Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel and Anxiety: What Users Say (Page 2)

• KMP...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 12, 2021

For Birth Control "I thought at first that this medication would be the holy grail... no problems the first week and the second week a few changes, some anxiety and increased discharge. The third week is when it all drastically changed for me. I started going from being ruthless and uncaring to crying and being overly emotional the next. I was getting horrible migraines and did not feel like eating. I got severely depressed and anxious very quickly over the smallest things. I was numb, almost like how an antidepressant would make you feel. I have since taken it out, but it says it can take up to 2 menstrual cycles to get the hormones cleansed from your system... so be cautious about if you are experiencing signs and symptoms now that they do not just go away when you take it out. It was very scary and upsetting... I would not recommend."

• Eri...
• September 1, 2019

For Birth Control "I am 33 and have been on NuvaRing for 3-4 years. There are some positives and negatives which I will list: Positives: - Clear skin: I have always struggled with acne, and my skin became very clear. - Light periods and no cramping. - Convenience, and you don't have to remember to take a pill every day. - Easy to use. - Effective in prevention of pregnancy. Negatives: - Highly increased appetite: I have gained 30 lbs in 3 years (start weight was 140, now 170). - No sex drive: Sex became miserable to endure because I had no interest in it. - Increase in mood swings, aggravation, depression, anxiety, and laziness. - Headaches: Occur very frequently and sometimes lasted for 2-4 days. - Sharp random pains in cervix. - Increase in discharge. I have been off the NuvaRing now for a little over a month, and I feel like my personality is back to normal. I feel like myself again. I have lost weight (6 lbs in one month, and I notice I’m not as hungry and don’t have severe cravings anymore)."

• Mar...
• April 8, 2016

For Birth Control "I am still on NuvaRing, but am ready for a change. I don't feel like myself anymore. I feel lost, confused, and it's very hard for me to feel happy without feelings of anxiety and panic overcoming me. I have recurring negative thoughts that give me anxiety that I cannot stop. I feel like I'm spinning out of control and unable to control my thoughts. I have 'crazy' outbursts and am extremely sensitive. I have noticed that in the past few months that I go through one week where I feel like I should completely change my life-pack up and move away, usually the week before I take the ring out. I'm ready to be done with NuvaRing forever!"

• Ano...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 22, 2022

For Birth Control "I was in tears last week reading all of these comments. I used Nuvaring for 7 years with no issues. In July 2020, I was switched to EluRyng. Never had issues with my period while using it, so didn't connect the issues I've had for over 2 years now to the generic version being different. I shared with a friend last week that I think I'm already in perimenopause at 35 because there's no explanation for all the symptoms I have and all my tests come back normal. I've gained 25 pounds in the last couple of years, and no matter how hard I work out or cut calories, nothing works. I've had the worst extreme fatigue, migraines for days, crazy anxiety, heart palpitations, ZERO libido, leg cramps at night, insomnia, horrible mood swings, depression, dark self-harm thoughts, fogginess, and my vision has changed significantly 3 times in the last year and a half. I took my ring out 8 days ago and already have so much more energy. Getting the hubby snipped and done with this poison!!"

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

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."

• Sam...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 24, 2019

For Birth Control "I started NuvaRing 8 months ago after being on 3 different IUDs the past 17 years. At first, I loved it. It did make my vagina swell the first week, but it wasn’t irritating or a problem. Periods are kind of all over the place, and cramping is worse than ever before. Had me laying with a heating pad 3 out of the 5 days. After 8 months, I have gained 16 pounds, and my anxiety and depression are through the roof. I had 3 panic attacks in the past 2 weeks, and it is definitely from this birth control. On a positive note, my cystic acne completely went away, and my skin is, for the most part, really clear. Also, I have not gotten pregnant. I would recommend this product but to pay close attention to your mental health. If you feel anxiety and depression coming on, you need to stop using it and contact your doctor. I’ve also had brief suicidal thoughts. I stopped taking this and am trying the mini pill. Wish me luck. I am writing my review because I feel birth control side effects are extremely underreported."

• Nik...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 2, 2019

For Birth Control "I had a horrible experience with the NuvaRing. I developed debilitating anxiety and OCD while on it. It took a mental breakdown for me to evaluate what could possibly be the cause of my mental instability. Once I took the ring out, I was my old self again in 2 weeks. I still struggle with OCD, just not as severely. Unfortunately, however, I believe the NuvaRing did some permanent damage. What I hope for all of you reading is to remember to listen to your body! You know when something is wrong. Don't ignore it like I did until you go into crisis."

• Nur...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 15, 2020

For Birth Control "I used NuvaRing for 3+ years before my pharmacy switched me to the EluRyng for some reason. I assumed it would be the same, but I was so wrong. Enter low libido, painful sex, increased anxiety, among other things (none of them pleasant). NuvaRing got rid of my period cramps before BC, but they are present with EluRyng. I was considering switching to the patch or injection until discovering my experience mimicked many others'. I will be switching back to the NuvaRing as soon as possible. If you are considering switching, please know they are NOT the same drug and the NuvaRing is far superior. I wish I had known earlier. I spent around 9 months on EluRyng. I didn't get pregnant, so I guess it accomplished its main job, but if I knew these side effects would happen, I would have never used this med. So disappointed."

