Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel and Mood Swings: What Users Say

• Anonymous
• November 29, 2009

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "I originally came on to this site to look for facts on Implanon, because I am thinking of switching from NuvaRing to Implanon. Out of the many comments, only a few were good. There were many negative comments, and it made me wonder if the majority of people who choose to comment do so because they are experiencing negative side effects, and those women who aren't experiencing side effects don't leave any comments at all. So I'm going to go ahead and add a GOOD comment about NuvaRing. NuvaRing has worked out GREAT for me. No side effects that I have noticed. No weight gain, no mood swings, no acne. The only thing is that I can feel it during sex, which is an easy fix to just take it out before and put it back in afterward."

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

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel 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."

• Mis...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• December 26, 2014

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "I absolutely loved this birth control. Was on it for 8 years and would still be on it now, except that when I switched jobs, my new insurance didn't cover it. No weight gain, super clear skin, no mood swings, light periods with no cramping and the convenience of not having to take a pill every day. Couldn't feel it inside me at all and it never bothered my husband or me during intercourse. Highly recommend."

• Anonymous
• February 9, 2010

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "I hate to be one of the many negative commenters on here, but I want others to know my side effects that were related to the ring that I didn't at first think was related to it. Severe anxiety and racing heart, back pain. Zero sex drive! My alcohol tolerance down to zero with severe vomiting, shivering, and hangovers. VERY moody especially week before the period. I have been off all birth control for about 2-3 weeks...ALL symptoms have disappeared...amazingly...and now I know it's related to the birth control, not me going insane."

• A B...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 24, 2020

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "My month on EluRyng has been one of the worst of my life. Week 1: nausea/vomiting, fatigue, burning/irritation, and yeast infection. Week 2: severe anxiety and mood swings -- sobbing out of nowhere, massive unprompted panic attacks, and starting crazy fights with my partner. Week 3: severe, acute depression and constant really dark thoughts. Completely numb, crying 24/7, couldn't decide if life was worth living. Week 4: all of my other symptoms disappeared overnight as soon as the withdrawal/off week started. I started feeling back to normal within a day or two, so now I'm absolutely sure that my wild emotional symptoms were entirely caused by the ring. I would not recommend the generic to anyone. My mental health deteriorated shockingly fast and I've never feared for my safety the way I did during the third week. Given other people's similar experiences, I'm counting down the days until EluRyng is recalled so no one else has to go through this."

• Aub...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 18, 2020

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "I mean, I didn’t get pregnant, so that’s cool and all, but I gained thirty pounds, was suddenly covered in stretch marks, couldn’t bear the idea of sex anymore, and when I did try to have sex, it was immensely painful. Mood swings like crazy; crying one second, laughing the next. Really bad fatigue and paranoia. Migraines 2-3 times a week, body pains, horrible cramps, and it put me on my period for over 6 months! I mean, but I didn’t get pregnant."

• arh...
• February 17, 2015

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "I had commented before, and I also wanted to say that I haven't experienced any mood swings, and I still want to have sex! The pill made me hate sex, but my drive hasn't suffered a bit with the NuvaRing. I love it and highly recommend it."

• Jes...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 15, 2020

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "DO NOT USE ELURYNG. My pharmacy gave me EluRyng instead of NuvaRing several months ago, and I figured I'd try it. My acne was horrific for the first couple of weeks. And then, I noticed I had some mood swings. The worst part was intense abdominal pain, especially surrounding sex. I thought for sure I had cancer for a minute there. I thought it couldn't be related to the EluRyng since it seemed like it wouldn't do any damage or anything. I took it out a week ago, and I haven't had any pain or mood swings since."

• Sin...
• March 15, 2014

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "My partner and I finally decided to try some alternate methods of birth control. NuvaRing was my first choice because I'm too forgetful to try pills, and I must say I've had a mixed experience. I love the fact that I can insert it and forget about it. I don't feel it during sex, and it doesn't slip out. It got rid of my recurring yeast infections, I even grew a cup size. However, I can't help but notice that I've gained weight, especially around my waistline, which almost never happens, and my sex drive has decreased. I exercise regularly, so I know it had to be the hormones. I experience extreme mood swings, I'm a lot more angry, I find myself depressed, have random urges to cry, and my periods are just as painful as before. I just may switch soon."

