Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel and Headaches: What Users Say

• Rai...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 7, 2020

For Birth Control "Reading some of the negative reviews... I have to say I had the opposite experience. I felt horrible with the NuvaRing, I had really bad headaches, mood swings, spotting, no sex drive, and felt very tired. I was switched to this by the pharmacy, and I thought I was finally getting used to the NuvaRing until I realized it was a different ring. Now, I’m not going to say there were no side effects with the EluRyng, but they were very mild, just some light spotting, but not as bad as with the NuvaRing. I think people with negative experiences are more likely to write reviews, so I wanted to share my experience."

• Per...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 4, 2019

For Birth Control "Personally, I have had extremely heavy and bad cramps on my period. I’ve been on birth control since I was 14. I started with the pill but forgot to take it all the time, then I went to the IUD but had extreme weight gain and headaches. My anxiety also worsened with the IUD. I switched to the NuvaRing around 5 months ago, and it has been the best decision I’ve made for my reproductive health. My periods are a light spotting, my cramps are tolerable, and I haven’t gained any weight. Plus, my boyfriend can’t feel it during sex. Don’t be afraid of the negative reviews, everyone’s body is different, and you just need to find what works for you!"

• Kan...
• January 1, 2021

For Birth Control "I have been on NuvaRing for 12 years. NuvaRing has completely helped my endo, and I have had no problems for years. Since I have been on EluRyng (How can we even trust this if they can't spell RING right?), I have had nonstop breakthrough bleeding, cramps, headaches, leg pain and numbness, and of course symptoms like tender boobs, bloating, even horrible stomach issues. I also noticed the coloration on the ring itself is not like NuvaRing. NuvaRing goes in clear and stays clear mostly for about 2 weeks, 3 weeks, then starts to turn an off-yellow color when the hormones fade and it's time for your period. This EluRyng will only stay clear for about a week and lose its hormones QUICKER, which is WHY I think we are having all this breakthrough bleeding or off-time periods! This is not okay!"

• Kat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 6, 2020

For Birth Control "I was on this for 3 months (I usually have NuvaRing and they didn’t tell me they changed it), but I've had the worst 3 months of my life. I’ve gained weight, gotten stretch marks everywhere even though my weight gain wasn’t significant, I’ve had horrible headaches, missed my period all 3 months. I’ve been so anxious and moody, tired all the time. The other night I started having horrible heart palpitations, and I ended up having a panic attack and throwing up. I felt like my heart was going to explode. I thought I was insane, so I googled the birth control because there was no other cause, and I read all these, and I took my ring out a week early. I’m already starting to feel more normal. This shouldn’t be legal. I went and bought the NuvaRing out of pocket the other day for $177. I’m lucky I can afford it, it’s ridiculous that insurance will put women through this to save a couple bucks."

• Cee...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 20, 2020

For Birth Control "Wow, I thought I was crazy! Good to know that I'm not the only one who started having issues with the ring after being switched to the generic. I had been on NuvaRing for 5 years and never had any issues. My insurance recently switched me to the generic, and I've been having crazy bloating, fatigue, and headaches. Not at all happy with the new generic brand."

• Rox...
• April 29, 2015

For Birth Control "When I started using it, I thought it was the best contraceptive ever until it almost cost me my life. Since February 2015, I experienced shortness of breath, dry cough, headaches, pain and numbness in my legs, and a sharp pain in my chest when I inhaled. Doctors diagnosed me with asthma because I had it as a child. In the start of April 2015, I was rushed to the emergency room because everything just got worse. I also had a high fever. After several tests, the doctors made the discovery of life-threatening blood clots within my lungs and around my heart (pulmonary embolism). I immediately removed the NuvaRing as this had led to my condition. This has happened to many women and also led to the death of some."

