[Nuva Ring]Nuva Death

The whole time I was reading this I was thinking – how in the world did jezo get this thing and then test it – on himself. It made a lot more sense when I looked at the author.

this post is better than anything else on this website except for the Ryan polls. Lord, when are we going to play fifa again? i will perform a scorpion fatality on you through a series of slide tackles and corner kicks.

Hey, just because I am not a literary powerhouse like Rukia and PatBoyX does not mean you need to bring down the entire establishment.

Yeah, I used it and it made me crazy! Plus, it also has the helpful “lowered libido” side-effect. Always fabulous when the hormonal BC you take to inhibit pregnancy has the side-effect of inhibiting sex in general…

I’ve been on NuvaRing for about two months now and I love. Just thought I should pipe up.

Hi! Interesting side effects about Nuva. I’ve been on the ring for over a year now and it’s been awesome. I haven’t had any of the side effects, and haven’t gotten pregnant either. YAY! I’ve spread the word and now over 20 women I know are successfully on the ring as well. It’s no brainer birth control- and that I can handle. It’s not that I’m not capable of taking a pill every day at the exact damn time- I just don’t want to have to think about it. So, in short- I’ve been singing Nuva’s praises for a long time and won’t stop anytime soon. Sorry to hear you had such a hard time with it!

damn. I was hoping the fact that I got a yeast infection both months I’ve been on the Nuva Ring was a coincidence. I guess I’ll have to go back to ortho-tri-cyclen. Bah!

reading this info has made me a little uneasy. I just started my first cycle with the NuvaRing today. None of the side effects are my idea of fun. least of all dying. i don’t know wheather i want to pull it out or leave it in. maybe having another baby won’t be so BAD! all this worry and if if if will be driving me Crazy! I think I’m Scared Straight!

I think the ring is great. The first month I felt a little wonkey, but that’s with any change in birth control. So much better than the pill (too forgetful), or the patch (too much peeling at the edges and bandaid “gummies”).

I started the ring about aweek ago, I have had weird headaches, and feel like a beastie yeastie is on its way. I was an emotional basketcase on friday and hope that everything works out- of course without getting pg again!

8 days now and cramps cramps cramps!

I’ve been on NuvaRing for 3 months and I can’t even tell I’m on it! Sometimes I wonder if it fell out because I have absolutely NO side effects whatsoever. I HEART NUVARING!

Was on it for a week and a half, and it was unbearable the whole time. Think I had a reaction to the plastic, terrible itching and rash inside, thought it was a UTI at first, but turns out not. Now I have strange lumps there, going to get checked out. Ifyou have sensitve skin, be warry and at first sign of irritation, take it out!!!! Don’t wait or it will get worse.

does it fall out

I’ve been using the ring for a week. I did not have any of the mood / weight-gain kinds of side effects, but each time after intercourse I feel like I’m having a UTI for about a day afterwards. It’s somewhat improved by repositioning the ring… so I wonder if it’s a real infection, or if it’s just irritation from the ring?

TO ALL USING HORMONE BORTH CONTROL!!
Please READ ALL THE ADVERSE SIDE-EFFECTS & REACTIONS CAREFULLY!
Don’t think “Hey, I’m young and it won’t happen to me.” It CAN.
I was on the Nuva-Ring for 7 months and for the last month or two, I had a series of “mini-strokes” (I went to several doctors who told me nothing was wrong with me)and was later hospitalized with DVT’S (blood-clots in the legs). Two years later, I’m still having problems with my legs and I’ll be on blood-thinners forever (so my new doctor says). There is more, but I won’t go into it now.

Hormonal contraceptives like the Ring, patch, or birth control pills carry high risks.

PLEASE CAREFULLY CONSIDER YOUR CHOICES!!!!

If you can use something like the sponge or condom, you are not putting all those synthetic hormones in your body and screwing-up your system.

IF YOU’VE HAD A REALLY SERIOUS INJURY FROM USING THE NUVARING, CONTACT ME – cheriehillermoss@aol.com.

I’m pursuing legal action against the makers of the Nuva-Ring and some doctors.

Rukia,

To All,

I understand that everyone is different and all hormonal birth control carries risks. Everything we put into our bodies effects us.

What really bothers me about the NuvaRing is that the manufacturer marketed the product as being “low dose hormone” “low side effects” implying it was a lower risk product.

Yes, it has lower ESTROGEN than many products on the market, HOWEVER, the PROGESTIN USED IN THE RING HAS BEEN PROVEN AS HAVING A MUCH HIGHER RISK OF CAUSING BLOOD CLOTS. This information is buried in fine print and not stated very clearly. The mixed messages in the NuvaRing materials make it difficult for a woman to make an informed decision because they don’t understand the actual risk involved.

If I knew that the Ring was TWICE as likely to cause me to develop blood clots (DVTs) than the BC pills I had been on, I NEVER would have used it.

The “safety” and “risk factor” was MISREPRESENTED to me. That is why I’m fighting them now.

Contact me if you or someone you know has been seriouly injured using the Ring.

CHERIEHILLERMOSS@aol.com

Be well all,
Cherie

I have been using the Nuva ring for exactly one week now and I have developed a very itchy rash. I also have had pain in my left leg which I had thought was from going to the gym and pulling a muscle but now I am a little more concerned. I guess it is time to call my doctor!

I have been on NuvaRing for 2 and a half months now. I thought it was great at first because it was so simple and there were no pills to remember. Today I finally decided its not worth it, for my fiance or for me especially. Physically i simply got so tired of waking up naseated and lethargic. Too dry when it needs to be the other way around, and vis-versa. Horrible emotional roller coasters and skin break outs ive never had. I feel like CUJO still and will be happy when the hormones have left my body! Tingling in my left arm, especially the left side of my left hand. High blood pressure and I am a non smoker…Guess it wasnt for me! Also, after I started the nuva ring I became a reactive hypoglycemic (knew something was wrong and went to doc, had that long glucose testing done) and have had to watch my diet like a bird…I am definately going to be more careful with what I put in my body from now on.

My 22 year old daughter has been on the ring for a couple of months and has had severe daily cramping? Has anyone else experienced this? I wish all you young girls would just use condoms safely. I hate the thought of you taking such a risk!

Thank goodness I found this site. I used NuvaRing successfully, without incident, for well over a year. I removed it when we were ready to conceive again (which happened quickly and resulted in a healthy baby). It was a no-brainer that I’d get back on the simple and easy birth control that is NuvaRing. Now that I’ve been back on it for several months, I’ve also had the first yeast infections of my life. I’m not sure why I had no problems before, but I’m definitely having them now. The only thing I can attribute them to is the NuvaRing. Oh, my sinus infections are far more frequent while on the Ring, too. It’s time to quit!

I started the NuvaRing at the beginning of August because I had difficulty remembering to take my pill, I took a low-dose pills with no noticable side effects except for the fact that I couln’t remember to take it everyday!!! After I started the Nuva Ring I realized that I had lost my mind. I was angry all the time for except when I was sobbing uncontrollably at toilet paper commercials, my low sex drive was completely gone, I cried EVERY DAY (which is not like me at all) and when I could be coerced into sex, it was painful (just another reason to make me cry). These things occured, that is, when I could get out of bed. I had never been so exhausted in my whole life. I am now off of the ring and back on the pill, my symptoms went away almost immediately to the point where my phenomenally unobservant boyfriend noticed. My friend takes it and loves it, so I say if you have a month to donate yourself to science and have a high threshold for mental anguish, try it, it just might work for you.

Just wondering if anyone using the ring has had a partner that has had allergic reactions on and around their penis.

I was on nuvaring for about three weeks and never felt so awful. I have really never gotten nauseous for other BCP, but was really nauseous every day on the ring. I can’t even remember the last time I actually got sick, but did at least three times during the three weeks. Additionally, I had really weird headaches, and was a really angry all the time. Everyone reacts differently, but for me the ring was evil–so much so that I am going back to condoms for the first time in years . . .

I have started it 2 weeks ago and I have been in such a good mood! I do like it but I also heavily smoke and that really scares me.. My husband did feel the ring while were were having sex… And one day I went to pee and I noticed that it almost fell out.. I hate condoms and I think that birth control methods are all bad for you… I have been using the”pulling out method” lol! for couple years and it worked, so I guess I will go back to it.. I like the Nuvaring a lot but it’s only been 2 weeks and I thought about it, they don’t have enough research on it so I will stop using it…… I don’t want to get pregnant but if it happens oh well I guess I’ll have another one It’s better than a stroke! ( the first child, I wanted to have, so there was no pulling out!). I will stop the ring,but it was great for me, I’ll have it for 1 more month so, if I have any bad reaction, I will keep you guys posted!

I have used the ring for about a year now. Recently I started to get horrible yeast infections, and could not get rid of them. I finally took the ring out and they stopped. Not to mention, I was nautious all the time but never thought to attribute it to the ring. I’m scared that it will be like the patch, and we won’t know its not safe until it is too late and people start dying from it. It’s hard these days to try not to have a baby! It seems like all the methods are risky. The reason I went on the ring was because I thought it was low hormone too, but obviously that is not true. Back to the pill? It seems the safest. The shot, the patch, ruled out. Soon the ring too?

It seems like a lot of the side effects that people are mentioning here are in fact very rare out of all nuvaring users. The risk of depression is actually 2.1 times less with Nuvaring than for the Pill and even more compared to the patch because of the steady release of hormones. Also, when you put anything into your vagina there is a risk of yeast infection, you just have to get used to it. You can take the ring out and wash it and put it back in within the next three hours. Personally, I love the Nuvaring. The only side effects I’ve encountered over these last two years are increased libido (the ring actually increases natural lubricant) and bigger boobs (which I LOVE)!

I’ve had every time of birth control ranging from from the pill to the patch to IUDS (both kinds) yadayada etc, and nothing worked out. For some reason I had serious negative side effects from every method- until the Nuva Ring. I haven’t had negative any side efcects, plus it’s once a month, and you can take it out when you have sex. Every woman is different, and reacts differently to hormonal bc. I am sorry not everyone has had such good luck. Three cheers for the ring

I want to say thank you all for saving my sanity. I have been using the ring for about 3 months. I finally admitted to my husband the other day that I am feeling very down…I would say possibly even depressed. I feel anger and sadness and no energy at all. It wasnt until today that we both thought about how long I have been on the Nuva and how long I have felt this way. I am going into the bathroom right now and taking this poison out of me. Geez I hope it helps, it seems like from what I am reading that it will. The nuva website says nothing about this side effect so I thank you for this forum!

