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

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

For Birth Control "I was on NuvaRing for 15 years with zero problems, got switched to the generic a few months ago and hate it! I had no period this last month and completely freaked out and took 3 pregnancy tests (all negative). I have cramping after inserting a new ring and have ridiculous hormonal acne like when I completely went off BC when TTC my last child. This worries me that the medicine strength isn’t enough. I will say, my mood swings have been less than on NuvaRing, but that’s not worth the worry of getting pregnant. I don’t care if I have to pay out of pocket, I’ll be switching back to the real deal."

• Chi...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 3, 2015

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "I don't like it! Bad depression, bad temper, bad cramps, sensitive breasts, weight gain, tired, and not in the mood for anything. The only reason I'm doing this is to regulate my periods, and it's the only thing that's working."

• Ean...
• December 1, 2016

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "Has anyone on here tried NuvaRing and had an extremely poor experience? I was looking for new BC, and my doctor recommended NuvaRing. NEVER AGAIN. EVER. I have only had it in for two days and have felt very nauseous, extremely tired, dizzy, angry, depressed, and have had a terrible headache and cramping. I've been so dizzy, and my stomach has hurt so bad I couldn't even get out of bed. As soon as I put it in, I immediately felt different and in the most awful way. I just took it out, and I'm throwing the rest away. Like I said, never again. I've heard some people have great experiences with it, but that certainly wasn't mine. I just want to feel normal again and hopefully will soon. Anyone else experience symptoms like this while using it?"

• Pan...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 30, 2019

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "Six months ago, I went to the ER on a Saturday because I thought I was having a heart attack. I had severe cramping and chest pains. $13k (“after insurance, our portion was only $2,500!”) they couldn’t find anything wrong, thankfully. Right now, we are between insurances, and I had the same feelings 2 nights ago. Because of the cost, I didn’t go to the hospital and just prayed. Took out the NuvaRing and INSTANTLY, immediately, the symptoms went away! I mean, before I even made it to the trash can to throw it away. I am shocked! I cannot believe this seems to have been the issue. I will obviously not be going back on it. I’m 37, 2 kids, don’t smoke or drink."

• Saf...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 1, 2016

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "It's so hard to review BC because it's different for every woman. But my experience with the ring was just okay. I was on it for a year. Didn't affect acne or my sex drive. Losing weight was extra difficult. I got BAD headaches and the worst cramps I've ever had. However, my period was very predictable and only lasted about 2 days. It was nice to not have to think about taking a pill every day. Left it in during sex and no problems. For me, though, the cons outweighed the pros. Plus, depending on your insurance, it's very expensive."

• Sal...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 5, 2021

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "I began cramping as soon as I inserted it until the day of my cycle that I was supposed to remove it. I became angry and depressed and anxious and even suicidal. I stopped torturing myself after one month and didn't use EluRyng again. All of these symptoms were relieved after the ring was gone. This medication is a disaster. I weep for my fellow sisters."

• gir...
• July 7, 2011

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "I have not fully decided if I think the NuvaRing is for me or not. I have been using the ring for a little over a month now. The side effects I heard about have not all happened to me yet, the ones I have experienced are a lot of discharge the first week and still some more than normal. My sex drive has completely disappeared, which was not a normal thing for me. My heartbeat sometimes feels like it is a little racier. My stomach has been cramping some, but not anything compared to when I was on the pill. I was on Ortho Tricyclen Lo for 5 years. I have had no weight gain or back pain. No sickness. Hope this helps."

• Yoa...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 28, 2021

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "As most everyone else, I had been on NuvaRing for 5 years with absolutely no issues, switched to the EluRyng due to insurance no longer covering the brand name. When I first started, I immediately got really bad cramps! I started to get kind of moody and was experiencing severe anxiety, my neck and back hurt significantly. In December, I was having anxiety attacks, migraines, felt shaky, vertigo, and sleeping all day. I saw my doctor in December, forgot about the med change, and said depression and anxiety could be because of the pandemic. I started having panic attacks, and anxiety and depression continued. I couldn't wear my eyeglasses and had bad tension headaches. At the end of March, I looked up medication and read reviews of others, immediately contacted my gyno. I’ve only been back on the NuvaRing one cycle, but overall I feel better, still adjusting. I wonder how long before they pull it off the market because no one should have to go through these side effects."

• KJa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 24, 2020

For Birth Control "Thank you, ladies, for your reviews!! I can’t believe it’s taken me this long to catch on to the source of the problem. I have been feeling crazy reading as well as being told by medical professionals that the NuvaRing and generic brand are the same thing. I loved the NuvaRing and had been on it for 10 years - never had any issues other than a lower libido, but I like the way the hormones make my boobs bigger, so *priorities.* The generic brand has been an absolute nightmare. I barely get my period when the ring is out, which weirds me out. I’ve had bad cramping and mood swings. I have gained weight in my abdomen. I’ve had bad anxiety that just doesn’t add up to my life’s circumstances. The worst part is what it’s done to my skin. I’ve always had clear skin, and now it’s breakout city - bumpy, itchy, red, and irritated. I literally just took out this generic piece of plastic garbage and threw it in the trash with the utmost aggression and disgust. Sayonara!!"