• ups...
• January 23, 2010

For Birth Control "NuvaRing is effective in pregnancy prevention. However, the side effects were bad. The first month was fine, with only one bad side effect (diarrhea), and I wasn't too sure if it was even from my birth control that month. It was never listed as a side effect. When I got my period, it was light and lasted only about 2 1/2 days. After 2-3 months, side effects started to kick in: more abdominal cramps, normal discharge, extreme bloating very often, nausea, and headaches. Along with these, I became extremely irritable/very grumpy, had a major loss in appetite, and when I did eat, the diarrhea would hit (severely). Eventually, I had horrible back pain and became very depressed, which negatively impacted my life."

• Ste...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 17, 2014

For Birth Control "I'm gonna keep it short and sweet; I've been on about a week, taking it to help with PMS. No initial symptoms other than a slight increase in random emotional upheaval. After about 3 days, exhaustion kicked in along with unnecessary bursts of anger, frustration, or sadness. 4-6 days, mass fatigue, appalling headaches (I promise you, I'm not exaggerating!), crazy outbreaks of spots, nausea, and lightheadedness. I'm going to stick it through for at least another week and will update. I would obviously prefer to follow through to see if it settles down, but I have rather a lot to do in the next few months and would rather not be impeded by my hormones. Good luck! It's worth a try - you can always take it out if it disagrees with you."

• Dai...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 13, 2020

For Birth Control "My insurance provider now covers this versus the NuvaRing that I have used for 11 years. NEVER a problem with the original, but this generic is worse than a menstrual cycle. I have had cramping, bloating, painful breasts, discharge, headaches, migraine, body aches, and nausea since I started this. So disappointing, it has caused issues I didn’t even have with a cycle. I am 46 and now trying to figure out how I can budget $75 a month for the brand. This is awful."

• Not...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 20, 2020

For Birth Control "'Lucky' I am not the only one with this issue. I got switched to the generic brand (because of my insurance) a couple of months ago without any warning. Nuvaring worked so well for me, so I figured this would be the same.... It's not. I make sure to follow the directions, but I have not had a period, I'm having constipation, small headaches, as well as losing my 'drive.' My biggest concern is the missed periods. I, strangely enough, enjoy my period. It makes me feel like everything is doing as it should and no pregnancy scares. This switch is not a good one, and I really wish I could return to Nuva."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 18, 2020

For Birth Control "I have been on NuvaRing since 2007 and have never had any issues. I was given EluRyng in September of 2020. It has been a horrible experience! I have bled 14 days straight. I also experienced fatigue, headaches, and nausea. I’ve also experienced mental changes. I’ve been unhappy and depressed. I am usually the happiest person in the world. My NP suggested I stay on it for 3 weeks for my body to adjust. I told her that I would never use it again! Worst birth control ever!"

• Cho...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 21, 2020

For Birth Control "I had great experiences with the Nuvaring, and then all of a sudden, my insurance company stopped giving it and gave me the EluRyng instead. Since I have been on this, I thought I was going crazy that I have spotted even before the three weeks are up, causing major issues with my interactions with my husband, headaches, breast sensitivity and swelling, leg cramps, abdominal cramps, fatigue. It's been crazy, and I thought it was just me. I wish my insurance would take Nuvaring again."

• Yoo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 22, 2020

For Birth Control "I turned to NuvaRing because I didn't want to take a pill every day anymore, and I didn't have a great reaction to the implant. It has been a pleasant experience and, without a doubt, more convenient for me. I know exactly when my period will start, and they have become shorter and lighter. I have noticed that I get slight headaches right before I start a period, though. The first couple of months, I had extra discharge and irritation, but that quickly went away. The very few negative side effects disappeared fairly quickly. Overall, it is a great birth control method, and I'm thankful to have found something that works for me."

• Ela...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 17, 2023

For Birth Control "Only lasted 5 days before I had to remove it. 24 hours after insertion, headaches started. Then my vagina completely dried out and became very itchy. Nausea kicked in so badly I started vomiting, and my face broke out in severe acne. Every joint ached and started stiffening up. My mental health plummeted, and I started having crying fits out of nowhere. I removed it at 5 days, and 10 days later I am still suffering headaches, extreme fatigue, and nausea, which is slowly getting better, and every other issue stopped within 24 hrs of removal. Do not recommend for anyone sensitive to hormones, as this knocks you about quite a bit. Only plus is it can be removed easily when you decide it is not for you."

