Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel and Acne: What Users Say

• Anonymous
• November 29, 2009

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "I originally came on to this site to look for facts on Implanon, because I am thinking of switching from NuvaRing to Implanon. Out of the many comments, only a few were good. There were many negative comments, and it made me wonder if the majority of people who choose to comment do so because they are experiencing negative side effects, and those women who aren't experiencing side effects don't leave any comments at all. So I'm going to go ahead and add a GOOD comment about NuvaRing. NuvaRing has worked out GREAT for me. No side effects that I have noticed. No weight gain, no mood swings, no acne. The only thing is that I can feel it during sex, which is an easy fix to just take it out before and put it back in afterward."

• HRa...
• October 10, 2020

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "Greetings, for the ones having problems with EluRyng, you can call your insurance, they add a note explaining you can’t tolerate the generic. I used this medicine as a substitute for NuvaRing, per my insurance. Physical: extreme ocular migraines for days, chronic fatigue, cystic acne, gained 30 pounds in 6 months. Vaginal smell and discharge even using the ring. Emotional: executive dysfunction, extreme anxiety, overwhelmed feeling all the time. This interacted severely with my ADHD medicine (Vyvanse). I told my psychiatrist how I was feeling, and he raised my dosage, it didn’t work. Now back to NuvaRing, balancing the EluRyng effects, I’m feeling the effects I felt taking Vyvanse for the first time, EluRyng interrupted my psychiatric treatment. The extra drug interactions list doesn’t have information about this, this is a very dangerous effect that can get a person to a really bad place. This medicine needs to be recalled, it's dangerous."

• Kdo...
• April 3, 2014

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "After reading 107 reviews on the ring and about 100 of them being bad experiences, I was very nervous to try the ring. I decided to still try since I was horrible at remembering the pill, and I have to say I am so happy I gave it a chance. I absolutely love the ring. I cannot feel it at all, I have lost weight from it, I have more energy, no more moodiness, and just all around a happier person. The only side effect that I had, and that only happened the first day, was my face broke out a little. I have always had clear skin, but my first day trying it, my chin broke out, but after a couple of days it cleared up and I have not had a problem since. I would recommend everyone to try it."

• Lin...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• June 2, 2020

For Birth Control "The switch to this generic version has been a nightmare. I’m moody, lay in bed with the worst cramps, break out worse now than when I was a teenager (I’m 43). It’s terrible that insurance can dictate this because it’s been absolutely miserable in addition to this COVID quarantine. I got changed to generic in March, and that’s when all the issues began. I’ve been on the NuvaRing for over 10 years, and I can honestly say this has been a terrible transition, and I’m so disappointed that insurance companies can dictate a medication without notice."

• Jes...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 15, 2020

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "DO NOT USE ELURYNG. My pharmacy gave me EluRyng instead of NuvaRing several months ago, and I figured I'd try it. My acne was horrific for the first couple of weeks. And then, I noticed I had some mood swings. The worst part was intense abdominal pain, especially surrounding sex. I thought for sure I had cancer for a minute there. I thought it couldn't be related to the EluRyng since it seemed like it wouldn't do any damage or anything. I took it out a week ago, and I haven't had any pain or mood swings since."

• Sav...
• August 19, 2014

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "I love NuvaRing! I was put on Microgestin FE 1/20 but stopped after the first month due to awful cramping in my arms/legs (which I still get during PMS). A year later, I started NuvaRing, and so far it has been no hassle at all. My breasts have grown at least half a cup size, and while my acne isn't gone, it's lightened considerably. My periods are light, 4 days long, and I have little to no cramping when before I would be unable to move for hours due to menstrual cramps/ovulation, and my flow was heavy for at least 5 days. I hope this method keeps working for me, and I recommend it to anyone looking for an easy method of birth control."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 17, 2020

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "Like everyone else, I was on NuvaRing for 4+ years and absolutely loved it - I never experienced any side effects. I went into the pharmacy and they handed me EluRyng without any warning that they were switching me in advance. Two months into EluRyng, and I have pretty bad acne considering I'm 25 and never had pimples even in my teens. I'm absolutely devastated and hoping Kaiser will switch me back.... it's either that or I'm going to attempt the pill (which sucks)."

• Ela...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 17, 2023

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "Only lasted 5 days before I had to remove it. 24 hours after insertion, headaches started. Then my vagina completely dried out and became very itchy. Nausea kicked in so badly I started vomiting, and my face broke out in severe acne. Every joint ached and started stiffening up. My mental health plummeted, and I started having crying fits out of nowhere. I removed it at 5 days, and 10 days later I am still suffering headaches, extreme fatigue, and nausea, which is slowly getting better, and every other issue stopped within 24 hrs of removal. Do not recommend for anyone sensitive to hormones, as this knocks you about quite a bit. Only plus is it can be removed easily when you decide it is not for you."

