Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel and Anxiety: What Users Say (Page 3)

• Anx...
• July 15, 2013

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "I tried the NuvaRing as a sample. Within two weeks, I had very bad mood swings. I was anxious and paranoid all the time. I got very nauseous and had bad headaches. It put me out of commission for a whole day because I felt so sick. I took it out that day, and within hours, I felt like I was back to myself. Of course, there were still hormones in my system, but the nausea and the severe headaches went away almost instantly. As far as the convenience, it was awesome to not have to remember to take a pill. I didn't feel it at all. If I didn't mind feeling like a lunatic all day, I would have definitely kept using it."

• TGr...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 21, 2017

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "I started to notice a pattern that the day I would insert it, for the next 24 hours following insertion, I was incredibly nauseous, but I dealt with it. The reason I ultimately got off of it was because after 7 months of severe anxiety, mood swings, and angry outbursts with no explanation, I figured out that it could potentially be my NuvaRing. I'm a 23-year-old, active student/teacher. I lost all motivation to get through the day or go to the gym. I constantly picked fights with loved ones, and I was so hard on myself and my personal appearance. I turned into someone I wasn't. I was going to therapy 2 times a week for 4 months, trying to figure out what triggered my anxiety. I got off of NR once I put 2 and 2 together. Finally back to my normal self."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 26, 2022

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "Worst birth control EVER!! I was on the NuvaRing for years and have had no problems, I loved it! This thing is crap. I’m constantly spotting. My periods were super regular and always lasted 4 days. Now I will be on my period for weeks, then I spot randomly when I’m not. It’s sometimes painful to have sex. I have legit had such bad anxiety and depression! One night I broke down and told my husband I was suicidal!! Horrible headaches, feeling nauseous and tired all the time. I have thought multiple times I’m prego because of the side effects I was having. HORRIBLE birth control, I would rather use condoms than deal with this rubbish. Do NOT use this. It honestly should be recalled."

• tuf...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 12, 2021

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "I thought it was not noticeable when inserted. I just left it in during sex, but if you want, you can take it out and put it back in after. I went off it recently, and I'm so glad I did. Each month, before my period, I would get really bad migraines and cramps. Also, I consistently had anxiety and no confidence. I would always have a few very depressing days before my period, which made me want to do bad things. I'm thankful I did not act on those thoughts. I thought it would be a more local form of birth control, but it certainly had an effect on my whole body. I also gained weight, about 10 lbs when I started it, though they claim it doesn't cause weight gain...."

• E71...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 10, 2013

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "NuvaRing is very convenient to use, but after 3 years, I am finally getting off of it. I get major mood swings, anxiety, depression, leg cramps, and not interested in sex. At first, I did not think it was the NuvaRing causing this, but after reading reviews, I can relate to a lot of women! It was very convenient, but I will be changing to another method."

• Ret...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• April 25, 2018

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "I used NuvaRing during the entirety of my 20s and loved it. It is an extremely effective birth control method, and I didn’t experience any negative side effects. However, I just began using it again last week after a 3-year period of abstinence, and I am experiencing really severe anxiety and a sour stomach. It was wonderful before, so I’m just going to wait a month or two to see if I adjust to it, but I really wasn’t expecting this at all based on my prior experience."

• Sea...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 26, 2015

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "The 6th day I took it out. Usually, I am calm and pleasant to be around. This stuff made me hateful, I was violent and intolerable. Depression and anxiety were a big issue. The day after I removed it, with it still in my system, the depression got worse, and I was having suicidal thoughts. I am NOT that kind of person, but this hell ring turned me into an emotional nut job. I do not recommend it at all."

• Cat...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 5, 2016

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "Yesterday, I stopped using NuvaRing for the 2nd time. The first time I quit, I wasn't sure if it was the ring causing my depression or just the things going on in my life at the time. A year later, I went back on it because I became more sexually active, and I loved not having periods and the clear skin it gave me. The first 2 months, it gave me horribly sore boobs, I also noticed I was a little moody but thought it would go away once I regulated after 3 months. 7 months in, and I'm a full-blown basket case with life-ruining depression and anxiety. I'm mad I was in denial that NuvaRing was causing it for so long. Do your relationship/mental health a favor, do not use NuvaRing. I feel so bad for my boyfriend for putting up with me for so long."

• Sam...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 28, 2016

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "I started using the NuvaRing in January 2016. At first, I thought of it as a worry-free BC where I don't have to worry about taking a pill at a specific time each day. However, as the months of me using it piled up, so did my mood changes, killer cramps from hell, and increased anxiety. I'm depressed all the time, anxious all the time, and I get mad at my boyfriend for no reason at all. He's asked me to see a counselor. That's how bad it's been. I also have a decrease in sex drive, vaginal dryness, and discomfort when having intercourse. I spoke to my gyno about my situation, and she suggested leaving the ring in for 4 weeks rather than 3. After reading all these reviews, I decided to take out my ring today, and I'm going back to my gyno tomorrow."

