Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel and Mood Swings: What Users Say (Page 4)

• 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."

• BOS...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 6, 2019

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "I was using NuvaRing for about 3 months, and at first it was fine, but then I lost any and all sex drive. It was to the point where I was getting mad at my boyfriend because I wanted nothing to do with him in that way. My moods were all over the place, and I gained a few pounds, but nothing extreme. It is convenient to leave it in for three weeks, but it's a hassle taking it out before sex and remembering to put it back in within the time frame. Just wasn't a match for me. Your doctor won't tell you about sex drive loss because it is not that common, but definitely know it's possible! Hope it works for you."

• TGr...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 21, 2017

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "I started to notice a pattern that the day I would insert it, for the next 24 hours following insertion, I was incredibly nauseous, but I dealt with it. The reason I ultimately got off of it was because after 7 months of severe anxiety, mood swings, and angry outbursts with no explanation, I figured out that it could potentially be my NuvaRing. I'm a 23-year-old, active student/teacher. I lost all motivation to get through the day or go to the gym. I constantly picked fights with loved ones, and I was so hard on myself and my personal appearance. I turned into someone I wasn't. I was going to therapy 2 times a week for 4 months, trying to figure out what triggered my anxiety. I got off of NR once I put 2 and 2 together. Finally back to my normal self."

• Nik...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 2, 2019

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "I had a horrible experience with the NuvaRing. I developed debilitating anxiety and OCD while on it. It took a mental breakdown for me to evaluate what could possibly be the cause of my mental instability. Once I took the ring out, I was my old self again in 2 weeks. I still struggle with OCD, just not as severely. Unfortunately, however, I believe the NuvaRing did some permanent damage. What I hope for all of you reading is to remember to listen to your body! You know when something is wrong. Don't ignore it like I did until you go into crisis."

• Anx...
• July 15, 2013

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "I tried the NuvaRing as a sample. Within two weeks, I had very bad mood swings. I was anxious and paranoid all the time. I got very nauseous and had bad headaches. It put me out of commission for a whole day because I felt so sick. I took it out that day, and within hours, I felt like I was back to myself. Of course, there were still hormones in my system, but the nausea and the severe headaches went away almost instantly. As far as the convenience, it was awesome to not have to remember to take a pill. I didn't feel it at all. If I didn't mind feeling like a lunatic all day, I would have definitely kept using it."

• E71...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 10, 2013

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "NuvaRing is very convenient to use, but after 3 years, I am finally getting off of it. I get major mood swings, anxiety, depression, leg cramps, and not interested in sex. At first, I did not think it was the NuvaRing causing this, but after reading reviews, I can relate to a lot of women! It was very convenient, but I will be changing to another method."

• Ema...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 1, 2015

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "I originally got prescribed the NuvaRing because I had horrible menstrual problems, but I also now use it as actual birth control as well. It was strange to me at first because of the insertion, but now it's easier and nothing new. The only thing I'd have to say that I didn't like at first with this birth control was the nausea, dizziness, and mood swings I had within the first (about) three months. I still have mood swings sometimes, but I think it's just an age thing. I also have not gained any unwanted weight from using this contraceptive, which is a huge thing for me. Overall, I'd have to say I really like this birth control and would recommend it to anyone that can handle it."

• Act...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 5, 2020

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "My periods used to be seven days and are now 2/3. I don't bleed nearly as much, and I get it at the exact time and date every month. I use it perfectly and never worry about pregnancy. I'm so happy I switched from the pill to the ring! I am a little bit more emotional, but it was good for me since I didn't feel a lot before."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 3, 2013

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "This was the first form of birth control I took. I was on it for about 5 years. It's a fantastic form of birth control; you only have to remember to take it out every 3 weeks, no mood swings, no weight gain (I actually lost 20 pounds while using the ring from switching to a healthy lifestyle), and my boyfriend doesn't feel it during sex. I recently switched to an oral contraceptive, only because the ring was costing me $60 a month. If cost isn't an issue, I highly recommend trying it."

• Lit...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 8, 2021

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "NuvaRing made me absolutely crazy. I could deal with spotting that lasted for almost two months and also got used to the breast tenderness, but the nausea was so extreme that I would spend the first day of the new ring vomiting as though I had a bad case of food poisoning. I completely lost my sex drive and was unable to get physically aroused (no self-lubrication at all). On top of that, NuvaRing caused terrible mood swings, I went from being depressed to being violently angry, and it truly made me feel crazy. The only time I felt fine was during the week that I took it out. It lasted three months and I would not recommend this to anyone, this thing almost cost me my relationship. 2/10, because I didn't get pregnant, so I guess it works in that regard. But I didn't really want to have sex anyway while I was on it, too busy puking and terrorizing my partner."