• Anonymous
• July 26, 2010

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "I love, love, love NuvaRing! I have been on hormone-based birth control for 6 years now. I have been on NuvaRing for 1 year. So far, this is the best one I've used, and I have tried several. With other pills, I have had weight gain (not in my breasts, unfortunately), acne, moodiness, lack of sex drive, spotting, periods that lasted forever, etc. With the NuvaRing, nothing. My skin is clearer than it has ever been (not perfect, but I'll take what I can get), I haven't gained any more weight, I only worry about it once a month. I think it's perfect. The thing people have to remember is everyone's going to be different. It's not the product, it's the person. Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo didn't work for me. Neither did Lo Ovral. And they're rather popular."

• ske...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 2, 2014

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "I love the NuvaRing! I chose to take this one because of metabolic interactions with my lamotrigine, and I think I would prefer the NuvaRing to pills even without the lamotrigine interaction. I love that I only have to remember to put it in once a month and remove it for a week three weeks later. Prior to starting the NuvaRing, I had awful period symptoms. I had really heavy bleeding for seven days to the point I became anemic due to the blood loss, and the NuvaRing has changed my period to being very light and lasting at most five days and reduced my previously awful acne. My only problem is that sometimes it slides down inside the vagina and can poke out or be uncomfortable, but it can be put back in place with your finger."

• Mzz...
• July 27, 2014

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "The NuvaRing has worked for me. I have never tried any other form of birth control, and I started using it 6 years ago to help with a very irregular, long, and heavy period. It also helped clear up my skin then, and when I went off birth control, my periods did get heavier, and sometimes I had debilitating cramps. Plus, I suffered from bad adult acne that nothing would fix. Within 3 months of going back on the NuvaRing, my acne cleared right up, and immediately my periods got shorter, lighter, and were less painful. I didn't note any significant mood changes or changes in sex drive (but mine has never been especially high). I have experienced significant vaginal discharge, but it is normal aside from increased quantity. It is very convenient."

• Lex...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 20, 2020

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "So, I am glad that I found this thread of reviews. I have been on the name brand Nuvaring since I was 17, and I am 21, going on 22 now. Initially, adjusting to the Nuvaring was hard (cystic breakouts and such), but after 3 months, my body adjusted. My acne cleared, peach fuzz grew less, mood swings, and sleeping habits were under control. I was switched to the generic this year, and initially, I thought it was the switch from my Vyvanse to Adderall, but I have noticed my cystic acne coming back. My mood swings have been awful, and I cannot sleep. They say the generic is always the same as the original, but I believe this ring is new so I highly doubt that. It’s comforting, but also disheartening that other women are experiencing this as well! Hopefully there is a way for our doctors to be able to demand the original from our insurance because this stuff is awful."

• Lex...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 20, 2020

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "So, I am glad that I found this thread of reviews. I have been on the name brand Nuvaring since I was 17, and I am 21, going on 22 now. Initially, adjusting to the Nuvaring was hard (cystic breakouts and such), but after 3 months, my body adjusted. My acne cleared, peach fuzz grew less, mood swings, and sleeping habits were under control. I was switched to the generic this year, and initially, I thought it was the switch from my Vyvanse to Adderall, but I have noticed my cystic acne coming back. My mood swings have been awful, and I cannot sleep. They say the generic is always the same as the original, but I believe this ring is new so I highly doubt that. It’s comforting, but also disheartening that other women are experiencing this as well! Hopefully there is a way for our doctors to be able to demand the original from our insurance because this stuff is awful."

• Swe...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 6, 2015

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "I have been on NuvaRing for four years. I had major cysts on my ovaries when I was younger and was forced to change my birth control medications six times in three years. I was skeptical about taking the Depo shot and any IUD for fear that I would have cysts develop again. My doctor wanted to conduct an exploratory surgery. I had to try something immediately. I asked my doctor about the NuvaRing. If it didn't help, I would go through with the surgery. I was constantly in pain, and I was fed up with it. I read the information and started my dose. After 24 hours, I felt wonderful. In four years, I haven't had a cyst. Lighter, shorter periods, no weight gain, less acne, healthier skin and hair, and very little PMS. I highly recommend it."

