NuvaRing and Sexual Dysfunction: What Users Say (Page 5)

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 12, 2017

For Birth Control "Great birth control that was easy and convenient. All I did was just put it in for three weeks, forget about it, and then take it out after the three weeks were up. Sometimes I would have to take it out during sex, although other than that I did not experience any discomfort or it slipping out. This birth control did not make me gain any weight except for my boobs. I did experience vaginal dryness and extreme decrease in my sex drive, which really made sex unpleasurable at times. This birth control made me extremely tired all the time. I would just sleep for hours on end and had little to no energy. I am currently off this BC due to that side effect. It caused me to have cystic acne after five months."

• 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."

• WyT...
• December 27, 2015

For Birth Control "I've been using NuvaRing for 4 months... so far, so good! I have not experienced any side effects other than I've lost almost 10 lbs. I noticed my weight loss, which is a great thing... but I'm not sure if it's directly from using the NuvaRing. Either way, I'm very pleased. NuvaRing is convenient, nice not having to take a pill daily. My sex drive might be down a little bit, but nothing major. My biggest issue is remembering that I even have the NuvaRing in and remembering when to take it out."

• 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."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 24, 2016

For Birth Control "I have been on the NuvaRing for almost 3 full years. I would agree with many other reviewers-zero sex drive. When I do have sex, I have to use tons of lubrication, which my body lacks terribly. I am wondering if the ring is what is causing the dryness during sex. I also feel like it causes irritation periodically. I also found that it will sit low and need to be adjusted sometimes. I am really considering consulting with my doctor and getting off permanently. On the flip side-never gained weight, was super easy to insert and forget about, maintained periods, didn't feel like it caused moodiness or was mentally hazardous."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 24, 2016

For Birth Control "I have been on the NuvaRing for almost 3 full years. I would agree with many other reviewers-zero sex drive. When I do have sex, I have to use tons of lubrication, which my body lacks terribly. I am wondering if the ring is what is causing the dryness during sex. I also feel like it causes irritation periodically. I also found that it will sit low and need to be adjusted sometimes. I am really considering consulting with my doctor and getting off permanently. On the flip side-never gained weight, was super easy to insert and forget about, maintained periods, didn't feel like it caused moodiness or was mentally hazardous."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 8, 2013

For Birth Control "The only thing good about this product is that you don't have to remember to take it. You only have to remember the day you put it in. Lol, which I forgot the first two months. I've been on the ring for 4 months, and I hate it. I have never had acne in my life, and I now have severe acne along my jawline, hairline, and chest. It gets pushed out of my vagina daily, I don't think I'm able to push it up far enough. I've never had sex with it in, I always take it out, and it burns really bad during intercourse. I've hardly had sex since I've been on it because I have no sex drive. I'm disgusted by the thought of sex, and my vagina is painfully sensitive to the touch. I'm also really moody. This birth control is terrible."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 23, 2023

For Birth Control "I have been using NuvaRing for two months and a half, and I have experienced many of the side effects listed (nausea, migraine, acne (during the first week only), bloating, and low sex drive). I wouldn't recommend it to anyone who is going through sadder than usual times or anyone who has had depression, as I can say it has definitely affected me and thousands of other women. I have never been diagnosed with depression, and yet it happened to me progressively since I started to use NuvaRing. The decrease in testosterone levels has impacted me the most since I now struggle with low motivation, irritability, and depressive thoughts. I have rated this with a 5/10 because of the number of side effects, but I have to say it is one of the most convenient contraceptive methods. It is very sad how the pharmaceutical industry doesn't do better for women."

• Anonymous
• May 15, 2017

For Birth Control "To make this review easy, I'll share a list of the pros and cons that I have experienced on the NuvaRing while being on it for 5 years. Pros: very light periods with minimal cramping (although I am lucky enough that my periods beforehand were already pretty light, but my cramps were horrible), super easy to use, can skip your period if you want to, insurance covered it, you barely know it's in there, can take it out for up to 3 hours while having sex. Cons: ZERO sex drive, moodiness, constant bloating, constant tiredness, cravings, weight gain, my vagina has actually become swollen after sex, sometimes painful sex. Everyone is different, but the cons are outweighing the pros for me at this point, so I am looking for a different option immediately."