• I...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 12, 2020

For Birth Control "So, I was also forced to switch to the generic version of the NuvaRing. I have been on NuvaRing for 6 plus years. No issues worth complaining about with my use. THEN, the generic happened in February 2020. March period did not happen. Pregnancy tests came back negative. I have had weight gain, mood swings, random cramps, and headaches as well. I waited 3 weeks before putting the new one in because I NEEDED TO BLEED! Never happened. Popped the new one back in the 3rd week of April. Just took it out, and I BETTER HAVE A PERIOD BECAUSE I am miserable! I am calling my doctor for other options. Can't afford paying over $100 for the brand (Nuva), and I BETTER NOT BE PREGNANT (would have happened St. Patty's Weekend...go figure). I blame the generic 1000000000000000%!"

• Glo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 2, 2021

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "I just started not that long ago, but for the past few weeks, I have been cramping like crazy and have had several unexplainable anxiety attacks. While I had it in, I had every symptom of a period except the blood. My depression has been getting better, and I think it's the birth control, but my anxiety and mood swings have been going crazy, and I have no explanation for this."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 23, 2012

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "My first 6 months on NuvaRing were wonderful - my doc was using it to treat my symptoms of endometriosis (vomiting, intense cramping, etc.). Slowly, over time, I noticed my mood (which is normally rock solid) change, and I started losing all interest in sex. I thought maybe I just needed more time to adjust to it, and now, a year and a half later, I have absolutely no sex drive, am exhausted, and cry/am anxious for no reason. I am switching to something with an even lower dose, hoping to lose some of these side effects. I am generally sensitive to medication, so this may be why I had such a bad experience. I just wanted to share my experience since I didn't get side effects right off the bat - it can take a while for these side effects to emerge."

• Sar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 8, 2021

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "It started out okay, but on the second ring, I was bleeding every day for a month and had the worst cramps. I decided to take it out once I felt a pinch in one of my ovaries - the pain was so bad I was hyperventilating. Once I did take the ring out, the pain started to subside almost immediately. Listen to the reviews of other women and don’t take this birth control."

• Nat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 2, 2023

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "So, I have been on the NuvaRing for about 6 months now. These are the side effects that I have experienced: headaches, nausea, soreness just in the first couple of weeks, but I was told that was normal at the beginning, so I kept on. I skipped my period for 2 months, then the 3rd month, I bled for 3 weeks VERY HEAVILY. I also ended up in the hospital with cramps like I’ve never felt before and ended up having a large mass of tissue come out of me. I thought it was a miscarriage, but it was something called a decidual cast, which is where your whole uterus lining comes out. I got extremely depressed and irritable, lashing out at my fiancé. I started experiencing “breakthrough bleeding,” but it’s been going on for 2 months straight, and I cannot get rid of this awful odor that comes with it. I’m taking it out as soon as I see my doctor. I’m scared for what could happen to my mental and physical health if I stay on it."

• Jes...
• October 16, 2019

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "I've been on the ring since Oct 4, 2019, and I am still bleeding. I was on Paraguard, heavy period and cramping, tried Kyleena and I bled and spotted throughout the year I was on it. Maybe only one week out of the month I did not bleed or spot. Tried to get my tube tied, but my doctor told me no, because of my six fibroids. He told me to try the ring. Since I have been on the ring, I have been hostile and aggressive. I also have been depressed and wanting to quit my studies. I just finished an episode of intense cramping like I am in labor. I also have brain fog. I have nothing good to say about this birth control, once my third week is over, I will not ever put it back in. I wish I could tell my prof sorry I am screwing up, but it's just my NuvaRing."

• Xna...
• August 8, 2015

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "I've used the ring for about 2 months now, and it was the best alternative for a forgetful person like myself. I was on the pill before, but I had to stop using it because I'd often forget. Putting the ring in at first will feel a little weird, but once you put it in deep enough, you won't feel a thing. Plus, it wouldn't slide out! The only con I have is that after I take out the ring at the end of the 3rd week, my cramps from my period seem to be more painful."

• Anonymous
• April 6, 2010

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "I'm 20 years old, BMI is 16, healthy. Not on any medication or have any medical needs. NuvaRing is the only form of birth control I've used. My experience with NuvaRing: started using it May 2009. I've never forgotten to take it out or put it in. You can't feel it inside you. My partner didn't mind it. It's easy. I haven't experienced any of the common or serious side effects. I haven't had any weight gain, irregular bleeding or spotting, nausea, headaches, etc. I still have acne, but hasn't worsened since starting the ring. One month I decided to skip my period and was a little more emotional than usual. Sometimes the ring does start to slip out (it's never completely slipped out), which then is uncomfortable. I didn't used to have cramps, but now I get minor cramps. My period is lighter, regular (my period was very irregular before NuvaRing), and even a day or two shorter. I would recommend NuvaRing to anyone interested in birth control, no matter who you are. Plus, it doesn't hurt to at least try it."