• Lei...
• November 5, 2019

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "I have been on the NuvaRing for about 2.5 months at this point. The first month was fine, but my boyfriend and I couldn't have sex because I was in so much pain, even a slight touch to my vagina set me into shooting pain. Once I hit the 2-month mark, the pain started to subside, and we are able to have sex again, but not often because if there is too much irritation to the area, I will be in pain again. The side effects I have noticed are lack of sleep and overall exhaustion, decreased hunger, constant nausea, cramping most of the month, acne, weight gain, bloating, and mood swings. I have also noticed that my discharge has become three times more prominent and that it has a different odor from anything I have ever smelled before (gross). I have been very sad the last month, and I am keeping track of all these side effects. However, if they do not subside or stop within another 2 months, I will be going off of it."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 1, 2016

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "The NuvaRing is a great contraceptive if you don't like being yourself. My mood swings were unpredictable and nasty. It was very effective due to the fact that the ring started causing abrasions in my vagina, making it nearly impossible to have sex; it hurt so bad I was reduced to tears several times. I lost my sex drive almost completely, and seven months later, I am still struggling to get my sex drive back. In addition, my hair began falling out in a patch by my forehead. I would not recommend this to anyone. To me, it's not worth the risk of the side effects you could face."

• Lov...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• January 25, 2016

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "I've been on NuvaRing for years and years, and I love it! The hormonal dosage in NuvaRing is absolutely perfect for me, and I don't get mood swings or anything of the sort like when I was on oral contraceptives. For some reason, in the middle of my NuvaRing experience, I tried Marvelon, and I was an emotional wreck, I'd cry over anything and everything and ate so much each day. It's nice to try different birth controls for a month or two to get the feel for what hormonal dosage you need and if you can remember to do a daily pill or not. Good luck on your birth control journey!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 16, 2019

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "I was on the NuvaRing for about two months. I took it in hopes of clearing up some acne I had, first mistake. Well, after about a week, I was already feeling depressed, emotional, and easily angered. I had also gained weight, had sore breasts, and might I add, experienced no change in my skin (it was possibly worse). Not saying this won’t be for you, but it definitely wasn’t for me!"

• Gna...
• March 21, 2016

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "Finishing up my first month with the NuvaRing. Maybe I'm being too quick to judge, but so far my experience has only been great. I haven't had any weight/appetite gain, mood swings, or massive fatigue. I believe it has slowed down the rate at which my super annoying few stray chin hairs grow in (seriously, I used to have to pluck like 6-7 coarse hairs out of my chin every other day for the last 4 years). It hasn't decreased my sex drive... If anything, it's increased it. I have had tender breasts since inserting it, but I'm actually a big fan of that feeling. My boobs are noticeably bigger, and it makes me feel really sexy. It hasn't fallen out, and I've had plenty of vigorous sex with my partner. I certainly hope things stay this way. Try it."

• Sam...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 28, 2016

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "I started using the NuvaRing in January 2016. At first, I thought of it as a worry-free BC where I don't have to worry about taking a pill at a specific time each day. However, as the months of me using it piled up, so did my mood changes, killer cramps from hell, and increased anxiety. I'm depressed all the time, anxious all the time, and I get mad at my boyfriend for no reason at all. He's asked me to see a counselor. That's how bad it's been. I also have a decrease in sex drive, vaginal dryness, and discomfort when having intercourse. I spoke to my gyno about my situation, and she suggested leaving the ring in for 4 weeks rather than 3. After reading all these reviews, I decided to take out my ring today, and I'm going back to my gyno tomorrow."

• Ccg...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 5, 2019

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "I started to use NuvaRing in June, everything seemed fine, nothing hurt. It’s really low maintenance, and my partner was okay with it during sex as well. I never took out my NuvaRing on the 3rd week just because I hated my period, so I would keep it on for 4 weeks and then just change it. I did notice my mood swings get worse. Anyways, fast forward into 3 months of having it, and then all of a sudden, I started to spot/breakthrough, and I was like, okay, maybe this will last about a week. Well, NOPE. I’ve been spotting for almost 3 months straight, and I’m so tired and overwhelmed already."

• AC2...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 2, 2020

For Birth Control "I have used the brand name NuvaRing for over 12 years with zero complications. In Jan of 2020, my insurance started me on the generic. I can tell you it is not the same. I have had major mood swings and have gained 10 lbs, which is mostly in my abdomen. I look like I am in early pregnancy. I work out and eat clean, and the only change was going from name brand NuvaRing to generic."