I have been on nuva for over a year…and not one of things listed above happened to me. It is wonderful, and id advise any woman to try it. Before nuva i was on the pill, and HATED it. i constantly had spotting and it did nothing for my cramps.

on nuva, no spotting, and it has helped with cramps greatly. the best part is, i dont even feel it.

so my advice…if it seems like something you might want to try…do it. its not for everyone, but for everyone i know, its fantastic.

I used it for about three months. It started off great, but each month I became increasingly more depressed. I was sleeping all the time and practically suicidally depressed by the third month. In a moment of clarity I removed the ring and within three days I felt like a new person. Physically it caused no problems for me, and the depression crept up so slowly I wasn’t sure the ring was the cause. I think I’ll avoid hormonal bc all together.

This is in response to Geoff – yes, my partner does have what may be an allergic reaction to the nuvaring – on the penis, just past the head. We’re not positive it is the nuvaring but that is the current theory – it is sort of a white skin reaction.

I’ve been on the ring for a week now, and I’ve been nauseous for the past four days. I switched because Doc says Depo will give me osteoporosis, and I can’t remember to take the pill. I miss my Depo. Doc says to wait and see if the nausea goes away. That was not worth the $20 co-pay.

I started the NuvaRing 6 months ago. I started by bleeding for 36 days, then it took 3 months to not want to hurt my boyfriend. Now, it’s a yeast infection every month, but I get them anyway, and the NuvaRing reduced my period and cramps. I guess you have to just see if it works for you.

Just a follow up to my previous post…I removed the Nuva ring, and within hours felt a difference, within 2 days I felt better than ever! Wow, I felt so bad for so long, I forgot what it felt like to feel happy and good, which I feel now every day! To be honest I had days where I was scared that there was a gun in the house, because I felt so incredibly BAD. This is a bummer because the concept is so great, I cant take any other hormonal BC I guess, I dont go for the IUD, Depo or that other in your arm thing, so like high school kids my husband and I are back with condoms, seems silly! Thanks again for this site, it really helped me to justify how I felt.

I have been on the Nuvaring for 9 months now and I really love it. But sometimes I do feel sick and my stomach hurts and I even vomit, but I dont know if that is a side effect from the nuvaring or what, but I do hope to get off of it soon and try for a baby. Yay!

October 26, 2006
I tried Nuvaring for several months with such increasingly bad side effects, (ferocious migraines, anger, mood swings, tiredness, sometimes nausea, low sex drive, etc.), but didn’t attribute it to the ring until I went to my doc with the headaches. He put me on Topamax and Imimtrex for the migraines, but when they hadn’t improved upon re-evaluation, he had me change to the pill for a few months just as a “test”…which indeed helped. But still we didn’t know then if we just had a handle on the headaches with the medication, or if it was the switch in birth control…so I changed BACK to Nuvaring for the last 3 months, but I can hardly stand myself, and my headaches are coming nearly every day even with the meds. I have zero energy, but you know how it is…you HAVE to keep going for your family and your job. So the other day when it was time to put in another ring, I told my hubby…I can’t do it. You’re gonna have to go back to condoms until we can figure out something else that doesn’t make me crazy. I’m already 43, and my hormones are making me loony anyway. I don’t need the extra help. What’s a woman to do?

Okay, Im really concerned. I inserted the NuvaRing for the first time on October 13th. That following tuesday I had some irritation in the creases of my leg near my vaginal area. I didn’t know what it was from because it wasn’t inside or really close to my vagina. It might have been a rash because my skin started to peel. The irritaion lasted for about a week, but then that saturday I developed this absolutely horrible rash all over my body. It looked like Id been stung by a million bees and it itched really bad and made my back hurt. I tok some benadryl and applied some cortizone and it went away on that following monday, but my skin isn’t as firm as before so im upset. Unfortunately, I now have these severe constant migranes, I cant sleep, I cant eat anything because it makes my stomach hurt, everything I smell stinks and makes me my stomach hurt, my eyes hurt when i look at anything, and i vomited twice on friday. Now, having said all of that, I’m thinking this was a reaction to the ring, but considering I had sex last saturday, I may be pregnant, although I hope this isnt the case. Has anyone had similar side effects? Because I don’t know whats going on with me. By the way, I removed the ring a few minutes ago, so I guess Ill see whether or not it was in fact the NuvaRing that caused all of this because I feel miserable. :( Help Please.

Ok, so I’ve been on BC since middleschool for menstral reasons, and I’m a sophomore in college. I started off with the pill, and like most, I couldn’t remember to take it. Then I started the patch, I love it!! i just have to remember weekly to put it on but now this stuff comes out sayin its deadly and causes reallllly bad bloodclots..if I take asprin to thin the blood woudnt that fix the problem?? But if I did switch I’m afraid of the sexual side effects!!! I have seen like 3 outa 20 post were copliments on the ring, are there anymore ppl who actually like it??

I’ve been on the Nuva Ring for 4 months. I was diagnosed with endometriosis and my doctor put me on it because i hate the pill. Well unfortunately because of my condition I have to be on some sort of BC. I liked the Nuva Ring for about a month. Slowly I started having side effects. My doctor has me on it for 6 months straight with out a break ( skipping my period) The second month I started to have break through bleeding and lower sex drive, the 3rd I started having worse bleeding and burning during sex, plus horrible yeast infections. Now on the 4th month and my bleeding is so bad it’s practically my period but not, I have absolutely no interest in sex. I’ve seemed to gain weight overnite, having horrible nausea, and my cramps are so horrific I can’t even stand and I pass out. The cramps seem to come in waves, one minute I’m fine and the next I feel like i’m going to die. I don’t know if anyone is in the same boat as me with the endometriosis thing, but if you are and are on the nuva ring please tell me if you have any of these side effects i’m actually a little nervous. The bleeding and cramps are so bad. I am not a fan of it and unfortunately I have to be on some sort of hormone therapy (BC) to supposedly ease my endometriosis. I really am apposed to it but I have no other choice. SO please if anyone can help please let me know!!!

I have been using the NuvaRing for almost a year now, and after reading this page I am realizing that I may be having more problems with it than I thought. About 2 months after I started taking it I had severe pains on my left side, especially in the groin area. The doctor said it was a hernia and operated. But now the pain is still there! I am wondering if it is from the ring. Also I have had the worst periods ever. Sometimes I can’t even sit down because the cramps are so bad, and I almost feel like there is a rod sticking through my vagina and it gets worse when I sit down. I was told that was a sign of a blood clot and I should see my Doctor. Now I am having severe nightmares and my doctor prescribed topamax, but apparently I can’t take that with this either. I think it is time for a change. Thanks for the info.

To anyone who posted about having an itchy skin rash reaction to the NuvaRing … I just got back from my doctor because mine was horrible. Said it was ringworm. Apparently it was caused by the way my body reacted to the hormones in the NuvaRing. Luckily I am on BC strictly for the hormones and not to reduce the risk of pregnance (as I had my tubes tied 2 years ago) so I was able to stop immediately to prevent any further issues. My OB told me that a skin reaction could not be an effect of the Ring … complete BS obviously! HTH

ATTENTION!!!!!!!!!! ANYONE WHO HAS EXPERIENCED DVT AND OR PULMONARY EMBOLISM BE SURE TO REPORT THIS INCIDENT ON THE FDA WEBSITE…….THIS IS THE ONLY WAY NUVARING IS REGULATED!!!!!LETS MAKE A DIFFERENCE!!

http://www.fda.gov/medwatch

Ive been on the ring for about 3 months and i have gotten a urinary tract infection for the past 2 times ive had it. I’m starting to wonder if it’s from the ring please let me know!

I am so glad that I found this site. It was very helpful. I have had the ring in for 2 1/2 weeks and just got a yeast infection which I NEVER get. I also realize after reading others comments that anger is a side affect. I am very irritable and angry which is not like me. I also realize that I have been a little nauseated but never put the two together. I took out the ring and will go back to the pill. I t is deffinatly not for me!

I have had a complete roller coaster ride with the NuvaRing.

PLEASE DO NOT USE IT! I fell in love with it the first couple months–and most of the people who have commented on the easiness of the ring have not been on it very long.

I started the ring 9 months ago and for the first two months I thought it was the best thing that had ever happened to me–simple, bigger boobs.

But in the past 4 months I have experienced terrible reactions to the ring:

nausea
vomitting
sadness
anger
irritable
aches
lethargic
skin rashes on the face, chest and arms
decreased sex drive

I didnt pay much attention to them because I thought I was feeling stressed out by school or something of that nature and the skin break outs etc were a result— not the case!

When I finally found a list of the negative/adverse reactions to the ring, I had every single symptom.

Even if it is wonderful–for those who can handle high dosage levels–remember you are the guinnea pig for this product. I took it out today and I will never try a new product again. I assure you the adverse reactions will be more publicized and known in the public after it has been on the market longer. Just write it on your hand everyday if you have to remember a daily, low dose.

I have been on nuvo ring for a month. I felt great up until the point of taking it out for my period to start. For 6 days I have felt nauseated, lethargic, and bloated. I have had little blood less but I feel backed up. Should I wait another month to see if things get better?

CHANNEL 10 NEWS INTERVIEW REGARDING NUVA RING RISKS>>>> aired 11/29 San Diego, CA. Below is the direct link..PLEASE FORWARD THIS TO EVERYONE YOU KNOW..

http://mfile.akamai.com/12922/wmv/vod.ibsys.com/2006/1130/10426594.200k.asx

Kristinalivelife@aol.com

I have been using the Nuva Ring for almost 2 years now. I switched from the patch and cannot remember to take pills. I was recently diagnosed with HPV and have had 2 colposcopys and a LEEP proccedure to get rid of cancerous cells on my cervix. My OB tells me that BC is a carcinogen like cigatettes. They are supposed to cause cancer. Being that I already heave cancer cells mutating in my body and that I am a smoker, I know that I am at a HUGE risk. I have just LOVED the ring though. As for the side effects, I haven’t had many that I’ve really noticed…until now. Unless I put it in after my period at the same time every time, I would be a total psycho! On the other hand it has been so much easier to not worry about it! And for the yeast infections…I’ve never had a problem with that. I always put my ring in directly after showering and always make sure I’ve got clean hands and clean “goodies” before taking it out and putting it in. Recently my libido has dropped to NOTHING though. My BF thought that I was a lesbian! But, here’s the thing, several days ago, I got word that my first follow up pap smear since my surgery came back clean! No cancer cells detected!! YaY!! So, in the matter of preventing future cancer cells developing, I stopped using the ring yesterday. Already my sex drive is coming back!!! YAY!

