NuvaRing and Sexual Dysfunction: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Anonymous
• August 31, 2009

For Birth Control "I've been on NuvaRing for 3 months. I chose NuvaRing because I knew I couldn't be trusted with taking a pill every day but wanted birth control to help regulate my periods, ease mood swings, and clear skin. On NuvaRing, I still have mood swings, more headaches now, at times feel very tired, still have bad breakouts, and also an almost non-existent sex drive. I assumed all this was because I was home with 3 little kids until I noticed a pattern while on the NuvaRing. Three days after I take the ring out, I have a surge of sexual desire (also this is when my period starts, figures). I'm going to stick with it for another 2 months to see how it goes, meanwhile, I'm going to talk with my doctor again about better options."

• Mad...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 3, 2016

For Birth Control "So I had tried the pill in college, which left me 30 lbs heavier. Fast forward 4 years, and I find myself trying to pick out a birth control that wouldn't cause such a dramatic weight gain. I tried Nuva per my OBGYN's suggestion. I really like how easy it is to use. I never had a problem inserting or removing, along with no problems during intercourse. My periods were also lighter. Nuva really worked with my schedule. The downfall is that my face broke out with cystic acne (which is extremely painful). My breasts hurt 24/7. I have no sex drive. I constantly feel like I have a UTI or something. My appetite is up and down, sometimes I feel sick for no reason. Also, I get 1-2 headaches a day since starting Nuva."

• Che...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 27, 2014

For Birth Control "I have been on the NuvaRing for almost a year now. I have had no negative side effects except for lowered sex drive and moderate dryness during intercourse. This has not changed at all, which makes me want to change to something else that is a low-dose contraceptive. Prior to getting on the ring, I had moderate acne, and after a month of being on this, it cleared the acne up completely. I have had no weight gain, spotting, skin discolorations, nausea, or any other common side effects while I have been on this. So far, it has been very effective in preventing pregnancy."

• bcJ...
• May 2, 2019

For Birth Control "I was on NuvaRing for 3 months, and I loved what it did for my mental clarity, but physical side effects were terrible. Exhaustion... needing multiple cups of coffee a day. Last straw, my boyfriend had to stop having sex with me because I was so dry! The pain during sex... nope, not ok. I have been on Nexplanon (dryness), Chateal for 2 years (amazing sex drive but I was crazy, cramps and so fatigued I could faint during the day), Aubra for 1.5 years and had constant yeast infections. Then Junel, which made me absolutely crazy. Finding what to pair with Ethylin Estradiol has been so hard, but I did! My last attempt has been on Cryselle with norgestrel as the progestational, and I feel great, have energy, and good sex drive. Also, with NuvaRing, I constantly felt like I was going to have a heart attack (twitchy legs, spasms, heart flutter). All this has stopped with the pill Cryselle. Don’t give up on your journey! Find what works."

• Al ...
• August 28, 2016

For Birth Control "I LOVE THE RING!!! Ladies, I seriously recommend the ring to anyone and everyone. The ring has given so much freedom in college, and it's amazing. I've been on it for a year and have had zero side effects. ZERO weight gain, no acne (in fact, my skin is clearer than it was before being on the NuvaRing), no mood swings, no decrease in sex drive, etc. Five of my friends have tried the ring as well, and they love it too!! You can't feel it once inserted, and it stays in place during sex and won't move until you take it out. It's super easy to put in as well! It has helped make my period super manageable, and I have no PMS. I used to suffer from painful periods, and now I don't have to worry about any of that. It's great! Give it a try!"

• CLB...
• June 27, 2013

For Birth Control "I have been on the NuvaRing (NR) for about 6 months. Although it is extremely convenient, I have had the worst mood swings EVER. The mood swings overpower the convenience of the NR for me. I have also gained about 10-15 pounds, which is not normal for me at all (20 years old), low to really no sex drive, headaches, nausea. I know side effects are different for everyone, but I wanted to let someone else know my problems before they have to deal with them."

• Alm...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• May 23, 2017

For Birth Control "I have been on NuvaRing since I was 15, now I am 24, and I've only been on NuvaRing. I've enjoyed this product, BUT I can say it has changed my mood, and I have no sex drive. I've been with my boyfriend for 8 years, and I just get angry at him for no reason. For years, I thought I was mentally ill, but I have finally realized it's my NuvaRing. Most people who post on here have recently started using it, after almost 10 years of using this, I can say it's a love/hate relationship. Pros: It does its job! Cons: Mood swings, headaches, and no sex drive. I am looking into Nexplanon, but I'm scared to turn into a crazed fiend and put more strain on my relationship. I've been irregular all my life, so I don't know with a new BC."

