Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel and Anxiety: What Users Say (Page 4)

• Nta...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 12, 2016

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "I am getting ready to end my 3rd month on the NuvaRing... I used to be on BeYaz but couldn't stand the mood alteration, and it was making my anxiety levels very high. When I went off of it, my acne (which was nonexistent before) popped up like crazy! My gyno recommended the NuvaRing because, unlike the pill where you get one high dose of hormones, the ring gives you a continuous dose of hormones. Here is a list of my pros/cons for the ring. Pros: no mood alteration at all, no weight gain that I can tell, not pregnant. Cons: discharge, you can feel it, I got a UTI within the first month of using it, your partner can feel it during sex, it's difficult to get wet, and it doesn't help with acne at all."

• Chr...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 26, 2013

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "I had previously used NuvaRing with little side effects, had a child, and decided to use the NuvaRing again... big mistake. I had breakthrough bleeding all 3 weeks, headaches, anxiety, insane mood swings - felt like crying or got super angry at the drop of a hat, not sure if this is attributed to the NuvaRing but I lost about 12 lbs in a month. It also caused UTIs after having sex, something that my body previously got used to and wasn't a problem. Ultimately, it is easy to use, but it made me totally psycho, I felt relief within hours of removing the ring. No one in my family has ever seen me like that, and the mood swings, anxiety, and paranoia were so bad that it affected my 4-year-old."

• Nuv...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 5, 2019

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "I was on the NuvaRing a year and a half and loved it. I then started noticing increased discharge, and the week before I took out the NuvaRing every month, I would have intense vaginal burning. I also started experiencing near panic attacks and not sleeping well. I also was having serious pain with sex and dreading having sex. I thought something was wrong with me until I took out the ring and left it out for a month. My mental health made a complete turnaround. I was happy. No anxiety. Interested in sex again and no more burning. I decided to put the ring in again three days ago. I have had no energy and such bad anxiety I can’t get out of my bed. I have also been so nauseated I thought I was pregnant. I’m insanely bloated and have gained 3 pounds in 3 days despite eating healthy and working out. As soon as I realized what was causing it, I took that ring out. I am not a fan of any birth control but also don’t want to get pregnant yet. Condoms it will be!"

• Klo...
• August 31, 2017

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "I have been on the NuvaRing for exactly a year, and I have stopped it for good. It is definitely very convenient, however, I developed severe mood swings and anxiousness while on this form of birth control. I am a very positive, motivated person with absolutely no history of anxiety or depression. After being on this, I would catch myself crying for absolutely no reason, especially while drinking alcohol! I also lost about 10-15 pounds. I am about to start 'Lolo,' which is advertised as a lower dosage. Pros: lost weight, regulated acne, low maintenance. Cons: increased anxiety and emotions."

• Klo...
• August 31, 2017

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "I have been on the NuvaRing for exactly a year, and I have stopped it for good. It is definitely very convenient, however, I developed severe mood swings and anxiousness while on this form of birth control. I am a very positive, motivated person with absolutely no history of anxiety or depression. After being on this, I would catch myself crying for absolutely no reason, especially while drinking alcohol! I also lost about 10-15 pounds. I am about to start 'Lolo,' which is advertised as a lower dosage. Pros: lost weight, regulated acne, low maintenance. Cons: increased anxiety and emotions."

• Chi...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 6, 2015

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "This birth control sucks. And I mean suckas. If you already have mood swings, anxiety, and/or a history of depression, please search for other options because this thing will intensify what you have like no other. I've never been on BC prior to this, and I did mention to the doctor if it'll make your mood swings worse, and she assured me it wouldn't. Complete opposite. I feel like I already struggled with some depression and mood swings, but being on this just takes it to a whole other level. The suicidal thoughts come when I'm most anxious, it just flat-out sucks, man. And the worst part is that I never asked to be on this bull, I only need it so I can have a normal period, and this is what I get? Life is hard enough as is. Just stay away from it."

• Hd2...
• August 28, 2013

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "I have taken NuvaRing for one full month. I got one migraine headache and was very bloated for the first couple of weeks. It increased my anxiety quite a bit, especially when I was tired. PMS got much better. However, my sex drive has declined. I had a very normal period on it."

