Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel and Sexual Dysfunction: What Users Say (Page 3)

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 21, 2014

For Birth Control "I started using the NuvaRing in early December 2013, and I stopped using it after my month trial was up. I had a few side effects: weight gain (with no change in diet), headaches, no sex drive, and periods that started a week early. I was on the pill for a year and a half with none of these side effects. The NuvaRing just isn't for me."

• Meg...
• April 15, 2015

For Birth Control "I was using the NuvaRing for about a year and a half, maybe a little over. At first, I noticed a change in my attitude, as if it almost made me crazy, emotional, and snippy. I was excited to have my period shortened to a day a month with clear skin while also being protected from pregnancy, so the mood change wasn't a big deal. About 6-7 months after being on it, I started gaining weight with no diet change. Now looking back, I went from 153 to 198 lbs. Also, my sex drive decreased 100%! If it weren't for my boyfriend loving sex, sex probably wouldn't even cross my mind. Went off it last week with high hopes because the side effects aren't worth it after the convenience wears off."

• ATa...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 26, 2018

For Birth Control "I went off NuvaRing last year after struggling with crazy side effects for over 6 months, and I still think of the time on it in total horror. I was seduced by the ease of use and the convenience. The idea was great. What it did to my mental health was a horror. I wasn't myself; I had horrible mood swings. Even thoughts of sex revolted me. The loving touch of my partner made me want to throw up. I have never experienced similar states of my libido. Sex did not just seem disgusting; it was painful. Dry like a desert. I feel like I lost a year of an awesome sex life to NuvaRing. The week I went off it was a huge relief and a return to the senses, an end to the mental self-blaming hell, return of healthy emotions and desire. So, if you're wondering if NuvaRing is messing with your desire and mood - it is. Trust yourself and your body. Don't prolong this suffering; switch to something else."

• orc...
• January 18, 2021

For Birth Control "I was on combo birth control pills for years and switched 9 months ago. I have always used my birth control to skip my periods, so breakthrough bleeding was usually an issue, but it got better on the ring. I had the typical issues of the ring sliding down and causing me discomfort, but I got an applicator, and that fixed it. I have noticed a drop in my sex drive, and my vagina is drier than usual, which has led to tears and bleeding after sex. I assume using lube would fix that issue. My partner had issues with chafing when I left the ring in during sex, so I take it out now. I also have issues with cramping whenever I insert the ring. It doesn't last long, but I feel like it's my vagina rejecting the ring. So far, I haven't gotten pregnant, so it does a great job at that, and usually, I just forget that the ring is there. Overall, I like that I don't have to take a pill every day, and it's pretty easy to insert, but there seems to be more side effects than the pill."

• tma...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 19, 2019

For Birth Control "I loved NuvaRing as birth control at first, far easier to remember than the pill and super effective. HOWEVER, it made me depressed, lazy, gave me a foggy brain, moody, and this caused many hardships in my personal relationships. I closed myself off from the world and thought I might be suffering from depression. Once I had enough, I decided to see if it was my NuvaRing, so I took it out and switched to an IUD. Within weeks, I feel like myself again! I am happy, super productive, love socializing again, and no longer moody. Would not recommend the NuvaRing to anyone. I suffered with the mood side effects and used NuvaRing for two years, and yet no doctor ever told me that it was even a possibility that's why I was feeling so horrible. I'd also like to add it also caused a lot of inflammation and made sex very uncomfortable for me to the point I'd be crying."

• Fri...
• January 17, 2019

For Birth Control "I have been using NuvaRing for 3 years now. I really enjoy how convenient it is, you only have to remember 2 days out of a month. My periods are literally non-existent, I do still get the friendly cramps to remind me I am not pregnant. And my mood swings are not nearly as bad as they were on other high-hormone pills. That being said, this pill did slowly eat away at my happiness. My outlook on everything was just BLAH. No interests, don’t want to hang out with friends, don’t want to do date nights with my boyfriend, no motivation to work out. It turned me into a zombie without realizing it. Eventually, it took away ALL of my libido. No interest in my partner AT ALL. I was disgusted even at him touching me. That is the reason I am off it currently. Looking back on it now, the little libido I ever did have while using NuvaRing was the week I took it out to have my period. It is a great form of birth control, just be aware of how it affects you. I hope this helps someone!"

• att...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 5, 2015

For Birth Control "I have a love/hate relationship with NuvaRing. I love that I don't have to worry about a daily pill, light periods, normal moods vs. pill, no cramps...almost everything I want! I hate that the ring wants to slip out half the time, painful for me and my partner during sex, and decreased sex drive. I plan on switching."

• LC7...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 9, 2015

For Birth Control "Pros: Didn't get pregnant, regular periods, no cramping, no weight loss. Cons: No libido at all, heavy periods on the first two days. I have been on the pill, the shot, and NuvaRing. I would love this birth control if it weren't for the absence of libido on it. If you only want it to regulate your period, I would suggest it."