• Anonymous
• October 29, 2009

For Birth Control "A very simple birth control to use. I couldn't remember pills, so I was on the ring for almost 3 years (I'm now 29). My sex drive has been reduced to nothing, except late in my period, not coincidentally when the ring has been out the longest. My periods are short, only about 2 1/2 days of light flow, but the cramps start 2 days before that and last right up till I put the next ring in. Worst of all is the depression and mood swings. I have a great life, but when my husband asks what I want for lunch, that has been enough to reduce me to literal tears lately. Also, I've gained nearly 40 pounds despite being more active than ever. I just came back from the gyno and got a copper (non-hormonal IUD) inserted today."

• ab7...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 23, 2017

For Birth Control "I thought since I had such a horrible experience, I would write a review. So I did give it a 2 out of 10 just because I didn't get pregnant an entire year on this medicine, so it is technically effective and also convenient. But the side effects were just not worth it. I literally turned into a crazy person. No libido. I was so unbelievably depressed for months, and it came on slowly, so I didn't really notice how bad it was until I hit rock bottom. I would cry for hours about nothing. I almost broke up with my boyfriend of 6 years because I was so depressed, and I didn't understand why I was so unhappy. Bad experience for me. Not worth it, in my opinion, but everyone is different!"

• Coo...
• May 11, 2016

For Birth Control "I was on the NuvaRing for almost 10 years, and I had very few problems with it. Yes, it feels like putting a jelly bracelet in your hooha once a month. However, I had great skin, short periods (3 days, my back would kill for the first day) and never got a decreased sex drive. I have had issues with certain well-endowed partners playing ring toss, though, which can be awkward. That is the only reason why I am switching to an IUD. Overall, a great experience for me."

• avo...
• October 1, 2019

For Birth Control "Been on it since April 2019 for birth control, and I do have PCOS. Had spotting the first month, but that was expected. No real side effects aside from decreased sex drive. My period comes during the week that you keep it out, although I have noticed that it's started coming towards the end rather than the start of the off week. I've lost weight since I started, even though I was concerned about gaining some."

• Ano...
• November 4, 2016

For Birth Control "I love that I only have to think about my birth control twice a month. It's easy to use. That being said, after about six months of use, I realized that I was noticeably more anxious, depressed, and emotional. Where I've had problems with anxiety before, I more frequently have panic attacks, a rapid heartbeat, and a tight chest. I find it hard to fall asleep at night and hard to get out of bed in the morning. Maybe the worst part is that I have a very low libido. There will be times when I do have a desire to have sex with my SO, but my body doesn't respond or tenses up quickly. Otherwise, I don't think about intercourse nearly as much as I used to."

• fja...
• July 24, 2013

For Birth Control "After being on the pill for 7 years, I switched to NuvaRing in January. I did not have any issues with headaches, feeling nauseous, or differences in my appetite. However, after the first month or so, my sex drive was completely gone. Every time my boyfriend and I would try to have sex, it would be very painful, or I would get no pleasure from it. I just switched back to the pill but really wish that NuvaRing would have worked out for me because otherwise I totally love how easy it was to use every month."

• Eri...
• November 19, 2008

For Birth Control "I used this birth control a couple of years ago and had no trouble, but I used it again from February to September of this year and ran into bad side effects. My sex drive went way down along with lubrication. I saw the doctor who ended up removing the ring for 3 months, and everything returned to normal. I lost weight afterwards as well."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 21, 2014

For Birth Control "I started using the NuvaRing in early December 2013, and I stopped using it after my month trial was up. I had a few side effects: weight gain (with no change in diet), headaches, no sex drive, and periods that started a week early. I was on the pill for a year and a half with none of these side effects. The NuvaRing just isn't for me."

• Meg...
• April 15, 2015

For Birth Control "I was using the NuvaRing for about a year and a half, maybe a little over. At first, I noticed a change in my attitude, as if it almost made me crazy, emotional, and snippy. I was excited to have my period shortened to a day a month with clear skin while also being protected from pregnancy, so the mood change wasn't a big deal. About 6-7 months after being on it, I started gaining weight with no diet change. Now looking back, I went from 153 to 198 lbs. Also, my sex drive decreased 100%! If it weren't for my boyfriend loving sex, sex probably wouldn't even cross my mind. Went off it last week with high hopes because the side effects aren't worth it after the convenience wears off."

• ATa...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 26, 2018

For Birth Control "I went off NuvaRing last year after struggling with crazy side effects for over 6 months, and I still think of the time on it in total horror. I was seduced by the ease of use and the convenience. The idea was great. What it did to my mental health was a horror. I wasn't myself; I had horrible mood swings. Even thoughts of sex revolted me. The loving touch of my partner made me want to throw up. I have never experienced similar states of my libido. Sex did not just seem disgusting; it was painful. Dry like a desert. I feel like I lost a year of an awesome sex life to NuvaRing. The week I went off it was a huge relief and a return to the senses, an end to the mental self-blaming hell, return of healthy emotions and desire. So, if you're wondering if NuvaRing is messing with your desire and mood - it is. Trust yourself and your body. Don't prolong this suffering; switch to something else."