• Ano...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 7, 2020

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "I was using the NuvaRing for several months, and I was very pleased with it, I never had any side effects. One day, my insurance switched me for the generic EluRyng. It causes me vaginal itch during the first couple of days after insertion. I’ve been having morning headaches. My stomach feels bloated. I had mild depression and anxiety in the past, which was under control, but this medication set it off. For the last two cycles, one or two days after I removed the ring, I experienced a terrible headache that will not go away for a day. I’ve never had headaches like those before. At the same time, I’m experiencing weakness, palpitations, cold sweat, and lightheadedness the week the ring is out. I called the insurance, and the doctor needs to request approval to put me back on the NuvaRing. They said it shouldn’t be a problem. Looking forward to getting back on the brand."

• Mis...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 18, 2018

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "I went to my gyno because I was experiencing anxiety due to hormones. He put me on this to 'regulate' hormones. It sent me into one of the worst depressions I've ever experienced. Anxiety, horrible dark sadness, nausea, vomiting, smells made me gag, extreme insomnia (didn't sleep a wink for 4 nights straight), and rage. I went to the doctor to get some sleeping pills because I literally could not sleep, and she recommended I take out the ring. Literally 24 hours later, my brain turned back on. It's been 5 days, and I feel a lot better but not completely. This stuff was hell on earth. Please take with extreme caution!"

• Fan...
• January 5, 2014

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "I tried NuvaRing in Oct 2012 and stopped it in July 2013 because of mood swings and bloating. I decided to try a pill and got severe anxiety attacks. Went back on the NuvaRing in Sept 2013 and all was fine for the first 2 months, but month 3 I got my mood swings back and I am so irritable that any tiny thing annoys me. Sadly, I stopped it because I can't take the anger from it, and I know it is the NuvaRing because I've only been angry while on it. It's too bad because it actually helped my anxiety, and it was so convenient. Going to try a chewable pill next."

• Bub...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 1, 2021

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "The first couple of months weren’t bad at all. However, a few months in, I started getting extreme moodiness and couldn’t control my emotions at all. Slowly it started getting worse to where I felt like a zombie some days. Like I just didn’t feel like myself at all. My temper was getting way worse. Then to top it off, I started getting extreme pain during sex, which I’ve never had! Like extreme sharp pain during intercourse. I became violently angry and felt bipolar. One minute happy and everything is okay, next minute in the blink of an eye I’m moody and it’s the end of the world. Definitely been feeling paranoid too. Then, of course, breast tenderness, occasional nausea, and more frequent chest pain. My anxiety is through the roof, and sometimes it’s almost like you feel something is wrong with you, like you get a sense that you feel like you’re dying."

• Dan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 9, 2016

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "Do NOT use! Especially if you know that you are more sensitive to hormonal changes. I took this and literally an hour after I put it in, I had a major rush of heat and felt like I had been hit with depression, anxiety, and had a panic attack as a result. Everything felt unreal. I've had anxiety and panic attacks before, and I've never felt like that before. I was crying and paranoid. What an awful experience. I would never recommend it to anyone. Going to possibly try something like the copper IUD that uses no hormones... crossed fingers it works."

• Sky...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 20, 2018

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "I’ve been on NuvaRing for 6 months now and am deciding to take it out TODAY. I’ve been noticing the DAY I’m supposed to take it out for a week to have my regular period, I literally feel like jumping off a cliff. I’m so depressed. I am a singer/performer and love being on the stage and around people. Lately, all I want to do is be home in a cave and not see anyone. Even if I’m out hanging with a friend, I immediately have anxiety, want to go home, and don’t enjoy the things I usually do. I’ve been so nauseous for months but never tied it to birth control. I have bouts of crying episodes for no apparent reason. I even have waves of paranoia and rage...especially when it comes to moments with my boyfriend. My sex drive is pretty much the same, but besides that, I feel like a different person. I can’t live like this anymore. This is not the person I used to be. Hoping I feel better in a few days."

• hal...
• December 15, 2013

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel 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."

