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

• Bub...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 1, 2021

For Birth Control "The first couple of months weren’t bad at all. However, a few months in, I started getting extreme moodiness and couldn’t control my emotions at all. Slowly it started getting worse to where I felt like a zombie some days. Like I just didn’t feel like myself at all. My temper was getting way worse. Then to top it off, I started getting extreme pain during sex, which I’ve never had! Like extreme sharp pain during intercourse. I became violently angry and felt bipolar. One minute happy and everything is okay, next minute in the blink of an eye I’m moody and it’s the end of the world. Definitely been feeling paranoid too. Then, of course, breast tenderness, occasional nausea, and more frequent chest pain. My anxiety is through the roof, and sometimes it’s almost like you feel something is wrong with you, like you get a sense that you feel like you’re dying."

• Tee...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 1, 2016

For Birth Control "I wanted to share my experience with the hope no one else will have to deal with. I have used Depo, the pill, IUD, and have now gone with the NuvaRing. I started that February 1, 2016, and it was out by February 22, 2016 (mind you, I was told to keep it in until the 25th). Why? Because of lots of things. I mentioned most of the side effects, and it took me a week to put it in, that's why I felt how I did. I was sleepy, nauseous like crazy, and cramping. I read the side effects over and over. I never put that the pain I was having in my chest was part of it. On February 23, 2016, I found out I have a blood clot in my right lung caused by NuvaRing!! This has caused so much stress on my family. We are still dealing with it now!!"

• Bri...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 17, 2015

For Birth Control "I already suffer from migraine headaches, and they stayed about the same, but when I first take the ring out, I automatically get a headache. And when I first put it in, I get a headache. The hormones, I guess. Other than that, I had swollen but non-tender breasts. No nausea. During intercourse, it came out once, but my partner is fine with it and pushed it back in. He says he doesn't feel it during intercourse, which is nice. I believe as long as your partner knows and is cool with it, you'll have a good experience with NuvaRing intercourse-wise. I would definitely recommend it to friends."

• Sky...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 20, 2018

For Birth Control "I’ve been on NuvaRing for 6 months now and am deciding to take it out TODAY. I’ve been noticing the DAY I’m supposed to take it out for a week to have my regular period, I literally feel like jumping off a cliff. I’m so depressed. I am a singer/performer and love being on the stage and around people. Lately, all I want to do is be home in a cave and not see anyone. Even if I’m out hanging with a friend, I immediately have anxiety, want to go home, and don’t enjoy the things I usually do. I’ve been so nauseous for months but never tied it to birth control. I have bouts of crying episodes for no apparent reason. I even have waves of paranoia and rage...especially when it comes to moments with my boyfriend. My sex drive is pretty much the same, but besides that, I feel like a different person. I can’t live like this anymore. This is not the person I used to be. Hoping I feel better in a few days."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 23, 2023

For Birth Control "I have been using NuvaRing for two months and a half, and I have experienced many of the side effects listed (nausea, migraine, acne (during the first week only), bloating, and low sex drive). I wouldn't recommend it to anyone who is going through sadder than usual times or anyone who has had depression, as I can say it has definitely affected me and thousands of other women. I have never been diagnosed with depression, and yet it happened to me progressively since I started to use NuvaRing. The decrease in testosterone levels has impacted me the most since I now struggle with low motivation, irritability, and depressive thoughts. I have rated this with a 5/10 because of the number of side effects, but I have to say it is one of the most convenient contraceptive methods. It is very sad how the pharmaceutical industry doesn't do better for women."

• Mai...
• November 15, 2022

For Birth Control "I would not recommend this to anyone. Like many other reviewers, I was on the NuvaRing and had no issue. Honestly, it was the ideal birth control. My insurance no longer can cover NuvaRing, and I was given this generic brand. I am never one to look down on generic brands (food, cleaning products, etc.), so I didn’t mind. However, 1.5 years later, I wish I would’ve taken the change seriously. I have gained so much weight. I don’t even look the same, I went from a size 4/6 to a size 10/12. On top of that, during my time with the birth control, I was so anxious to the point of nausea. Before any social event, I needed to drink so much to calm down. I was just an anxious mess! I decided to get off this terrible birth control at the end of July (about 4 months ago). I feel mentally better and I can actually go places without being drunk! I am working out and finally seeing results! I went from 215 to 193 - I have a lot more to go, but this is progress! I wouldn’t recommend this birth control."

• Cdn...
• August 16, 2019

For Birth Control "I've been on the NuvaRing for almost exactly 4 years, and I love it. I was previously on the pill, which I had gotten for free from my university clinic, but I wasn't remembering to take it daily, let alone at the same time every day. When I started the pill, I remember feeling incredibly nauseous for about a week. I didn't have the same issue with the ring and felt little to no side effects. I've gained about 15 lbs over the past several years, however, I'm not sure if that's a result of lifestyle (work, stress, snacking) or it is the birth control. My periods now are always super light and last about 4 days in total, which is amazing. I did try to use them continuously for 2 months to skip a period, and when I took my ring out after those 2 months, I felt incredibly emotional, irritable, had headaches, and massive appetite. Using them back to back did not work for me, but as long as I take it out monthly, I have zero problems!"