• orc...
• January 18, 2021

For Birth Control "I was on combo birth control pills for years and switched 9 months ago. I have always used my birth control to skip my periods, so breakthrough bleeding was usually an issue, but it got better on the ring. I had the typical issues of the ring sliding down and causing me discomfort, but I got an applicator, and that fixed it. I have noticed a drop in my sex drive, and my vagina is drier than usual, which has led to tears and bleeding after sex. I assume using lube would fix that issue. My partner had issues with chafing when I left the ring in during sex, so I take it out now. I also have issues with cramping whenever I insert the ring. It doesn't last long, but I feel like it's my vagina rejecting the ring. So far, I haven't gotten pregnant, so it does a great job at that, and usually, I just forget that the ring is there. Overall, I like that I don't have to take a pill every day, and it's pretty easy to insert, but there seems to be more side effects than the pill."

• tma...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 19, 2019

For Birth Control "I loved NuvaRing as birth control at first, far easier to remember than the pill and super effective. HOWEVER, it made me depressed, lazy, gave me a foggy brain, moody, and this caused many hardships in my personal relationships. I closed myself off from the world and thought I might be suffering from depression. Once I had enough, I decided to see if it was my NuvaRing, so I took it out and switched to an IUD. Within weeks, I feel like myself again! I am happy, super productive, love socializing again, and no longer moody. Would not recommend the NuvaRing to anyone. I suffered with the mood side effects and used NuvaRing for two years, and yet no doctor ever told me that it was even a possibility that's why I was feeling so horrible. I'd also like to add it also caused a lot of inflammation and made sex very uncomfortable for me to the point I'd be crying."

• Fri...
• January 17, 2019

For Birth Control "I have been using NuvaRing for 3 years now. I really enjoy how convenient it is, you only have to remember 2 days out of a month. My periods are literally non-existent, I do still get the friendly cramps to remind me I am not pregnant. And my mood swings are not nearly as bad as they were on other high-hormone pills. That being said, this pill did slowly eat away at my happiness. My outlook on everything was just BLAH. No interests, don’t want to hang out with friends, don’t want to do date nights with my boyfriend, no motivation to work out. It turned me into a zombie without realizing it. Eventually, it took away ALL of my libido. No interest in my partner AT ALL. I was disgusted even at him touching me. That is the reason I am off it currently. Looking back on it now, the little libido I ever did have while using NuvaRing was the week I took it out to have my period. It is a great form of birth control, just be aware of how it affects you. I hope this helps someone!"

• att...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 5, 2015

For Birth Control "I have a love/hate relationship with NuvaRing. I love that I don't have to worry about a daily pill, light periods, normal moods vs. pill, no cramps...almost everything I want! I hate that the ring wants to slip out half the time, painful for me and my partner during sex, and decreased sex drive. I plan on switching."

• LC7...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 9, 2015

For Birth Control "Pros: Didn't get pregnant, regular periods, no cramping, no weight loss. Cons: No libido at all, heavy periods on the first two days. I have been on the pill, the shot, and NuvaRing. I would love this birth control if it weren't for the absence of libido on it. If you only want it to regulate your period, I would suggest it."

• Jul...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 20, 2013

For Birth Control "I started using this product after my 1st child was born at age 19. At first, I was a bit nervous about the side effects and all, but after a few months of using it, I was relieved at how awesome it worked. I had no side effects, no weight gain, my periods were regular, except that my partner was able to feel it, which was no problem. Anyhow, I'm going on 4 years of using the NuvaRing, and I've started to get many side effects, from many headaches to low sex drive and a lot of breast tenderness. I'm really disappointed in having to change my birth control because it was so easy to use, and I never had a problem with it at all."

• Kad...
• April 28, 2014

For Birth Control "I've been on NuvaRing for a year and a half, and I really like it. I had problems with mood swings and spotting with the pill, so a friend said to try the ring, and it's eliminated those problems for me. The downsides are decreased sex drive for one week of my cycle after my period, and for the first 6 months, I experienced dryness, but that went away. I really enjoy not taking a pill and feeling like myself, I am also more confident about the effectiveness. My boyfriend has felt the ring during intercourse 3 times since I have been using it. I'm very happy with the NuvaRing."

• Abc...
• November 9, 2019

For Birth Control "I have been on many different pills, two different IUDs, the Depo shot, and then the ring. The ring, by far, was the worst. I had side effects with all forms of birth control, usually to do with unusual bleeding or inconsistent periods. The NuvaRing was the only birth control I could find that controlled my periods. Unfortunately, it also caused acne, weight gain, despite feeling nauseous all the time and having no appetite. No sex drive, and I was so anxious and emotional that I thought I was going crazy. I was on the ring for almost two years, with all of these side effects, which I did not realize were being caused by it. When I finally realized this may be why this is happening, I took it out, and I feel so much better now."