• Mai...
• November 15, 2022

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "I would not recommend this to anyone. Like many other reviewers, I was on the NuvaRing and had no issue. Honestly, it was the ideal birth control. My insurance no longer can cover NuvaRing, and I was given this generic brand. I am never one to look down on generic brands (food, cleaning products, etc.), so I didn’t mind. However, 1.5 years later, I wish I would’ve taken the change seriously. I have gained so much weight. I don’t even look the same, I went from a size 4/6 to a size 10/12. On top of that, during my time with the birth control, I was so anxious to the point of nausea. Before any social event, I needed to drink so much to calm down. I was just an anxious mess! I decided to get off this terrible birth control at the end of July (about 4 months ago). I feel mentally better and I can actually go places without being drunk! I am working out and finally seeing results! I went from 215 to 193 - I have a lot more to go, but this is progress! I wouldn’t recommend this birth control."

• Am4...
• January 11, 2013

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel 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."

• 25 ...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 19, 2021

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "I began this early February after a year without the NuvaRing. I used NuvaRing for 5 years before and loved it with my whole heart, used the pill before, and the ring made it so much easier for me with no issues or side effects. The EluRyng has broken me out pretty horribly and decreased my sex drive massively, but worse than that, it’s made my anxiety 10 times worse to the point where I stopped my newer dosage of antidepressants for a week (that had been working very well!) to see if that was the cause, and it was not. This has sent me into a deep depression period. Really wish I’d have read more on this first but thought I would be getting the NuvaRing. It took about 2 months for me to determine this was definitely the EluRyng and I took it out. If you have any issues with mental health, I would not even take a chance on this, and I hope I can get back on the NuvaRing."

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

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel 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

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel 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!"

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

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel 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

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel 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!"

• Jen...
• May 27, 2013

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "I really like NuvaRing. It's my first experience with birth control, and I've found it pleasant. For the first month, I got a pimple or two (which was likely unrelated). I also would suffer from a sense of anxiety before I fell asleep. However, my skin became PERFECT, and anxiety went away after a month. The NuvaRing makes me a lot oilier than usual, but I actually prefer it; I usually have very dry skin/hair, and now it's more normal. Further, I've been able to lose like TEN POUNDS! I deducted two points out of ten: one for the ring sometimes slipping and causing irritation, and another for the overall awkward experience of your partner finding a plastic ring inside."

• Em9...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 5, 2020

For Birth Control "I am so glad I found these reviews because I honestly thought I was crazy. Like many others, I used the NuvaRing for 5 years with no problems. I love it! I have the most predictable periods (always get it on the third day) and never had a scare with it. My pharmacist randomly gave me the generic brand, and I was worried when I found out it had just been released. I naturally have GAD, but this ring made my anxiety/mood swings unbearable. I got headaches, too. To top it off, I did not get a period this month, which has never happened to me. I took a test and was not pregnant, and now that I’m reading reviews, I know it was the ring. I had never been so stressed/scared as I was this week. I immediately went back to my pharmacist and luckily, they were able to trade my generic brand back for the NuvaRing. Please don’t use this and try to get the name brand if you can. The side effects are horrible!"

• Tay...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 25, 2018

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "I started Depo in March of 2016, decided to try out NuvaRing because of the ease, and I felt like I would be in control of my body. I started NuvaRing in November of 2017, and nothing extremely noticeable went wrong. The months passed, and I started to notice my hair was thinning, but I didn’t think much of it. February of 2018 is when everything went TERRIBLE. Insomnia, anxiety, depression. I was a MAD WOMAN, I just couldn’t pinpoint my change in emotions to NuvaRing. One morning in June, I woke up and could literally not stop crying for no reason, something instantly snapped, and I snatched the NuvaRing out that day. Suddenly, my mood changed for the better. Here I am in August, and my mood swings are awful the week of my period. It feels like I’m on NuvaRing all over again. Hopefully, my hormones balance out, and I’m not stuck feeling like this the rest of my life."

• Cin...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 26, 2020

For Birth Control "I am unbelievably thankful for finding this forum. Since I’ve been on the generic NuvaRing, I’ve had terrible PMS symptoms (at 39, I hadn’t had these in 20 years)! My cycle is unpredictable: heavy one month, gone the next. I’ve had terrible anxiety and depression, intestinal problems, and random skin rashes. I was on NuvaRing for years and loved it. I will be requesting a new birth control method after being validated about my suspicions about the generic version."