I am shocked about what I am discovering regarding the Nuva Ring…but it won’t change anything for my family. My little sister, 23, died 11/21 of a pulmonary embolism; every risk listed put her in a life threatening circumstance and we never knew. She went to sleep and didn’t wake up; even if this can’t be proven for years, avoid this risk- it is not worth your life.

K WELL lemme tell u sumthin…..I was a victim of NORPLANT! so i was a tad gunshy when i went in for my lazer surgery for enomitriosis , immediatly after the surgery the doc puts in the ring… its been almost 2 weeks and im STILL IN PAIN! It was all over my abdomen and uterus.. now i9ve had this before and it was an outpatient surgery… I was fine almsot by the next day…. I couldnt figure this time WHY in the HELL i was punching my boyfriend in the head (funny but not) and running down the street in 15 degree weather and pissy everday… I told the doc that I didnt want to try ANYTHING WITH HORMONES , i dont DO hormones.. not the pill , went psycho…. not normally psycho can i add… norplant WELL we all know bout that crap! I eventually after 6 years WON that case … class action litigation YAY? lol
depo? HELL NO! what I found out about the formula in depot and where it came from originally (wich is the same as Norplant ) will terrify my nightmares for life. Im taking out the ring today and see if my damn pain goes away ! IM SOOOOOOOOOOOOO SICK and TIRED of the FDA using women as GD guinea PIGS!!! and NOW for the side effects of norplant im ON PAXIL!!!!!!!!!!! and stuck on it… thats it ! THE FDA IS GOIN DOWN!!!!!! I done!
angela

just curious. i accidently put in the Nuvo ring before my period ( first time user), and my period is more than a week late. should i be worried? or did the early entry of the Nuvo ring mess with my hormones and such? ( i did notice that my chest grew larger, so i can see SOME affects) I’m just concerned that i haven’t gotten my period.

I’ve been on the ring for 2 months now and each time my period is late! And I get worried as all hell! In fact this second time around I still have yet to get my period and it has been 5 days since I took the ring out. I have had some headaches too and I didn’t realize it but I was getting chest pain and didn’t know why and now I do – the ring! I think I’m going to have to stop using it…I couldn’t stand being on Depo either! I guess I will have to go on the pill and pray that I remember to take it everyday. Has anyone else been late with their period while on the ring?

Has anyone experienced any type of rash on thier partners penis? My BF has developed an irritating rash on his head, and I’m starting to think he might be allergic to the ring…is there any info out there about this?

I have been using the Ring for three months, but this last month I have had horrible stomach pains and a yeast infection. Almost all I eat makes me feel sick. After reading these posts, I now know why. Although I like the convenience it is just not worth the way I have been feeling. So sad, I was so happy to say good bye to those long peri menapausal periods. Maybe sometihng else will work.

I used the nuvaring for the first time last night. I was thinking it would be great. I woke up at 3 a.m. with the worst pain ever. I have experienced childbirth, and this pain was worse than that. I removed the ring at 3 a.m.. I called my doctor this morning and was told that I was just having a severe period and to reinsert the ring. My answer to that is, NO!!! I know my body well enough to know that this was not just a “heavy period”. I am not using this ever again. My husband and I will revert back to condoms or another method. I am home from work today due to my “heavy period” bleeding. I can’t go in because I will bleed everywhere and I am still in pain with cramps. DO NOT USE THIS PRODUCT!!!!!

Okay, so I went and got my first pap today and get the ring for the simple fact that the MA told me she uses it and loves it. Reading all of this makes me alil apprehensive on using the ring (I won’t insert it until next month cuz that’s when you put it in)… My BF is encouraging me to try it for the simple fact, EVERYONE IS DIFFERENT and REACT TO THINGS DIFFERENTLY, so if I do try it (Which I will cuz I paid 25 bucks for the darn thing and I am a broke college student!) we are going to be very observant to everything… Yes, I did read everything that came in the little leaflet that comes with the ring, cuz I do like to know what to look for so that I won’t freak out if something were to happen, but reading these stories just really makes me want to change all together and this is my first time ever using hormone based BC. Um, if this is still here after next month, I will report my findings and mishaps(hoping there will be non as of now!) If all goes well, then I will continue it , if not… NO SEX FOR ME!!! LOL, RIGHT…. ;o/

bleachedrukia

The website my mother was referring to on the channel 10 news interview regarding NUVARING is:

http://www.topix.net/forum/topstories/T7NLCGPQ4RBCHU804/p1

here you ALL will find several other victims and resources regarding NUVARING users

also
http://rohan.sdsu.edu/~cbuckner

is another helpful resource

kristinalivelife@aol.com

Has anyone experienced this? I put the Nuva Ring in on Monday, and had to re-adjust it a dew days later, anyway last night (saturday) I had to take it out because I was doubled over with the worst pains I have ever had that were shooting through my privates. I am sure this isnt normal. So I took it out, and today my privates are really sore to the touch, and everything inside me is swollen. And it really hurts worse when I am walking or standing. What the hell is going on?

quick question guys. I have been using the nuvo ring since sep 06. Through this time every month like clockwork i get a uti and a yeast infection. Im pretty sure this is b/c of the nuvo ring but i am not sure. I will be able to tell this thurs if it is the ring b/c i have my well womans. I was just wondering if anyone had experianced this. I also tend to have cramps after sex which i didn’t before. as well as lower sex drive.

I just stopped using the ring after less than a week. I only had it in for one day and I started getting pain in my left leg…weird, because I just read a few posts from people who had the same thing…I don’t know if this is even related but I am not taking any chances…

I’ve been using this ring for about 4 months and I fell completely in love with it, but after reading all of these comments I am starting to wonder if maybe the Ring cause yeast infections. I saw above that a few others have notived this problem but this is like my 2nd or 3rd yeast infection and I’m started to freak myself out here…I’m not sure if I should take out the ring and give a BC pill another shot, but I was on Yasmin and gained so much weight on it, any suggestions of oral contraceptives??

I started Nuvaring in july of 06.. everything was damn near perfect, only thought of / dealth with it once a month, husband couldn’t notice it, just THE thing for us right now.. but… as all “too good to be true” products… i started having problems which seemed as “calf cramps” in the beginning of december.. which escalated quickly into many many doctor visits, cat scans, mri’s, xrays, you name it.. it wasn’t untill my left leg (whole leg mind you) swelled up that it dawned on my doctor “blood clots??” sure enough..sadly by that time it was almost too late.. when i went into the hospital i’d gone from having DVT to having a pulmonary embolism and with heart monitors and oxygen my husband and i spent our christmas 2006 in the hospital.. I’m home now, but certainly not “out of the forrest” yet, i still have monitors and an army of medications i take all day long in my medicine cabinet..
point of my sharing this is, as the saying goes: “if something seems ‘too good to be true’ it probably is..” Im only 24, was in healthy status and only wanted a birth control to hold off children a cpl years longer … I’m one of the lucky few who DID have symptoms of “minor side effects” .. if you are thinking of or have the ring in now.. remember and read up on how and what side effects are felt like.. or take it out, your choice.. 1 in 5 experience them, you could be that “1″ also..

I’ve been using the Nuva ring for 3 years. I have had no side effects other than nausea the first day I put it back in. I love it. I am astonished at all I read. I have been recommending it to my friends for years. They all have wonderful success.

Wow, I never knew women had so much trouble with the ring. I have also been on it for about 3 years and I love it. I had trouble remembering to take the pill and triphasics were the absolute worst, I felt like an emotional basket case all month. So NuvaRing has been a blessing.
But I ended up here because I seem to have some sort of rash. It’s not the sunburn like rash that they describe in the pamphlet, it lots of little red splotches. I’ve noticed this before and was not sure what it was from, but now that I think about it, it does seem to occur the first week I put the ring in. Maybe I should talk to the doctor.
I also remember a pharmacist telling me that there was a vaginal ring on the market years ago, but it increased the risk of cervical cancer, so they took it off the market.
I want to go off Hormonal BC anyway and prepare to have a baby, but that’s still in the discussion phase between me and my husband. I may just keep an eye on the rashes and note when it happens. Also this week I’ve had some crazy lip itching, feels like the beginning of a yeast infection. Maybe I can convince my husband that BC is not good for me and I need to just not be on it. Anyway, I will probably remain on it for a while.

The only contraceptive I have ever NOT been allergic to was a hypoallergenic ’spermicide’ I got while living in Austria — which you had to keep in the fridge, but otherwise worked perfectly fine with my diaphragm — and no side effects!!! Of course, no GYN I’ve ever been to in the U.S. has ever heard of such a thing. If anyone knows anything about how to get something like this, PLEASE, OH PLEASE let me know! Grrrls, we can start a revolution here if we create a demand for this kind of product… a revolution in healthy contraception!

Hey Girls!! I been on NuvaRing for 3 weeks and today I took it out to start my period this week (as I’m sure you all want to know! haha) Anyway once I took it out I was okay for about 2 hours and then all of a sudden it was stomach cramps and going to the bathroom constantly…it’s like having the flu and everything that goes along with it!!
I work in a OB-GYN office and everyone praises about NuvaRing!! But for some reason I think it wants to “kill” me…not literally but figuratively…Now one of the doctors told me that feeling sick for the first month is normal with all birth control and yea for that (no I’m not being serious)…

Let me know if any of you have or are experiencing the same thing? Please!! I really need to know…I can’t take a pill b/c I can’t handle things that sit in my stomach to dissolve (that are hormonal) so NuvaRing is really my last hope but if this a glimpse of whats to come every month then screw this!! It’s not worth it!!

Thanks Ladies I appreciate it!! :)

Having used the Nuva ring for over half a year now, I’ve been having cramps quite frequently lately and a feeling of dizziness. Since I started using the ring I had stronger mood swings during PMS I had experienced before and my libido went to almost zero, nevertheless, when having sex I felt the ring afterwards, which is very uncomfortable.

