• February 1, 2012

For Birth Control "I have been on the NuvaRing since June 2011, and I love it. It's simple and easy to put in and remove. My periods are lighter and shorter (smiley face). I chose this birth control because I couldn't remember to take the pill, and the shot and insertions of birth control reviews were horrible. The only small thing I'm not really comfortable with is the vaginal secretion, and sometimes I get headaches right before I'm supposed to remove it. But other than that, it's great. No surprise pregnancy, and believe me, there have been some times where I was scared and nervous that I was. I'm 22 now, and my potential boyfriend that I've been with on and off for about 4 years now loves it too. So to top it all off, NuvaRing is great and affordable."

• Anonymous
• July 14, 2010

For Birth Control "I just started NuvaRing last month and am seriously considering not putting a new one in. I have not been on birth control since college (I am 29) and expelled the Mirena three months ago. It is convenient for not taking something every day, and my boyfriend couldn't feel a thing. But my boyfriend may never want to come near me again because of my awful mood swings. I am typically a pretty happy person, but I have become depressed, cry over anything, am angry, and seriously think I am going crazy. I experienced some fatigue for a few days, a terrible headache for a few days, and diarrhea this whole month. I understand that some women are just naturally more hormonal, in which case birth control makes you have too much hormone. So I guess this just isn't for me!"

• Anonymous
• October 30, 2009

For Birth Control "I will be starting my third month on NuvaRing tomorrow. I'm not in love with this birth control and might discontinue. The first month was great, no symptoms at all. On the third week, I took the ring out as directed and started my period the next day. This second month hasn't been so great. I pretty much began having pregnancy symptoms. I have nausea, I vomited once, and tender breasts. I just feel slightly sick and have been for the last 2 1/2 weeks. This week I am off the ring, and I was supposed to put a ring in tomorrow but had to go to the doctor to get a pregnancy test because I have completely missed my period. I'm not, thank goodness, but these side effects have been getting worse. I have been getting headaches, and I am a moody brat lately. Not good."

• Anonymous
• July 29, 2011

For Birth Control "Started NuvaRing on a Sunday, and by Tuesday, I was in the emergency room with severe abdominal pain, back pain, and headaches. The emergency room could not find anything wrong with me, so on Wednesday, I was back at my primary care doctor. I was previously on Sprintec, and clearly that worked better for me because I had no side effects. My doctor said I had an allergic reaction to the hormones in NuvaRing. It is convenient, which would have been nice since I am going to college in the fall, and it works amazingly well for my sister. Regardless, make sure that you change birth control immediately if you begin having any side effects because it will probably only get worse."

• pao...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 19, 2012

For Birth Control "I've been on NuvaRing for 3 weeks. And the only side effect that I noticed was nausea. Then I came to this site, read a few reviews, and realized I've had more side effects than I thought. I had a terrible headache and ongoing back pain, which I thought was from my epidural, but according to other reviews, was from the NuvaRing. Also, I have been having diarrhea on and off the whole time. Still didn't think anything of it until I came to this site. The headaches are bad when I do get them, and the back pain is a killer, but nothing a little Motrin can't handle. I can't feel it during sex, and neither can he. It hasn't slipped out yet. So far, so good."

• Anonymous
• December 18, 2011

For Birth Control "I have been on both Kariva and the mini-pill and hated them both. Kariva gave me terrible headaches that put me in the emergency room. The mini-pill made me moody, gain weight (not water weight-FAT! I gained 20 lbs. and had to buy ALL new clothes), lose ALL sex drive, and drained me of all energy. I have been too scared to try birth control again up until recently, and I chose to go with NuvaRing because of its lower dose of estrogen and novel delivery system that delivers estrogen at a constant rate. I am almost on week 3, and I am not experiencing any side effects whatsoever. I am so happy I finally found a birth control that fits my body. My acne has also been clearing up (I had it all over my chest and back)."

• Anonymous
• April 22, 2011

For Birth Control "I started taking NuvaRing a couple of weeks ago. I came to this site because I am afraid that my side effects could be early pregnancy due to failure of the birth control. Based on prior responses, it sounds like these are probably just bad side effects: bloating, lower back pain, constipation, nausea, headaches, loss of appetite, racing heart, anxiety."

• Lil...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 23, 2021

For Birth Control "First, not all birth control is for everyone. When I first started, I was so nervous about taking birth control because when I was younger, I had such bad experiences with the pills. I've always had bad periods and cramping to the point of anemia. Since being on NuvaRing the last month, I absolutely love it. I haven't had any side effects like I've had on other birth controls. I decided to skip my period, so during the week I should have had it, my body cramped slightly due to it not being used to not bleeding, but that's it. I don't have headaches anymore, my sex drive went up, my boyfriend barely feels it during sex, I don't feel it at all, and it's so easy to use. I feel more comfortable with it because I can have some control over it, and it sends hormones directly to where it's supposed to go instead of going through the body first. Would highly recommend to anyone trying to find their birth control. It's worth the go, but give it at least a month."

• Anonymous
• November 21, 2011

For Birth Control "I enjoy the convenience of the ring, but ever since I put the ring in about 4 days ago, I have had a constant headache, extremely emotional, and very fatigued. I am going to give it a little longer because, like I said, it's very convenient, and I don't feel it at all."