• Nuv...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 15, 2019

For Birth Control "I started taking birth control pills for acne when I was 13 (now 19), and I absolutely loved them (Ortho Tri-Cyclen). Until one day, I started mid-cycle spotting. Flash forward a year, and I’m still spotting after trying multiple pills. I sat on Google for hours reading reviews and was basically terrified to try this birth control. As soon as I started NuvaRing, I had zero spotting! Pros: no breakthrough bleeding, no headaches, I’m not pregnant, the ring is comfortable, and very easy to use. Cons: or side effects are nausea is pretty bad, especially the first 3 days of a new ring, I have NO sex drive, literally none, if there was a negative sex drive, I’m pretty sure I’d have it, and my vagina is so irritated. If you are looking for low-maintenance birth control, this might be for you! I am still on the ring, but because I’m so over not having a sex drive, I’m going to try switching to something else. Otherwise, I love this form of birth control, I just wish it increased libido."

• Dea...
• August 13, 2017

For Birth Control "I only lasted 6 weeks on the NuvaRing. I experienced several side effects: vaginal discomfort, headaches, aches, depression, fatigue, mild nausea, complete loss of sex drive, and a weird sense of feeling unbalanced, but not quite dizzy. I also experienced an uncommon side effect where my cervix became so swollen I thought my uterus was prolapsing. After 3 weeks, I started spotting. I switched it out at 4 weeks for a new ring and had breakthrough bleeding. I finally decided to just take it out because my swollen cervix was really freaking me out, and I'm now on day 20 of a messed-up period. I passed a large amount of tissue a couple of days ago and had a ruptured cyst this morning. Neither of those have ever happened to me before."

• Ano...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 12, 2015

For Birth Control "I really enjoy the NuvaRing. I cannot take birth control pills because they contain lactose, and I am allergic to dairy. The NuvaRing is super convenient and easy to use. If you put it in correctly, you'll never know it is there. I used to faint during my period without the NuvaRing - which I don't now. Also, I barely have any cramps with NuvaRing and have a shorter period. The side effects that I endured were nausea and breast tenderness for the first month. Also, I have had some weight gain and loss of sex drive - but both are minor. The most prominent side effect was breast enlargement - I went from a 32C to a 32DDD."

• Lib...
• July 25, 2018

For Birth Control "After spending 2 years on NuvaRing and ending up on blood pressure and anxiety medicine, I’m done and never looking back! An incident with insurance caused me to lose my coverage for a few weeks, so that when I needed a refill I couldn’t afford it and decided to go without it. I couldn’t be happier that it happened that way. I realized soon after not having it in my system that I felt like a totally different person. While on it, my blood pressure was up, which led to me being put on meds for that. And it caused all sorts of other problems! Such as anxiety, depression, panic attacks, high heart rate and a pounding heart, constant nausea (I had motion sickness just moving my head), headaches when it got close to the time to take the ring out. Extreme weight gain and hunger, moodiness, anger, the list goes on! I just can’t get over how different I feel after coming off of it. I no longer need the anxiety or blood pressure meds, and my therapist even let me stop coming!"

• Sam...
• June 21, 2013

For Birth Control "At first, it was great. I experienced some side effects (headaches & nausea) but didn't think to attribute them to the NuvaRing. Then they became regular, and the headaches got bad! I have a 7-month-old, and they make it difficult to care for him. Nothing gets rid of them, and the pain makes me super irritable. I started the NuvaRing 3 months ago, I was almost back to my pre-baby weight. I have since gained almost 15 lbs and have no sex drive, which is putting a major strain on my relationship. To top it off, for the past 2 months, I've started my cycle a few days early (17-18 days) while the ring was still inserted. I'm changing my birth control."

• Anonymous
• June 6, 2018

For Birth Control "I've been on NuvaRing for 3 months, and it's been the worst decision I have ever made. I'm removing it today. Since I started NuvaRing, I get strong headaches, nausea, dizziness, depression, anger, dizziness."

• rei...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 7, 2022

For Birth Control "I do not understand how this drug is on the market. It's a shame that health insurance companies feel they have the medical prowess to change medications that have such a negative impact on women's lives, and it seems like it's on a very large scale. And the fact that we live in a world where men can't even handle a birth control study based on these types of symptoms saddens me. Something needs to be done because this simply is not okay! I am currently battling with health insurance to get the name brand after 9 horrible months on generic without knowledge of them changing it. I had severe depression, anxiety, nausea, vomiting, irregular periods, shedding hair, loss of appetite... I could go on, and I went to so many doctors trying to figure out why this was happening. If you recently changed to generic, stop taking it right away! I hope to feel better soon once I change back to name brand soon."