I have come to the conclusion, to stop using the ring for good. My doctor highly recommended it, but my body tells me to stop. I am sure, it is worth trying, but to me it’s no option. I suggest to real listen to your body, when using it.
I will be using the PERSONA computer instead, which is less safe as a contraception.

I have come to the conclusion that nothing has been working for me.I have the IUD inside me now and it has been nothing but problems.My husband can feel the wires that hang and it hurts him.I have had them cut but he can still fell them when we have intercourse.Also it has made me so grumpy,I have lost so much hair and I have spotted old blood every other day.I can’t wait to get it out.I have only had it for 3 months.I called my Dr.office and they have me set up to get the ring.After reading what I have now I will not get it.Is there anything safe to where you can have a normal life,I already have three kids at 27,I don’t need any more right now,but I do need to stay alive to care for them. Confused in Texas!

I have been on the Nuvaring for about 3 months now, & have been in love with it!! UNTIL i read this post…
i have been experiencing nausea for a couple weeks now on and off, and even puked this morning!! I also have been having chronic headaches, and have gotten sick twice since being on it (which is weird, considering I usually only get sick once a year)
Im super bummed, Im horrible at remembering the pill. boo!!! im going to try it for one more month, just to see if its the ring or its all in my head. (beacause sometimes i read these posts, and become uber paranoid and become a hypochondriac (sp?)) hopefully its in my head, because i love the concept. :)

i used nuva ring for 5 years. i was very healthy. i am 26. in august i woke up and could NOT move my arms or legs. i had a stroke. the doctors at the hospital said it was the nuva ring. i since have been told i have permanent brain damage and it’s too dangerous for me to have a child. i had my tubes tied to avoid getting pregnant and having complications. i was told i could carry a child but probably be to weak to raise one. i would have never taken this product had i known it would have ended up that i’d become sterile and brain damaged.

I noticed itching about a week after using it, but I ignored it. BIG MISTAKE. I now have a weird blochy rash all over my body. Gross. Has anyone else experienced this? I recently took the ring out, how long does it take for this to go away!?

To Samantha and Geoff: Yes, my girlfriend is on the Nuvaring, and I’m experiencing a rash, dry skin, odor, irritation and accumulation of white flakes under my foreskin on the head of my penis.
During intercourse I was feeling the ring, and I believe that it even chafed my head (yes, I’m persistent), which might have made things worse.
Is there anybody who has seen a doctor about these kind of symptoms? If things don’t get better, I will be seeing one end of this week, but hoped to get some reactions here first.

I’ve been on the Nuvaring for about a year and a half and have gotten a yeast infection almost every month since then. I thought it was something else that was causing it but after reading everyone else’s comments this will definitely be my last month on it.

i’ve been on the ring since february last year and i never really thought that the cause of my problems were from the ring, but after reading the comments i’m starting to think otherwise. i have been getting really bad sinus infections that started last spring to the point where the left side of my body hurts. i do get weird pain in my left leg and also am very miserable/angry. I hated the patch and the pill, i just wish there was something easy and safe to use. Do any of these companies really give a crap when it comes to women’s health?

I’ve been on the nuva ring for more than a year and a half. although i have never been on the pill and only tired the patch for a couple months, the ring is good. i don’t know if i should say great because i don’t have much to compare or any noticeable changes since, but it may be great… no apparent side effects, but i was never the type t get headaches, cramps or be moody. i often associate this to my good lifestyle- my almost completely natural diet. it’s amazing what a diet/food can do to you. when i started eating certain foods in great amounts it would change my chemistry(birth control or not)and the best i eat, the less i get sick…it can affect(overtime and instantly) mood, cramps, and probaly many other things like yeast infections… we should consider other causes to our problems, not only the type of bc. of course everyone is fit for a certain type of bc,but i believe the less hormones from it, the best and taking care of our body in other ways plays a role…

I use it and love it with no problems

oh my god! i have been on the nuvo ring since August 2006 and even though I notice that I am much moodier when I am PMSing, the convenience overweighed this. I have had no problems as listed above, but after reading about these blood clots and strokes, I am freaked out! why is this even on the market. Are these side effects even for healthy young women?

I have been on Nuvaring for three months. Everything was going great and then I got this weird leg pain…it stayed mainly in my thigh so I didn’t think it was a clot. Thanks to this message board and my ob, I went to the er and found out I had a 10 cm long blood clot. The doc says it is most likely due to the ring. They were shocked however that the clot wasn’t in my calf…just a heads up to everyone that the clot can form ANYWHERE!

I have been on Nuvaring for three months. Everything was going great and then I got this weird leg pain…it stayed mainly in my thigh so I didn’t think it was a clot. Thanks to this message board and my ob, I went to the er and found out I had a 10 cm long blood clot in my hip. The doc says it is most likely due to the ring. They were shocked however that the clot wasn’t in my calf…just a heads up to everyone that the clot can form ANYWHERE! Now I’m up for 6 months of treatment….

I think lots of those issues of blood clots and such stem from reaction of the nuvaring in overweight people and smokers. The people posting who reveled problems did not disclose if they were overweight.

I do worry that a concentrated dosage of hormones might be cancerous down the line, but everything causes cancer these days so its just a matter understanding the risks.

I like nuvaring, it does make me a little more emotional during PMS week and sometimes makes sex uncomfortable if its positioned wonky, but the peace of mind is worth these minor annoyances.

I’ve personally experienced no ill-effects, but I don’t doubt that some people have legitimate complaints.

If anyone is taking this, please, like you would with any over the counter prescription, look at the list of risks and cautions. If you notice that you feel different in an unpleasant way a couple months after beginning this bc method – talk to your doctor or your family planning counselor (etc.) about it.

When taking anything you need a *prescription* for, it’s VERY important to read the material they give you.
Anything with the ability to alter the natural state of the body has the potential to harm.

There are health risks to most drugs/bc related hormone doses.

It would be interesting to see statistical data from a large number of users. As far as I know this particular method is still in a testing stage? Is this right?

It appears this bc method, like a form of “the pill” can potentially affect the circulatory system.

Using this bc method has me a little concerned about my heart health, given the risk factors and list of side effects. I’ve a *suspicion* I might feel differently if I didn’t get my blood pumping at the gym a couple times a week or more… but as is I’m fine.

I do often wonder if I will have some negative effect from birth control in the future – but I try to be healthy now instead of adding to risk factors. It offers better peace of mind than I would have off the pill constantly worrying about whether I would become pregnant while working for less than $8 an hour and years away from getting the degree I intend to get.

It’s always important to be healthy, though!
Take care of yourselves, people!

The libido effect *could* have something to do with circulatory health… having good circulation to certain areas of the body tremendously heightens the sexual experience. If someone is only experiencing decreased libido… it might be worth a try.

Thanks for putting this out there. I suffered three blood clots in my left lung last year. My only risk factor – use of Nuvaring. I searched for information at that time about other users who’ve suffered PE/DVT but couldn’t find anything.

Last week, I learned a coworker of mine was hospitalized with PE…another healthy woman who used birth control!! I am outraged!

Thanks for alerting others.

Your fucking lame. Stop trying to scare people. The ring is fine. it hasnt done anythin to me. its made me lose weight. im happy. everythin is FINE you suck

Our firm is spearheading litigation against NuvaRing. Please contact me if you are interested in obtaining damages for your injuries as a result of this dangerous product.

diesslaw@yahoo.com

I have been on the ring for 3 days now and I’m having horrible cramps. You know the king that hurt so bad you can’t sit still. I’m 25 and I have Endometriosis. I’m supposed to constantly be on BC but have been BC free for 5 months(and have felt great!)and decided to go back on BC cause the pull out method doesn’t always work! I was on the Patch for 2 years and lost my mind and had breakthroug bleeding but it took two years, I’m having problems with the ring after 3 days. I thought it would be easy and great but from what I’ve been reading it’s not worth my life. I’m a wife and a mother and I want to continue to be around for my family in the future. I’m taking this damn thing out I hope I feel better by tomorrow morning.
I got the samples from my OB and they never gave me any pamphlets I had to do research to find out the side effects.

No, Les, you are lame. Get a clue you idiot. I know exactly what the pill did to me, you don’t and don’t try and tell me otherwise. Apparently the only side effect it has on you is stupidity.

In response to other posts, I developed a proximal dvt and I have NEVER smoked and I am 5′9″ and weigh 135 pounds. If anyone says that I was at risk, I would like to know why.

All my blood work came back and I have no genetic riskfactors, so as of right now all of this is being blamed on the Nuvaring. It’s really hard adjusting to the meds right now and my leg is still in a lot of pain.

Thanks again to this message board for helping to basically save my life (no thanks to people who think we’re liars and just trying to scare people).

Nuvaring made me discharge blood and pus. Please think about the fact that your body likes to remove foreign objects from itself. My beautiful yoni freaked the fuck out until I finally took the nuvaring out and it was happy again.

Also, LES, Everyone reacts to hormones differently. I am glad it worked for you, but it can be dangerous to other people. Thank you for writing this article. I hope they can release a treatment with the same levels of hormones that doesn’t cause infections in my body. its disgusting.