• Jax...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 1, 2021

For Birth Control "After reading these comments, I feel justified. I’ve been feeling the absolute worst for the last 2 months without any obvious cause. I’ve spoken to my doctor about this mystery illness, gotten bloodwork done, all to no avail. After my insurance switched me to EluRyng from NuvaRing 2 months ago without telling me, I have literally wondered why I feel so bad. I have had a constant-and I do mean constant-headache every single day. I’ve had bouts of nausea and vomiting. I’ve lost 5 lbs this month. I’ve never been so fatigued in my life. My anxiety, which has been under control, has been off the charts, and I’m snapping at people for no reason. I’ve had absolutely no sex drive, which is unusual. And we hate to say it-but we shouldn’t-suicidal thoughts. This is the worst “medication” out there. And I really hope you read this BEFORE you also experience these symptoms and find yourself on Google because you think you’re wondering how to keep living."

• 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."

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 13, 2020

For Birth Control "I tried this generic because it was cheaper, and I don't have insurance. The first time I tried, it gave me Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS) so badly that I thought I had blood clots. To reiterate, I had no insurance, so it was very, VERY scary. I went back to the Nuvaring at over $170 a pop, and the symptoms eventually went away. When I googled RLS, it can be caused by an iron deficiency. This month, I decided to try EluRyng again because I had bought multiple when it first came out. I upped my iron and vitamin intake the months before, so I figured I was good, and I had a Nuvaring in the fridge just in case. Surprise, surprise, RLS is back! I switched immediately back to the Nuvaring. EluRyng was a horrible, scary, anxiety-ridden, painful experience that I won't ever fall for again!"

• Gab...
• July 16, 2019

For Birth Control "I used to use NuvaRing years ago and never had an issue with it. I loved that I didn't have to take a daily pill. Unlike other birth control, NuvaRing didn't make me nauseous or break out. I recently started using it again after about a 4-year break. Huge mistake. I have been on it for 2 months, and I had to take it out. I am normally just a happy person in general, I became so short-tempered and irritable. My fiancé saw me so emotional and anxious. I couldn't figure out what was wrong with my head and would snap at my son and fiancé over nothing. I gained 5 lbs in less than 2 months, am always hungry and super tired. I also started getting short of breath and had leg cramps that were absolutely crippling. I would wake up screaming from the cramps, and the next day my calves would feel bruised. I don't know if it's changed since I last used it, but I can't handle it. The effects were noticeable after just 2 days, so if you notice anything abnormal after you start taking it, don't ignore it."

• kik...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 14, 2019

For Birth Control "I had NuvaRing inserted for maybe 48 hours when I started noticing some extra side effects my doctor did NOT tell me about. I was only told my sex drive would be lower and I might gain weight, which I was okay with. But I woke up one morning feeling extremely nauseous, which isn’t new, but it usually goes away after a half hour of being up. Not this time. I couldn’t leave my bed because my stomach cramps were so awful, I couldn’t hold anything down, not water, crackers, broth. I had two awful anxiety attacks, thank goodness my roommate was home because if you know anything about anxiety attacks, you know how scary they can be. I finally realized after 11 pm that day, “OH maybe it’s the NuvaRing!” I took that thing out so fast, and less than two hours later, the cramping, vomiting, and extreme anxiety attacks stopped. Obviously, birth control affects women in different ways, but after that awful experience, I would never look back to the ring again."

• Mis...
• May 27, 2015

For Birth Control "I was on the pill for 4 years, and I had extreme anxiety and headaches. I switched to NuvaRing and feel great. A lot less headaches, no anxiety. I haven't gained any weight that I've noticed, my sex drive is still very high. I might be a little more snippy, and I have had issues with yeast infections. It's only been two months, so I'm gonna keep watching my weight and will update shortly."

• 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."

• 2nd...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• October 3, 2018

For Birth Control "I'm 27, and I just started back on the NuvaRing a couple of weeks ago after taking a 6-12 month break from birth control. I had been on NuvaRing from age 14 until I was almost 27, and I had thought it was completely wonderful. I took a break to see what my body would be like without it and actually came out of my lifelong depression, anxiety, paranoia, and horrible sleep patterns. I had no idea that stopping NuvaRing was the reason until I started back on it again. After just two weeks, I am not sleeping, fighting with my partner, accusing him of all sorts of crazy things, breaking down in tears every moment, and feeling so tired and unmotivated. I took it out a few minutes ago as I read that many others like me loved it the first time (in our younger years) and have trouble with it now."