• Sam...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 28, 2016

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "I started using the NuvaRing in January 2016. At first, I thought of it as a worry-free BC where I don't have to worry about taking a pill at a specific time each day. However, as the months of me using it piled up, so did my mood changes, killer cramps from hell, and increased anxiety. I'm depressed all the time, anxious all the time, and I get mad at my boyfriend for no reason at all. He's asked me to see a counselor. That's how bad it's been. I also have a decrease in sex drive, vaginal dryness, and discomfort when having intercourse. I spoke to my gyno about my situation, and she suggested leaving the ring in for 4 weeks rather than 3. After reading all these reviews, I decided to take out my ring today, and I'm going back to my gyno tomorrow."

• Bri...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 27, 2019

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "I started NuvaRing about 5-6 months ago. It started out great because I LOVED not having to remember it every single day. I didn't notice the subtle changes, which makes me disappointed. Side note: my medicine is delivered and NuvaRing had to be refrigerated. The postal carrier kept refusing to deliver it if no one was home and would never try to redeliver. The last time my postal carrier refused to deliver, I came off of it completely - and I'm SO glad I did. I thought that I'd been moody due to recent life changes and all. I had no sex drive, I was angry all the time, I was constantly depressed, and my anxiety was through the roof. After the initial 'ring-free week', everything started getting clearer and clearer every day. It was INSANE. The part that sucked was not being told by anyone that I was becoming more irritable every month. Definitely not birth control for me..."

• Jig...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 29, 2020

For Birth Control "I have been using NuvaRing for 16 years, and my pharmacy just switched me over to the generic recently. I didn't think anything of it because I'm a pharmacist, and most generics are OK, but I did question something that would be inserted in me being generic. I started getting headaches, being depressed, high anxiety, and what made me question taking it was my dizziness/nausea. After reading these reviews, I am sure it is the generic that caused all of these problems."

• Dan...
• January 18, 2020

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "I will say, the only good thing about the NuvaRing is that it has effectively prevented pregnancy. My fiancé and I don’t have a hard time getting pregnant, so I tried the IUD and my body rejected it. My OBGYN recommended the NuvaRing. I’ve been using it for 10 months and I am done. My depression has gotten worse, I had to start antidepressants. My anxiety is through the roof. I always have headaches, and I’m so angry all of the time. It’s either I’m mad or crying. I don’t like this feeling. I do not like the NuvaRing. I’m also sensitive to medications, and it could be the hormones, but still. Not a great experience."

• ano...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 2, 2022

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "The first couple of months, I noticed the changes I was feeling, such as being very anxious or upset, but I didn't think anything of it and basically got used to the feeling. This was in 2018. Now, 2022, after having a serious talk with him, I have decided to stop the NuvaRing. For about 3-4 months now, I have noticed a dramatic change in who I am and how I view things. I was sleeping about 80% of my day, I always felt super sick with terrible migraines, constantly so depressed, or crying, or so ticked off over the slightest things. I noticed I wasn't loving myself the way one should. My breasts were always hurting and no sexual desire. A week off, and I feel so much relief and so much happier, positive! I will say NuvaRing did cut my periods down to 3 days and did help with cramps, but my overall well-being is more important than anything."

• Pro...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 16, 2013

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "I love the NuvaRing. I started on it after my son was born 6 years ago. It's easy to use, gentle to put in and remove, doesn't move at all while in there, and I never ever feel it during sex. After I started using it for about 3 years straight, I came off for 2 years as my fiancé was out of the country. I just started back in June 2013, and love it even more now. It doesn't decrease my sex drive, and although I am newly married, I have to admit my sexual desire has increased. With every birth control, there are bouts of sadness and anxiousness, but you distract yourself by watching great movies and eating popcorn, not tons of goodies which probably increases weight gain. I have never attributed weight gain to the NuvaRing, but my own diet."

• Anonymous
• June 29, 2015

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "Let's see... I've tried over 6 birth controls in the past 8 years (including the shot), and NuvaRing has by FAR been my favorite, which I've now been on for 11 months. My boyfriend and I only find it a problem with intercourse due to us both feeling the ring. So I just take it out and place it back within the hour. Very few cramps when my period arrives, which is exactly Wednesday to Friday every 4th week (double awesome), plus my skin feels so soft, and all of a sudden my hair grows wicked fast? So strange, but never in my life would it before. Downside? Anxiety, but just raised at work. Sometimes gross white discharge like the day after or of that I remove the ring and a little before my period. Other than that, fabulous contraceptive."

• Con...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 2, 2020

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "Horrible for my daughter. Went to the ER with shortness of breath, primary care was worried about blood clotting, had a massive increase in anxiety and stress. Most miserable experience for all involved."