Shout Box
[dolly] the short one in the house is in my space, can’t even go pee by myself ……know what I mean?
[dolly] I need a little time to myself with no one making demands of me…..*sigh*
[workingmom] How old is your short one?
[dolly] 2 1/2
[julperki6] what is alone time ?? could you define…
[dolly] and, he is BUSY
[dolly] alone time is time allllll by myself to do whatever I want, I think – it has been sooooo long…
[julperki6] wow, thats a cool concept…hehe..now only if could chieve such a thing..
[dolly] maybe once he is 18?
[workingmom] Ah yes, the terrible two’s. Funny how little I miss that age…..
[dolly] he doesn’t have tantrums, just busy and wants to ‘help’ all the time
[workingmom] 8 is a great age. We’re heading out for our 2nd round of ice skating and hockey today. I’ll be back later.
[dolly] and, his listening skills are somewhat lacking…..unless threatened with the dreaded naughty stool
[julperki6] hmm…I have 4 boys a agirl in m house that lack the ability to listen…lol
[julperki6] naughty stool, I have to threaten their life…LOL
[Dreamer] okay, the heart attack is over. We can get back on now.
[julperki6] no @$#%^@..I was like WTF man..
[Dreamer] Ahhhhh!! haha
[julperki6] i was in the middle of a PM and boom, gone…
[dolly] what happened? I missed it…
[julperki6] we all got booted..
[dolly] were you misbehaving?
[julperki6] yes herladyship was being bad…
[dolly] tsk tsk tsk
[Theadorastar] man, this is getting so annoying. I’ve tried everything and I can’t make a post!
[Theadorastar] I’m so jealous! I want to chat with all of you lovely ladies (and men!)!
[julperki6] EA are you lurking?????
[julperki6] shhhhhh…quiet we are hunting bunny wabbits….LOL
[julperki6] THANKS EA…
[enough_already] No thanks necessary, Jules. My job was easy. I only provided the erect penis. WM gets all the credit for what happened after that.
Sending…

February
Su M Tu W Th F Sa
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4 5 6 7 8 9 10
11 12 13 14 15 16 17
18 19 20 21 22 23 24
25 26 27 28

Recent Posts
Testing dates 4 all 2WW ladies!! & results!!!
Pleaseee help…lol
Dreams leading to crushes?
Lets compare bumps!
Update
Anyone happy with results from stopping BC?
Good Ole Fashioned Sex Discussion..!!
Stalling/Stopping Menses with Herbs?
Anyone due in october 07?
What the heck is going on with me….HELP!
Where’s our post?
Due in September 07!?!?
Disappearing pregnancy symptoms??
I have A Question….
This is so annoying- my calves!
i have left

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Participants

#13098 – February 17, 2007 03:17 PM NuvaRingLitigation
JasonTBrown JasonTBrown
Junior Member

Registered: February 17, 2007
Posts: 0
Loc: New York Hello,

I read your post about referring women to the FDA. If you are aware of anyone could you please refer them to my firm as we are actively litigating a case against the NuvaRing and we are trying to establish that serious side effects are much more prevalanet than they led women to beleive.

My firm Blau & Brown, PC is actively litigating this case and there is strength in numbers in this type of litigation. We handle cases nationwide and we work strictly on a contigency basis which means we do not get paid unless you get paid for your damages.

Please visit our website at http://www.BBPC-LAW.com where we have a special page dedicated to the NuvaRing litigation. Please call us at (800) 9100-LAW to discuss your case. We have live people fielding calls 24/7. I strongly encourage you to call our office and/or email as it is important for you to receive compensation for your injuries and for as many women as possible to band together to warn other women of the dangers of this product.

Jason T. Brown
Top

#13098 – February 17, 2007 03:17 PM NuvaRingLitigation
JasonTBrown JasonTBrown
Junior Member

Registered: February 17, 2007
Posts: 0
Loc: New York Hello,

I read your post about referring women to the FDA. If you are aware of anyone could you please refer them to my firm as we are actively litigating a case against the NuvaRing and we are trying to establish that serious side effects are much more prevalanet than they led women to beleive.

My firm Blau & Brown, PC is actively litigating this case and there is strength in numbers in this type of litigation. We handle cases nationwide and we work strictly on a contigency basis which means we do not get paid unless you get paid for your damages.

Please visit our website at http://www.BBPC-LAW.com where we have a special page dedicated to the NuvaRing litigation. Please call us at (800) 9100-LAW to discuss your case. We have live people fielding calls 24/7. I strongly encourage you to call our office and/or email as it is important for you to receive compensation for your injuries and for as many women as possible to band together to warn other women of the dangers of this product.

Jason T. Brown

wow! i am so glad i found this. since going on the ring four months ago, i have had non-stop yeast, bladder, and bacterial vaginal infections. stupid ob/gyn just kept giving me meds, did NOT make the connection between the problem and the nuvaring. i am sorry that i will have to go off it, though, because it made my mood great. and all of the other birth control hormones i’ve tried have made me horribly irritable and depressed. oh well, nothing is worth being itchy and miserable! thanks for the info.

I’ve been on the ring for a month. Tomorrow I will put in my second new ring. So far the only side effects I’ve been having are spotting between my period and I’ve noticed I’ve been feeling slightly more irritated/moody than normal. These side effects are normal however and I hope my body will adjust smoothly.

Now I know why I was having crushing chest pain. First, I experienced it right under my left rib & couldn’t breathe in deeply without it hurting really sharp.. For a few days after, my chest was real tight. I was only on it for a week. I took that damn thing out this morning (thankfully I don’t need it because my “boyfriend” met someone else!) and chunked it in the trash. Miraculously, my chest is now normal. I think I’ll go back to taking the daily pill once I decide to get sexual again.

I thought the NuvaRing may have been causing the terrible yeast infections I’ve been getting!!! Now I know. Otherwise, I generally do like it for the most part. I can’t remember to take a pill, plus the pill made me extremely irritable, so my moods have gotten better on NuvaRing. But I have also noticed that I have worse cramps with NuvaRing than i did on the pill when I get my period. I’m not sure that it is worth getting an infection so often though. I feel like I’m such a prisoner to BC. My husband doesn’t want kids but yet he won’t use condoms, spermicide, or pull out!!! Therefore, i have to use BC for now….

I guess everyone reacts differently- i have been on bc for about 7 years and have tried everything- the ring so far is the best, its awesome no complaints, have been on it now for a year. The patch was the worst for me got really sick for the first 48 hours after putting it on every time, never vomited so much or felt that sick. Just need to find what works best for u-with your physicians recommendation of course!

wow… i was on the web tonight doing some research b/c i recently started the nuvaring and a new boyfriend…. in the past two months i have gotten a yeast infection close to the time i put in the new ring but also close to the time i was having sex with my new man… i began to think of all the possible things that could cause my yeast infection (because i never get them) and now after reading this i am starting to think it is the nuva ring… i am still undecided on what to do but i think i may take it out for a month and try to test it to see if i don’t get one then maybe it was the ring…..

I was on the ring and was so excited bc it was so easy and convenient. Within the first week I developed and itchy rash on my face, particularly around my eyes and mouth. I thought it was maybe some allergic reaction to the makeup I was using or something. I continued having the rash the entire month. Once I removed the ring, the rash cleared up (I also bought all new makeup products), so I didn’t even consider that the ring might be the cause. Sure enough, the next week when I put in my new ring, the face rash comes back! Oh well, I am sad that I can’t use it, but am glad I figured out what was causing the rash. Also, after reading this forum, I am now sure it contributed to my first ever UTI (which happened within the first week of using it as well).

I am so grateful for this site. I started the ring just for period reasons. I didn’t want one. My sex drive was gone, old blood everyday, tired, clots…horrible. There was nothing good about this way of life. My husband complained of burning during sex and my nausea was ridiculous. Thanks for all your stories-now that damn ring is gone and hopefully my body will return to normal now. Be careful ladies. We have enough to worry about out there.

I started using NuvaRing about 10 months ago after being on/off bc pills for about 6 years. At first I thought it was fantastic- so easy to use, no side effects like the pill,etc. Ever since December though I’ve noticed I’ve been feeling incredibly fatigued and very depressed. My body is completely out of whack both emotionally and physically. Ever since using nr I had breakthrough bleeding, but it was never really a big deal since most of my periods tended to be short and light. Now, however, my periods have been lasting two weeks with heavy cramping, I can feel when I’m ovulating, and I have zero sex drive (which has never been a problem for me in the past). I just finished my period March 16 and I’m bleeding again (3/30!!) I thought I was going crazy and my doctors kept on telling me it was all in my head, but after reading other user’s experiences, I’m definitely getting off nr. Don’t know if i’ll go back to bc or do something else, but I’m scared stiff of messing with hormones again. I guess I’m just one of those women who can’t tolerate these things.

I’m always wary when I let a doctor prescribe something to me. Usually I just don’t take them, but this one I need to or it’s a bigger bill for something that screams and wets itself.

The ring is ok for the three weeks, unless I want to actually have sex. My partner fishes it out every time and it embarasses him extremely. It’s not very comfortable when it gets fished out either, and sometimes I’ll forget to put it back in (which is a big no-no).

I was told by a friend that it has a bad side effect of periodic bleeding, which I experience regularly on this form of birthcontrol. Ah hell, better try the Natural approach next since I can’t seem to stand anything else.

For you ladies who are interested, look up the “temperature method,” the “mucus method,” and other “natural methods” of birth control. It involves recording your temperature every day and then monitoring your mucus levels to tell when you’re ovulating, and simply not having sex during that time.

Up until reading all of your comments I thought that I was going crazy. I started nuvaring last summer. My symptoms have been similar. First three months VERY irritable, fearful and unmotivated. I figured this was just part of the adjustment time, so I waited it out. After the moodiness subsided, I had mostly irregular periods, occational leg pains, cramping between periods, shooting pains in my uterus and dizziness that would wake me upduring sleep. Yikes! I’m a healthy woman in my early 30’s. Non smoker, exersize 3-4 times per week, low stress job, supportive partener and a realitivly stress free life. Last month I started experiancing pretty scary anxiety. My thoughts were fearful and very hard for me to control. I was waking up in the middle of the night in the midst of a mini panic attack. I’ve never had issues like this even during the most stressful times of my life and trust me I’ve had some streeful times. I wanted to pretend that it didn’t have anything to do with the nuvaring. After reading others comments I made the connection and then the decision to just stop. It’s been 9 days now. I’m feeling much more like my old self, although I can tell that it’s going to take some adjusting to feel 100%. I know that Dr.’s say low dose – I’m thinking that doesn’t matter. Some of the info I’ve read says that the anxiety I’ve experiance has nothing to do with nurva ring. That’s obviously not true. I’m so happy that I found this site. I was thinkng that I was the only one having issues!

I was on the Nuva Ring for a while, only side of affect when i was on, was a low sex drive. I stopped taking the ring in October. I got my period November and December, but I haven’t gotten one since, it is now April. I had my yearly in February and my tests were fine, and I know for a fact I am not pregnant, haven’t had sex since I went off the ring. Has this happened to anyone else since getting off the ring? I have in the past skipped 1 month, but I’m now going on missing 3 months.

