I was on the NV for about a year and had to stop because I lost my insuance. I am about to get back on it. It's great, i'm always forgetting to take my pill. so with the ring I don't have to remember but once a month. I'm on yasmin right now and I hate it my periods are heavy and my breast are so tender it even hurts to wear a bra...and my sex drive has lowered also..with the Ring they only side effect I had was the first month I had small cramps after that it was fine. I guess it was my body getting used to the ring. Also my doctor told me I could leave the ring in the 4th week if I didn't want a period...although when doing this after not having a period for about 4 months I experienced a spot or two of blood. But nothing that was bothering. I would recommend this to anyone.

I am a 30 yr old mom & have been on Nuva ring since April of '08..i actually love it..no side effects or anything with it. Never had any effects people are sayin it did for them. The only reason im switching after this month is bc of the price im paying for it..i was payin $45 mth last year & its went up $15 more a month within a yrs time & so im paying like $60 mth for it & so i really cant afford it anymore & that price IS with my insurance. I am switching to Yaz & i found out after my dr. called it in that im gonna be paying just as much. I have heard bad things about Yaz as well. (along with every other birth contol out there). It just depends on your body i guess..diff ones work diff for other people. But since ill be payin just as much for Yaz as i was the Nuvaring..i guess if i do get bad side effects from it, ill stop em & get my dr. to put me back on Nuvaring. But gettin on with it, would i recommend Nuvaring to others..MOST DEFINATELY!! I never had one bad side effect..it was great!

I have tried a few birth control pill brands, but they always result in horrible mood swings and nausea. The horomones, even the low dosage ones, were way too much for my little body to handle. I got off the pill for over a year, because I couldn't handle it. Then I decided to get back on bc, so I was recommended the NR by my doctor. I put it in, and it was completely comfortable, I didn't feel a thing. It does slip down a little sometimes, but it still doesn't bother me too much.

I have no mood swings, no nausea, and pretty much no noticeable side effects. One problem though, I know 3 people who've gotten pregnant on this bc. This makes me nervous, but I noticed on the commercial that it says, "99.9% effective when USED AS DIRECTED." All three of my friends would leave the ring in all 4 weeks, and skip their periods, so I think that has something to do with it (even though they'd abstain from sex that last week, thinking they were being careful).

Long story short, I'm 100lbs and so far the pill is no good for me. The ring is awesome.

ps, i've been on it for almost 5 months.

I have a question to all of you who were diagnosed with blood clots etc. caused possibly by NR. Is there a specific test determining that it was exactly what caused them?
I was on NR for over a year and in July 2008 I got rushed to ER with blood clots in my lungs.... It was really bad... I had such a hard bleeding that part of my lung died.... I still have a pain around this area.... I can never again be on hormones and if I ever decide to get pregnant I will have to be on Lovenox for the whole pregnancy + 1 extra month!!! I'm devastated!!!! Taking Warfarin for almost a year and getting Lovenox shots for quite a while was bad enough....
My doctor told me that they can't determine why I got these blot clots (I'm a healthy 26 yo with no history of clots in my family) but speculating that was NR is not good enough for me...
Please, let me know how I can find out more!!!

After being on the patch for about 4 years, I decided I needed to change. I tried Yaz, absolutely awful. I stopped taking it the second day. The first week of using the ring, I had HORRIBLE mood swings, I felt sad, and felt very panicky. I felt like I couldnt breathe right, and my boyfriend said that he absolutely hated the way I acted. The ring made me feel like a completely different person. I guess my body does not mix well with hormones. I do not recomment it. Be sure to talk to your doctor before hand. My next try will be the low estrogen pill.....

I have been on the nuva ring for one week...and i think it is the devil. The first day i put it in i woke up in the middle of the night with terrible nauseau and thought i was going to throw up, but instead had diarrhea. I am so moody it is ridiculous i cant control how grouchy i am...and i am extremely tired. I am waiting to take it out and i am stopping it.