• San...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 20, 2019

For Birth Control "Bloating, mood swings, anxiety, depression, no sex drive, made me dislike being intimate. I want to, but I can't make myself initiate sex with this birth control. It's so hard. I've never had this problem with any other birth control. I get sad too, out of nowhere, no reason, randomly. I like the ease of taking it, but it's not right for me. I gained weight, I like myself even less now. Thanks a lot, NuvaRing. It is still not as bad as Paragard, though."

• Ail...
• May 21, 2018

For Birth Control "If I could rate this a zero, I absolutely would. I’ve had the worst experience being on it. Severe mood change, depression, and anxiety. I never was able to put two and two together until recently due to the fact I had been off of it and felt a million times better, then got back on it a week ago. Immediately, the symptoms came back. The feeling when I was on it ruined my life, lost my job, eagerness to enjoy life, pushed family and friends away, hated who I was as a person. I’m not saying everyone will have this but, for me, I felt at my worst. On the positive side of things, since being off of this and going through a rough couple of years, it’s changed me for a better person, I no longer see things one way or the other, I see beauty in everyone and everything."

• Hea...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 6, 2019

For Birth Control "I have been using NuvaRing for about 10 months. In the beginning months, everything was great. I loved how easy the ring was and that I could just forget about it. I never experienced any irritation or dryness. I did use the continuous method to skip my periods. These last two months on the ring, I have been anxious, depressed, extremely quick to anger. I feel it is ruining my relationships with everyone in my life. I took the ring out to have my period and made an appointment with my doctor to get on something new. I really wanted the ring to work for me."

• DoN...
• July 17, 2015

For Birth Control "I've been using this for three months, and I'm finally taking this emotional draining mister out this next cycle. I was so excited to use this at first, but as each month went by, I felt more and more depressed and miserable. My libido went down incredibly low, to the point where the thought of even having sex would just give me headaches. I was never like this, and I've become an emotional beast using this, and it has affected the relationship I'm currently in. I don't recommend this, although it has amazing perks and it's convenient, it's not worth destroying you as a person and possibly your relationship and own overall happiness."

• BCa...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 2, 2014

For Birth Control "Birth control pills make me extremely nauseous, and the shot made me gain a ton of weight and caused bad acne, so the only method I can use consistently is the NuvaRing. It keeps my skin clear, is easy to use, doesn't bother my husband during sex, and it grew my breasts a cup size. Unfortunately, NuvaRing makes me so tired that I gained weight due to inactivity since all I want to do is sleep. I suspect it has caused anxiety and depression (although I can't be sure), and it gives me a terrible headache and nausea the first three days I put a new ring in. It dulls my sex drive a bit, but nothing major. I will probably stick with this method for a while unless something better comes around."

• ATW...
• December 8, 2013

For Birth Control "My experience on NuvaRing was a mixed bag. My first time on it was wonderful - I was CRAZY the first month on, after that, it was smooth sailing. Absolutely no bad side effects. I had to discontinue due to no insurance, but when I went on it again years later, I had a multitude of problems. BAD bloating around the midsection (I am otherwise a slender woman, and the bloat didn't look right on me), thinning hair, dark spotting of the skin on my back and stomach, borderline severe depression and anxiety. I lost all the bloat as well as the depression and anxiety when I came off it. Unfortunately, my acne came back (much to my dismay) when I stopped using it, but for me, the NuvaRing was still not worth the side effects."

• Lau...
• June 1, 2022

For Birth Control "I had a terrible experience with NR. At first, I felt good, amazing skin; after about two weeks, I started feeling very depressed and anxious. I couldn’t leave the house, palpitations, kept waking up in the middle of the night, suicidal thoughts. I had to take a month off from work to recover, and now I feel a different person."

• Emi...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 18, 2021

For Birth Control "I switched back to the other generic NuvaRing (made by Prasco), and I am back to normal. I had to get an override from my insurance company and had to make a bunch of calls, but it's been well worth it. I had one month of misery on the EluRyng (anxiety, itchy arms and legs, headaches, etc.). I am so glad I read everyone's posts and reached out to my doctor. I really thought that all generics were the same, but I was clearly wrong."

• ban...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 23, 2019

For Birth Control "(21 yr old) I've had the NuvaRing in for almost a year now, and I'm taking it out. The first few months I loved it because I had minimal side effects, so I thought my body needed some time to adjust, but it's gotten worse. I'm moodier, have low motivation, ZERO sex drive (I used to have such a high sex drive, now sex is repulsive). Constant debilitating cramps and bloating, headaches, chest pain, depression, and anxiety. I've also gained about 10 lbs recently, despite eating the same. The heavy discharge I can handle with some pantiliners, but sometimes there's a strong, horrible scent. I've always had heavy periods and cramping (lasting 7-8 days), but now it lasts about 14 days. I've never been able to skip my period on this because I bleed when the ring is still in, it just gets heavier on the day I'm supposed to take it out. I liked the ease, but it's taken a toll on my body, mental health, and life. I wish I had taken it out sooner."