Prior to nuva ring i was on a pill called microgynon for 4 years. Been on the ring for 2 months and my weight has soared, this is the heaviest i have been all my life. my face looks bloated along with my belly and arms. i also have shortness of breath when doing even the slightest amount of physical activity.
I have removed the ring and and am hoping so much my weight returns to normal.

Liesel Says:
September 19th, 2006 at 11:42 am
I started the NuvaRing at the beginning of August because I had difficulty remembering to take my pill, I took a low-dose pills with no noticable side effects except for the fact that I couln’t remember to take it everyday!!! After I started the Nuva Ring I realized that I had lost my mind. I was angry all the time for except when I was sobbing uncontrollably at toilet paper commercials, my low sex drive was completely gone, I cried EVERY DAY (which is not like me at all) and when I could be coerced into sex, it was painful (just another reason to make me cry). These things occured, that is, when I could get out of bed. I had never been so exhausted in my whole life. I am now off of the ring and back on the pill, my symptoms went away almost immediately to the point where my phenomenally unobservant boyfriend noticed. My friend takes it and loves it, so I say if you have a month to donate yourself to science and have a high threshold for mental anguish, try it, it just might work for you.
****Well, here’s an update for you, I went back to the pill and all is right in the world, I just had to make more of a concerted effort to remember to take my pill. As for my friend that I mentioned, she decided to stop the NuvaRing to see if some problems she was having might be Ring related (she didn’t think so, she had attributed them to other things…). Come to find out, they were! She had had to increase the dosage on her “crazy pills” as she calls them (Zoloft, I think)b/c she was having panic attacks and increased anxiety. Well, after my experience she went back to the pill just to see if it made a difference and now she is back to normal.(well, as normal as she was before the ring!!)

Its all well and good for the ladies who “heart” nuva ring. you probobly wont see the stroke or heart attack coming. Or maybe you wil just get killed in a road rage accident. Do I sound Angry? yes. I havent been able to calm down since I took the thing out yesterday. I loathe nuva ring.

Months ago, my MD recommended NuvaRing for me since I am a chronic yeast infection sufferer. The etiology behind it was that the localized Estrogen absorption would help balance out my pH. I am happy to say that I haven’t suffered a yeast infection since. A lot of people experience increased discharge while on NuvaRing because it is sitting in the vagina acting as an irritant. Extra moisture can cause itching and discomfort, but it is best to visit your MD or NP if you suspect an infection. Hormone changes in the body via NuvaRing or any other BC is something to consider when deciding to start BC. It is important to discuss these issues with your MD or NP to make the best choice. I am sorry to hear so many people are having trouble with NuvaRing. I, personally, like it better than Depo and the pill. Good luck to you all in finding the best BC for you!

My doctor is recommending it as a way to balance hormones–and control my monthly mood swings. (Birth control is not my reason for taking it.) After reading these comments, it sounds like the Ring may actually cause more emotional side effects. Any ideas?

I’ve taking the pill (Yasmin) for my severe menstrual cramps for about 5 years. Yasmin also helps my acne, but it’s not as important to me as getting rid of the cramps.

Over the years my libido has been on a steady decline, and now it is virutally non existant.

My doctor has recommended NuvaRing as an alternative, but after reading these posts, I’m concerned about the side affects.

Has anyone tried taking NuvaRing after the pill has reduced thier sex drive? Did it help?

GET OFF THE NUVA RING!!! I am a very active and healthy mother of 2 girls ages 7 & 8. I am a nonsmoker and I run 4 times a week, I ski, golf, swim…you name it! I started using the Nuva Ring 8 months ago and aside from night sweats and yeast infections had very little side effects. That was until last week when I ended up in the ER unable to breathe, passing out with pain & hottness in my left shoulder, arm and neck. After many tests and 10 hours in the trauma unit, the doctors finally ran a cat scan and found a clot in my left lung. I had to cancel a trip to Hawaii that we had been planning for 5 months g with another trip for work. I now have to administer shots to myself in my abdomen and take blood thinners (coumaden) indefinitely. I am not allowed to fly nor can I participate in strenuous activities for fear that I may risk bodiy injury and bleed to death. I am so angry and frusterated at the fact that I almost died leaving little girls and family and friends behind and for what??? I am even more enraged that this product is on the market risking the lives of girls as young as 14years old. I will be seeking legal action in this matter.

Thank you, “Maru”! (#90-Feb. 5, 2007)
As I read through ALL 121 posts, I kept thinking the same thing! In case you missed the point:

** ATTENTION PLEASE: **
READ ALL MATERIALS THAT ACCOMPANY PRESCRIPTIONS! Do research on the internet!

FACT: Any hormonal birth control out there has the SAME potential side effects. Your reactions are due to creating an imbalance in your hormones, so don’t blame the drug companies. Each person reacts differently to the estrogen and progestin in any given pill/ring/patch/IUD. You are the one doing an experiment on your body to see which one works for you, risking numerous side effects. The ring DOES have reduced ethinyl estradiol (the estrogen in ALL hormonal bcs) – 15mcg vs. 25-40mcgs in most others. So if you have problems with the estrogen, the ring is good. What makes each bc different is the progestin – some you may react to, some not.

ANOTHER FACT IS: the risk of death is higher for giving birth than it is for taking birth control. On every birth control website and in every package you can find 2 charts: one that compares risk of death for different methods, and one that compares effectiveness of those methods.

The only extra side-effect the ring gives, vs. other hormonal bc, is the possibility of feeling it during sex. So if you’re worried, you can just take it out while you do it, as long as it’s not out more than 3 hrs.

DON’T DRAW CONCLUSIONS TIL YOU’VE READ THE MATERIALS!

I”ve used the ring for two months now and my sex drive is at an all time low. Before the ring all my husband needded was two minutes with me and I’d have an orgasm. I am a mother of four don’t know what I’m going to do but after reading this discussion board I think removal is my only option

I’m on nuva ring now for over a year. It gave me two yeast infections and I’ve never had them befor ein life. I also developed an ovarian cyst in august from it. besides that I’m fine lol. Some other birth controls sound much worse:(

If you’ve suffered a serious side effect from the NuvaRing please call us at (800) 9100-LAW. Our firm is located in New Jersey & New York and we are taking cases nationwide for blood clot and resultant injuries from the NuvaRing. Our website is http://www.BBPC-LAW.com

Geoff, Barb, Samantha & Alex,

My boyfriend has had a really bad irritation underneath & below the head of his penis. We’ve been together over a year. This has just started. We immediately stopped sex and saw doctors. All tests came back negative for anything. His doctor said it must just be Jock Itch (but he doesn’t sweat down there.) And for me to be treated for yeast. I called my dr again and she said there was no yeast infection. No infection of anything at all. I tried treatment anyways. 4 weeks later he STILL has it, it gets worse each time we have sex. We are thinking it IS the NuvaRing even thought his doctor said it couldn’t be. Has anyone heard more about this???

I have been on nuva ring for a little over 2 weeks now and i was wondering if anyone has gotten pregnant while the ring was in??

i started taking nuva ring about 3 months ago. the first 6 weeks or so were fine in the sense that i wasn’t uncomfortable with the ring & there was no tenderness “down there.” then it seems like, out of nowhere, every time my BF & i have had sex, i was so tender & sore – it felt like i couldn’t breathe properly b/c i was in so much pain. i haven’t experienced a decreased sex drive, but i haven’t really wanted to have much sex b/c it hurt so much afterwards.

i also had never experienced a yeast infection before (am 28, healthy, non-smoker) so i wasn’t sure what was going on except that i was itchy, irritated & had this funky discharge that i’d never had before and it just felt like i had some serious hell in my panties. i noticed that the week i took it out, things were better south of the equator.

emotionally – different story. i’ve been a mess. anxious, nervous, angry, depressed – i’ve felt like the worst version of myself! at first i attributed it to the fact that i’m about to graduate (in 4 days!) and that i was stressed out about college, finding a job, etc. i have been having a lot of trouble sleeping but again, i figured it was stress from school. i also noticed in the past couple weeks that i’ve had these random & wicked painful leg cramps, sometimes at night (which woke me up b/c of the pain) & sometimes when i’m just relaxing or sitting down.

yesterday (sunday) after my BF & i were together, i sat in the shower & cried b/c i was hurting so much – i knew something was wrong, but again, since i’ve never had a yeast infection or had any problems of that nature, i didn’t know what was
going on. so this morning i went to see my ob/gyn. turns out, in fact, i have likely had a yeast infection since i began to feel the irritation & tenderness 6 weeks ago. and now, after reading about all of your experiences out there with this product, it’s like a light bulb just went on in my head. i’ve taken the damn thing out & am taking diflucan to clear up the yeast infection. i’m also going to switch to orth-tri-cyclin lo since i’ve never had breakthrough bleeding or anything like that. i just can’t believe that something like this can be put on the market for women & can cause the crazy side effects!

i’ve felt like i’ve been losing myself: my mind, my optimism, my BF, my sexuality – just, everything – over the past few months. i never put any of the physical symptoms (leg cramp, irritation, discharge) and emotional symptoms together. i’m so glad i’ve found this website b/c i might still be trying to convince myself that everything that has been going on is my fault, or is caused by some deficiency in me & my character. b/c the thing is, before all this, i was healthy, emotionally stable, driven, motivated & happy & excited about life!

i will update in a few weeks to see how the physical & emotional symptoms change now that i’ve taken the ring out. i wish all you ladies out there the best of luck finding BC that works for you & keeps you healthy!!

Nuvo Ring, has helped me a lot, i have used it for 8 months now, and it has been great, no side effects, no blood clots and no pregnanceys (knock on wood)…lol..ladies its awsome to never have to think about the pill or shots that can make you gain weight!!! so try it out…

I was on depo for ten years and I have gained over 80 lbs. I made the decision to get off it and get on an IUD. To do this I have to be on the NUVAring for a month. I cannot keep this damn thing in!!! I have very tight muscles down there and it just doesn’t help. I’m ata loss. HELP!!!

I have pushed it as far as I can. It seems to be hitting the wall and not going further!!!

Okay ladies. Here’s the deal and here’s my history!

I went on NuvaRing for 3 months beginning in February 2006. Prior to going on any type of hormonal birth control, I’ve always had IBS and random nausea, but never to the extent of what I’d gotten on NuvaRing and THEN Ortho Tri-cyclen Lo. I was “morning sick” in the middle of the night..smack in the middle of the day…whenever! And I, like most of you, was SO IRRITATED and CRANKY.