I have been on nuvaring going on 2 months now and I HATE it. I went on it only because me and my husband just had our second child and needed a form of bc until he had his surgery and became sterile. I always forgot to take the pill and wanted something easy and simple, so someone had suggested Nuvaring to me. It doesn't need to be remembered everyday which is the only positive thing about it. The first morning after I put it in I was very nauseous and extremely dizzy. I work at home and could hardly sit at my desk, I had to lay down more than once to keep from falling over. This also happened the second time I put it in as well. I've had TERRIBLE stomach cramping, constipation, NO sex drive, vaginal dryness, pain during sex, bloating and last month my period lasted for over 8 days with spotting for about 2 weeks (on the pill my period lasted 3-4 days). I have been very moody, depressed (no history of this) and try to control my emotions no such luck. I'm defintely going to discontinue the use of this bc. I would not suggest this form to anyone!!!

I've had Nuva Ring for about 2 weeks now. First time ever using it. Switched to this after having the Mirena IUD removed (after 3 years and terrible problems...) Anyways, I've experienced terrible head aches for about the first week or so, very noticeable breat tenderness, and dramatic mood swing. This could be wacko hormones, after removing the IUD then adding the NuvaRing. But whatever it is if it doesn't get any better then I am just stopping BC period. My hubby and I will have to use more ceonventional methods... I am tired of foreign objects being in my body and taking medecines or any kind of hormones. I just want my body to be normal, with my own hormones flowing as they are designed to. The idea of worry free BC is great. But it never works out that way. But as compared to the Mirena IUD, I don't feel the NuvaRing unless I am trying to feel it. My hubby says he can feel it but it doesn't bother him. I have noticed an increase in lubrication (from me...) and it's been a positive in our sex life. I am going to try and let all my hormones get leveled out and then re-evaluate the Ring. Hope this helps someone.

I've been on Nuva-Ring for about 5 years+. I have been on other pills. I haven't had any problems with it so far. However, I want to get off BC all together because none of it is good for you. They all pretty much have the same side effects. I do have shorter periods, which worries me, where is that other blood going? Can that cause a clot?? Every BC I've been on my periods have been shorter. I'm tired of taking it, I just want a natural way to protect myself from pregnancy without so many risks. I was thinking about having the copper ring inserted for five years. It would be cheaper without all the side effects.

I started the NuvaRing about 5 months ago. Since then I have experienced HUGE mood swings, constant urinary problems(i.e. uti,bladder pain,burning) and I get extremely wet during sex. Not the goos amt, like an ungodly amt of liquid which is messy and unneccessary.My fiancee says he can feel it every once and a while when we have sex, but I definately can feel him hitting it and have felt some pain as well. I just dont know what else to take? I hate being a girl, its so stressful! UGGGGH. I dont want to take a pill, but maybe I should. or the shot maybe? I dunno. I just dont like the way I act or feel pysically and mentally now. I never use to be this way. Its like all my emotions are aplified, and not just during my period, or before it. But its nice to know Im not alone, or completely insane.

Alright so don't take my stars seriously I haven't even had the opportunity to begin NuvaRing yet I just turned here for help because i'm a little skeptical.

I'm hormonallly unbalanced (but aren't we all - at least a bit). NuvaRing was prescribed to me in hopes of helping my irregularity, mood swings, but most importantly my HEADACHES (which they think may be hormone related). I'm reading all these posts about NuvaRing and the unwanted side effects. The stroke thing sounds pretty scary. I already have headaches on a daily basis and they are really interfering with my ability to concentrate and life in general. I'll try anything at this point but I can't afford to have them get worse.

I know it's a toss up and there really isn't a way to predict how my body will handle it but I was wondering if anyone knew any information that would be useful in making a decision.

Any feed back from anyone would be greatly appreciated!!!!

Thanks in advance : )

So I'm getting a little iffy about using the ring now after reading all these reviews.

I just inserted my third ring yesterday and so far I love it. My periods have been more on point then ever before. I was horrible at remembering to take the pill and I'm one that hates taking medicine if it isn't necessary bcuz of the possible side effects, but bc is definitely necessary! I have become a little more emotional/irritable and now I’m starting to wonder if it’s bcuz of the ring. I haven’t had any issues with dizziness or nausea like I did on the pill, thank God! My sex drive is still up there and I haven't had any problems of being dry. My boyfriend said the first month on it, he only felt it once and it really hurt him but he hasn't felt anything since. So I never take it out during sex or even worry about it slipping out for 3 weeks which is awesome. I've found myself having to check myself if its still there cuz I can't feel it all.