• cra...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 4, 2012

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "I am twenty years old and have been on birth control since I was 15. I have been on Tri-Cyclen, Yaz, Alesse, Depo-Provera, and Mirena! In five years, I was desperate to find something that worked for me. I had symptoms from weight gain, mood swings, acne, debilitating cramps, and even serious depression. Trying NuvaRing was my last hope. I LOVE IT! It has not given me any mood swings, it has BOOSTED my sex drive! My periods are ridiculously light, 2 days long, and I have no cramps or PMS. Amazing. I know every girl's body is different, but I totally recommend NuvaRing!"

• Vin...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 24, 2020

For Birth Control "The generic version of NuvaRing has been a nightmare. It says it's the same dosage and everything, but something is very different. I used NuvaRing for several months, and my PMDD was finally under control, including my severe depression the week before my period and, most importantly, my intense cramps. After being forced to switch to the generic and having used it for the last four months, I get headaches the first week of insertion every time, I get random uterine pain throughout the month, ovulation is painful, I constantly find myself physically exhausted, and my cramps (that I didn't even need to take Ibuprofen for on actual NuvaRing) are back in full effect. I don't even take this for birth control, I literally just use it to help with PMDD, but this generic one doesn't even seem like it can manage that."

• Vin...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 24, 2020

For Birth Control "The generic version of NuvaRing has been a nightmare. It says it's the same dosage and everything, but something is very different. I used NuvaRing for several months, and my PMDD was finally under control, including my severe depression the week before my period and, most importantly, my intense cramps. After being forced to switch to the generic and having used it for the last four months, I get headaches the first week of insertion every time, I get random uterine pain throughout the month, ovulation is painful, I constantly find myself physically exhausted, and my cramps (that I didn't even need to take Ibuprofen for on actual NuvaRing) are back in full effect. I don't even take this for birth control, I literally just use it to help with PMDD, but this generic one doesn't even seem like it can manage that."

• Vin...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 24, 2020

For Birth Control "The generic version of NuvaRing has been a nightmare. It says it's the same dosage and everything, but something is very different. I used NuvaRing for several months, and my PMDD was finally under control, including my severe depression the week before my period and, most importantly, my intense cramps. After being forced to switch to the generic and having used it for the last four months, I get headaches the first week of insertion every time, I get random uterine pain throughout the month, ovulation is painful, I constantly find myself physically exhausted, and my cramps (that I didn't even need to take Ibuprofen for on actual NuvaRing) are back in full effect. I don't even take this for birth control, I literally just use it to help with PMDD, but this generic one doesn't even seem like it can manage that."

• veg...
• April 22, 2016

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "I started using the NuvaRing in around November 2015. Everything was perfect for the first two to three months. In January, I got my period and it was the most excruciating pain I have ever felt, I didn't think I could survive. It lasted 2 months, filled with terrible cramps and very heavy bleeding. So, I had enough of it, and I took it out, and my period stopped a week after I took it out. A month later, I got my period again, and amazingly, it was shorter and there was barely any pain... I hope it stays that way. I really loved the NuvaRing when I first started it, but it seemed to have completely stopped working, which is weird."

• cry...
• June 29, 2011

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "I started using this birth control about 7 months ago. Since I've been on it, I have noticed my zero sex drive and constant breakouts. I have had abdominal cramping and crazy mood swings, depression. I'm always tired but can never sleep. I realized it was all just side effects listed on the NuvaRing website. Thank goodness my husband is patient with me. Wouldn't recommend it. I've stopped using it and am feeling and looking much better."

• Por...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 5, 2015

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "I've used NuvaRing for over two months now, and when I first started using it, I had stomach pains (like cramps) for two days, but since then, nothing. I can't feel the ring, neither can my partner, and it has never fallen out. Slightly drier than usual, but not disturbingly. Other than that, I'm completely normal; no acne, no mood change, no weight gain, nothing. I love it."

• Vnr...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 27, 2018

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "I have had the NuvaRing for 2 weeks and a couple days, and honestly, it is not too bad. I thought it was going to be worse due to reading some reviews. The first two days, I felt lightheaded and very tired, but that went away. The ring has not made me gain weight, I’m actually losing weight due to eating healthy and working out 5-6 days a week. The ring has never fallen out or tried to. I never feel it and forget it’s in there. I have more of an appetite, but it is controllable. Some cons are that some days I can be moody or irritable. I have been getting period cramps, some painful and some that don’t bother me at all. Another thing I have experienced is that one day I got very depressed, I just laid in bed and ate whatever I wanted and was very emotional for no reason. I’m sure it’s due to the ring because I didn’t know why I was so down that day, but I was fine the next day. It was very weird, but overall, it is an okay method of birth control."