Worst off..with NuvaRing last year, I had STABBING pains up my bum…to the point where I was screaming when I had to…move my bowels. And I was also bleeding – we’re talking like DARK BLOOD CLOTS. (And I know when girlies wipe during our periods, it seems we are bleeding from our bums, but it’s just back there, because perhaps we’ve been laying down prior?) After 3 months of the Ring, I got off of it, and have yet to feel anything like that ever again in my life.

HOWEVER. My gyno wants me to regulate my hormonal levels, because since having BEEN off birth control period, my levels are all fluctuating. I CAN’T GET STRAIGHT ANSWERS FROM ANY DOCTORS.

So she asked if I’d give the Ring another go. I figured, why not? Today was my 2nd week of having it in this time around…I’ve had cramps every single day, nausea, my boobs are KILLING me, I’ve been SO MEAN TO MY MOM AND MY BOYFRIEND (MY POOR LOVED ONES!). I’ve had loose BM’s with pain in my bum AND in my STOMACH. (Meanwhile, my IBS has been on track since October.) TODAY, I had such bad pain in my stomach with cramping in my uterus…I was dry heaving like crazy.

Smells…food…in the past 2 weeks alone I’ve become VERY sensitive to them.

I just read everyone’s posts and I just ran to the bathroom to take the damn thing out. I’m just wondering….AM I GOING TO GO INTO SOME KIND OF PERIOD BLEEDING/WORSE PAIN? I’m about a week away getting my real period.

I can’t stand the madness!!! Please advise!! Thanks

Last July I switched from Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo to Nuvaring. I had no problems with the pill other than remembering to take it. When my GYN recommended the ring I didn’t even think twice…how different could one BC be from the next?

Now, almost a year later I am wondering if that was such a wise choice.

I have been suffering from very frequent, often severe headaches for which I have been put on twice daily beta blockers. I have a painful vein on my thigh (and suddenly have small purple veins visible all over my body), irrational mood swings, depression, anger, loss of sex drive and seem to always have an upset stomach (regardless of what I eat).

It wasn’t until I got a yeast infection this week that I started looking up information and stumbled across this forum. Thanks to all the ladies who have posted here, I may have found the missing link.

It’s amazing to me the range of negative reactions that everyone is having to the ring, especially considering the positive reaction I had.

I have been on the ring since May, 2005. I went to my doctor and insisted that he do something about my period, which had gotten beyond the point of livable: 2 weeks of extreme pain, major bleeding, extreme mood swings, headaches and horrible diarrhea. He suggested the ring to me, and I consider it one of the most positive changes in my life. At his suggestion, I only have 4 periods a year (I leave the ring in 4 weeks at a time instead of 3, and in the 3rd month, I take it out for a menstral period on the 4th week). I was on Alese 28 before. The ring has been incredibly successful for me. My mood swings are compteley gone. I have no cramps now. My period is less heavy than before, despite only happening 4 times a year. As an added bonus, I’ve noticed that my migraines have decreased in both severity and frequency. I have noticed some vaginal dryness, but it’s nothing my husband & a little bit of lubrication can’t fix!

I love the ring and hope that everyone is able to find the BC that works best for their body. Find a doctor you can trust and be honest with them.

I used nuva ring for 3 years. The first 2 1/2 years was great then then bam..I started having infections after infections when I inserted a new ring..but go figure..it cleared up when I removed it..Well 2 years later, I am still having problems thanks that that not so lovely ring! All I can say girls is….good luck!

I’ve been on some sort of birth control from the age of 14 on (I am currently 21). My first concern is that whenever I get off the pill for any period of time, I don’t get my period back until I start up again, which perpetuates my use of it.

I started Nuva Ring 3 months ago, I’ve had many friends that raved about it–and its been great as a contraceptive, but I’ve had other health concerns, discomforts that I hadn’t thought to associate with it until reading all these other accounts—awful PMS which I’d never experienced before, blurry vision, problems with contact lenses, severe headaches, nausea, anger/depression, yeast infections, etc.

I really just wish I could get off hormonal birth control all together. But most likely I’ll just get back on the pill, it’s much better than a pregnancy scare every month.

Just reading these posts has made me start crying (again…) I have only been on the ring for a little over a week, and I feel like an emotional wreck. It could be something that will subside with time, but I don’t know if I can even handle it until then. I have been crying, depressed (not wanting to get out of bed or leave the house…), and just frustrated all the time. My boyfriend told me I am acting irrational and crazy, and it is true. I can’t even blame him for saying those things, because last night at 1:30 in the morning I tried to wake him up for 20 minutes just to hold me…and he was sleeping and got pretty annoyed, and I just got irrational and said I was going to leave and then started bawling hysterically…
I have never been like that before. Ever…I am always Miss calm and collected. I don’t cry, I am rational, I don’t usually get pissed because someone won’t wake up. (He is a pretty sound sleeper, plus he goes to work at 6…)
Other than my severe mood swings and constant sadness…I really like the ring. It gets uncomfortable during sex at times, but otherwise I haven’t had any bleeding or other problems that have been mentioned.
I am not sure whether to stick it out and see if the emotional rollercoaster is going to get better…or if this just isn’t going to work for me. I hate to waste all that money if the problems will eventually subside.
Sorry for the long post…I just needed to vent a little!

I have been on the Ring for about 3 years. I really like it. But now that I am hearing all of this and I saw a news story about it killing people I am terrified. Is it worth the risk if I have had no problems with it….or should I stop to be safe?

Well, I am sitting at work and I just read through all of these 139 posts because my aunt saw an article about a girl dying from NuvaRing and insisted that I immediately remove mine.

I wanted to do some research before jumping to any conclusions because I understand that there are risks involved with any prescription drugs.

I have been using NuvaRing for three months. I thought that I loved it because I never feel it, and it is so easy to remember, especially with the handy timer they sent to me as a free gift.

But, lately I have been incredibly sad and unmotivated and felt just generally… crappy. I attributed it all to the fact that I have been stressed about school, work, friends, lack of boyfriend, etc. Reading other women’s experiences, though, I have to admit that I have thought seriously about suicide over the past month, which I cannot attribute to my normal, daily stress.

Another symptom that I have had which is even more concerning to me is the pain in my left leg. I have been getting a dull, persistent pain in my left thigh area, and wondering what could be causing it. Learning that it might be a blood clot caused by my birth control is a scary thought.

All of this, topped off with the fact that I had a nightmare about my NuvaRing last night has made me decide that taking it out is the only option.

Does anyone know if taking it out is enough of a response to the leg pains? If I already have developed a clot should I still see a doctor?

Please let me know if you have any information about this.

You my friend, are a fucking retard. The hormone contained in nuvaring is etonogestrel, which is basically the same progestin used in oral birth controls. The side effects are exactly the same. Urinary tract infections due to the ring are simply because of people not washing their hands thoroughly before inserting the ring. The package is sealed in sterilized aluminum fall. Allergic reactions are possible, JUST LIKE IN LATEX CONDOMS. Call it whatever the hell you want, unless you are a doctor or a pharmacist, don’t make baseless assumptions.

Wow…I just inserted the ring last Sunday, its now Wednesday. I feel like I’m about to get an UTI but attributed it to the fact that I just started using the Ring and the notes from the pharmacy said there’d be some adjustment. I have to say, after reading all the posts, now I’m just confused and nervous as hell. Can anyone let me know if they started noticing an odor of sorts after intial insertion? and yes I did wash my hands before inserting the damn thing… Thanks

I have been on the ring for 7 months now, and my doctor has been very helpful with free samples. At first it was great and my boyfriend and I were in heaven ;) Now 7 months later I have low sex drive, have spent all the money I saved from the free rings on MONISTAT, and sex just all around sucks thanks to the ring. Also last month I was crying and fighting with my boyfriend because we didn’t go pick up my car from the repair shop right away because my things don’t matter as much as his and I don’t matter as much as him… Just two days before I had taken out my ring. It’s ridiculous.

I’m just about to take out my LAST nuvaring. I’m calling my doctor to talk about my other options… Girls check out Yaz, Seasonale, and Lybrel. I certainly think it will be easier to remember to take a pill every day than to have to be a moody bitch with an itchy cooch.

I have been using the NuvaRing from December 2006 and am still currently using it in July 2007. I’m seriously considering switching to a pill method of birth control for several reasons, some more serious than others. I’ve always been somewhat of a whiner, to be completely honest, and I’m not afraid to be bitchy…but it’s much worse when I’m in the first few days or first week of inserting a new ring. Also, I really hate that the Ring causes spontaneous and unpredictable vaginal discharge. Yuck. That’s one of my biggest irritations. But the worst thing yet that has happened to me is this: SEVERE labial edema directly following intercourse. Mmmmmk, for those of you who don’t know what edema is, it’s basically a fancy word for swelling. SO, this started happening to me Monday July 2nd, 2007. I had noticed that for about a week, I had been very irritated down there, but dismissed it. So on July 2nd, directly following intercourse (which was painful, and intercourse is normally not painful for me at all) I got into the shower to rinse off. The irritated sensations (burning, itching) got worse and worse as the minutes passed, and when I got out of the shower, I realized that my inner labia was completely swollen (NO EXAGGERATION) more than 10 times it’s normal size. Swear on everyting, my inner labia was actually protruding outside my outer labia. Naturally, I freaked out and went to the Emergency Room as it was 9:30pm and the OBGYN was closed. The ER doctors were stumped after testing my urine and performing a pap smear, to find that I had no sort of infections or irregular test results. Also, I have never had a yeast infection in my life, so I thought to myself, well maybe I have a yeast infection, but nope. The doctors gave me Benadryl (which did nothing except make me loopy and then pass out) and made me put an ice pack in my undies. After nearly 2 hours, the swelling started to go down, and they sent me home, but wasn’t completely down until the next morning. A few days later, I tried intercourse again, and to my horror, the swelling came back. So I downed some more Benadryl and took a nap. The 2nd round of the labial edema wasn’t nearly as bad as the first. But then a few days later, I tried intercourse again, and had almost as bad of a reaction to it as I did the first time the swelling occured. I made an appointment with an OB and was there last night. There were 2 doctors and 1 nurse, and I had stumped them all with my problem. They said it could be a number of things. My body could have taken a while to build up an intolerance or allergy to the ring itself. They said maybe it was something that accidentally got into the packaging of the ring (but why then would I only have the edema after sex?) They said it coudl be that I have developed an allergy to the protein in my boyfriend’s sperm. Uhhhh…well I certainly hope not. They said maybe it’s because I’m AB- blood type. Huh, really? All in all, they don’t know what the hell is going on. I’m going to try using a new ring and if that doesn’t work, I’m goign to try condoms to see if it may really be my boyfriend’s sperm. If that doesn’t work, I’m going to swtich back to the pill which NEVER caused me any sort of problem like this.

