Birth Control Forum - Nuva Ring Side Effects


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sammyjo8484

New User, Becoming EHEALTHy

Joined: 26 Aug 2005
Posts: 1
Location: baltimore, md

Nuva Ring Side Effects Posted: 08-26-05 11:48am


I was on nuva ring for about four months. I loved it bc it was easy to use and I could control my periods. Other forms of birth control tend to make me nauseas and have breakouts, but this did not. However, I am having two major side effects that I want to control. I am extremely moody and depressed. Also, I gain weight, especially in my stomach. I went off the ring for a month and saw all of these effects subside but have now been back on it for two months and the effects are back. I want to know if anyone has been on it for a long time and will my moods level out when my body adjusts more to the hormones? And can I control the weight gain? I am a small girl and do not weight much, but I eat less now to control it and still gain more weight!

dixiemink

New User, Becoming EHEALTHy

Joined: 28 Aug 2005
Posts: 2
Location: ny

Posted This Elsewhere Here But Posted: 08-28-05 00:33am


Just took it out after 5 days because it made me anxious, depressed, uninterested in sex and I forgot to mention there, fatter too- in that short time! My depression subsided within 5 hours, which shocked me. I can really feel a difference between me this morning and me this evening. Weird, but there it is.

wendala

New User, Becoming EHEALTHy

Joined: 09 Sep 2005
Posts: 1

Nuva Ring And ...gulp...hair Loss???? Posted: 09-09-05 14:21pm


Was wondering if anyone has had this happen - I have been on the ring for over a year and in the past few months, have started seeing dramatic hair loss. A trip to the dermatologist later and he is suspicious it could be the ring, having ruled out all other possibilities. Please, any one out there - have you had a similar experience? I am trying to get this under control before goign bald!!!! Help!

ACooper

New User, Becoming EHEALTHy

Joined: 13 Sep 2005
Posts: 8
Location: Cary, NC

Posted: 09-17-05 11:45am


I talked to my hair dresser about losing my hair while on birth control. She said that it was an affect of the bc, but not to be too worried about it. Good luck

sandy0906

New User, Becoming EHEALTHy

Joined: 23 Sep 2005
Posts: 1

Nuvaring And Hair Loss Posted: 09-23-05 20:24pm


I have been using nuvaring for almost a year, and I too feel like i've experienced abnormal hair loss, mainly at the crown. I can see my scalp more than before. I'm thinking about swearing off birth control all together!

Jenks722

New User, Becoming EHEALTHy

Joined: 10 Oct 2005
Posts: 1

Hopelessly Depressing, No Sex Drive, And Losing Hair Posted: 10-10-05 15:31pm


I was actually relieved that other people were experiencing this side effect too! I have been on it for only 2 weeks, and within that time I went from being happy to crying daily and completely losing my sex drive. I had been noticing some hair loss this week, and didnt think to connect the two. So you are not alone, its happening to me too. Thanks for the advice, i'm going off of it today and back on yasmin. Shorter periods are not worth turning into an emotional wreck. :cry:

Lesa3

New User, Becoming EHEALTHy

Joined: 24 Oct 2005
Posts: 1
Location: Tennessee

Feeling Down Posted: 10-24-05 12:04pm


I'm glad to know that i'm not the only person having problems with the ring. I have been having headaches and i'm so so sad. I don't like anything about myself or anyone else. I have been very ill. And I have also had some hair loss.

