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

• Ean...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 27, 2019

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "Lord... where do I start. I’ll preface by saying this is my 2nd month of being on the NuvaRing. The anxiety; the insomnia; the stomach bloating and added love handles. The damn constipation and gas—OMG!!!! Emotions through the roof; paranoia and the cramping and leg pain. WHAT IN THE WORLD????"

• mkr...
• August 6, 2020

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "I have been on the generic form of NuvaRing now for 8 months, and I have hated every month of it. The week before my period, I am a RAGING hormonal mess (and it’s not due to the current pandemic). I felt this way when I tried out Yaz many years ago. I would become very easily upset/angry with friends and family. I was switched to the NuvaRing after ruptured ovarian cysts along with the behavioral changes, and I’ve had NO issues in 16 years. Then, lo and behold, on this generic NuvaRing, I developed ruptured ovarian cysts in the last 8 months; I have had very bad PMS, breast tenderness, and cramping. I went to my ob/gyn, and we are going to do whatever it takes to get NuvaRing via insurance. I cannot take this generic for another month."

• Bri...
• April 24, 2015

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "I've been using NuvaRing for about 3 months now, and I thought that the extremely bad anxiety was caused by other problems and that it'd go away, but it hasn't and has only gotten worse. My face has been breaking out more than when I was in high school. My sex drive has decreased tremendously! I've never had depression until I started NuvaRing, and it's probably become the worst part of all of this. I started getting leg cramps, which usually never happen and are supposed to be a sign of blood clots, as stated in the side effects. I WOULD NOT recommend this to anyone. I could go on and on about other side effects from this, but I wanted to point out the ones that have affected me the most."

• JLa...
• June 20, 2019

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "After my first month's removal, almost immediately my mood coming down from this was very angry. I take birth control to help with cramps and a heavy cycle. The cramps were there with the ring. The second month, which is currently my situation, is I'm 11 days in, and I haven't gotten out of bed in 2 days. I'm a happy person, not angry, never depressed. These past 2 days, I'm angry, sad, and depressed. I removed it today for fearing it getting worse. I do not recommend this to any woman."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 7, 2020

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel "I was on NuvaRing for years to regulate hormones and skip periods due to iron deficiency anemia. I’ve received iron infusions for years, but was able to regulate blood loss and space out my infusions for longer periods of time than normal while on NuvaRing. A few months ago, I was switched to EluRyng because insurance would no longer cover the brand unless deemed medically necessary. Since the switch to generic, I’ve had constant bleeding and spotting, cramps that feel like contractions, I’ve passed blood clots the size of an orange mid-cycle, had severe mood swings, heart palpitations to the point I had a heart monitor for a week, which showed PVCs, over 100 per day, fatigue to the point of tears, and constant hopelessness. I fight with my husband for no reason, and I’m so on edge my children don’t want to be around me. I don’t blame them. I don’t want to be around me either. This is the worst thing I have ever been on. Don’t do it!!"

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

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel 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!!"

• Ay2...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 14, 2020

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "Been on the NuvaRing for years with no issue. Was forced to switch because of insurance, and it has been awful ever since. I’ve experienced migraines that literally put me in bed, along with cramps that will make me pause in the middle of a step. My cycle was three to four days, with the generic, I bled for two weeks straight. I’m switching birth control because I cannot deal with the negative side effects. This drug needs to be taken off the shelves."

• bcJ...
• May 2, 2019

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "I was on NuvaRing for 3 months, and I loved what it did for my mental clarity, but physical side effects were terrible. Exhaustion... needing multiple cups of coffee a day. Last straw, my boyfriend had to stop having sex with me because I was so dry! The pain during sex... nope, not ok. I have been on Nexplanon (dryness), Chateal for 2 years (amazing sex drive but I was crazy, cramps and so fatigued I could faint during the day), Aubra for 1.5 years and had constant yeast infections. Then Junel, which made me absolutely crazy. Finding what to pair with Ethylin Estradiol has been so hard, but I did! My last attempt has been on Cryselle with norgestrel as the progestational, and I feel great, have energy, and good sex drive. Also, with NuvaRing, I constantly felt like I was going to have a heart attack (twitchy legs, spasms, heart flutter). All this has stopped with the pill Cryselle. Don’t give up on your journey! Find what works."

• 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!"