• kel...
• October 30, 2015

For Birth Control "So I just felt the need to come on here and put in a good word. It has only been 4 days for me, but I haven't had any crazy side effects. The bad so far is: a little nausea and definitely some dizziness, which is improving. I had some fatigue day 1-2 also, and some cramping and headache day 3. My sex drive has been insanely high. I feel like I am more sane than normal and kinder, lol. I don't feel the ring when it's in really, and I do have this compulsion to keep checking to make sure it's still in there. I have had sex and no change (so far?) in ability to orgasm or vaginal lubrication. Previously, I was on Loestrin and was experiencing more side effects than this from the get-go. So overall, I am happy. I will update after a few weeks and see how it's going."

• The...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 25, 2014

For Birth Control "I was recently diagnosed with endometriosis, and my gynecologist initially recommended the Mirena to help manage it. The inserting process was impossible and so dismissed. Next up was the patch... worst decision of my life. Nausea, vomiting, extreme fatigue... that lasted me three days. Next up was the NuvaRing. I'm going into my third week, and so far it's doing better than anything else I've tried. My side effects are awful headaches and cramps here and there. Other than that, I feel perfectly fine. If the headache gets bad, I simply use a painkiller, and voila! I'll definitely recommend it to anyone that can't use a high-dose contraceptive like me. I think the low dose in the ring could make a huge difference. Can't knock it till you try it!"

• Col...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 5, 2020

For Birth Control "Terrible. I was on Nuvaring for about ten years on and off, and it was perfect: light periods, barely there, and zero side effects. Because of my insurance, I was switched to EluRyng, and it went downhill from there: heavy periods, never consistent, super irregular, always spotting. Haven’t stopped bleeding in over a month. I've been on it for about four months now. I’ve been nauseous, with cramps and lots of headaches! Not impressed and figuring out ways to afford Nuvaring again!"

• Mom...
• June 7, 2019

For Birth Control "So I’ve been using NuvaRing for about 2 months now after having my little girl in March. This birth control has given me so many symptoms, I’m going crazy! Nausea, increased appetite, cramps, headaches, and mood swings! I have to apologize to my husband when he gets home from work tonight because I’ve been so mean to him, and I know he’s wondering what the hell is going on! This is my first time being on birth control in 5 years, and I absolutely hate it. Even growing up, my body hated birth control, and I always advocated against it. I let my doctor talk me into not getting my tubes tied because I have 2 kids, and I’m only 27. But I know we don’t want more kids, I’m content with my 2, and we plan to adopt a child when they’re older. I’m scheduled for a consultation in 2 weeks for tubal ligation, and I’m going through with it. This experience with NuvaRing has been the worst! I’m not compromising my well-being for birth control when I know I’m physically done having babies."

• AAa...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 27, 2020

For Birth Control "I’ve used NuvaRing in the past but just got back on it about 8 months ago. It was fine, I also suffer from really bad migraines, so I do notice I tend to get a little bit more headaches (not sure if it’s related to the birth control), but just within the last 2 months I’ve noticed a chemical smell coming from my Vjayjay! I know it’s not BV, yeast, or a sexually transmitted infection, as I get checked constantly. I noticed when I take the ring out the 4th week to get my period, the smell is gone. Two days after I insert the new ring, the smell is back and it’s very strong to the point I can smell it outside my pants! That’s a deal breaker for me! I’m a very clean person and I won’t walk around with any vaginal odor! I took the ring out today, and my underwear had a very strange chemical smell! I probably will never get back on the ring again, I’ll just stick with the pill. That’s about the only bad side effect I had with the ring."

