Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel and Bleeding: What Users Say (Page 5)

• Ell...
• July 19, 2011

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "Switching from Yaz to NuvaRing was a BIG MISTAKE. I had been on Yaz for 3 and a half years and switched to NuvaRing because I kept forgetting to take my pill. Granted, my experience with Yaz was not the best (breakthrough bleeding a lot), but upon using NuvaRing, my face broke out, I gained weight, and I had constant cramps. Also, it seemed to never stay far enough up my vagina and felt very uncomfortable during sex. I thought it was going to be great, but it was not. Switched back to Bayer and am now on BeYaz and love it!"

• Nuv...
• December 22, 2022

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "I’ve been on and off (mostly on) NuvaRing since I was 22. I’m now 40. The only times I didn’t take it were when I got pregnant (intentionally), while breastfeeding, and for a few months when insurance didn’t cover it. I’ve had suspected endometriosis with heavy bleeding, severe cramps, and nausea. NR has been so helpful. On my doctor’s advice, I started using it continuously with only an occasional withdrawal period every few months. I did this for years without issue. It’s hard to say whether this made an impact on my skin since I’ve taken it for so long, but my skin is usually very clear. I also can’t really say if this has contributed to weight gain due to a disordered eating history. No major shifts in mood. It’s been super easy to use during sex. I think I’ve had 1 ring break and 1 ring fall out once in the 18 years since I’ve started taking it. The only downside? I’m having to discontinue it because I’ve recently developed high blood pressure."

• Anonymous
• December 22, 2022

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "I was on EluRyng for 7 months, and I bled 14 to 20 days out of the month. It was absolutely miserable, as I constantly had to use a tampon or pad since it was enough blood to leak through pants but not like a full-blown period. It was usually accompanied by intense itching before the bleeding would start and cramping (usually not too intense but annoying). I was exhausted all the time for basically bleeding 2/3 of the month for 7 months, and found myself having frequent mood swings, including depression and anxiety the first few weeks. I will say that it was convenient to use, as it just remains in the vagina, and my skin and weight didn’t change. I didn’t get pregnant or have any scares, but take that with a grain of salt, as it’s hard to get pregnant when you’re bleeding nonstop. Not the birth control for me."

• xxR...
• November 20, 2017

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "I wish I could say I had a good experience with the NuvaRing, but I didn't. I was one of the unlucky ones who suffered through very severe symptoms the entire time. I had severe cramping/abdominal pain for the entirety of the time I was using the ring. They were so bad that I took time off from work because I could not stand up. I bled almost constantly the entire time, and it was very heavy spotting, heavier than I had ever had from a period before using the ring. I bled heavily during and after intercourse. After the cramps became unbearable and I could not stand bleeding as heavily as I was, I decided to come off NuvaRing. It took my body seven months to stop bleeding heavily. I had heavy periods for two weeks at a time as my body readjusted. And even now, my periods last longer than they did before using the ring. I also have spotting in between periods, and I never had spotting before using the ring. I'm starting a new birth control, and I'm hoping my body goes back to normal soon."

• ani...
• February 2, 2011

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "I started using NuvaRing 3 months ago. I've experienced breakthrough bleeding, mood swings and depression, decreased libido, and dryness. It is very convenient not having to remember taking a pill every day, but my sex drive went from very, very high (before the ring) to nothing. I hadn't noticed it until my boyfriend told me he felt like I didn't want him anymore. I'm going to try it for another month to see if things get better, if not, I'm taking it out. I absolutely cannot live without my sex drive. To me, the cons outweigh the pros."

• Sai...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 14, 2022

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "I'm currently on my third cycle of NuvaRing. Initially, I started the ring to get rid of my heavy and painful periods. The first couple of months were incredible, zero periods in August and through most of September, zero side effects. On September 25th, I started spotting; no big deal, I expected spotting, but I wasn't prepared for constant spotting/bleeding until today's date. The cramps are so intense, it makes me nauseous. I'm going through so many panty liners and tampons, it's ridiculous. Despite all this, I'm sticking with it because professionals say the side effects will only last for a few cycles, and I love the convenience... but buyers beware, you might be in for a ride!"

• Anonymous
• October 29, 2011

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "I've been on the NuvaRing for 2 years now, and I love it! I was previously on Lo-Ovral, but after my gastric bypass, my body wouldn't absorb the pill correctly, giving me acne, mood swings, and breakthrough bleeding. My gynecologist suggested the NuvaRing, and I've loved it since then. I have no mood swings, no weight gain. I do get bloating when I'm on my period. I'm a chronic migraine sufferer, but it only pops up in the beginning of my period. I tried to switch back to oral contraceptives last summer because NuvaRing is expensive, even with insurance, but my body didn't tolerate it well. Overall, it's a great product. I don't have issues with the ring slipping out. My only issue is the cost."

• Anonymous
• December 5, 2011

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "I have been on the NuvaRing for a month now. The only issue I have with it is that I have had light bleeding in between, but no pain. I can't feel it, and when I had sex with my boyfriend, he said he liked the feeling of it. I don't really care for taking it out and putting it back in, but it is so much better than remembering to take a pill every day. I have had a few mood swings, but most women have them."

