Ethinyl estradiol / segesterone and Fatigue: What Users Say

• Pea...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 28, 2020

For Birth Control "Haven't used hormonal birth control in years. So I was expecting the extreme effects. Kinda odd inserting the ring. It was very bendable that I thought it was going to slip out of my hand and fall on the floor. The first evening, I noticed a little itchiness. Couldn't feel the ring, though. I woke up the first 3 days in a row with a slight headache. Slight nausea, more fatigue. My biggest concern was an upset stomach. I would use the restroom more than normal and had lots of bloating, upset stomach. I started to eat smaller portions. Slight intolerances to foods were worsened, so I'm almost avoiding them completely. A few years ago, I tried the NuvaRing and took it out and threw it away after 3 days due to major vaginal irritation. Having tummy issues is keeping me from sleeping regularly at night. No mood swings, no cramps, no spotting, no breast tenderness yet."

• Cla...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 7, 2020

For Birth Control "I’ve been using Annovera for one month so far, I’m going to give it another month to get a better idea of long term. So far, I’m feeling much more depressed and fatigued than normal. I like that it lasts for a year and you don’t have to remember to take a pill every day, but I’m hoping these unwanted side effects go away soon. I’ll update again when it’s been another month or two."

• JBa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 7, 2021

For Birth Control "So I normally have an incredibly hard time with birth control. Extreme nausea, dizziness, mood swings. I always end up having to stop after just a couple of days. With Annovera, I only had mild symptoms the first couple of days. Lack of appetite, a little bit of a stomach ache, fatigue. But by day 3, I felt completely normal. Really, the only complaint I have about it is that it's so big and sometimes moves out of place, so I have to adjust it, so it's not the easiest to handle. I haven't had sex with it in yet, so it's a little bit of a concern having it stay in place."

• Kri...
• March 30, 2021

For Birth Control "I was on NuvaRing for over 10 years, and it worked well for me. The only con was having to wait in line at CVS every 90 days to refill the prescription, or hope that the mail-away option arrived in a cooled package. I was searching for a similar birth control option that didn't need to be refrigerated, and I saw commercials for Annovera. I asked my doctor about it, and she told me it was new and she wasn't sure of the side effects. I figured I would give it a go. I switched from NuvaRing to Annovera in September 2020. I have been on Annovera for 6 months and have been experiencing several side effects. The worst of them all are the severe yeast infections and terrible itching. I have been in and out of my doctor's office, and it's embarrassing and painful. I am also experiencing fatigue, sporadic nausea, irritability, and pain during intercourse. I am so annoyed that this ring has so many side effects. I am making the decision to stop taking Annovera. It's not worth it."

• 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."

• 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."

• Meg...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 8, 2021

For Birth Control "I started using Annovera in November of 2020. Prior to switching, I was on the NuvaRing for the last 5 years. I only switched because my doctor told me about a new vaginal ring that lasts a year. I figured one piece of plastic to throw out is better than 12 per year. I have experienced side effects every time I get my period. The first few days on my period, I am so fatigued I can barely walk without feeling faint. Luckily, that only lasts a few days. I also have very heavy bleeding, which I did not have on the NuvaRing. I brought this up to my doctor, and she suggested I leave it in during this cycle. I have left it in and still had the fatigue. Instead of the heavy bleeding, I have been spotting for almost 3 weeks. So far, not a fan, may be switching to a different method here soon!"

• Ali...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 9, 2025

For Birth Control "I started using Annovera a few years ago after using NuvaRing for a few years. I've always responded well to hormonal birth control, so I didn't notice too much of a difference in that regard, but I find the Annovera ring to be more comfortable and stays in place better during sex. My partner is well endowed, and Annovera has never fallen out during sex like the NuvaRing has. I stopped using Annovera when we decided to try for a baby- I got pregnant the first month off of it. It's been 2 years since giving birth, and I decided to go back on Annovera. Today is day 14 of being back on the ring. Overall, it's been great- mood is good, sex drive is the same if not better, no nausea or headaches. However, I've been experiencing major fatigue. I have been so tired to the point that I had to take a nap in my car today- I passed out for an hour. Considering I take ADHD medication, the need for a midday nap was extra astonishing. I hope that this is just temporary and resolves."

• Lul...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 10, 2021

For Birth Control "This was the worst birth control I’ve ever taken! I love the concept, but it doesn’t work for me. I tried it twice but could not get past the nausea. Both times, I kept it in only one day and got so sick that I couldn’t continue on. Not only was I nauseous, but I also had chills and extreme fatigue to the point where I felt lethargic. I literally couldn’t get out of bed, and I felt so sick. I really, really wanted to love this, but it looks like I’ll be going back to the NuvaRing."

• Des...
• January 15, 2021

For Birth Control "I have been using ANNOVERA for four days, and they have been the hardest days of my life. I don’t think I’ll even keep it in a week. A couple of hours after I first inserted it, I had stomach cramps and a headache, but since I always get headaches, I didn’t think too much of it. The next morning, I woke up feeling nauseous and threw up, my body also felt fatigued, so I called out of work. I went back to sleep and woke up again throwing up. I also experienced serious chills. On day three, I was extremely sleepy, and every time I woke up, I felt hot and sweaty like I had a fever. I continuously had chills and a constant headache that made me feel super irritated. Throughout the day, I had noticeable mood swings. Today, day four—I woke up with a fever and headache that has been persistent since I inserted it. The back pain and stomach cramps have come back as well. The migraine is so bad that my eyes literally hurt, and light makes it so much worse. I’ve also had chills all day."