• KHa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 14, 2021

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "I have never had such a horrible experience on birth control in my life! The EluRyng made my anxiety go through the roof, extreme nausea, irritable mood swings, my resting heart rate was around 110 bpm, and I started having suicidal thoughts. I thought it was just my anxiety getting worse, but after getting desperate to feel half normal again, I started doing research and realized it was the EluRyng (I don’t take any other medications). This stuff is scary and needs to be recalled ASAP!"

• Que...
• August 6, 2014

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "My doctor put me on NuvaRing just shy of 3 months ago as a temporary alternative to the Assure procedure due to needing to take birth control 3 months before the process. Previously, I had not taken any hormones in over 10 yrs. The first month was fine. No problems, and I had a lighter cycle than usual. The 2nd month, I started having crazy mood swings and bloating. At this stage, I just saw my OB/Gyn today because I have gained so much weight and bloat. I'm unable to wear my regular clothes. I work out 4 times a week, eat healthy (almost vegetarian), and my only caffeine is a daily cup of coffee. My doctor said I have gained 10 lbs and need to remove NuvaRing."

• Pai...
• May 31, 2020

For Birth Control "I was on the brand name NuvaRing for about 2-3 years. Then I switched to the generic kind for insurance reasons early this January. I noticed whenever I would insert a new ring, my vag would feel irritated, almost like a burning/itching sensation. I normally have a high sex drive, but since switching to the generic, my libido is LOW. On top of that, I am now always DRY down there. I cannot produce enough lubrication, and sex hurts without it. The worst part is going to the bathroom after. My mood swings are honestly so crazy at times. I’ll also notice that at different times during my cycle, I’ll either have a higher or lower libido. I can’t wait to get off this birth control. The only thing that is the same is when I get my period. I always get my period around the same time. This is my experience of the generic version."

• Lex...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 20, 2020

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "So, I am glad that I found this thread of reviews. I have been on the name brand Nuvaring since I was 17, and I am 21, going on 22 now. Initially, adjusting to the Nuvaring was hard (cystic breakouts and such), but after 3 months, my body adjusted. My acne cleared, peach fuzz grew less, mood swings, and sleeping habits were under control. I was switched to the generic this year, and initially, I thought it was the switch from my Vyvanse to Adderall, but I have noticed my cystic acne coming back. My mood swings have been awful, and I cannot sleep. They say the generic is always the same as the original, but I believe this ring is new so I highly doubt that. It’s comforting, but also disheartening that other women are experiencing this as well! Hopefully there is a way for our doctors to be able to demand the original from our insurance because this stuff is awful."

• Eri...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 4, 2020

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "I had a mostly positive experience with the NuvaRing, but ultimately discontinued use. Pros: I have a clinical diagnosis of endometriosis, and the ring made symptoms like cramping, heavy bleeding, nausea, and vomiting less frequent and more bearable. My skin was beautiful. My cystic acne disappeared, and I only got 1-2 small, almost undetectable pimples a month. I also loved how convenient the ring is. It’s so much easier to remember to change your ring every 3-4 weeks than to take a pill at the same exact time every single day. Cons: The first few months I had some mood swings and got frustrated and angry at little things. This did taper off. Noticeably lowered sex drive (but this might be more connected to endometriosis pain). Near constant spotting. I would spot 8 weeks on, 1-2 weeks off. Spotting was the only reason I discontinued use. I wish my body reacted better to these hormones because it really is a fantastic BC option. I would recommend it to a friend."

• Toy...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 2, 2020

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "I've been on NuvaRing for 2 and a half months, and I don't know how much longer I can tolerate its side effects, from the mood swings to feeling angry all the time, low to no libido at all, and feeling distant from my partner. I've been bleeding the entire time I've had it in. I'm hoping maybe in another month or two my body will adjust to the hormones, but we'll see if I even make it that far."