Buuuut lately I have been hearing and reading up on all this hullabaloo of law suites and crazy side effects and its really eating at me. I am a generally healthy young woman with no history of blood clots and have never had a yeast infection or anything of that nature and would like to prevent anything from happening. If that means going back to the tormenting pill instead of the convenient hassle free ring then I'll do it. I kind of want to just take it out and not use it anymore cuz I don’t want to take any chances! But I think if I do that then it will just make my body go all crazy.

I’m due in April for my annual check up w/ my gyno. I can’t wait for that visit to clear up all my questions and insecurities. But till then I’d greatly appreciate it if someone could suggest any brands of bc that you use and feel confident with. I used to use TriNessa which is the generic for Ortho-Tri-Cyclen Lo but experienced crazy nausea and just grossness. I was thinking about Yaz but idk!

Also, for the ladies that have been using the ring for years… how long were you using it before experiencing any side effects?

Thanks!

I have been on NR for 1+ years. Obviously like every other bc it has side effects. Overall i had about 3-4 yeast infections. Mood swings? yes, but i'm pretty emotional overall. It's so easy to use, I don't feel it at all. My boyfriend says he does, certain positions. I just tried the patch for a week just to see. should of never done it. i turned into a freak, crying every day, want to kill everyone around me and weird DIZZINESS. I am switching back to NR because i'm used to it and my body is too. I recommend trying it because everyones body is different and don't blame everything on birth control: weight gain, depression and such.

I'm 23. Tried many BC pills but suffered with side effects.
I'm on my 2nd month with the ring. When I first started, I had a headache for a few days and I had no appetite but those went away. Acne is a bit better but stools seem a little on the hard side for me (not sure if it's from the ring). Overall, no major complaints, the whole "blood clot" thing scares me but then again everyone is different and you won't know until you try. Think positive!

I just finished my 3 weeks of NuvaRing. Before this, I was on Yaz (Terrible breakthrough bleeding which started a week before my period and continued until then, essentially I bled for 2 straight weeks) and Ortho-Tri-Cyclen Lo (had terrible mood swings and other symptoms associated with PMDD). My doctor suggested the Ring because of the convenience (I've been late taking the pills a few times) and to stop the breakthrough bleeding.

At first, it seems OK. I inserted it on the start date she gave me, and that was it. I couldn't feel it, it didn't slip down, nothing. I felt a little crampy and just generally not too good, but I also had a cold at the time, so I wasn't sure if it was being sick or the Ring. I have always had a history of being constipated, which has seemed to go away. Again, not sure if it has anything to do with the ring (which seems odd) or me being sick. My face cleared up a little, and now I only get a pimple once or twice, mainly on my chin. I haven't gained or lost any weight, and I don't think my cup size has changed at all. It hasn't effected my sex drive yet, either, and I haven't noticed any severe mood swings.

HOWEVER... my boyfriend of 2+ years cannot feel it at all during sex, but I most CERTAINLY CAN. It just downright HURTS!!! It feels uncomfortable, painful, dry, and burning. I am very upset about that. I have found out today that it can be removed to have sex, which I most certainly will be doing from now on! I have also had quite a lot of white yeast-like discharge even though I do not have a yeast infection. My gyno said it would diminish in a few months, so I've dealt with it by wearing a panty liner and that works fine.

After reading all the reviews, I'm being very, very cautious with this Ring. I have an appointment with my gyno in 2 months, so I'm going to continue using it until then to see how it works. The biggest downfall for me (at the moment) is the extreme pain during sex!

Mkay girls ... so as almost all of you have said ... I have had this ring in for a week shy of a month. I have had a extremely short temper, cramps periodically throughout EVERY day, a constant headache for about two weeks now, I cant hold my head up in school and have to come home and go straight to the lazy boy and sleep for four hours almost daily, no sex drive what so ever, discharge but no infections. Sex hurt the two times me and my boyfriend had it this month,(down from the eight to nine times a week we were used to) , and I also just wanted to stop right in the middle on Valentines day! cause it hurt and I just got so mad cause I wont even enjoying it!! Just the little things that I used to think were cute or whatever about my boyfriend became annoying as hell to me. He told me I was the spawn of Satan and that ring was the culprit. I have to deal with people all day every day, I am in Cosmetology school and we have a lot of little old ladies come in and out to get their hair done and I used to enjoy it so much and I had all the patience in the world but now I would cry I get so frustrated and same thing at work, I work in a drug store and when people get snippy with me I used to just bite my tongue, but I have let it go a couple of times and again that's not me! After coming here and reading up I found I'm not the only one. Damn it I miss being happy. I will go back to having to remember a pill as long as I don't have to deal with this mess anymore. I jerked that mess out about five minutes ago and I'm making a Gyno appointment tomorrow.