• Lay...
• August 14, 2017

For Birth Control "Used it for years when I was a teenager, never had problems. Went off it for a few years, felt like it was important to give the hormones a break/let my body reset, balance itself out. Went back on it (I'm 26 now). Only been back on it for a little over 6 months -- this 2nd time around hasn't been so awesome. Makes my periods lighter/shorter/less crampy, which is convenient, but I'm tired of the dryness/itching/discharge. My vagina is some level of irritated/inflamed/bothered, pretty much 24/7. Sex drive lower, and some anxiety/nervousness/depression (though it's hard to tell if it's 100% because of the ring). Headaches/nausea, can't have sex without lube. Nice to be able to have unprotected sex, but only if you can enjoy it. Not ovulating is weird."

• Ean...
• December 1, 2016

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?"

• Jul...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 15, 2019

For Birth Control "I wouldn’t recommend NuvaRing for anyone with a history of depression. I chose this birth control after my non-hormonal IUD went through my uterus. I tried a few hormonal birth controls after this, and they all made me very irritable and sad. I ended up becoming pregnant during this time. Fast forward to now. I was looking for something easy postpartum and chose this. After 3 full weeks, I’ve been crying constantly, depressed, nauseous, and completely dysfunctional sexually. I was so happy before starting this and am glad I’m aware enough to know this caused my issues. Skip this if any of those things apply to you."

• Lov...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 15, 2017

For Birth Control "I originally started taking this years ago and couldn't make it through the first two months due to the side effects. Mood swings, depression, low sex drive, etc. I decided to try this again after four months of being married to my husband. The first month was terrible. I was sick to my stomach every single day. I didn't want to get out of bed and was almost in a state of depression. Month two has been better as far as nausea, but I have no sex drive. It's already put a strain on my marriage. I'm emotional, anything can make me cry, and I continue to have frequent mood swings. I took it out a couple of days ago because it was time, and I doubt that I'll put it back in. I'm a newlywed, and I'm supposed to be having lots of sex and be happy!"

• BC ...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 6, 2016

For Birth Control "I was on it for 6 months with few side effects (vaginal discharge and itchiness, mild nausea, and the occasional dizzy spell. Also, after sex, the semen would just sort of leak out.) But those were mild issues compared to the mood changes that started in month 7. I noticed that little things would bother me and I was angry a lot. I was thinking it couldn't be the birth control because I had been on it for 6 months, but I tried taking it out anyway, and sure enough, after a day, I feel happy again! No more anger. It was effective for preventing pregnancy 100%. So talk to your doctor and see which BC works for you. Everyone is different, so it may not cause any mood changes or side effects for you."

• Sid...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 20, 2016

For Birth Control "The only good thing about NuvaRing was its ease of use. Everything else about it was a nightmare! I had horrible mood swings, and it made my anxiety and depression so much worse. I would lash out at people for no reason, and I had one night where I was so emotionally distraught that I physically could not stop crying! It also made me very nauseous and threw up quite a lot. Needless to say, I'm back on the pill now, and I have no side effects."

• Bpj...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 14, 2019

For Birth Control "Since my teenage years, I used regular birth control pills, but I found the three that I tried made me really depressed. I would stay accurate and take them always on time for a while, but then I'd start to slack, so I went off of them completely as I couldn't decide what other birth control to use. This year, I decided to try the NuvaRing, and it has been the best choice, I wish I had chosen it sooner. I've been on it for three months, and I have had no bad mood changes or depression episodes, no migraines or nausea. I put it in, had a better three periods since being on this, and to be honest, if anything, I think it has made my mood better and regulates your hormones better with its slow release of hormones. I would highly recommend trying this if you're looking for a good birth control, it has been so easy to use, like you almost forget you even have it in!!"

• csa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 17, 2021

For Birth Control "I started NuvaRing and absolutely love it. I had none of the obvious side effects. No obvious weight gain that could be traced directly back to birth control, no extreme mood swings, etc. However, my sex drive is absolutely non-existent. It helped me not get pregnant, mainly because I wouldn't have sex. My moods have been mediocre. I wake up every morning slightly nauseous; not sure if the NuvaRing is to blame or not. There was no evidence of vaginal dryness; however, there was definitely irritation, and any penetration has been on the painful side."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 7, 2021

For Birth Control "I used this for one month after I was told my insurance didn't cover the name brand. These past few weeks have been terrifying for me. I have never had any issues with anxiety or depression, but these past few weeks I've thought I was going to die probably four times. My heart would start racing, blood pressure through the roof, dizzy, nausea, morbid thoughts, etc. I was in the ER this morning after waking up in a full-on panic attack. This is the only change in my life recently, and I am fully convinced this is the cause. I will never put this poison in my body again. Please be careful if you use this!!"

• Gca...
• August 2, 2015

For Birth Control "I had used NuvaRing successfully for about 6 months. I stopped using birth control for about a year and then decided to go back on NuvaRing. I have had the worst side effects ever: month-long bleeding, nausea, dizziness, lower back and leg pain."

• wat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 28, 2021

For Birth Control "I wanted to love the NuvaRing, and it was okay at first. However, I woke up daily with a headache, feeling nauseous, and also had weird smell aversions. There were several times I gagged and threw up from certain smells. Finally, I was also incredibly moody and cranky a lot and was just not a pleasant person to be around. The idea of it is good, but it just didn’t work for me."