• dtl...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• March 3, 2020

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "If you want to fart and cry for a week every month, then NuvaRing is right for you. Aside from not wanting to get pregnant, I use this because I’m on a category X drug. I’m not allowed to take this medication unless I’m on birth control. I’m forgetful, so the pill was never my friend. Depo made me gain 20 lbs. I dismissed IUDs because of the risk of infection, but after 10 years of week-long mood swings, irritability, crying, and farting, I’m going to talk to my doctor about making the switch. It works, but at a cost."

• sar...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• August 25, 2015

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "I was on the NuvaRing for 6 years or so, and I LOVED it while I was on it. I didn't have issues with feeling it, or it coming out during sex. Sometimes if I was having sex, we'd take it out just because it can get uncomfortable being (essentially pounded) in the same place. I went off of it about 4 months ago. I only went off it because the hormones started to mess with me. My libido dropped, I couldn't get wet, and freaked out emotionally before my period every month. I wish the hormones didn't affect my body like that, because I really liked this birth control."

• Kel...
• June 23, 2014

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "I have been using NuvaRing for a year now and have decided to take it out. In that year, I gained almost 30 pounds and have had insane mood swings. I kept it in so long because I thought other things were causing this until I talked to my doctor."

• Yog...
• September 25, 2019

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "After reading all of these reviews, I feel like I was crazy for staying on the NuvaRing for so long (3 years), but for at least the past year, I have been wondering why I’m not myself. I started the NuvaRing when I was 18/19 and have gained an extra 15 pounds that I can’t seem to lose no matter how much I eat/exercise. I also have had LOTS of mood swings and went through a depression last year, I thought it was my schooling since I am an engineering major, but now I’m not so sure. And the worst was that I lost my sex drive. My boyfriend and I have been together for at least 2 years before I started the NuvaRing, but for the past year, he always wants to, and I just am not in the mood. I feel like these changes started slow but became more clear after the years went by. It wasn’t all bad though, I love its convenience and ease of use, but for what it did to my mental health and weight is frustrating. Thanks, girls, for all your input, I thought I was going crazy!"

• Mom...
• June 7, 2019

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel 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."

• Anonymous
• December 27, 2009

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "I have been on and off NuvaRing for the past...oh, maybe five years. Before that, I did the pill and HATED IT. I was always forgetting to take it and would count the pack at the end of the month and freak out. With the NuvaRing, I never had that problem, just stuck it in and was good to go. Occasionally, the weeks would slip by and I'd forget when I put it in, but overall it wasn't too bad. I wanted to write a good review about NuvaRing because it is a wonderful product. In all the years I had it, I didn't really gain weight or see a big change in my skin or experience major mood swings. Just try it and see if it works for you."

• Ada...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• June 13, 2019

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "I was on the NuvaRing for 6 years. I loved the convenience of it and had minimal symptoms up until maybe a year ago. I did have mood swings on it, but not much worse than the typical PMS ones. The last year or so, I kept getting UTIs. My partner gets scraped by the ring every time, and the pain during sex brought me almost to tears every time. We decided it needed to go. Talked to my doctor who explained that as we get older, our bodies can react differently to hormones. So a birth control you start at 25 may have horrible side effects at 30. Weird, I thought, but oh well. I switched over to the pill, and although I'll miss the ring, the anxiety I didn't have before, the pain during sex, the UTIs-those I won't miss. Also, it randomly made my legs go numb and had some other issues the doctors swear the NuvaRing didn't cause. My advice: try it, it could be great for you. It was great for many years, but as our bodies change, so does our tolerance of hormones and such."

• Pin...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 21, 2016

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "So I'm still currently on NR. And I'm not sure how I feel about it, I'm finding that I'm a lot more dry, harder to get turned on, and really not wanting to have sex in general. I also feel like I'm having crazy mood swings-angry ones. Since starting this form of birth control, my relationship has ended because I'm too angry (he says, which I kind of agree with). I feel depressed constantly, I can't stop crying ever. And I'm normally a very happy-go-lucky kind of gal. Not sure what to do at this point, if I should take it out or see how it goes..."

• 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."

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

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel 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."