• Sha...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 2, 2020

For Birth Control "I had been on the vaginal NuvaRing for the past 6 years and absolutely loved it! It was the only form of birth control that did not cause depression or other horrible side effects. Unknowingly, my insurance switched me onto the generic version of the NuvaRing in November, and I have had a horrible experience. I don't get my period when the ring is out of my body, and when the ring is inserted, I experience extremely painful abdominal pain and cramps that I never had before. It took me a few months to realize that the change from name brand to generic was what caused this. I decided to take it out and am no longer on birth control."

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

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel 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."

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

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel 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."

• Ann...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 24, 2020

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "I was not informed by my insurance about the switch from brand NuvaRing to generic EluRyng. The switch happened in July 2020, and I didn’t think anything of it at first. It’s now the end of November, and I am never touching this trash again. EluRyng NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. In July, leading into August, I began to have rolling vertigo migraines. I didn’t think anything of it at first as I’ve been prone to migraines in the past, and as a teacher, I’m in front of a screen all day, so I wrote it off as a new work from home (WFH) issue. I should have listened to my body. In the months to follow, I began to have painful periods, mood swings, and breast tenderness. End of October and leading into November, I had the heaviest period of my life that is just now coming to an end. I began to think about the factors affecting this change, and everything pointed to one factor: EluRyng. This “medication” is absolute worst. I’m working with my insurance and doctor to get put back on the brand name."

• Jaz...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 17, 2019

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "I tried NuvaRing for 4 months. I really tried to make it work, like seriously. 1st month, I had no spotting, no acne, no mood swings, just some bloating and weird feelings. But let me tell you... month 2 started an incredible itch that would wake me from my sleep to pray to God to take it away. The discharge was excessive. The itch spread to my anus and between my cheeks, TMI, but it caused scarring that has not gone away a few weeks later that I am highly disappointed about. My partner did feel the ring, but we were able to take it out during intercourse and then put it back in. My vagina was swollen and crampy afterward, probably due to the irritation and itching. My partner experienced rashes after every intercourse session. I know, crazy. I really wanted to make it work but my female anatomy was not having it to the point where my sex drive was reduced as well as my partner's because he did not want his rash to return!"

• M V...
• September 15, 2020

For Birth Control "I was switched from NuvaRing to Prasco's generic in March. I have gained 5 lbs a month (while eating like a diabetic) for a total of 25 lbs. All around my waist. My waist grew 8 inches. I have not had the headaches that most people report, but I have acne at 42 for the first time in my life. Insane nightmares. Not sure if they are related. Frequent insomnia. My bipolar has never been worse. I feel like I have been manic for months. Constantly irritable, starting fights with people, on the verge of ending relationships. I take lots of walks and often had to stop and sit because of unbearable cramps in one of my legs. I am thrilled to have figured this out today. I even had my thyroid and hormones (including cortisol) checked after 6 months of weight gain and hell. Nothing made any sense, and everyone blames everything on COVID. (Not everything is COVID.) NuvaRing was magical. Hopefully, this gets recalled, and there's a way to use it again. I would give it a zero, but I can't."

• Bre...
• April 22, 2016

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "I've been on the NuvaRing for about 6 years now. Never had any problems from beginning to now. I did have horrible cramps my first month using it when my period came, but after a few months, my body got used to it. I now only have a period that's about 3-5 days, and I enjoy how it spots right before I take the ring out, so I know it's time for my monthly cycle. It's easy to insert, and you don't have to think about having to take a pill every day. I did notice that when I had no health insurance, I went about a month without it; I had gotten my period, and it was horribly heavy with terrible cramps. But after restarting, everything got back to normal. I never noticed any weight gain or mood changes. My sex drive has stayed the same over all these years."

• Bre...
• April 22, 2016

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "I've been on the NuvaRing for about 6 years now. Never had any problems from beginning to now. I did have horrible cramps my first month using it when my period came, but after a few months, my body got used to it. I now only have a period that's about 3-5 days, and I enjoy how it spots right before I take the ring out, so I know it's time for my monthly cycle. It's easy to insert, and you don't have to think about having to take a pill every day. I did notice that when I had no health insurance, I went about a month without it; I had gotten my period, and it was horribly heavy with terrible cramps. But after restarting, everything got back to normal. I never noticed any weight gain or mood changes. My sex drive has stayed the same over all these years."