• CRo...
• December 7, 2019

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "This is my last round of the ring after over 12 years of using NuvaRing. I can recall the first few months of using it having depression. After that subsided, I noticed my bad acne had completely gone away but also my sex drive as well. I was told by my doctor to continue to use it if it works well for me in other ways. Fast forward to now, I’ve had an insanely difficult time losing weight. And it’s now come down to the possibility that it’s the NuvaRing. While it wasn’t the cause of my weight gain, I’m strongly wondering if it’s the cause of my weight loss resistance. I’ve been consistently working out plus dieting only to lose a few pounds here and there. I’ve tried so many diet lifestyles and would stick with it for several months to no avail. So now, after much contemplation, it is now time to do without the NuvaRing. And it would be nice to have a sex drive again! And it will be interesting to see how much it affected me in other ways that I hadn’t noticed."

• Yel...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 24, 2013

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "I have been on NuvaRing for 3.5 years. I almost immediately experienced major mood swings, crying, getting offended by things that normally don't bother me. However, the convenience and the fact that my severe cramps and heavy flow greatly diminished made it worth it to me. But as time went on, after the first year or so, I began to notice my sex drive wasn't as strong. Two years in, I had zero sex drive whatsoever, and three years in I experienced many more side effects. These include severe cystic acne, 12 lb weight gain, headaches, nausea, and my mood swings have worsened. I feel anxious all the time. So, tonight I took it out and don't plan to put one back in again. I did go off the ring once before for a month and felt normal again."

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 18, 2020

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "I was on NuvaRing for about 7 years. 6 months ago, I was informed my insurance no longer pays for NuvaRing, and I was given this generic brand. So far, it’s been horrible. I, for one, started with NuvaRing because it’s so easy to deal with, and it literally got rid of my acne. Since using the generic brand, I get random headaches, mood swings, and guess what? Now I got cystic acne. Ugh, my face looks horrible. I haven’t had acne this bad since I was 16, and I’m 23 now. I called the insurance, and sure enough, they won’t cover the actual NuvaRing. Now I’m making a doctor’s appointment to find a new birth control. I guess I’ll be doing the pill."

• cic...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 24, 2021

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "Awful product. My side effects included: yeast infection, vaginal irritation, painful heavy bleeding (6 weeks), acne on my jawline and ears, anxiety/panic attacks, nausea/vomiting, extreme breast tenderness, insomnia, insane mood swings, self-harm, and depression so severe I almost had to check into inpatient psych care. My relationship almost ended because I went fully nuts. I didn't experience a single positive emotion the entire time I was on this BC. The FDA should take this off the market. DON'T put this in your body."

• Anonymous
• August 31, 2009

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel 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

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel 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."

• gra...
• June 27, 2014

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "So I just switched from the Pill to the ring (I was on the Pill for three years and needed something more convenient. At first, I loved it because all I had to do was slip it in and forget for three weeks. Two weeks into it, however, I have begun breaking out all over my body (I NEVER break out, EVER), and my forehead is littered with pimples. I've gotten moody, sore, and I'm nauseous beyond belief. After reading about others' experiences, I'm starting to get that it's a common thing. I'm switching back to the Pill. This isn't worth the convenience. Plus, it's two times the cost of what I was paying for the Pill."

• Al ...
• August 28, 2016

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel 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!"

• RWa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 28, 2020

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "I got EluRyng as a substitute for my usual NuvaRing because my pharmacy didn’t have any name-brand. Honestly, so much worse than NuvaRing. I thought they would be somewhat comparable, but EluRyng gave me acne, I was always feeling nauseous, got really bad mood swings, and always had to take it out during sex. Instead of being flexible like NuvaRing, this ring is hard and hurts a lot during sex! I do not recommend unless this is your last resort. Other than the side effects, though, it seems to be as effective as the NuvaRing."

• gra...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 20, 2020

For Birth Control "I was on the name brand NuvaRing for over a year. The only issue I had was that I gained a lot of weight without doing anything different with my diet. But this was my only side effect. I put up with this issue because everything else about it was so awesome! I will always recommend the name brand NuvaRing. However, I was recently switched to the generic version due to insurance reasons. THIS IS THE WORST THING TO EVER HAPPEN TO ME!! My acne is bad, my period is bad, I’m constantly nauseous, I've gained more weight, and my hair is falling out. These past few months have been terrible. I’m looking for a different method of birth control due to this. Do not recommend."

• Ak4...
• January 11, 2016

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "I've been using NR for 6 years. I love it. I've tried Yaz and some other types of pills, hated that you had to take them at the same time each day. This is much more convenient. I get my period right on time and then take it out. Simple. It doesn't do anything different to me, such as acne or weight gain. But that depends on the person more than the contraceptive. The best way to put it in: use a tampon applicator (take out the tampon), place the ring in the applicator (bend the ring), and put it in as if it were a tampon. I've heard of it coming out during sex, but I've never experienced this, nor have I ever had it slip out or go missing. Highly recommended :) :) Unfortunately, it is pricey, however. :("