Annovera and Anxiety: What Users Say

• Ame...
• October 28, 2020

For Birth Control "Overall, I have had a positive experience with Annovera. I took Tri-Nessa for 4 years and stopped for a year due to increased anxiety/crying and lack of sex drive. Three months ago, I started Annovera because my OB/GYN found several ovarian cysts that were causing me pain and irregular periods. So far, it is much better side effect-wise than the pill for me. The first month was rough with nausea, but has lessened with each reinsertion. My period is now predictable, and I have experienced 0 breakthrough bleeding. I have noticed a slightly lower sex drive, but not as severe as before. Also not prego, so it’s doing its job!"

• Bel...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 29, 2022

For Birth Control "I absolutely love Annovera and would highly recommend it. I was nervous about Annovera because I’ve had such bad side effects in the past on BC (weight gain, severe depression, anxiety, loss of sex drive, mood swings, you name it, I had it), and I also currently suffer from occasional migraines and am prone to yeast infections, so I was nervous this would make them worse. But after doing a lot of research, I still felt like this was what I wanted to try. I have had very minimal symptoms on this, if anything, it’s actually lessened my period symptoms and made me feel more mellow. The worst side effects I’ve had are breakthrough bleeding, which is annoying, but I’m only on month 3, and it seems to be getting better, if that’s the worst symptom I get, I’ll take it! I do get headaches the week I take it out, but they aren’t unbearable, just annoying. And I did have one spell of anxiety when I took it out and had to put it back in. But weirdly, anytime it’s in, I’m a happy camper!"

• Flo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 15, 2020

For Birth Control "I’ve been using Annovera for birth control for 5 months now, and I’m switching when it’s time for removal due to all these side effects that I have had. No sex drive, anxiety and depression (that I’ve never had before), heavy bleeding during the 7-day removal, bleeding in between periods. I have had it fall out several times, back pain, and fatigue."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 5, 2021

For Birth Control "I’ve been on Annovera for about six months now, and I have a mixed opinion. It is really easy to use, and it’s convenient for use, but I’ve been experiencing a lot of side effects: I get random cramps in between that feel a lot like period cramps, headaches from time to time (never really had them before), nausea, and the main thing is that it’s affected my mood a lot. I already had anxiety before, but it’s so intense now, I feel incredibly moody and sad a lot, and my sex drive has never been this low. Probably going to see it out for the rest of my year, but probably won’t take it for another year."

• TTa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 21, 2021

For Birth Control "I started using this ring in November '20 and just took it out Feb '21. I don’t recommend using this birth control. This BC gave me multiple headaches/migraines, I was nauseous the first 2 days after inserting it in again and after I took it out. This BC also gave severe anxiety. Being someone in their 20s, I have anxiety already, but this BC took it to another level. I won’t be inserting this BC again because of these symptoms."

• Pen...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 27, 2022

For Birth Control "Used Jan. 2020-May 2022, Sept. 2022- Takeaway: So easy to use and stop using that I’d recommend it. Just monitor your mental health over the first months. My biggest symptom has been increased anxiety, but it’s hard to tell how much is due to this med. With this med as one of many possible factors, I developed OCD-like levels of preoccupation and fear three months after starting. Other Effects: - Felt mildly fatigued and achy for the first few days, like I had a stomach bug, and was slightly nauseous and sensitive to certain foods. - Period lightened, shortened, and became even more predictable. Cramps became milder. - Thick clear or whitish discharge. I often had to wear liners or swap underwear midday. Hasn’t happened the second time around yet. - Possible increase in screen headache sensitivity (hard to prove). - Decrease in libido and possible decrease in attraction to then-partner (could’ve been natural). - Skipping 2+ periods caused bleeding and darkened ring."

• GGG...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 6, 2022

For Birth Control "I just got Annovera around a month ago, and the most notable side effects that I’ve noticed are increased anxiety, genital itching, and (a lot of) acne. I’ve never been a person to get acne, not even in my teens, and since I inserted it, I’ve been getting huge pimples. Also, the genital itching is very bothersome to me. Aside from that, it’s doing its job. I don’t feel it inside me like some have said."

• pvs...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 13, 2023

For Birth Control "I tend to be very sensitive to medications in general. Prior to using Annovera, I was off birth control for 2.5 years because I couldn’t find one that I could tolerate. I started having short cycles that were painful, so my OBGYN suggested trying Annovera. I took Annovera for one cycle - I had it inserted for three weeks and then out for one to get my period. At first, I didn’t notice any side effects, which I was thrilled about given my generally bad experiences with medication. I had a day or two of nausea and was a bit tired, but that was it. Around week 3, I started to have significant mood changes. I found myself being incredibly irritable and feeling more negative/depressed. By the time I removed the ring, I had spent 3 days in a row crying at work and after work, having two anxiety attacks at work, and feeling very depressed. After I took out the ring, I felt normal within a week. Please beware of any sudden changes in your mood!"

• Bug...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 14, 2022

For Birth Control "I love Annovera so much. I tried using the pill, but I always forgot to take it, and then I went on the generic version of NuvaRing, which made me so depressed and anxious that I had to get off it immediately. I was worried that nothing would work, but then I got Annovera, and it's been amazing. I don't have to think about it too much, I just put it in my calendar when to take it out and put it back in. It hasn't affected my mood as much as the NuvaRing did, and it even got rid of my cramps! I used to have cramps so bad that I'd curl up on the couch, unable to move. Heating pads and Advil galore, and I'd often be sent home from work because of my pain. Annovera has gotten rid of that, and now I have incredibly minor cramps, and it's amazing! I feel upset I didn't try it sooner because I've missed out on living my life when I was on my period in the past."

• Cro...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 7, 2021

For Birth Control "I've had the Annovera for several months. Pros: easy to use and remove independently, unlike Nexplanon and Mirena IUD. Weight loss. Unlike other long-term birth control, I did not lose libido. Cons: the most intense abdominal pains constantly. I can hardly eat, it's so bad. Then once I take it out to start my periods, it's horrible cramps and abdominal pains. It's really increased my anxiety, and I have been having short-term memory issues since starting it. Driving me crazy!!!! I refuse to put it back in. I'm just glad I could take this one out myself."

• Meg...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 30, 2020

For Birth Control "I tried this birth control, Annovera, after my last annual. I took it out after 2 weeks. The side effects were too strong for me to try to wait out the 3-4 months for my body to adjust. I had headaches, no energy, anxiety, and severe bloating any time I ate. I have food intolerance issues that make me prone to bloating, and this birth control exacerbated it. I really wanted it to work because of the convenience, but I switched back to NuvaRing as I wasn’t having any issues with it to begin with."