Congrats to those of you whom Nuva worked for you, I sure wish it did for me, oh well.

<h3 class="entry-header">NuvaRing Birth Control Device Can Cause Pulmonary Embolism, Deep Vein Thrombosis, Stroke, And Heart Attack: Part One</h3>


<div class="entry-body">

Organon's Contraceptive Vaginal Ring Uses Etonogestrel, A Metabolite Of Dangerous Progestin Desogestrel

(Posted by Tom Lamb at DrugInjuryWatch.com)

NuvaRing is a contraceptive vaginal ring that was approved by the
FDA in October 2001.  It is manufactured for sale in this country by
Organon USA, Inc., based in New Jersey.

NuvaRing has been linked to venous thromboembolic (VTE) events such
as pulmonary embolism (PE) and deep vein thrombosis (DVT) as well as
ischemic stroke (CVA) and myocardial infarction (MI), or heart attack.

To better understand this emerging drug safety problem, first one
needs to know that NuvaRing is a combined contraceptive vaginal ring
(CCVR). Ethinylestradiol, or ethinyl estradiol (EE), is the estrogen
hormone component and etonogestrel is the progestin, or progestogen,
hormone component of NuvaRing.  Over a three-week period, the NuvaRing
birth control device releases 15 micrograms of ethinyl estradiol and
120 micrograms etonogestrel per day.

As such, NuvaRing is classified as a low-estrogen-dose contraceptive
method that results in low estrogen exposure, which can be good for
some women.  On the other hand, this vaginal ring contains a relatively
high dose of etonogestrel, which is a metabolite of the dangerous
so-called "third-generation" progestin desogestrel (DSG) and, for
reasons that we will see, the side effects associated with NuvaRing use
can be devastating to a woman.

Going back in time, from the medical journal article Combination EstrogenProgestin Oral Contraceptives, published in October 2003 by The New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM),
we learn about two meta-analyses which concluded that the use of
low-estrogen oral contraceptives containing the third-generation
progestin desogestrel increases the risk of venous thromboembolism, or
serious blood clots, more than low-estrogen birth control pills
containing the levonorgestrel (a second-generation progestin) by a
factor of 1.5 to 1.8, which most would consider to be a significant
increased risk.

More recently, Public Citizen sent to the FDA a February 6, 2007 letter descriptively titled "Petition
to the FDA to Ban Third Generation Oral Contraceptives Containing
Desogestrel due to Increased Risk of Venous Thrombosis".  This
letter informed the FDA that Public Citizen has concluded that third
generation oral contraceptives essentially double the risk of venous
thrombosis [i.e., blood clot] when compared to second
generation oral contraceptives.   This February 2007 Public Citizen
letter goes on to set forth some of the existing evidence about a
biological mechanism underlying the association between desogestrel and
the development of serious blood clots in women.

Insofar that NuvaRing contains a biologically active metabolite of
desogestrel, the progestin etonogestrel, it is probable that that this
contraceptive vaginal ring likewise increases a woman's risk of
developing blood clots and related conditions.  In Part Two of this series about NuvaRing we reveiw some sections of the current NuvaRing package insert, or label, against the backdrop of the above medical information obtained from the NEJM and Public Citizen.

I was on the NuvaRing for 4 years. At first I was happy with it although it did occasionally diminish my sex drive. I decided to get off of it to "give my body a break"--BIG mistake!

I gained 15 pounds in 6 months, got awful awful acne, only had one period, became depressed, my face and skin became very oily, and I feel the need to eat absolutely everything in sight. I am now going to try Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo and see if I like it and maybe it reverses all the suffering I've gone through.

My advice to anyone getting on the NuvaRing--if you want to try it, try it, but DO NOT get off of it!!!!

I started the Navaring on a sunday the 1st day of my period. About 2 days later I switched from bleeing to discharge only. This continued for 2 weeks. Yes 2 weeks. I then took out the Nuvaring and started a heavy period that as of today is 5 days later and going strong. For me this isn't worth it and I hope I won't keep my period 1 full month. Since I have taken the nuvaring out by lower back has been having extreme pain.