reneeb

New User, Becoming EHEALTHy

Joined: 25 Oct 2005
Posts: 1
Location: MO

More On the Nuvaring Hair Loss Saga Posted: 10-25-05 22:18pm


After three cycles, I removed mine half-way through the fourth cycle. I could not bear to look in the sink, shower, brush, comb, or even worse yet, the mirror. My hair is not very thick to begin with, but after two cycles, I started losing so much hair that I was referred to a dermatologist. What I find is amazing is that the ob/gyn's and the nurse practitioners are clueless (or pretend they are) about this well-known side effect. With just a little research, I found well-respected physicians recommending the nuvaring be avoided if hair loss is an issue or one has a predisposition for hair loss. Also, my face began to break out badly, i.E., five to eight painful blemishes at any given time. Check out web md's recent article on this topic. Nuvaring is one of the four hormonal contraceptives most likely to cause hair loss because of the androgens. On a positive note, my cycles were more regular, lighter, and cramps became history, but i'll deal with cramps and an irregular cycle any day over baldness and blemishes! Good luck, ladies! Buyer be aware!

happilyeverafter

New User, Becoming EHEALTHy

Joined: 01 Nov 2005
Posts: 3

Posted: 11-01-05 22:24pm


I have been on it for a week and two days now and I have already noticed slight weight gain and involuntary urges to cry. It's so annoying! I'll just be sitting there and I will have to fight back tears... I'm starting to wonder if I should just go on orthotricyclen lo

solar001

Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy

Joined: 23 Nov 2005
Posts: 82
Location: Weston, FL

Posted: 11-23-05 14:52pm


What we have to remember is that any hormonal birth control method tricks your body into thinking that you're pregnant, hence the moodiness, breakouts, hair loss, nausea etc. It's different for every person.

melaniemica

New User, Becoming EHEALTHy

Joined: 20 Jan 2007
Posts: 1

Nuva Ring Is Making Me Crazy(ier)!! Posted: 01-20-07 18:25pm


I've been on the nuva ring for about 4 months. I originally was prescribed the ring because I was having 2 to 3 periods per month, not fun! And the hormonal changes that go along with the periods are enough to make you crazy considering you're pms'ing practically all the time. The constant worrying if I felt another period start and running to the bathroom, praying I had a tampon in my purse, was horrible. I have been on 3 different types of pill to try and regulate my periods and none stopped the bleeding so I gave up hope and figured i'd just have to live like this. Then, I went to a new gyno and was prescribed the ring, it works like a charm. I only menstruate once per month and my periods are very consistent although, I have turned into a raging demon from hell! I feel like that scary girl in the movie "the ring"! My boyfriend and I have broken up 3 times in 4 months, he has seen a distinct change in my personality and behavior. I notice that I have zero patience for people or much of anything anymore. I am very depressed and down on myself, I have very little motivation to do anything unless I have to be somewhere. I have suffered with depression my whole life and have been able to control it for the most part, but not to this extent, and this consistently. I found that within 2 days of removing the ring, my thought process actually changes completely! For example, I made the decision to end my relationship (yet, again) and after the hormones were out of my system, I completely changed my mind! That's not normal, even for me. There are obviously some issues in my relationship that need to be addressed, i'm not that irrational, but I really and truly think that this thing is contributing to my major mood swings and inability to make logical decisions. Anyone else feelin' me here? Ps- for those who are experiencing acne problems, I use proactiv and I swear I would do a commercial for these people. It really, really works, I promise. I suffered with acne starting at about age 25 and tried everything out there, dermalogica, over the counter stuff, murad, etc. It didn't go away until I tried proactiv 3 years ago and hasn't come back since. I won't skip an application. As long as you're consistent and use it properly (it takes about 2 months to really see any results), I sound like an infomercial but i'm telling you, the stuff works!

pashas

New User, Becoming EHEALTHy

Joined: 10 Feb 2007
Posts: 1
Location: Chicago

Nuvaring And Hair Loss Posted: 02-10-07 15:14pm


I went on nuvaring for three months and felt like i'd finally found the perfect contraceptive for me--until my hair started coming out. I am outraged that this apparently very common side effect is not listed anywhere on the nuvaring or organon website, or anywhere in the literature I was given! I am making it my personal mission to inform every woman I know that this side effect could happen to them. I took my third nuvaring out today, one day early, because after gathering up all the hair in the shower and the tub, I nearly started to cry. I'm absolutely furious that the manufacturer is getting away with not disclosing this possible side effect, and that my healthcare providers neglected to mention it. I know it's all about the money, but where is the fda in all this?

