Nuva Ring, Mood Reaction

[Gerardia]

I am considering switching from the pill to Nuva Ring, however much of the research I have been doing on nuva ring has turned up mixed reactions.  While I understand that this is true for any medication, I still have questions I can't find the answers to.  My biggest concern is the effect of nuva ring on emotional stability.  Of course, the company's website warns that mood swings are a possible side effect (I think that is a side effect for any form of hormonal birth control).  What I would like to know is whether the nuva ring is more likely to cause negative emotional side effects than the pill is.  I have heard mixed reviews, some people emotionally crash on it and others notice nothing; is this just something I am going to have to buckle down and test for a month?  If so, how do I monitor my own side effects to decide if it is having a negative effect on me?  

[bandit20]

I'm a man reading through these posts and realizing the nuvaring is most likely the cause of my relationship deterioration. My girlfriend and I have been dating and living together for a few years.  About a year ago she switched from pills to the nuvaring.  Our relationship outside of the bedroom has always been amazing and we are completely respectful of each other.  However, I noticed that her drive has been on the decline for a while now, and couldn't help but think it was something to do with me.  She has always reassured that she finds me sexually attractive. However, I also noticed that when we do make it into bed, it's very difficult to get her into it.  Even when she does get into it, it's just not the same.  She is no longer enthusiastic about it and I feel terrible because I feel I'm forcing her to do something she doesn't want to do.  Prior to this, things were just the opposite.  She'd always initiate and even wake me I'm the middle of the night for a little fun.  Our relationship seems to be falling apart at the moment because she feels emotionless and doesn't ever want to have sex.  She tried to explain to me that she is still very much in love with me, she just lacks a lot of feelings she used to have and has no reason why.  Again, I thought it was me and that she’s just falling out of love, but this has given me hope that our problem may not even have anything to do with us. She has a lack of emotion and feelings towards everything lately and the nuvaring may be the reason my soul mate almost left me.  She will be going off the ring and hopefully it will restore her libido and emotions.  I just hope that if this is the problem, her hormones/feelings can be restored before it causes any lasting damage to our relationship.

[Bethmv12]

DO NOT I repeat DO NOT use the nuvaring if you have any history at all of depression or anxiety. I have struggled with these in the past but have never behaved the way I did while using it. I felt like I couldn't control my own actions and I felt completely hopeless and crazy. I took it out on people I love and damaged many relationships in my life. After taking it out I had energy again and started to relax and enjoy life.

That being said, I am wondering if anyone on here has found an effective birth control that doesn't change you mentally.. any suggestions??

[Ebailey125]

Hi All, I am so glad I found this web page it has shed a lot of light!!!
I have been using the Nuva ring for about a year now and have found myself feeling very sad after a period. The littlest thing makes me cry and I have the worst temper flying off the handle over minute things. God knows how I am still engaged! I really think it is the NR I have been on all the contaception available the pill i forget, the copper IUD made my periods long, heavy and very painful and I had to come off the injection as I had been on it for 3 years and my doc told me that was the max due to it not being good for your bones. I really dont know where to turn next I cant stay like this being a tempremental monster either crying or screaming over ridiculous things I have absolutely no patience and it seems to be much worse after I have put my ring in following a period.  I suppose for some people it works but others it can cause alsorts of problems. anyone have any ideas of other options I can excercise? Thanks  

[Beee24]

Your comments have been so helpful. It's nice to know I'm not alone!

Because I had anxiety and depression while on the pill, my doctor encouraged me to try NuvaRing. Within the first 2 days of insertion I was experiencing severe mood swings and anxiety similar to what I felt when I was on the pill. At first I thought my body was adjusting. I couldn't believe the ring would effect me so quickly. On day 3, I freaked out on my boyfriend and broke up with him over a joke he made. Today, day 5, I felt extreme anxiety, started crying uncontrollably, and had trouble breathing. It felt like I couldn't control my emotions no matter how hard I tried. I started thinking negative things about myself, and even had thoughts of hurting myself, which has never happened before. Talk about scary! After reading the reviews here I see the ring can undoubtedly effect your thoughts and emotions, despite what docotors say. Doctors need to acknowledge these side effects and warn their patients! Needless to say, the ring is gone!! I don't know what we'll be using for birth control going forward, but anything is better than feeling like this.

[amwonderful89]

THANK GOODNESS for this blog discussion!

I have been on NR for a year now and didn't really notice any negative side effects in the beginning of its use. I was happy with the convenience of it verses remembering the pill every single day. However, just recently I have noticed intense mood swings, getting upset over little things, and getting pissed off at my boyfriend for no reason. And when I got angry it was almost as if I had no control over my actions and not acting like myself. I put all blame on my bf when we argued and would find myself crying uncontrollably. It was CRAZY. We almost broke up but I thankfully came across this when I google searched for "NR mood swings"... after reading all these others stories I do not feel insane and I truly believe it is the NR's fault for my unstable emotions. I took it out and do not believe I will ever resort to another form of BC besides condoms. Adding artificial hormones to your body is clearly not healthy and I am appalled that doctors and BC company's do not make this issue more prevalent.

I DO NOT recommend using NuvaRing.

[Zoeybhappy]

I loved the convenience of nuvaring, but I was also having suicidal thoughts, anxiety, chest palpitations, loss of libido, insomnia and weight gain due to not having any energy!!! Thanks for listening girls. I removed mine just today after using it off an on. My significant other will have to either suffer the effects of me being a total b-word, wear a "raincoat" or enjoy having a little pitter patter around the house. I am good with the latter as opposed to suffering the way I was. Namaste.