I've been taking the nuvaring for about 3 years now. I loved it at first because I didn't need to worry about taking a pill everyday. My boyfriend couldn't feel it either. I loved the ring and would tell everyone about it. I didn't think I had side effects and for one didn't care when I first started using it.

For the last six months I have noticed a significantly low sex drive. I am never in the mood for sex. I talked to a friend who told me about why she decided to stop taking birth control. I am not sure what she was on. Her reason was because it lowered her sex drive. So I decided to do a little research on the nuvaring. Low and behold low sex drive is a side effect. As is brown discharge, pain during sex and dryness. All of which I have.

I have decided to stop using the nuvaring at the end of my next cycle. I look forward to having my sex life back.

I've been taking Nuva Ring for about five months now, like most of you, I was tired of the daily pill. But unlike most, I really havent had any side effects! I've tired the Depo Shot and I spotted all year and gained 10 pounds! I tried the patch and gained more wieght and had irregular periods, I tried most pills and suffered Migranes for years! And finally I went for the Nuva Ring and its great! My period's only last 4 days and I always get it on the same day and time. The ONLY side effect that I have is I feel soo tired. I've recommended this to family and friends, everyone's body is different, so it'll be good for some and bad for others.
My advice is give it a try, dont like it? Dont take it you know? But for me its been the best choice, I feel great and I havent had a migrane in months! and I havent gain any weight.... so far.

I hav e been taking Nuvaring for about 2 years now. I started this BC after the birth of my daughter. Since then I have suffered severe anxiety, panic attacks, and chest pain. Just recently have I put two and two together by anxiety didn't begin until the use of the Nuvaring. I am going to ask my doc about the possible link but after reading the comments I believe I will discontinue use of this product.

I am 26 years old and have been on nuvaring for almost 2 years. Prior to that I was on the pill (ortho-lo).

At first I loved nuvaring - it was so convenient, easy to use and I could not feel it at all. I personally never had issues with breakthrough bleeding or yeast infections. I was very happy with it.

My only initial problem, however, I noticed I was unbelieveably dry during sex. My boyfriend and I would go through tons of lube...Sex was very painful due to the dryness even with all the lube we were using. This never happened with any other birth control I took.

I was also diagnosed with depression and anxiety during the first year I had been taking the ring...(coincidence?) Then the sadness and isolation turned to moodiness and rage. I was freaking out over stupid things (like people eating loudly)...I would have to leave the room or I would snap at them. This was never like me, but I figured it was probably a part of the depression I was going through.

Also in the 2 years I have been taking the ring, my weight has gone from 105ish to 120 lbs - again I thought this might be a symptom of depression.

Now that I have been researching nuva's side effects, I am wondering if all of this is the cause of the ring...

I took it out yesterday and going to give it some time to see how my body reacts. All I know is I am willing to try everything to not feel like a raging psycho.

ive been on the ring for about a yr to a yr n a half and i loved it up until these past cpl months. like everyone else ive have no sex drive, been dry when trying to have sex, and feel like im pregnant with the nausea and the headachs. on the other hand im horrible at remembering to take pills that it wouldnt matter if i did go back on them. imma stick it out and talk to my dr next month. im hoping its just a cpl akward months. and if nething ill just come off of it for a lil while and give my body a break.

p.s-ppl who are grossed out with having to put ur fingers in UR own body, then please get a life. its ur own body if u cant be comfortable with urself that much then you have no point in being on the ring cuz sex is obviously out of the question.
also, those who just came on it and are suffereing from sympotoms ull get that with all of them its just ur body adjusting to the bc. get over it.

READ THIS BEFORE YOU TRY IT! Nuvaring was a nightmare for me. I was on it for almost 6 weeks and it made me psychotic: moody, sad, angry, aggressive -- sometimes all at the same time. Normally I am a good-natured person and not moody at all. I also had physical symptoms of sharp abdominal pains the first week or two I used it, which got better but never really went away until I stopped using it.

The worst thing though, is that after I stopped using it I bled like a stuck pig for two weeks. I couldn't leave the house because I would bleed through a "supersize" tampon in 15 minutes. After that finally stopped, I continued to have heavy, painful periods (which I did not have before using Nuvaring). I became very anemic and my whole life had to revolve around the schedule of my period. It's been a year and a half since I went off Nuvaring and I'm still trying to get my life back.