Acidic6Tears

New User, Becoming EHEALTHy

Joined: 13 Feb 2007
Posts: 1
Location: Michigan

It Won't Stop!!!! Posted: 02-13-07 14:54pm


I have been on the nuvaring since, I think, august of 2006. When I first started, I noticed a major increase in "wetness" throughout the day, it didn't really bother me to much though. That was the only problem I found so I started going every other month with just skipping my period (leaving the ring in for four weeks then switching). It was going good and everything but this month i've been on my period for over two weeks and it was supposed to be my month off. The first few days it was a dark brown and fairly light but now its red and a bit on the heavier side. It's starting to get really frustrating for both me and my boyfriend. Has anyone else experienced this? Should I be concerned? I really would have gotten to the doctor about it but it's hard to get out there...

licensetathrill

New User, Becoming EHEALTHy

Joined: 15 Feb 2007
Posts: 1
Location: salt lake city

Depressed Posted: 02-15-07 12:44pm


I didn't realize until today that my severe mood swings and problems that I think that I have with my boyfriend could be caused by this side effect. I've noticed that I have also become a lot more moody towards everyone at work, even the customers, and when your job is supposed to make those people happy it can be really bad. I try to just overlook everything as I used to, but it becomes harder and harder each day. I don't know if it is worth it. Has anyone been on the ring long enough, with the same problems to know if this goes away eventually? I have not noticed any of the other side effects mentioned. I was accually just noticing earlier this week that my hair seems to be stronger, not weeker like many of you have mentioned. No headaches, which I have experienced with every other birth control that I have tried! My sex drive is about the same, I have not noticed a difference (other than my mood when it comes to that, but I am still as interested in sex). This is pretty much my last option for birth control, I have tried almost everything else and I was getting migranes everyday, sometimes multiple times a day, or they would not subside for a few days at a time (especially on ortho try cyclen). I want this to work but not at the expense of my sanity!

hopewilson

New User, Becoming EHEALTHy

Joined: 23 Feb 2007
Posts: 1

If I Had Not Found This Website I Would Think I Was Crazy!!! Posted: 02-23-07 13:34pm


I have been on the Nuva Ring for almost a year. I was so happy with my results because I didn't have to "think" anymore about birthcontrol except once a month. Lately I have been really tired and I have no motivation to anything but sleep. I started to get down on myself and question my life and just get really depressed. My cousin told me that mood swings were a side effect of the Nuva ring..I was so in denial because of the easy method of the ring that I ignored it..until now. Thank you all for you honest posts becuase I would have thought I was nuts if it was not for them. I am still on it and I am really thinking about going off...even though I have exprienced no other side effects this one is just enough for me !

Jaydensmommy

Advanced Support Team

Joined: 28 Jan 2004
Posts: 1684
Location: Wisconsin

Posted: 02-25-07 01:25am


I had alot of issues with the nuva ring also. I noticed the hair loss which at the time I assumed was because I had just had a baby, etc. But I also had issues with the ring falling out, being uncomfortable, etc.

wonderwoman778

New User, Becoming EHEALTHy

Joined: 20 Mar 2007
Posts: 2

Nuvaring And Hair Loss Posted: 03-20-07 18:08pm


Hi, i've used the nuvaring for 3 months. About 2 months ago, I noticed some thinning in the front of my forehead. Hair loss is a sign of aging so I was really concerned. Then this month, I started looking closely only to notice bigger gaps between my hair. I was using my laptop when I noticed that even my short baby hairs were falling off. I think I've lost a whopping third of my total head of hair. This is sad because I normally have a ridiculously full head of hear. Also, my breasts have gotten smaller. I will definitely never use it again. Now my only concern is how can I get my hair to regrow? Will it all regrow? S

jeanne0626

New User, Becoming EHEALTHy

Joined: 28 Mar 2007
Posts: 1

Re: Nuvaring And Hair Loss
Posted: 03-28-07 15:17pm

wonderwoman778 wrote:

Hi,

i've used the nuvaring for 3 months. About 2 months ago, I noticed some thinning in the front of my forehead. Hair loss is a sign of aging so I was really concerned. Then this month, I started looking closely only to notice bigger gaps between my hair. I was using my laptop when I noticed that even my short baby hairs were falling off. I think I've lost a whopping third of my total head of hair. This is sad because I normally have a ridiculously full head of hear.