• ble...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 15, 2016

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "I've been on NuvaRing for about 5 months, and it was pretty good until I got a different partner. Initially, I experienced some bleeding in the very beginning during hard sex, but now with a 'bigger guy,' I've bled quite a bit, and he says that he can totally feel it (and it doesn't feel the best). We tried having sex without it, and I didn't bleed, but still having to take something out before every time you have sex and being on a 3-hour time constraint per 24 hours is not that fun. It does have its pluses, though, like you don't have to take the pill every day. However, also explaining to a guy that he might feel something up there during foreplay is also not the funnest..."

• Toa...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 27, 2015

For Birth Control "I have debilitating chronic migraine, have suffered for many years. Many triggers, but worst was change in hormones with menstrual cycle. My gynecologist recommended NuvaRing, and it has been amazing. I use it constantly - no off week. Three weeks in, then swap in another ring straight away. It did take four to five months for my body to adjust to it, had lots of breakthrough bleeding. To solve that, the doctor had me use a very low dose patch to just up my hormone levels a tiny bit more. Two months of those, problem solved. No bleeding at all and no menstrual migraine! Before, they were always my most intense and could last for a week or more. What a relief to not suffer monthly. No side effects for me."

• Anonymous
• September 13, 2011

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "This is the first method of birth control I ever used, and it worked fantastically. I love not having to worry about a pill every day. During the first week of use, I cried a lot, and I felt like it was for no reason. However, this was also the first week after I moved out of the house that I grew up in, so I am willing to blame the move for the weepiness. The only other thing that I could even dream of complaining about is that it caused a slight amount of discharge. It's not enough to cause any problems though, or really even any inconvenience. I never had any breakthrough bleeding, weight gain, moodiness beyond that first week, no real issues. I suggest this to anyone who can't keep up with the pill, or even if they can!"

• Bri...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 20, 2020

For Birth Control "(Note: I already have a mild problem with depression, which I deal with through mental wellness, nutrition, and exercise.) I used the NuvaRing as a last resort because the pills caused mood swings, insomnia, and depression (plus they were hard to remember). Then I tried the depo shot, which included side effects like depression, anger, irritability, and extreme bleeding. The NuvaRing, I hoped, would solve my problems, but after a week, I feel the familiar 'empty' feeling coming back. No sex drive AT ALL (the thought of sex causes me to be angry, which is unlike me), intense anger, and hopelessness. I guess the IUD is the only option left (without hormones), but I am going to go with condoms and pulling out. I can't afford to be depressed because I already work with chemotherapy patients. I am sure it is a good medication for some (it was easy to put in, didn't fall out, caused very minor itching), but I can't take the mental stuff."

• Anonymous
• June 23, 2011

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "I was on NuvaRing and I loved it until a year and a half in when I started bleeding during sex. That's how I knew I had to get off it. When I was on the pill, that happened too, and as soon as I switched to something else, I was fine. I'm not sure if that's just because my body gets used to birth controls after about a year and a half and starts acting up on them."

• Anonymous
• June 17, 2011

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "I've been on it for more than 3 months. It's been really great; and is great for 'first time' birth control because it's easy to use and a very low dose - less than 1/3 of a normal pill dosage. While on NuvaRing, I've experienced: effectiveness, no pregnancies - even when used with any type of lubricant. Able to use continuously to skip periods (which I love). Larger breasts (went from a C to a full D). Light breakthrough bleeding, typically for one day when I change the NuvaRing. Cramping, which can be very painful. Personally, I think it's linked to constipation, which can last a few days. Taking a cheap OTC laxative helps relieve both constipation and cramps. Small weight gain, mainly in breasts and hips. My waist is the same size."

• Anonymous
• September 7, 2016

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "I am an emotional wreck. I cry about everything! My sex drive is down. My acne is worse. My cysts are inflamed, but I have stopped bleeding. The many different BC pills didn't help with that. I have bled 3-ish weeks out of the month for the past few years, and NuvaRing is our (mine and my gyno's) last effort before taking out my uterus (I'm 26). I'm really hoping that some of these side effects calm down the more my body gets used to this medicine because right now it is trading one bad situation for another."

• don...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 1, 2021

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "I used NuvaRing 14 years ago, and it gave me endometriosis, which still hasn't healed so far. My friend got several months of bleeding from NuvaRing. I've now read that all artificial hormones are dangerous for the body, as they are very powerful signaling chemicals that mess around with how your cells operate. Artificial hormones can cause cancer, among other things. I'm now staying away from all hormonal contraception."

• jaz...
• January 10, 2020

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "I've been on this birth control for several years and had no problem until this year. My body went crazy. I was bleeding randomly, and sometimes I would bleed for 3 weeks straight. So I took a break from the NuvaRing for 3 months and saw a gynecologist. She did a yearly exam on me, and I expressed to her what was going on. She checked everything and said I was completely healthy, that I probably needed a break from the NuvaRing. After she said that, I went back on it, and now my depression is 10 times worse, and I’m super emotional. My friends and family can tell the difference. At this point, I’m done with birth control. I wish there was a birth control that didn’t have so many hormones, but the only one is the IUD, and you can’t have that unless you’ve had kids."

• Mom...
• May 4, 2021

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "Extremely bloated, mood swings, breakthrough bleeding. I was on NuvaRing for 10 years, no issues, the generic is awful. Need to be taken off the market."

• AAa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 22, 2018

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "Bleeding a lot in month 2 and experienced painful sex 50% of the time.:("