My 16 yr old daughter was on nuvaring for almost 3 months. The first month went well. Then began the moodiness, which I chalked up to her being a 16 yr old girl. Then came the migraines and increased moodiness, depression, panic attacks, stomach problems. After 2 1/2 months on nuvaring she ended up in the er with a stroke. Luckily it was mild and she fully recovered, however after 3 weeks, she is still going through testing to determine the cause. So far none has been found, leading us to believe that it was the nuvaring. I would not recommend this product to anyone. Granted, at the moment we can't say for sure that it was the nuvaring, but it is the only different factor in her life and healthy, happy girls don't turn into depressed stroke victims for no apparent reason. Just my opinion.

I'm seventeen years old and I've been on the ring for three months. At first, I thought, this could be convenient, i have so much going on, i won't have to worry about taking the pill everyday. The first month was fine, I had my period on time, it wasn't as heavy (which is the main reason why i got on the nuvaring) and i didn't have to worry about taking the pill if i missed one. But on this third month, the last week before i took it out for my weekly menstral period, i've been sick to my stomach, having stomach pains, loss of appetite, moodiness, the whole nine yards... and if i would have known that i was going through this i would have never even started on it. I'm going back to the doctor to get on a different contreceptive. If any one else has had these symptoms, please e-mail me... i'm a little worried. thanks.

I have been on the ring for 5 years, after talking to my mom tonight about my unusual weight gain I decided to see what other people thought of it. Every symptom listed I am experiencing. In the last 5 years I have gained at least 40 pounds, I have at-least 3 headaches a week, when i get home from work all I want to do is go to bed, my boyfriend is lucky if we have sex once a month, the discharge is unreal, PMS symptoms I have never had before and blood clots that are huge. The funniest thing about this is that I have told my family doctor about the discharge and the weight gain. I also had to go in because I was having so much pain in my stomach they thought I had cysts on my ovaries but couldn't find anything, I had to get an ultrasound done and they still didn't find anything gave me vicodin and went home. I also joined weight watchers and after 7 months of that not working and paying $40 a month I joined a gym that didn't work so I started taking Ali well anyone who has taken Ali knows that isn't a pleasant experience. So I gave up. All this time its been right there. Does anyone recommend a good birth control? What about the IUD? Thank you ladies for all of your help!

I've been on this for almost two weeks and haven't notiiced a thing. It's up there, stays up there, boyfriend felt it the first time we had sex but not since. After reading the reviews I'm a little worried I'm experiencing some of the side effects. Low sex drive and moodiness mainly. But I'm pretty sure it's in my head... because of reading this. A common problem by us humans. Think positive

After reading all of your posts, I'm feeling much better in that I am not alone!! I was on the ring for 2+ years, and was on it that long because I thought the pros of being on it (not getting pregnant) outweighed the cons. But when my sex drive went from high to basically non-existant, was uber dry, and I became depressed and moody, my fiance and I decided to play trial-and-error to figure out what was going on. I went to the doctor, got tested for anemia, started taking multivitamins, and began seeing a therapist . . . the only other thing to do was to stop the Nuvaring. I've been off it for about a month now, and am having my period on time, but I don't feel any different mood-wise or sex drive-wise. Does anyone know how long I should wait to see if my sex drive comes back? Or my mood swings/depression symptoms get better??

I am 36, two kids and have done the pill and IUD. I wanted the IUD back but after 4 attempts I wouldn't dialate enough to put it in so we decided I would try Nuvaring back to back. I am on week 3. I have so much discharge I came on here to see if I was the only one. Nope, not the only one!!! Major headaches. I told my husband to basicly get lost and we have always been a 7-8 time a week couple for the last 10 years. I have doubled my prozac and todays Christmas and I am still bummed. I am heading to the bathroom for removal right now!!!! I only wanted it because my periods suck (super plus tampon every 20-30 minutes) but I guess I am just going to have to deal as this is not worth it. Merry xmas

To follow-up on what pamathis said, kcsweetie01 you should definitely report your story. Nothing will change with the status of NuvaRing if we don't act to make change. Here are links to some pages at our web site, Drug Injury Law, which will tell you about the FDA's MedWatch program and how to submit a report: http://www.druginjurylaw.com/drug-injury-reporting.html http://www.druginjurylaw.com/medwatch-report.html

