NuvaRing and Mood Swings: What Users Say (Page 5)

• Tay...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 20, 2021

For Birth Control "I've been on the NuvaRing for two months and have experienced a variety of symptoms which led me to this page. Thankfully, I've had no nausea like others have mentioned. However, I've noticed I experience cold chills for the first week or two after inserting the ring, as well as night sweats. I also have experienced severe mood swings. The first month in, I also experienced a UTI, which I haven't experienced in years prior. I have had a minor increase in discharge, but that doesn't really bother me. However, there has definitely been a change to the smell, which I can only relate to the NuvaRing. I've done research on this particular birth control since starting it and feel this may be the last month I continue taking it. Blood clots aren't a regular occurrence with birth control, but they do occur, and as it turns out, the NuvaRing actually has a higher risk of clots versus oral birth control. As someone who has a family history with clots, this medication may not be for me."

• 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."

• ani...
• April 25, 2016

For Birth Control "No one is the same, and NuvaRing obviously works for some, but it did not for me. I'm on my third month and just took it out for good. It put me in a permanent funk... and by that, I mean constantly paranoid or sad, and I would also be upset with my boyfriend over nothing. I hadn't been on BC at all for about two years before. Without birth control, I do get PMS the week before my period, which was toned down by the ring, but it feels like it just spread it out to a more mild PMS the whole time (terrible!). My sex drive was noticeably diminished to the point where I didn't even want to have sex sometimes (and that NEVER happens, lol). Overall, good for acne and regulating the period, but not worth the emotional instability and sex drive effects."

• Swe...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 26, 2018

For Birth Control "I was on NuvaRing years ago, and while my husband (then boyfriend) didn't say anything, he later told me it made me 'crazy.' I didn’t remember that. All I recalled was that my adult acne cleared up and I didn’t get the brown upper lip I got from other BC. I went back on it recently for 3 months, and the only pros were: no pregnancy and I skipped my honeymoon period. I was a newlywed, and I was supposed to be happy as ever, instead, I was clinically depressed. I had mood swings. I craved sweets constantly with no self-control. I’m usually a health nut and a gym junkie. I was weak and tired. I got home and would climb in bed when I used to hit the gym. I hadn't worked out since I started the BC due to utter exhaustion. Since I quit, I’ve got energy and I’ve regained control of my appetite. I think everybody reacts differently to meds. Give it a try, but be advised of possible side effects. Don’t just live dragging through life when there are other BC options."

• Str...
• September 6, 2019

For Birth Control "Okay, I have some pros and cons about this NuvaRing (NR) birth control! The pros are it helps my skin look great, I haven’t had a pimple breakout since I started using the NR, you don’t feel it at all during regular activities (sports, swimming), those types of things, super easy to insert, and lastly, you choose if you want your period or not. THE CONS! You do feel the ring when having intercourse (especially if your man is large), I have a low sex drive, your vagina may feel super swollen after one round (we usually go 3 or more depending on the day), now I can barely hang. MOOD SWINGS! I’m not emotional at all, but one minute I’ll be happy, then I can cry over a movie I’ve seen 10,000 times and never cried before. Then I can go from 0 to 1,000 real quick, it’s so annoying, it feels like I have no control over my body! If you suffer from depression, this will definitely bring it back and may leave you in a dark space for a while. Currently looking for a different type of birth control."

• 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."

• Emi...
• June 13, 2019

For Birth Control "Although the NuvaRing has kept me protected from getting pregnant, my acne from this is unreal. It’s taken almost a year to recover from, and I’m still breaking out. The entire lower half of my face was covered in cystic acne for the first 6 months of taking this. I didn’t want to change because I didn’t experience any other side effects. No weight gain, no mood swings, nothing. I had to couple it with another medication and two prescription gels to clear my skin. I’m most likely going to be going off this in the next month and try something else due to my skin still struggling."

• Jas...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 15, 2019

For Birth Control "I just started the NuvaRing 6/12 and had to take it out 6/14. These side effects are no joke. I was very angry, I cried all night for absolutely nothing. I was strong enough to tell my boyfriend and sister that I didn’t feel like myself, and I was positive that it was my birth control. I decided to keep it in because I thought the mood swings were something I could handle. In the middle of the night, I’m woken up with horrible stomach pain... I was barfing for 15 minutes, as well as having diarrhea. Ladies, please pay attention to your body and the signs. It’s not worth it."