• Anonymous
• May 15, 2017

For Birth Control "To make this review easy, I'll share a list of the pros and cons that I have experienced on the NuvaRing while being on it for 5 years. Pros: very light periods with minimal cramping (although I am lucky enough that my periods beforehand were already pretty light, but my cramps were horrible), super easy to use, can skip your period if you want to, insurance covered it, you barely know it's in there, can take it out for up to 3 hours while having sex. Cons: ZERO sex drive, moodiness, constant bloating, constant tiredness, cravings, weight gain, my vagina has actually become swollen after sex, sometimes painful sex. Everyone is different, but the cons are outweighing the pros for me at this point, so I am looking for a different option immediately."

• Nuv...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 15, 2019

For Birth Control "I started taking birth control pills for acne when I was 13 (now 19), and I absolutely loved them (Ortho Tri-Cyclen). Until one day, I started mid-cycle spotting. Flash forward a year, and I’m still spotting after trying multiple pills. I sat on Google for hours reading reviews and was basically terrified to try this birth control. As soon as I started NuvaRing, I had zero spotting! Pros: no breakthrough bleeding, no headaches, I’m not pregnant, the ring is comfortable, and very easy to use. Cons: or side effects are nausea is pretty bad, especially the first 3 days of a new ring, I have NO sex drive, literally none, if there was a negative sex drive, I’m pretty sure I’d have it, and my vagina is so irritated. If you are looking for low-maintenance birth control, this might be for you! I am still on the ring, but because I’m so over not having a sex drive, I’m going to try switching to something else. Otherwise, I love this form of birth control, I just wish it increased libido."

• cas...
• April 22, 2015

For Birth Control "I was on NuvaRing for about six months. For the first month or two, I had terrible headaches at the end of the days I had class, but everything else was fine. Fast forward to 3-5 months, I was moody, I was even a little depressed, and I had no sex drive. I wanted to eat everything in sight. From the second month to the sixth month, I gained about twenty pounds with no significant lifestyle changes or dietary changes besides the NuvaRing. If you are tolerant of high hormone levels and don't gain weight, this might be a good option for you. It stays in for three weeks and comes out the fourth week for your period (which mine came very regularly while on it). If it wasn't for the significant weight gain, I would have stayed on it."

• Ano...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 12, 2015

For Birth Control "I really enjoy the NuvaRing. I cannot take birth control pills because they contain lactose, and I am allergic to dairy. The NuvaRing is super convenient and easy to use. If you put it in correctly, you'll never know it is there. I used to faint during my period without the NuvaRing - which I don't now. Also, I barely have any cramps with NuvaRing and have a shorter period. The side effects that I endured were nausea and breast tenderness for the first month. Also, I have had some weight gain and loss of sex drive - but both are minor. The most prominent side effect was breast enlargement - I went from a 32C to a 32DDD."

• Am4...
• January 11, 2013

For Birth Control "I was prepared for some side effects, but so far there's only more wetness (not bothersome) and a reduction in sex drive (haven't decided if it's bothersome or not yet). I keep waiting for the scary side effects you read about, but so far, so good. I am prone to anxiety and headaches, but all that has been just business as usual for me, no increase. No slip-out. No pain."

• cat...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 24, 2021

For Birth Control "Was on NuvaRing for more than 3 years. First year it was perfect (after 3-month adjustment period when I had spotting). No other side effects. I used it to skip my period (left in for 4 weeks instead of 3, which is safe). Only had to remember it 1x/month. The second 2-3 years I was on it, my depression and anxiety got worse (not caused by NuvaRing but exaggerated by it). I had no sex drive. It started to cause some dryness and irritation, which made sex uncomfortable. I gained 15-20 pounds, and my boobs went up a cup size and were very sore all the time. I couldn’t lose weight no matter what I did, and I’m naturally very active and eat well. I stayed on it for a while after this because my initial experience with it was so good. Then one day I had a ring break inside of me (only in week 2), it caused a lot of pain. I went to the doctor thinking I had a UTI. At this point, I decided it was time to stop, the side effects were worse than the benefits for me."

• Cca...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 7, 2021

For Birth Control "The ring started out great for the first few months. I had horrible side effects from every pill type, so my doctor recommended I switch to the ring. It’s pretty easy to insert, although mine never stays up high, and you can feel it sometimes sitting low, which is annoying. After the first couple of months on the ring, I started getting really heavy and crampy periods. I would soak through an overnight pad in an hour, and I have never bled this heavy in my life. Additionally, my sex drive completely disappeared, and I’m disgusted by the thought of it. I have sex maybe once a month now, and it’s painful and not enjoyable. I’ve also been extremely irritable, and I never used to be this angry/sad. And now I’m experiencing sharp pains down my back and thigh, which is very concerning. I’m taking it out and trying an IUD in the next month, so hopefully, that is more successful. Everybody is different, I just wanted to share how it’s affected me."

