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?  

[Kee16]

I had severe mood swings while using nuva ring sharp chest and abdominal pains;leg pain in my left leg; shortness of breath (easily winded); weight gain due to significant amounts of retaining fluids thats obviously cause by the usage of the drug. The leg pains I didn't understand because I don't smoke therefore there should not be a Harvard for poor circulation as they have cautioned on the box. I was ready to  either kill myself or some one else....very irate and my anxiety level was through the roof it was so bad my doctor prescribed me and anti depression/ anti anxiety med. never did she think to research the problem  and make reference to my birth control. nuva ring is convienient but dangerous.

[msreid05]

I've been on the NuvoRing for four years now and getting off after this menstrual cycle. This ring has legit turned me into a monster. I cry on instinct, always super emotional, depressed, anxious....Im legit crazy. I've been in a relationship for 5 years and I really don't know how my bf has made it through. I have lack of sex drive, very dry "down there" when I try to have sex even though I love him to death and very attracted to him, always angry at him, flip at the smallest things he does or says. I once got so mad at him I got out of MY car and kicked it. Who kicks their own car??? I've also been experiencing short term memory loss, random knee pains and headaches.I've done so many out of character acts and said a lot of things that I'm embarrassed about.  I can't have this birth control put a wedge in my relationship and affect my life the way it does. IM DONE!!!!!!

[Danigl86]

I have been on Nuva Ring for about 3 years now. Only the past year, I have noticed that right before I take the ring out, I go "crazy"! I am extremely moody, depressed, and anxious. It's almost like an "outer body experience" where I know that the words that are coming out of my mouth are insane, but I can't stop it. My boyfriend is becoming extemely frustrated, and has every right to  be! I feel terrible. I have also notice significant weight gain and lethargy, but i can't completely associate that with Nuva Ring! I really do like the product, just not for those few days out of the month. Any suggestions?

[Rungirl7272]

I put the Nuvaring in yesterday and have had suicidal thoughts all day. I took it out earlier and hoping it gets out of my system fast.

[Andreaellen1]

I was on Nuvaring for about 3 months. I liked how easy it was. I had been on a couple different birth control pills previously but switched to the nuvaring because of sexual numbness. I hoped switching to the ring would help get my libido back and I had heard it was more natural. I liked not taking a pill everyday. It did not change my libido. I have decided that I can be on bc and not want sex at all (which leads me to not have sex anyhow) or be off the bc and just be extra careful. One thing I notice after being off the nuvaring- I had developed a sense of emotionsl numbness- not in a bad way though. Nothing could upset me. I liked being very unemotional- almost disconnected (happy though). Now that I have been off the ring, I want sex again, but feel emotional. Its interesting because others say that the ring made them emotional wrecks, but it helped me be less emotional and rational. I can't decide what I want more... To want sex or to want complete rationality.

[girlgirlgirlgirlgirl]

Holy smokes thank goodness for this website.

I have been pushing away as many friends as possible, sometimes feel like I want to punch the kids I work with, have no sex drive or desire to date, don't enjoy drinking any alcohol and if i do I get super negative.  I offend people regularly, feel like I have already lost friends or said things that were inappropriate.  I keep waiting for the side effects to go away because I know that they do - but in the meantime I am in hell.  The doctor thinks I am being crazy, but that's because i feel it. I have had severe pain in my right knee that went away for the three weeks that I was in Hawaii, I could never figure out why - but while i was there I took out the ring for part of the time I was there ... I am curious how it will change when I go off it again. I am going to a naturopath to see if they have any suggestions, as the doctor wants to put me on lithium for manic!! seriously doc, chill out, hormones are complicated!