• Yel...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 24, 2013

For Birth Control "I have been on NuvaRing for 3.5 years. I almost immediately experienced major mood swings, crying, getting offended by things that normally don't bother me. However, the convenience and the fact that my severe cramps and heavy flow greatly diminished made it worth it to me. But as time went on, after the first year or so, I began to notice my sex drive wasn't as strong. Two years in, I had zero sex drive whatsoever, and three years in I experienced many more side effects. These include severe cystic acne, 12 lb weight gain, headaches, nausea, and my mood swings have worsened. I feel anxious all the time. So, tonight I took it out and don't plan to put one back in again. I did go off the ring once before for a month and felt normal again."

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 18, 2020

For Birth Control "I was on NuvaRing for about 7 years. 6 months ago, I was informed my insurance no longer pays for NuvaRing, and I was given this generic brand. So far, it’s been horrible. I, for one, started with NuvaRing because it’s so easy to deal with, and it literally got rid of my acne. Since using the generic brand, I get random headaches, mood swings, and guess what? Now I got cystic acne. Ugh, my face looks horrible. I haven’t had acne this bad since I was 16, and I’m 23 now. I called the insurance, and sure enough, they won’t cover the actual NuvaRing. Now I’m making a doctor’s appointment to find a new birth control. I guess I’ll be doing the pill."

• Toa...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 6, 2019

For Birth Control "I loved NuvaRing... until it caused a cerebral blood clot and stroke (CVST). A headache for days, memory problems, speech like word soup, ten days in the hospital, one in ICU, no emotion. I didn't know who my husband was. Doctors put me on blood thinners and rehab therapy. Six weeks later, I went back to work. Three months and multiple blood tests later, my doctors ruled out any hereditary causes for my stroke and attributed it to hormones in NuvaRing. I can never use birth control with estrogen again, and any pregnancies will be high risk. I have recovered, but nothing will take away the emotional trauma that I and my family experienced. My husband still breaks down in tears over how close I was to being permanently disabled or dying. Please, if you are using or considering using NuvaRing, talk to your doctor about the risks. Not everyone using NuvaRing will experience what I did, but be informed. I DO NOT recommend NuvaRing."

• Eri...
• September 1, 2019

For Birth Control "I am 33 and have been on NuvaRing for 3-4 years. There are some positives and negatives which I will list: Positives: - Clear skin: I have always struggled with acne, and my skin became very clear. - Light periods and no cramping. - Convenience, and you don't have to remember to take a pill every day. - Easy to use. - Effective in prevention of pregnancy. Negatives: - Highly increased appetite: I have gained 30 lbs in 3 years (start weight was 140, now 170). - No sex drive: Sex became miserable to endure because I had no interest in it. - Increase in mood swings, aggravation, depression, anxiety, and laziness. - Headaches: Occur very frequently and sometimes lasted for 2-4 days. - Sharp random pains in cervix. - Increase in discharge. I have been off the NuvaRing now for a little over a month, and I feel like my personality is back to normal. I feel like myself again. I have lost weight (6 lbs in one month, and I notice I’m not as hungry and don’t have severe cravings anymore)."

• Jes...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 30, 2020

For Birth Control "This was the absolute worst! I was on it for 2 weeks and could not fathom the idea of dealing with the side effects any longer than that! I felt sick, had a headache, felt constantly on edge, my stomach was upset, nauseated, bloated, and my breasts were swollen. It interrupted my entire day! I took it upon myself to pay out of pocket for NuvaRing, and I have no regrets about that decision. What’s awful is that all the medication coupons online are only for EluRyng! How can you force a medication on women that is making them feel so incredibly ill?"

• Anonymous
• August 31, 2009

For Birth Control "I've been on NuvaRing for 3 months. I chose NuvaRing because I knew I couldn't be trusted with taking a pill every day but wanted birth control to help regulate my periods, ease mood swings, and clear skin. On NuvaRing, I still have mood swings, more headaches now, at times feel very tired, still have bad breakouts, and also an almost non-existent sex drive. I assumed all this was because I was home with 3 little kids until I noticed a pattern while on the NuvaRing. Three days after I take the ring out, I have a surge of sexual desire (also this is when my period starts, figures). I'm going to stick with it for another 2 months to see how it goes, meanwhile, I'm going to talk with my doctor again about better options."