Also, my breasts have gotten smaller. I will definitely never use it again. Now my only concern is how can I get my hair to regrow? Will it all regrow?

S

I have been on the nuvaring for almost 1 year. Prior to that, the Patch for almost 2 years and prior to that, Ortho Tri-Cyclen for 6 years. Over the past 3 years I have been experiencing anxiety, panic attacks and some symptoms of depression. ALSO have noticed my hair was thinning in the past 6 months or so...

I am SO HAPPY to have found this site, because I have realized that all of that may be linked to the patch and the ring! I have stopped using it completely and my MD says to give myself 2-3 months to see if the anxiety/depression improves.

Also, according to this website, all hormonal birth control can be linked to some type of hair loss. It depends on the androgen level (which relates to the progestin hormone) in the birth control:

http://www.americanhairloss.org/wo men_hair_loss/oral_contraceptives.asp

THe FDA also states that "nervousness" and "loss of scalp hair" are side effects that are neither "confirmed nor refuted". I'm CONVINCED after reading these posts and my own experience that these side effects certainly appear to be CONFIRMED:

h ttp://www.fda.gov/medwatch/safety/2005/jul _PI/NuvaRing_PI.pdf

kberry

New User, Becoming EHEALTHy

Joined: 04 Apr 2007
Posts: 2
Location: MA

Re: Nuva Ring Side Effects
Posted: 04-04-07 12:02pm

sammyjo8484 wrote:

I was on nuva ring for about four months. I loved it bc it was easy to use and I could control my periods. Other forms of birth control tend to make me nauseas and have breakouts, but this did not. However, I am having two major side effects that I want to control. I am extremely moody and depressed. Also, I gain weight, especially in my stomach. I went off the ring for a month and saw all of these effects subside but have now been back on it for two months and the effects are back. I want to know if anyone has been on it for a long time and will my moods level out when my body adjusts more to the hormones? And can I control the weight gain? I am a small girl and do not weight much, but I eat less now to control it and still gain more weight!

I have been on the nuva ring for about 3 years and I love it. I have no adverse side effects and it makes my skin clearer. I also skip periods with it as permitted by my doctor. I leave the ring in for four weeks ans put a new one in the sunday of the 4th week. Maybe you should just ask your doctor what she suggests about the side effects.

kberry

New User, Becoming EHEALTHy

Joined: 04 Apr 2007
Posts: 2
Location: MA

Re: It Won't Stop!!!!
Posted: 04-04-07 12:07pm

Acidic6Tears wrote:

I have been on the nuvaring since, I think, august of 2006. When I first started, I noticed a major increase in "wetness" throughout the day, it didn't really bother me to much though. That was the only problem I found so I started going every other month with just skipping my period (leaving the ring in for four weeks then switching). It was going good and everything but this month i've been on my period for over two weeks and it was supposed to be my month off. The first few days it was a dark brown and fairly light but now its red and a bit on the heavier side. It's starting to get really frustrating for both me and my boyfriend. Has anyone else experienced this? Should I be concerned? I really would have gotten to the doctor about it but it's hard to get out there...

Similar has happened to me. I also skip periods with the ring. I get four a year. When I started doing it, I actually had my period for about a month intil my body got used to the new cycle. My doc said this was normal. Now, if I mess up the cycle, like forget to put the new ring in on the sunday after the 4th week, I will have my period for over a week. I have to time everything perfectly.