I used nuva ring for about 4 months beginning in April 2008 after switching from DepoProvera. At first I loved it, I lost weight, I didn't have to take a pill every day, and I was able to have a regular period. However, I ended up getting Deep Vein Thrombosis, which caused blood clots in my legs, and I happened to throw 2 small clots and had two small strokes in July 2008. Because of that, doctors found a hole in my heart and I ended up having heart surgery in October 2008. I have now been told by my cardiologist that I cannot be on any birth control for a year, if I ever get on birth control again... Not to mention, I have some lasting effects from my stroke that potentially could never be resolved. And I'm only 19...

i have been on nuva ring for exactly 3 weeks on sunday and i cannot wait to get this ring out of me! for a year and a half i was on loeastrin24 and it was WONDERFUL. at my latest gyn appt my doctor asked if i would want to try nuvaring. i said sure and things just went downhill from there! I have a complete loss of sex drive, am 100% irritable, and seem to freak out at even the smallest things that are no big deal. i have had weight gain and all together it has been a horrible experience. today i looked at the estrogen levels of loestrin24 and nuvaring... the amount of estrogen i was being given daily while on loestrin was 20mcg... for nuva ring 120mcg!!!! well that explains at lot. i guess some people are different but this was just a horrible meathod of birth control for me. if you're on loestrin 24 stay on it.. and if you arent.. get it on it ! its the best. hope this helps :)

I used the Nuvaring for about 3 months two years ago, I stopped using it because I became increasingly irritable and was clinically depressed. I switched to the Pill and then stopped taking birth control all together because of the insane side effects.

I started with the Nuvaring about a month ago because I felt as though I was in a better emotional place and that perhaps it was me and not Nuvaring. Well after one month my sex drive has gone out the window, I have totally irrational thoughts as well as crazed rage.

I think that Nuvaring is right for some people but from the looks of it here, this is not the right choice for most of us. I think the idea of it is great, however I feel it needs to be changed in some way. Also, the price is absurd. I paid $10 a month for the Pill, for this I pay $40 with insurance.

i just started this about a week (well monday will be a week) and iam having BAD side and tummy pains, i called the on call doctor and he said to leave it and go see my doctor, i called the ask a nurse line and they told me to go be seen, has any else had side and or tummy pains after so many days? i can not feel it and its as far back as it can go it has not come out also i noticed that iam very sleepy now, and iam kinda blah, ive caught myself going to sleep at work(opps)
can anyone tell me what happened to them?

My partner started using the Nuvaring and it seriously damaged my penis. I have visited the doctor twice and I'm still having problems. Has anyone encountered the same? Please e-mail me

I started the Nuvaring in July. The first two two months were fine; I didn't really notice any side effects. However in the passed two months I have gained about 20 pounds, even though I have been exercising regularly and eating well. I took out the ring a little over a month ago hoping it would help with the weight gain, but it didn't. I have gained seven pounds in the last month. I also have yet to get my period. Has anyone who stopped using the ring had this same experience? If so, how long did it take you to get your period and lose the extra weight?

So ive been on the nuva ring for 2 months now. every time my husband and i would have sex it would make me bleed for like a day. I got on here to check the reviews for nuva ring to see if any one else was experiancing this. after reading some of the other reviews i realized that this damn ring may be the cause of all my problems. I feel like i have a constant yeast infection and it doesnt go away after treatment. Im sooo exhausted all the time, absolutely ZERO sex drive...it pains me to even consider the thought. Mood Swings... Dryness..Its horrible! only upside is not having to remember it everyday. So, im with you ladies! this ring has got to go!

I have been on Nuva Ring going on 2 months and it is great. My sex drive is normal and I do not have any irritations. The only thing I have noticed is that I am very tired lately but that can be a result of many lack ofs.

I really like the idea of not having to remember to take a pill everyday. Plus, I didn't have nearly as much breakthrough bleeding on Nuvaring as I did on the pill. However, I'm not sure if it's just the shape of my vagina, but my ring would always slip down. Every time I went to the bathroom I would take a second to push it back up, but in a matter of minutes it was back down where I could feel it slightly. In addition, my partner said he could feel the ring inside me and that made me feel really self-conscious, so I ultimately decided to discontinue it after 1 cycle (1 month) and now I'm back on the pill.