• Mom...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• May 8, 2020

For Birth Control "So I have been on NuvaRing for about 7 years now, and I loved it. I was able to regulate my periods and have less, as they are very painful. Then this year, I was switched to the generic, and it is horrible. I always have this lingering sensation after I pee. There is a weird smell that I have noticed. My hair seems to shed more, and my mood swings are worse than before. I have begun to sweat more in private and underarms, to where my deodorant is not working. I am so disappointed in this generic, as I loved the NuvaRing and can't afford $20 a month for the name brand."

• Yor...
• March 22, 2018

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "I was afraid of trying NuvaRing after reading the reviews, but it’s worked really well for me. It’s been 6 months now, and I’m less depressed/anxious, and my hormones are more stable. I’m using it for endometriosis. The oral pills I tried gave me horrible acid reflux. I had a bad reaction (hair loss) to LoLoestrin, horrible mood swings on Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo, got seriously depressed on Apri. I don’t have headaches or circulation problems with NuvaRing, but prior to taking BC, I had trouble with my blood not clotting fast enough. My only complaints with NuvaRing are: 1. Issues with it fitting/staying in place the first week, I guess it’s too rigid and too long (awkward), and 2. I’ve experienced breakthrough bleeding for weeks at a time when I try to skip my period (doctor’s instructions for dealing with my endo). Overall, the steady dose of hormones has made mood swings much less of a problem. And there’s no alarm on my phone anymore to remind me to take my BC pill."

• Hay...
• August 16, 2016

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "I switched to the NuvaRing from the pill several months ago. The plus side is no more having to remember to take the pill every day. The pill gave me bad body acne and cystic acne, which the NuvaRing cleared up. However, the NuvaRing gives me crazy mood swings every month like clockwork. My poor boyfriend will do something, and I snap and can't control my anger. I feel like it's the end of the world and cry excessively. I think this is the end of hormonal birth control for me. Would not recommend if the pill or another hormonal BC did not work with your hormones. Also, the pill and the NuvaRing give me horrible canker sores that I have to take prescription medicine for. Going to try the copper IUD next. Hope this helps anyone in their BC quest :)"

• Tay...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 20, 2021

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "I've been on the NuvaRing for two months and have experienced a variety of symptoms which led me to this page. Thankfully, I've had no nausea like others have mentioned. However, I've noticed I experience cold chills for the first week or two after inserting the ring, as well as night sweats. I also have experienced severe mood swings. The first month in, I also experienced a UTI, which I haven't experienced in years prior. I have had a minor increase in discharge, but that doesn't really bother me. However, there has definitely been a change to the smell, which I can only relate to the NuvaRing. I've done research on this particular birth control since starting it and feel this may be the last month I continue taking it. Blood clots aren't a regular occurrence with birth control, but they do occur, and as it turns out, the NuvaRing actually has a higher risk of clots versus oral birth control. As someone who has a family history with clots, this medication may not be for me."

• Sun...
• June 7, 2018

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "This ring was hell for me. Week 1: Excited to try a convenient form of birth control. For the first two weeks, I experienced mood swings but thought this would stabilize. I also had a surge of acne, which I normally do not have. Week 3-4: Acne went away, but mood swings continued. Week 5: same. Week 6, 7, and 8: horrible. I started bleeding heavily every day, heavier than a period, for three straight weeks. This was accompanied by cramping and an upset digestive system. Week 4: I passed a blot clot vaginally, which hasn’t happened since I had my daughter 3 years ago. By the end of the second month, I was physically exhausted from the blood loss and pain and an emotional mess from being unstable for 2 months straight. I took it out...and it’s like the sky became blue again, slowly I returned to my normal self. No birth control method is worth this type of hell. Done and done. Back to the pill."

• Anonymous
• February 2, 2011

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "NuvaRing seemed like the perfect option for me. I'm a college student, so life can be crazy, and I never know where I'm going to be at what time of day. I used to like to take the pill. The first month wasn't too bad, but after that, I started noticing some serious changes. I started feeling tired almost all the time, even after 9 hours of sleep. My sex drive decreased to nothing. If I wasn't wanting to have sex, then what's the point of taking birth control and paying so much for it every month? I started having really bad effects on my emotions. I would go from being happy to sad within a second. It was nothing for me to randomly start tearing up for no reason. I never had this problem on the pill. I'm switching back."

• dpa...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 8, 2013

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "Switching to NuvaRing was an awesome decision, and I would never go back to other birth control methods. I experienced no weight gain (people blame their birth control for that way too often), my skin was fine, no mood swings, no side effects whatsoever. You can't feel it when you're having sex, and it's relatively easy to put it in and to remove it. You don't feel it once it's in. The only downfall is it is pretty expensive (with my insurance, $90/month), but there's a 50% off coupon that the company offers, so it makes it much easier to afford. I love this birth control and would recommend it to anyone who asked."