• Anonymous
• October 28, 2011

For Birth Control "I've been using NuvaRing for about 2 months now. For the most part, I'm pleased with it, and it's very effective. The only problems that I have are the side effects it may cause. Nausea, headaches, and occasional cramps were present. Above all, I'm pleased with this method. I was very skeptical about using birth control, but then I talked it over with my doctor, and we both agreed that this would be right for me."

• Anonymous
• May 28, 2011

For Birth Control "I have used NuvaRing for about 3 years. I LOVE the convenience and the fact that it's a low-dose hormonal contraceptive. I haven't experienced weight gain, mood fluctuations, or spotting while on it. However, I've noticed that my sex drive has diminished greatly over the past year or so. I've had recurrent bacterial vaginosis, which is caused by a change in the balance of the vaginal flora. I've noticed an increase in acne along my jawline around my withdrawal week, and I have a predictable headache during that week as well. Despite the fact that I'll really miss the convenience of NuvaRing, I've decided to talk to my gynecologist about trying another contraceptive."

• Anonymous
• January 4, 2012

For Birth Control "I used NuvaRing for only a month. Throughout the month, I was telling people to use it, that it was the best thing ever, etc. Until it came time when my period would have come if it weren't for NuvaRing. I was beyond moody, snapping at everyone for every little thing, from talking too loud to looking at me too long. The constant cramping that came with it, along with the back pains and headaches, just was not worth it. I took it out and have not looked back since."

• lop...
• July 22, 2011

For Birth Control "After reading other reviews, I can't believe I haven't switched my birth control method. I have the same symptoms as follows (weight gain, so moody, I have never been so moody, increased vaginal discharge, constant headache, my fiancé and I definitely feel the ring during intercourse). On the other hand, pros for the NuvaRing are (lighter and shorter periods, choosing when I start)."

• Stu...
• June 29, 2015

For Birth Control "I started NuvaRing about 3 months ago. Before that, I had tried two different birth control pills that gave me every possible side effect. I gained 15 pounds, was depressed, angry, had constant headaches, extreme fatigue, and for the first time in my life, I had cramps! (I had never had cramps before! Not even when I got my period for the first time!) I finally went back to my care provider and picked up some NuvaRing. I noticed changes for the better right away. I'm back to my normal self, waking up early, going biking, hiking, and cooking again! I no longer have cramps, and I'm no longer depressed! I even lost 10 pounds! (possibly a coincidence...) I wish I could have found the right pill to go on, but NuvaRing has treated me well :)"

• Anonymous
• March 1, 2012

For Birth Control "NuvaRing is the only birth control I've ever used (other than condoms), and so far I like it. It's a simple process to put it in and take it out, and I love that I don't have to stress about it every day. I used to have unpredictable periods, so I love knowing when it's coming every month. Negatives: I have experienced some serious PMS symptoms since I've been on the ring (not every time, but I think it's getting more frequent), like irritability and general emotionalness, some pretty severe cramps (which I rarely got before), and tiredness. Recently, I had a super heavy flow during my period plus cramps. I've been getting some headaches and back pain too, but I'm not sure it's because of the ring. I've been on NuvaRing for about 6 months now."

• Any...
• January 3, 2016

For Birth Control "HATE IT, placed as told and kept slipping out, and no matter how I placed it, it would never stay. As soon as I would walk, I could feel it, and I hate the feeling. Tried fitting it over my cervix, and was painful for a bit, and... it slipped!!! I tried for 2 days and have to say, worst thing ever. I'm going back on my Mirena!! I'm over it - moving, slipping, falling out in my sleep, my gut aches, headaches, and overall frustration, and the cost was a waste of my money! I suggest not to get it and go for the pill or Mirena instead."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 7, 2017

For Birth Control "I was prescribed NuvaRing because I wasn't sure if I was ready for an IUD yet, so my doctor thought NuvaRing would be a good alternative. The only positive experience I had was putting it in. Easy. Didn't have to think about it anymore. Until about 24 hours later. All of a sudden, a ton of symptoms hit me at once. Complete loss of appetite. Nausea. Vomiting. Pain in my legs. Pain in my abdomen. Headaches. Dizziness. Vision changes. Turns out, I'm allergic to NuvaRing. I immediately took it out; over a month later and I'm still having some symptoms. Definitely make sure you read the possible side effects before using the ring, even if you've taken birth control before!"

• gma...
• April 9, 2015

For Birth Control "I understand there are risks associated with any form of contraception. I had associated the headache and mood swings I experience with the NuvaRing as run-of-the-mill symptoms related to my cycle. Although I did not experience these headaches at all or these levels of mood swings before starting the NuvaRing, I explained them to myself as the normal adult symptoms I’d developed with getting older as I didn’t want to cry wolf or say the sky was falling when it wasn’t. Basically, I didn’t want to be a hypochondriac, trying instead to approach pain and the levels thereof rationally with the understanding that pain is a signal, or rather an alert the body sends to the brain from the area of the body that is experiencing some kind of distress."

• Anonymous
• November 3, 2009

For Birth Control "I started using the NuvaRing approximately one month before my wedding day and never used any kind of hormonal birth control before. That was a mistake. I thought it would be easier than trying to remember when to take a pill-and it was, except that on my wedding night, I experienced great discomfort, which I thought was due to lack of experience? Dryness and pain. Not fun at all. My newlywed husband and I didn't think of it until after the three weeks, and then the one week of not having the NuvaRing in. One week later, I put a new ring in, and then started having serious pee issues-pain and burning, moodiness like all get-out, headaches. So five days later, I took the ring out and had another period! I am going to try the FemCap (2nd generation)."