• Sar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 14, 2018

For Birth Control "I took NuvaRing for years in my mid to late twenties. Loved it. I never gained weight, it prevented pregnancy, I had no cramps (except for the first two months), I loved the option of having a period or not, and I liked the monthly option vs. daily. The only downfall I experienced was more mucus “down there.” I then took a break from the Nring so we could have children. I am now 35 y.o., back on it, and my experience with NuvaRing is completely different... and I’m getting off it stat! I’ve had major weight gain (12 lbs), am extremely moody, I get the worst cramps, my sex drive has diminished, I feel less motivated/more tired, and I’m getting frequent migraines. I did read the risks of taking it if you’re 35 and older beforehand (blood clots), but I never had symptoms and felt I’d give it a try. I don’t recommend this at all for women 35 y.o.+ and those who have given birth. The estrogen that is added to the ring has been no bueno for me."

• pgh...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 4, 2016

For Birth Control "I started the medication in Jan 2015. I have 2 kids, so I wanted to ease of not taking a pill every day without having an IUD. This seemed like the perfect solution. Over the past year, I did experience decreased sex drive, fatigue, an increase in anxiety, and weight gain. I have NEVER had a problem with my weight before, and I consistently work out and count my calories. I was even training for a half marathon and still gained weight. In one year, I gained about 12-15 lbs. I took the NuvaRing out about 2 months ago, and I have noticed a difference in my attitude, and the weight gain stopped. However, it has been very difficult to get the weight off. It was definitely simple and easy to use, just not for everyone."

• 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!"

• Abb...
• December 11, 2013

For Birth Control "I was on it for over a year. I never got pregnant, which is a plus, but horrible side effects. I had yeast infections at least 3 times a month. Gained 30 pounds, headaches, and absolutely no sex drive. I switched to the patch, hope it works!"

• 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."

• Cam...
• March 18, 2014

For Birth Control "I started using NuvaRing back in 2010 after trying many different birth control pills. I gained around 7 pounds, wanted to sleep all the time, and lost completely my sex drive. I had to stop using because the last 6 months I started experiencing severe migraines. So, the only good part about it is that NuvaRing didn't make me feel angry or in a bad mood all the time like the other pills I've tried before."

• Roc...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• November 2, 2019

For Birth Control "Reading these reviews seriously is making me wonder. I was basically forced by my mom to get on birth control when I was 14, and that’s when 'the teenage years' come out and depression is a thing and such. I am now about to turn 20 and still taking the same birth control, and I’ve been emotional, depressed, and my sex drive is non-existent. I always thought it was just me as a person. Never have I thought it was my birth control... now I have to sit down and have a serious talk with my mother and myself."

• coc...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• November 17, 2012

For Birth Control "I have been on birth control for 10 years, 5 on the patch then 5 on NuvaRing. I love the ring, but I did get side effects like sore breasts and low sex drive, which I think goes with any hormone birth control. My skin cleared up and no babies, so it was great and really easy. I stopped when it started giving me either a yeast or bacterial vaginosis infection every month around the same time in my cycle. I would take it out and wash it to help prevent. It is down on the list of side effects, but I haven't found anything with less side effects, so I'm going to go back on it again."

• Abb...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 7, 2020

For Birth Control "Like a lot of other people on here, I didn’t get any side effects until a long time (4 years) on NuvaRing. I’ve taken this since high school through college, and for the first 3 years, never had an issue with sex drive or weight. Without changing my environment or diet, I gained 30 lbs over the last year. I also had no interest in sex whatsoever during this time - would have sex once, MAYBE twice a month. Sometimes not at all. This is compared to my partner and my previous ~2 times a week. I’m not sure what happened last year, but the side effects sucked. I stopped using NuvaRing on my last cycle. I’ve only been off it for a few weeks, but I’ve already lost some weight and have returned to a normal sex drive. I’m sad to conclude that these, while they may not have been caused by NuvaRing, were worsened. This was my favorite birth control, but I’m now going to be looking into a copper IUD."