• Jul...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 20, 2013

For Birth Control "I started using this product after my 1st child was born at age 19. At first, I was a bit nervous about the side effects and all, but after a few months of using it, I was relieved at how awesome it worked. I had no side effects, no weight gain, my periods were regular, except that my partner was able to feel it, which was no problem. Anyhow, I'm going on 4 years of using the NuvaRing, and I've started to get many side effects, from many headaches to low sex drive and a lot of breast tenderness. I'm really disappointed in having to change my birth control because it was so easy to use, and I never had a problem with it at all."

• Kad...
• April 28, 2014

For Birth Control "I've been on NuvaRing for a year and a half, and I really like it. I had problems with mood swings and spotting with the pill, so a friend said to try the ring, and it's eliminated those problems for me. The downsides are decreased sex drive for one week of my cycle after my period, and for the first 6 months, I experienced dryness, but that went away. I really enjoy not taking a pill and feeling like myself, I am also more confident about the effectiveness. My boyfriend has felt the ring during intercourse 3 times since I have been using it. I'm very happy with the NuvaRing."

• Abc...
• November 9, 2019

For Birth Control "I have been on many different pills, two different IUDs, the Depo shot, and then the ring. The ring, by far, was the worst. I had side effects with all forms of birth control, usually to do with unusual bleeding or inconsistent periods. The NuvaRing was the only birth control I could find that controlled my periods. Unfortunately, it also caused acne, weight gain, despite feeling nauseous all the time and having no appetite. No sex drive, and I was so anxious and emotional that I thought I was going crazy. I was on the ring for almost two years, with all of these side effects, which I did not realize were being caused by it. When I finally realized this may be why this is happening, I took it out, and I feel so much better now."

• nax...
• July 11, 2015

For Birth Control "Overall, I've had quite a wonderful experience with NuvaRing. It's very easy to use, and it's very effective. It's perfect for those who are incredibly busy or have an unstable lifestyle (college students, brides-to-be, constantly changing work schedule), and I've had very minor side effects. Let's start with the positives, though - regular periods that are very light, almost perfect skin except when on the period, no hair loss, no mood changes, and no weight gain. It's also very simple to get off the ring and switch to another birth control or completely stop birth control altogether. The two side effects that I've experienced are low libido, and I get headaches a lot easier. I can also feel the ring during sex, but that's an easy fix."

• Lis...
• January 12, 2015

For Birth Control "I actually like it. I did not always remember to take the pill. When I first put the ring in, I had brown discharge for about a week, which was annoying, but once I got past it, it was okay. The only thing I don't like is absolutely no sex drive. I'm switching back to the pill."

• San...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 20, 2019

For Birth Control "Bloating, mood swings, anxiety, depression, no sex drive, made me dislike being intimate. I want to, but I can't make myself initiate sex with this birth control. It's so hard. I've never had this problem with any other birth control. I get sad too, out of nowhere, no reason, randomly. I like the ease of taking it, but it's not right for me. I gained weight, I like myself even less now. Thanks a lot, NuvaRing. It is still not as bad as Paragard, though."

• Yup...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 22, 2017

For Birth Control "I was on the pill before NuvaRing, and the pill made me moody and cry a lot. I'm definitely not one to be emotional. So I tried NuvaRing, now, 8 months later, I still love it. I really like that I can put it in and forget it for a month. I can skip periods if I want. Although I've found I can go 2 months without a period, but then I have to do the period thing so I don't get breakthrough bleeding. I'm also very much in control, if I decided one day I didn't want it anymore, I'd just take it out. I haven't had any weight gain. When I do get my period, it's short and light. The only con I had was I lost sex drive for about 5 months. It's returned though, so I'm happy. Everyone is different, but I'd highly suggest giving NuvaRing a try!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 4, 2020

For Birth Control "I had a bad experience with the pill, so I moved on & got the NuvaRing. I loved NuvaRing at first. I didn’t get a period every month, which was nice. I also never got pregnant, which was its main purpose. During the 4+ years of being on this ring, I had this inexplicable pain inside my vagina during sex. It felt as if someone were stabbing me with a very sharp knife. I went to different gynos, begging for an answer. No one knew what it was. 'Switch lubes' is often what I heard. (I tried them all.) This, in turn, made my libido a zero because it was so painful to have sex that I never wanted to. Not good on a brand-new marriage. My husband & I eventually decided we wanted to get pregnant, and it was only months after I got off NuvaRing that the pain went from a 10 to a 3 & eventually a zero. I would NOT recommend this product, as it took many years to get back to normal."

• DoN...
• July 17, 2015

For Birth Control "I've been using this for three months, and I'm finally taking this emotional draining mister out this next cycle. I was so excited to use this at first, but as each month went by, I felt more and more depressed and miserable. My libido went down incredibly low, to the point where the thought of even having sex would just give me headaches. I was never like this, and I've become an emotional beast using this, and it has affected the relationship I'm currently in. I don't recommend this, although it has amazing perks and it's convenient, it's not worth destroying you as a person and possibly your relationship and own overall happiness."

