NuvaRing and Weight Gain: What Users Say (Page 4)

• KH2...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 26, 2016

For Birth Control "I've been on NuvaRing for 6 months. I previously had the arm implant, but the hormones caused cystic acne and irregular bleeding. No problems with the NuvaRing aside from slight weight gain (a couple of pounds), which I can live with. My periods have been very regular, no spotting, no mood swings, no change in sex drive. I experienced minimal cramping the first month and continued bloating during my periods. This is a good option for those who have a hard time remembering to take the pill every day. Once a month is phenomenal!"

• Chr...
• March 3, 2015

For Birth Control "I used birth control pills for 6 years prior to trying the NuvaRing. I had pretty good experiences with my old brand, but wanted to try something different and thought not having to remember to take a pill every day would be awesome. I was on the NuvaRing for about 6 months, and I noticed extreme breast tenderness, increased acne, and the worst part was the 15 lb weight gain. The weight was extremely hard to lose while I was on the ring, but after I switched to another contraceptive, the weight I had gained melted off. The one plus was that my moods were great on NuvaRing and my anxiety decreased."

• Mor...
• April 5, 2017

For Birth Control "I've been on the NuvaRing for almost 4 years with very few issues. I've never had a pregnancy scare, but have had a few issues with bleeding/spotting in between periods, especially if I leave the ring in for 4 weeks and try to skip my period. Now I follow the 28-day cycle (leave it in for 3 weeks, take it out for 1 week, then put a new one in) and have no issues. I have never had issues with mood swings, weight gain, etc. If you pay attention and use the ring in the way that's best for your body (leaving it in and skipping your period or taking it out and having your period), you shouldn't have any issues."

• CC9...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 20, 2016

For Birth Control "I'm going on my third month of NuvaRing. I have had about a four-pound weight gain (I attribute it to my eating habits), increased moodiness, and my acne has progressively worsened. However, this is the best and most convenient birth control method I have had. My sex drive has not decreased, no vaginal irritation but excessive lubrication, my period lasts 2-3 days, and no spotting while the ring is inserted. My breasts are tender around the second to third week, but nothing severe. Additionally, during my second month, I did have a case of nausea and vomiting for about two days; I'm not sure where this stemmed from, though. Overall, I give NuvaRing a thumbs up for me."

• Jes...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 19, 2016

For Birth Control "NuvaRing was the first birth control I was ever on, and I've never had any terrible issues with it in the 4 years I've had it so far (18-21). My periods are so regular I can nearly tell down to the hour when it will start! My acne cleared up, but I did gain a little weight, but nothing crazy. The only issue is breast tenderness a week before my period that can get annoying, but otherwise this birth control has been great and super easy to remember. Also, I was able to change my schedule for a vacation, so I got my period a week before traveling, which was amazing, it didn't screw up my body... just read the pamphlet on how to properly do this (and don't do it all the time!)"

• hal...
• December 15, 2013

For Birth Control "I love the NuvaRing! Third birth control I've tried and by far the best, I will never be trying anything else. I was on Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo and then Junel. On both of those, it was so hard to lose weight, and Junel actually made me gain. Ortho gave me really bad anxiety too. Once I switched to NuvaRing, my anxiety went away, my moods are super under control, and I have lost 5 lbs very easily in the past month. The single bad thing is that sometimes it comes partway out, and I will have to go and fix it, but it's quick and easy and happens very rarely."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• Mel...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 19, 2017

For Birth Control "Please keep in mind when reading these reviews that every person is different and every experience with medication is unique. I have been on NuvaRing for a little over 1 year. I loved it for the convenience of not needing to remember to take a pill daily. However, I did notice the 'belly bloat' about 6-7 months into taking it. I was almost concerned I was pregnant. I have always been lean, and I'm in my mid-20s. My weight and size are fairly consistent. Now, I'm at 12 months in (definitely not pregnant, by the way) and I finally am noticing an overall weight gain in addition to my belly bloat. Total, about 10-15 lbs. I loved this method, but my self-confidence is suffering, so I am stopping (and hoping I see a change, as I am very active!)."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• Lib...
• July 25, 2018

For Birth Control "After spending 2 years on NuvaRing and ending up on blood pressure and anxiety medicine, I’m done and never looking back! An incident with insurance caused me to lose my coverage for a few weeks, so that when I needed a refill I couldn’t afford it and decided to go without it. I couldn’t be happier that it happened that way. I realized soon after not having it in my system that I felt like a totally different person. While on it, my blood pressure was up, which led to me being put on meds for that. And it caused all sorts of other problems! Such as anxiety, depression, panic attacks, high heart rate and a pounding heart, constant nausea (I had motion sickness just moving my head), headaches when it got close to the time to take the ring out. Extreme weight gain and hunger, moodiness, anger, the list goes on! I just can’t get over how different I feel after coming off of it. I no longer need the anxiety or blood pressure meds, and my therapist even let me stop coming!"

• 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."

• 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!"

• 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!"

• k20...
• August 18, 2016

For Birth Control "I have been using the NuvaRing for almost a year now, and I absolutely love it. I keep mine in for the entire month and usually replace it without allowing myself to have a period. I feel as if the pros definitely outweigh the cons. It has proven to be 100% effective, and it is so convenient for my crazy schedule. I have experienced around 25 pounds of weight gain. I was only around 110 lbs when I started this birth control, so the weight gain looks healthy. My breasts are very tender most of the time, and they have doubled in size. I am a little more tired than usual and sometimes have dizzy spells. I do think it is very convenient not having to worry about taking a pill every day, and I feel very healthy. My sex drive hasn't suffered much either!"

• Jen...
• May 5, 2016

For Birth Control "I've been on NuvaRing one month so far. I love it! No weight gain yet, my skin is staying clear, increased sex drive a lot. I feel a bit sad, but I've felt like this since the birth of my son 6 weeks ago. Overall, I would recommend this to any woman looking for birth control."

• 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."

• Don...
• November 19, 2015

For Birth Control "I took it for 3 years. Starts with a tummy ache. Then, after 1.5 years, I gained 10 lbs, had tons of problems with my hair breaking, headaches off and on (never had a headache in my life), moody (unusual for me), chest pains, breasts sore and plumper. As soon as I came off it, within one week I dropped 5 lbs. Now on my fourth week off, I have lost 7.5 lbs. I have never had to count calories and had to watch everything I ate on this medication. I always took it out and rinsed it off after sex. I did not get pregnant. Just a gut feeling I should not use it anymore because of clots. I had no acne, my sex drive was not affected on or off it. My skin glows off it, and I feel great."

• Kat...
• July 28, 2013

For Birth Control "NuvaRing has been good to me. I have issues with anxiety, and so I feared that going on birth control would play negatively with my mood/anxiety. However, I've had a good experience with it and have experienced no negative mood symptoms. Sure, I get the occasional mood swing, however, this is nothing unmanageable. The one and only complaint is that I have gained a good 10 pounds. It honestly just feels like water retention, but slightly annoying, as I was very happy with my weight prior to NuvaRing. Otherwise, this contraceptive has been good to me, my health, and my mood."

• sab...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 27, 2013

For Birth Control "I was on NuvaRing for about 6 months. I stopped because I started gaining so much weight, and it felt uncomfortable sometimes. I went from 150 lbs to 167 lbs in a matter of months. Other than that, the NuvaRing worked well for me! Did not get pregnant, kept my periods lighter and sometimes shorter. I did notice hair loss, and I did start getting leg cramps during my time on this medication. Good for teens!"