• Yaz...
• April 11, 2015

For Birth Control "I've been using NuvaRing for 3 months. It's the best choice ever. I had an IUD and also took pills, and my body rejected all of them. With the NuvaRing, everything is great. I ovulate every month. Sex mood is on point. My advice for everyone who's having different mood swings. We all have different body shapes, weights, heights, etc. But it's nice we get to help one another with feedback!"

• Cdn...
• August 16, 2019

For Birth Control "I've been on the NuvaRing for almost exactly 4 years, and I love it. I was previously on the pill, which I had gotten for free from my university clinic, but I wasn't remembering to take it daily, let alone at the same time every day. When I started the pill, I remember feeling incredibly nauseous for about a week. I didn't have the same issue with the ring and felt little to no side effects. I've gained about 15 lbs over the past several years, however, I'm not sure if that's a result of lifestyle (work, stress, snacking) or it is the birth control. My periods now are always super light and last about 4 days in total, which is amazing. I did try to use them continuously for 2 months to skip a period, and when I took my ring out after those 2 months, I felt incredibly emotional, irritable, had headaches, and massive appetite. Using them back to back did not work for me, but as long as I take it out monthly, I have zero problems!"

• Soc...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 12, 2019

For Birth Control "I have been on the NuvaRing for a little over 5 months. I started it to help my heavy periods, but the longer I go, the more I am wondering how much the side effects are bothering me and from the ring. I’ve read other comments, and like a lot of others, I have gained a ton of weight and can eat like a man, as someone said. I’m always tired and definitely have mood swings. I don’t have much of a period anymore, but I have spotting literally every day, so I still have to wear a tampon, which my doctor keeps saying will stop, but I don’t know. My headaches have definitely gotten worse as well. It’s a high price to pay to not have a period, and I think I’m going to take it out and see if I feel better. My periods mess with my body as well, but not like this!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 25, 2017

For Birth Control "I've been on NuvaRing for about 6 months now. Pros: Convenient, easy to remember (hormones can last up to 5 weeks), not a lot of breast tenderness, breasts got bigger, no TERRIBLE mood swings (much less than when I was on Trinessa/Glidess.. but still a little more moody than usual), didn't get pregnant. Cons: INSANE mood swings during PMS, I've gained about 15 pounds without any change in exercise/diet, and I've stayed between 110-115 my entire life (I'm now 130??), was convinced I had an STD because I was getting UTIs after intercourse (I don't), sometimes it's hard to put in, has fallen out a couple of times. I like it, but it's not great, and I cannot stand the weight gain. Will be switching to the Skyla IUD."

• Anonymous
• July 6, 2011

For Birth Control "I have been using the NuvaRing for 8 years now, and I will never, ever switch to anything else. To start, I don't do birth control pills very well because I forget to take them. Lucky me, I really don't have to remember much with the ring. All I have to do is circle the date in my calendar for the days I need to take the ring out and put it back in. I didn't feel like having a period in June (gotta love this part!), so I just kept my ring in during my 'period week' and changed the ring normally after that week. I have had absolutely NO side effects. I have little cramping, and I know the EXACT dates I will flow. Now, I do have mood swings, but that is normal for women, regardless of what birth control methods you use. I HIGHLY recommend it!"

• SOS...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 4, 2018

For Birth Control "The NuvaRing is officially “the devil.” I loved it the first two years and, like most, was recommending it to everyone. However, I got off it for four months (Jan-April 2018) then went back to it in May because I didn’t want to get prego. Well, it’s been a nightmare since. I have the worst mood swings and can’t stand my own self. Lost all motivation, depressed, angry, happy, sad. Labia itches, armpits smell weird, constant headaches, and bloating. It’s like I’m living in a nightmare, and I can't get out because I’m afraid of becoming pregnant... so I lay around crying all the time, wishing for something to change. OH AND yeah, the week I take it out, I do feel human again, so I think I should take it out NOW and feel alive again."