• Con...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 2, 2020

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "Horrible for my daughter. Went to the ER with shortness of breath, primary care was worried about blood clotting, had a massive increase in anxiety and stress. Most miserable experience for all involved."

• Anonymous
• May 7, 2016

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "I have been on NuvaRing for a year now, and it is the most effective and worry-free method of birth control I have ever used. I did gain some weight on it, but I'm a stressed-out college student. While I think the ring is great, it has had some adverse side effects for me personally. I have terrible back pain with my periods, even though they are short, lasting 3-4 days. I have such a decreased sex drive, and it is so affected and sometimes puts a strain on my relationship (I have been with him for 3 years, so he's been through the birth control changes and has noticed himself). And the ring has probably made my anxiety worse. I did not have anxiety problems until using the ring, they are mild episodes, but still annoying to have. Haven't gotten pregnant, so it's good for that."

• Han...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 30, 2019

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "I lasted a total of four days with my NuvaRing. Day 1: felt fine! I was a bit worried about the side effects, but overall I easily inserted it and even used my menstrual cup at the same time-no issues falling out or interference with my cup like I had expected. Couldn’t feel it once inside and went about my life. Day 2: felt mostly fine, nothing crazy to report-a little extra emotional, but that’s to be expected when adjusting to a new birth control. Day 3: crying, irrationally angry, anxious about everything. I started crying in the morning on the third day and didn’t really stop crying till I fell asleep that night. Day 4: I woke up and had about 30 minutes before I got so angry, I was worried for my safety and those around me because of how mad I was. I removed it so at least I know I won’t hurt myself or anyone else because of some piece of plastic inside me."

• Bba...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 2, 2019

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "I used to love NuvaRing because I have irregular periods, and normal strength estrogen pills did not help to regulate them like the NuvaRing. Been on it for about two years now. I’m only deciding to stop it now because I’ve noticed my moods have been super crazy, and I’m normally not a very emotional person. My anxiety levels are up, and even though my life is pretty great right now, I still feel depressed. Possibly because this birth control lowers your sex drive like no other! I used to have such a high libido, and now it’s like it disappeared. I’m only 20! I’ve been with my SO for 3 years now and can definitely tell the difference from when we first started dating till now. I even did an experiment just taking it out for a week and then putting it back in for a few weeks and now taking it out again. My moods have calmed down, and my sex drive is back! Never getting this medication again unless I’m single, haha. A real relationship roller coaster with this."

• 5an...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 8, 2019

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "The NuvaRing gave me NuvaRage! Can’t even begin to write how terrible of an experience it was to have the ring in. It made me anxious and so depressed. I cried every day for no reason and felt the lowest I have been in my entire life. The doctor told me I was crazy because there is no way that low of a dosage could have done that, but the minute I took the ring out, I was back to my normal self."

• Emi...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 4, 2021

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "This is my third week on EluRyng, and it’s horrible. I have used the brand name NuvaRing and a different generic and have never had side effects like these. On this generic, I have experienced near-constant anxiety, itchiness on my arms and legs, nausea, and bowel problems. I didn’t connect the itchiness to the ring until I read other posts. I feel like I am going to have a panic attack at least once a day and have cried at minor things (like not wanting to cook chicken for dinner one night). It’s also fallen out a few times, which rarely ever happened with the other two. I have been using a lot of deep breathing and grounding exercises to combat the anxious feelings. No one should have to tolerate these side effects. I have three more days left on this ring and then will never be using it again."

• Jus...
• September 19, 2019

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "I have been on the NuvaRing for three weeks today. I have a history of seizures, depression, and anxiety. I haven’t had a seizure in almost 12 years. My depression and anxiety were under control when I started. The last three weeks have been some of the lowest in my life. I ended up having a seizure a week ago, and my anxiety and depression are back in full force. I literally cry over everything and anything, have had the worst mood swings and emotional outbursts, and just feel overall awful about myself. I have experienced such heavy bleeding for the last three days with horrible blood clots (worse than I normally have each month). I have also had a feeling that I can only describe as “brain fog” since starting the ring. Today was my scheduled day to take the ring out, and I did, and I am not putting a new one in. I honestly feel so much better mentally, and this thing has only been out for an hour. My experience has been awful."

• Emi...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 4, 2019

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "I was on the NuvaRing for about two years, and I absolutely loved it the whole time I was on it! I found it extremely convenient, and it was super easy to skip periods/plan my periods around any vacations. I did experience more discharge than usual, however, no weight gain. The only downside, which is the reason I actually got off of it, was that I realized the NuvaRing was the source of my anxiety. I had really bad anxiety and was super emotional while I was on it, but I honestly just didn’t connect the two until recently. I got off of it, and within the month, I felt my anxiety go away and felt more in control of my emotions. I’m trying out pills now, but I am sad due to how convenient the ring was. If it wasn’t for the anxiety, I would still be using it! I know not everyone experiences this, though, so I would recommend still trying it out! Maybe it’ll work better for you!"