• Ash...
• December 10, 2016

For Birth Control "I started using NR because oral contraceptives made me extremely nauseous, so my Dr. suggested skipping the GI tract altogether. I'm on birth control and also take metformin to help manage the symptoms of my PCOS. I had chronic sharp pains in my abdomen for years, and the NR has been the first thing to help. I can't explain how thankful I am to not feel like I'm being stabbed from the inside every day. That being said, NR has given me extreme mood swings and depression and also very low libido. I find myself not being able to feel any emotion but anger. I took the ring out because I would rather deal with the physical pain than the psychological pain. Back to the drawing board for me."

• Han...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 24, 2019

For Birth Control "I was on the pill for 8 years and went off it for 2 years for a natural lifestyle - holy cow, I didn't realize while on that pill how depressed I was and had zero sex drive! Now being 25 and single, I thought I would be more responsible and try the NuvaRing to ease my mind. Being very in-tuned with my body, I knew after 1 month this was NOT for me. I’m very active and eat healthy, so within 1 month I gained 10 lbs, got extremely bloated, was always constipated, and I began feeling extremely unmotivated. My appetite was through the ROOF! The mood swings were severe too, and after just a month I knew I couldn’t put myself through this. I took the NuvaRing out last night and already feel happier 24 hours later. I would rather rely on condoms/my cycle than jeopardize my happiness and health. This forum helped me so much knowing I’m not the only one that had these symptoms. Listen to your body, ladies!"

• Len...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 15, 2013

For Birth Control "I want to share because I read these blogs and threads and find them useful. I was on NuvaRing twice in my lifetime. I normally have no extreme problems with PMS, acne, or mood swings. Normal periods without contraception. Started NuvaRing when I moved overseas and wanted to avoid pill failure due to digestive issues. Pros: super convenient (once a month dose), easy to use, really great except. Cons: no energy! No sex drive. Unfortunately, to such a level, I stopped it due to not having sex. My normal sex appetite was back within a week! Shame, such a convenient product."

• Aud...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 29, 2016

For Birth Control "I switched from the pill to the ring, and I am now back on the pill. I did love how easy it was and didn't have to think about it every day, but I did experience vaginal dryness and a decreased libido (which, I mean, is good when you don't want to be pregnant, and don't even want to have sex to begin with). I experienced a disconnect with my body and mind, my mind would be willing, but I could not become lubricated, and vice versa. I do have to say I feel back to normal being back on the pill. Still consider trying the ring because every body is different and are affected by hormone levels differently. It just wasn't right for me and my body."

• Mel...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 25, 2016

For Birth Control "I've never written a review about BC. I've been using NuvaRing for 2 months now, and I'm enjoying it. I think I've found the right method that works for me and my body. I was nervous about it because I still have not found anything wrong. This might just be the one! I was on the pill before, and I definitely felt the side effects... I was hungry all the time, breakouts, moodiness, and depression... and weight gain. With the NuvaRing, my weight has been stable (I did start a workout/diet plan, so this may be the reason why I haven't gained any weight). No moodiness, no nausea, no headaches. I don't feel it during sex, neither does my partner. Very easy process. The only thing I've noticed is that my libido has decreased significantly!"

• Kat...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 12, 2019

For Birth Control "I have been on the NuvaRing for about 7 months. I have had a good experience so far. My doctor told me to do three consecutive rings in a row for 4 weeks each time. So I go 12 weeks then have a period. This is because I have endometriosis and had too many side effects on the endo medication (Visanne). The first 3-month block I had spotting the entire third month. Now I make it through all 3 rings without spotting and get my period on day 1-2 off the ring. I have depression and anxiety (which I’m on medication for) and haven’t noticed any increase in symptoms. I don’t feel sad or angry like a lot of people here mention. The only side effects I’ve really noticed are increased discharge (it’s thin/watery and doesn’t really bother me) and a slightly decreased sex drive. Nothing crazy or enough to make me want to switch birth control!"

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

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."

• ban...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 23, 2019

For Birth Control "(21 yr old) I've had the NuvaRing in for almost a year now, and I'm taking it out. The first few months I loved it because I had minimal side effects, so I thought my body needed some time to adjust, but it's gotten worse. I'm moodier, have low motivation, ZERO sex drive (I used to have such a high sex drive, now sex is repulsive). Constant debilitating cramps and bloating, headaches, chest pain, depression, and anxiety. I've also gained about 10 lbs recently, despite eating the same. The heavy discharge I can handle with some pantiliners, but sometimes there's a strong, horrible scent. I've always had heavy periods and cramping (lasting 7-8 days), but now it lasts about 14 days. I've never been able to skip my period on this because I bleed when the ring is still in, it just gets heavier on the day I'm supposed to take it out. I liked the ease, but it's taken a toll on my body, mental health, and life. I wish I had taken it out sooner."