I am 24. I was on the nuva ring for about 2 years and I loved it. I never had to worry about getting pregnant, never had to worry about when I would get my period, and never had to worry about taking the pills. I have tried other pills- desogen, loestrin, othro tri cyclene and had breakthrough bleeding with all of them. The nuva ring was like clockwork and cleared up my skin too.

About a year after being on it, I started to experience the typical symptoms of depression. I'm not sure if it was due to the nuva ring or due to my job situation. I have a feeling it was both. I got laid off from my job and also went off of the nuva ring and I have never felt better.

I am now in S. Korea and I think I should go back on bc.. b/c I can never tell if/when my period is going to come. I am wondering if anyone has a similar situation to mine and found a pill that works for them and does not cause breakthrough bleeding.

This is the most helpful direct contact platform for discussion about the side-effects. Seems like there is a fairly high rate in connection with the NuvaRing. Let me just start by comparing my moods to that of possession, imagine exorcism. I have been inconsolably grieved over the last few weeks. My symptoms started automatically, but it took me a week or so to start connecting the dots. The persistent yeast-infection stinging is the absolute worst part though. I KNEW it had to be contributed to the ring after I took a jug of bitter-pure cranberry juice, and felt no relief. This is how I have cured every infection I have ever had- no matter how nasty. There was no difference afterwards. I hate the ring, and I hate the bastard man that invented it...the slow release of hormones is liken to that of Chinese water torture...on your vagina...how has my vagina ever hurt anyone....so, why should it be hurt-

end of dramatic diatribe.
Go Suck It Nuva.

I was on Nuvaring after having a baby and was on it for 6 months before I decided taking the chance of getting pregnant again were better than the side effects of the Ring. Besides being gross to have my fingers up so high in my body to get the ring in right and comfortbale, I had discharge like when I was pregnant and went from a high sex drive to NONE. I think it made me a little moody, too, like PMS, but can't say for sure if it was birth control related. Also, my husband could feel it every time we had sex. On the up side, I did not have to worry about it daily and I did not get pregnant while on it.

I have been on the ring for almost a month now. It has never fallen out, however, I am always worried that it is not up high enough. The nurse said insert it half way up, but how am I suppose to know how high that is?? I can definitely feel it if I try to find it. Should it not be so easy to find? Can someone please respond with any helpful info?? Thanks!

I have been on the nuva ring for about 8 months now. the first few months were great, but lately i've had EXTREME brest tenderness, panic attacks, depression, lots of vaginal discharge, mood swings, and decreased sex drive. i just threw it out before i'm even due for a period, that ring is evil. i'm switching to something low dose asap.

I just threw that evil ring in the trash! I have been on BC for years and recently got switched to the Nuva ring because of Break through Bleeding. I had panic attacks, killed sex drive, depression, exhausted all the time, acnes break outs, dryness, extreme moodiness which led to me freaking on my husband for no reason! Also..it is true that when you have sex your partner is getting a dose of hormones as well. No one ever brings this up on these reviews! Everyone said "try it for yourself"..I did... i hate it! i got off BC completely and I feel GREAT now! I have my energy back, sex drive back, happiness back, and no more panic attacks! I have talked to many girlfirends who have also realized that these hormones are making us all MAD! So i say get the hell off of them and use the good 'ol Condoms/Diaphram. ;)

HI! I am wanting to try the Nuvaring. I'll brave it out and see how it goes! But I do have one question. Does it not get all...gross up there for that long? I'm a real neat freak (especially about my body) and just the thought of something IN me...down there... kinda makes me leery. Also, I ride/train horses. Is that going to make it fall out? (I don't need a stray Nuvaring at a rodeo!lol) Any suggestions/ advice? I'd really appreciate that! Thanks ladies!

I am 26 and have been using the Nuva Ring for almost 3 years. I never thought I had many side effects until I read other people's reviews. I know that it has effcted my sex drive because I do not have one. It makes me wonder why I am even on birth control because I am not going to get pregnant when I am not having sex. The discharge can be quite annoying not to mention disgusting. When I do have sex it is very uncomfortable no matter how much lube I use. I find that I am always moody and cannot lose any weight no matter how much I excercise. Lets just say I lost 50 pounds when I was off birth control and now nothing even with the same routine. I have given up and I don't know how my boyfriend of 2 years puts up with all these side effects. I gave the Nuva Ring 3 stars because I have not gotten pregnant and I don't have to think about it everyday.