• amg...
• April 15, 2013

For Birth Control "I wish I had started using this before but hesitated because of the size and hardness of the ring. I didn't know then that it kind of softens a bit when inside your vaginal canal. During the first week of use, I did experience some vaginal discharge. This is normal, though, because it is a foreign object inside you. It did subside after a couple of days, probably because my body got used to it. I also had a very, very slight mood swing, nothing that I can't handle, but it went away after 2 weeks or so. My hubby said that he doesn't feel it during sex, which I'm so glad. Overall, this is an awesome birth control for me, being a very busy nursing student. I'm also a self-pay patient, but my doctor gave me a 50% off discount card for the next 12 rings."

• zo1...
• April 7, 2016

For Birth Control "Pros: insert once a month & forget about it. Cons: little to no sex drive, anxiety, mood swings, anger, depression, dryness, burning during and after sex, bloating, slight weight gain near stomach. I've been on and off of NuvaRing since 2011. And it wasn't until this last time that I realized that it is what's causing or at least helping all of these negative things. I've now been on it for 10 months straight, and I am taking it out tonight and saying good riddance. I love the idea of NuvaRing, but the side effects made my life/my boyfriend just a little bit more miserable than it needs to be. But I also know it really does work for some people, just not for me!"

• you...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 21, 2013

For Birth Control "I started taking this 2 years ago. I chose it because of how easy it is to use, and you don't have to remember to take it every day. Big plus. On the downside, I did gain some weight. I also have experienced mood swings, and last summer I had sun spots on my face (NEVER had those before!). I'm going to stop using it soon because I'm tired of the mood swings!"

• 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."

• 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."

• Anonymous
• March 23, 2009

For Birth Control "I found NuvaRing mostly unproblematic, convenient, and easy to use. (I did have mood swings that might be attributable to it, but it's hard to say, since there were other factors involved.) The main problem, however, was that I had frequent breakthrough bleeding: after 7 months of use, it was like I was having a very small period 20 days out of the month! Very annoying, to say the least. The doctor told me that meant the hormone dosage was too low for me and has proscribed Kariva for me instead, so we'll see how that goes."

• 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."

• sof...
• April 6, 2016

For Birth Control "I started the NuvaRing about 3 years ago. At first, I had some pretty terrible mood swings and migraines. I did also gain a small amount of weight. Within 3 months of going on it, my acne got significantly worse, but then completely cleared up in 5-6 months! The trick with this birth control is to definitely give it time. My headaches and moodiness lessened (now I just get a bit emotional around my period), and my sex drive has returned to normal. PROS: super convenient, light 2-day periods, bigger breasts, helped clear skin. CONS: takes a LONG TIME to adjust, slight weight gain, headaches, occasional moodiness."

• rut...
• May 10, 2013

For Birth Control "I have been on the NuvaRing for about 2 weeks now. I am going to use the 4-month supply received from my doc just to see how it rides out. So far, I feel my mood swings have actually balanced out. I felt mood swings before, and I was on no birth control. I have also seen a complete drop in my sex drive. My vagina feels dry and raw, so having sex hurts (even more reason for me to not want to do it). And from what it looks like from some other users, it might get worse for me. But who knows."

• Vre...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 23, 2017

For Birth Control "First 2 weeks emotionally draining. Uncontrollable mood swings. Breast enlargement, up two cup sizes. Bloating. Weight gain. Nightmares. Cravings. Going on my third week, crazy mood swings have stopped, still up two cup sizes, bloating is going down, no weight gain. Nightmares rare. No cravings. I eat healthy and exercise daily. So the bloating is frustrating, but I see it lessens as days pass. The mood swings were scary, but it started the first week and it's over now. Thank God. I keep in mind it's a big hormonal change for my body, and I'm hopeful the side effects completely stop when my body gets used to it. I'm giving it 2 months."

• RMo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 27, 2017

For Birth Control "This has been a horrific 3 months for me. Let me start by saying I have gained about 15 lbs in 3 months, and my breasts have grown 2 cup sizes. They are tender, to the point where hugging my boyfriend hurts. I am extremely athletic and just couldn't understand why suddenly I couldn't work out. I have no energy, I've been drinking triple the amount of caffeine that I usually do. My biggest change was a COMPLETE loss in my sex drive. I've barely touched my boyfriend in 3 months. I am moody, emotional, feel drained all the time, and literally hate myself. I read all these reviews, ran to the bathroom, and took it out! I do not recommend this to anyone!"