• Gab...
• July 16, 2019

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel 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."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 23, 2016

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "Gained 60 pounds in less than 3 months, periods went from 28-day, 4.5-day clockwork regular to 2X a month, 9-day long murder-scene heavy. PMS used to be mild to nonexistent, went to migraines from hell, debilitating cramps, etc. Dr. told me to stick with it. I did for a year. Off the ring, took a year and lots of work to get my periods back to something approximating normal, and the weight will NOT budge. I did not have weight issues before, never had. Now I also have endometrial hyperplasia and have been told the weight is sticking no matter what I do to lose it due to an overabundance of estrogen. If you use the Ring and start gaining or going period-wonky AT ALL, stop, please, immediately and do not be like me."

• orc...
• January 18, 2021

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "I was on combo birth control pills for years and switched 9 months ago. I have always used my birth control to skip my periods, so breakthrough bleeding was usually an issue, but it got better on the ring. I had the typical issues of the ring sliding down and causing me discomfort, but I got an applicator, and that fixed it. I have noticed a drop in my sex drive, and my vagina is drier than usual, which has led to tears and bleeding after sex. I assume using lube would fix that issue. My partner had issues with chafing when I left the ring in during sex, so I take it out now. I also have issues with cramping whenever I insert the ring. It doesn't last long, but I feel like it's my vagina rejecting the ring. So far, I haven't gotten pregnant, so it does a great job at that, and usually, I just forget that the ring is there. Overall, I like that I don't have to take a pill every day, and it's pretty easy to insert, but there seems to be more side effects than the pill."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 13, 2015

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "I've been on it for 3 months, and I used to be very wet during sexual intercourse with my husband, and now I am not able to get wet at all. We have to use lube, and sexual intercourse is very painful during the first 2 minutes. It feels like I'm a virgin all over again. My husband likes it, but it's a hassle for me. I do like the fact that I can take it out when I need to. Other side effects I have are tiredness, loss of appetite, and uterine cramps. Otherwise, I love it. We haven't had any issues as far as it not working."

• Ama...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 30, 2020

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "I’ve been using NuvaRing for years, then was forced to switch to this generic version the past couple of months. Let me tell you, avoid it at all costs. I’ve had mood swings x100, spotting the whole time, horrible cramps and headaches. I’ve never had such mixed, dramatic moods in my life. I’ll be blessed if I don’t ruin any relationships I have with anyone. I’m thankful for reviews that are very similar, I feel less crazy, but this generic version is BAD. To top it off, my birthday is next week, no big deal *EYE ROLL*"

• KAC...
• September 14, 2014

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "I actually loved the NuvaRing! I did have some side effects such as cramping and breakthrough bleeding, as well as the ring actually sliding out. I know it is unheard of, but I did gain weight on the NuvaRing, nothing major but a good 5 pounds! I used the ring for about three months. I recently switched to Lutera to see if I like that better. I will post a review on Lutera when I use it longer."

• Fri...
• January 17, 2019

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "I have been using NuvaRing for 3 years now. I really enjoy how convenient it is, you only have to remember 2 days out of a month. My periods are literally non-existent, I do still get the friendly cramps to remind me I am not pregnant. And my mood swings are not nearly as bad as they were on other high-hormone pills. That being said, this pill did slowly eat away at my happiness. My outlook on everything was just BLAH. No interests, don’t want to hang out with friends, don’t want to do date nights with my boyfriend, no motivation to work out. It turned me into a zombie without realizing it. Eventually, it took away ALL of my libido. No interest in my partner AT ALL. I was disgusted even at him touching me. That is the reason I am off it currently. Looking back on it now, the little libido I ever did have while using NuvaRing was the week I took it out to have my period. It is a great form of birth control, just be aware of how it affects you. I hope this helps someone!"

• CSa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 13, 2020

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "Went on NuvaRing at the beginning of this year, after being on Skyla. I had used NuvaRing before and didn't have a ton of issues, switched to IUD because I wanted to try not having to switch things out or take pills. Since the switch to brand, things were going fine and dandy. Then my insurance forced a switch to generic. Well, now I have absolutely terrible periods! The first period after the switch went two weeks! With cramps and mood swings the entire time. Then I got a break for a week and a half, and it's back. I am done. I took it out because my natural cycle is probably less chaotic than this."