SO I’m not saying that my experience of labial edema is caused by the NuvaRing, but I’m pretty damn sure it’s not helping my situation! Is there anybody else out there who has heard of any sort of allergic reaction or anything similar to what I’m going through?!?! If so, please contact me at jadelovesben@hotmail.com Thanks!

IT CAN FALL OUT…MINE DID…and I’m not sure when

Hormonal contraception needs to be more carefully evaluated. I took ortho tri-cyclen for about six years; I’ve been off for over two, and my libido is still not back. There are studies that suggest that sex binding hormones (the ones that diminish your free testosterone, which influences your sex drive and ability to orgasm!) may never return to normal after hormonal contraception, but you won’t find these risks listed on your BCP literature. We women are complex creatures, and need to respect our bodies more than to put these dubious substances into them. There’s no doubt that artificial hormones play with our whole bodies (even our brains) and not just our ovaries!

I recommend “Taking Control of Your Fertility” by Tony Weschler; it will help you to understand your body better (and to appreciate it more), to know with great reliability when you are fertile, and to recognize when you should forgo sex or use condoms.

Yeah i liked nuvaring for 3 months… until it almost killed me.

healthy 22 year old – never a smoker- no family history with a blood clot in the leg and several in the lungs

NOT WORTH IT!

Hi Ladies,

I’ve been on the ring for over a year. I’ve had ONE yeast infection, which from what I understand, has more to do with the stress of my recent move and poor diet than anything else. I have had none of the side effects mentioned. I love it, it’s convenient and completely worth a shot.

I tried the ring for less than a month. Was okay during week one, but by week two, my mood was changing and I didn’t want sex…major drag there cause that just isn’t me! I also started getting cramps in my lower abdomen. It started to become tender when I would urinate. And by the middle of my second week, I was in some pretty serious pain in my abdomen. It hurt to apply any pressure to the area and it hurt it urinate (but not like the pain in a yeast infection though). I decided to take it out, and when I inserted my fingers to get the ring out (because I had placed it pretty far up), the ring was just on the inside of my vagina! I do not know if having three vaginal births of almost 10 lb. babies had anything to do with it, but I know I inserted the ring properly. Felt a little better in the next few days. Still a little tender about a week after removing the ring. I definitely will NOT use it again!

I have been on the ring for about 3 weeks now. Yeah it’s great not having to think about it, but the cons weigh in so much heavier the the pros. I have never been more depressed I have gained about 7 pounds, I have become incredibly lazy all I want to do is sleep. Even when I don’t want to I just dose off on the way to the movies or any car ride which is so not like me. I am soooo hungry and not to mention I have just developed a yeast infection. Eww. Also I am fairly sexual with my husband and since on the ring, nothing!!! and the one time we did I cried from the pain. Tomorrow is my day I am supposed to take it out for a week and I am happy to say I have decided to not re-insert. Goodbye Nuva Ring hello condoms! (And I get my life back yay!!!!)

Been on the ring for almost 2 full months. Had 1 yeast infection and feel like another is on its way. I’d recommend it if not for the yeast. Waaaay better than Depo which made me psycho! Just be very careful with anything synthetic that you introduce into your body. Everyone will react differently so my experience will not be yours but great that there is much info. available on the web huh?!?

I was looking for information on the ring because my 24 year old daughter was started on it about 7 months ago. It was for severe cramps and bleeding. (she had her tubes tied after 2nd child) so it was not for birth control, she kept it in 24/7 and changed it once a month, so no periods. Well here is a reality check for all of you. Last weds my daughter was taken to the hospital with what her husband thought was a bad migraine (which she had been having). The docs at the hospital kept saying it was a bad headache, well I’m no doctor but I do no that when she was slurring words, falling over and kept her eys and head turned only to the right it wasn’t a migraine. She had a severe stroke, but by the time they admited it, (because of course she is only 24 so she could not be having a stroke) it was too late to give her TPA the medication that may have helped. So 3 of the 4 lobes of the right side of her brain have been affected. She can’t sit up with out falling over. She has no use of her left arm or leg and her thinking skills have been affected. The doctors have done every test in the book and then some and can find no reason for the stroke. Well she does have high colesteral and is a light smoker so tell me why was she prescribed the ring? The doctors are now saying well maybe the combination did it but they can’t be sure. I also read something about a certain factor in your blood that can increase the risk of a stroke by quite a bit if you are using the ring, but no blood work was ever done prior to her being prescribed the ring. She is now making some gains with her function, but she has a long road ahead of her so does her 5 and 2 year old children.

” Dan Says:
July 3rd, 2007 at 11:14 pm

You my friend, are a fucking retard. The hormone contained in nuvaring is etonogestrel, which is basically the same progestin used in oral birth controls. The side effects are exactly the same. Urinary tract infections due to the ring are simply because of people not washing their hands thoroughly before inserting the ring. The package is sealed in sterilized aluminum fall. Allergic reactions are possible, JUST LIKE IN LATEX CONDOMS. Call it whatever the hell you want, unless you are a doctor or a pharmacist, don’t make baseless assumptions.”

And you my friend are a fucking asshole. I insert my nuvaring in the shower after i have thoroughly cleansed everything to make certain that my hands and all are clean and i STILL get infections!!!! Mostly yeast infections, and quite frankly we don’t have to be doctors to come to the conclusion that the ring is causing an infection….NOT dirty hands….

hello! i am 23 years old, 5′2″, 150 lbs( ive had 3 kids in 5 years gimme a break!) and i have been using nuva ring for about 8 months now, and i love it! i have had no probs at all, except when i take it out for my period, im a little moodier than usual, and my husband can feel it during sex, but you know what? we take it out!!! it can be left out up to 3 hours, and i am so terrified of becoming preggers again that i never forget to put it back in! ive tried ortho tri cyclen, reg and lo, ive tried the patch….people should be complaining of that still!!! it broke me out in a rash wherever i put it, and i damn near bled to death( im the stupid one though, i didnt go to the hospital, trying to be tough, and i had just had my second child month or two prior. i was sooooo sick though! constant heavy bleeding, dizziness, weakness, lightheaded…needless to say, i was miserable. then, after i had my youngest kid, i was breastfeeding him and i needed bc, so my midwife put me on errin….or the mini pill….wasnt bad, i was like cool i can feed my baby, and not worry about getting pregnant! until i noticed it was making my hair grow in darker…facial hair…NO! so after a few months i heard about nuva ring. id already decided to wean ryan (about 9 months) so i decided to try nuva ring…..and wow! what else can i say? it works great, my moods are less swingy than before, less acne, periods shorter and lighter…not doing anything for my weight though!!!thats where diet and exercise come in! i feel badly for the women (and men!) who have had problems with it, all i can say is you have to find the one that works! one type of bc is not right for everyone, everyones body chemistry is different. different women react differently to it, and so you cant blame the drug companies for the probs your body is having trying to adjust to a foreign substance you are deciding to putting into it.

oh and eating yogurt every day does help with yeast infections, it helps balance your ph levels…..i forgot to add that, but keep that in consideration!

I have been using the Nuva Ring for 2.5 years and have NEVER had a problem. No yeast infections or anything. I used to have migraines when I took the pill in doses too close together, but you can’t do that with the Nuva Ring. Never got pregnant either. I DO recommend the ring to everyone I talk to about birth control. Every woman is different, so I think its worth a try to switch to the ring.

Hey, thanks for all of the comments. Sorry to you all who have had problems with the ring, but I love it. I was on ortho-try-cyclen lo and was sick for three months. Cramps, mood swings and nausea were a normal daily occurance. I went from a four day period prior to birth control to an eight day period on the pill. The day before I would start I would be in so much pain, with nausea, dizzyness and migraines, that I couldn’t even get out of bed. My husband and I honestly were ready to give up on birth control and just use condoms when I went to a new gynecologist who recommended I try the ring. It’s been great! I noticed that a lot of people have posted about problems, but they sound like the side effects listed in the information given by the pharmacy. I guess it really depends on your body and finding what works well with your body. Thanks to everyone who posted, I was looking to see if anyone was having problems with headaches (which I’ve struggled with since I was ten). Thanks

I’ve been on the pill for six years straight, and now switched to the nuvaring. I agree with everyone who says that your body needs to adapt to something in your body…. People… take a vitamen called acidophillus, it fights yeast. don’t wait till it’s a full blown yeast infection..start taking it right when you get the symptoms of one coming on. and take it out when you have sex, then put it back in afterwards. the hormones will still be in your body. Oh and by the way…. as with ANY hormone you put in your body you are bound for some possible mood swings…girls have them anyway so now we just have something to blame it on…. haha.

i literally have to be taken off of it due to the fact that i have become an intolerant psycho and its affected my job friends and relationships …its horrble and ive been on it for 3 months and it hasent changed .i get raging mad over dumb things and have no paitants for anything, and am blantantly mean to people for no reason and i cant control it .

I have used Nuva ring for almost over a year, i love it! i haven’t had any of the side effects listed above and i sure am not dead… it didn’t kill my sex drive (gave it a boost in fact) and the being able to take it in and out is really handy.

Wow…ive been on and off the nuvaring for a while now. THe first time i used it i loved it, but only used it for three months bc i though i wasnt gonna have sex anymore for a while. Afterwards i started using it again about a year later and i got the worst irritation ever. At first i thought it was bc my bf at the time was a bit bigger so i thought he just didnt fit right, then the itching drove me crazy. I did the whole yeast infection treatment and that helped the itching and burning for a while.
After i broke it off with him i took the ring out again since i wasnt gonna have sex for a while.
Now i started using it again (new bf!!). First month was great….or so i thought. No physical issues at all, but Ive been constantly anxious and cant put my finger as to why (ofcourse bf gets the blame…poor boy!) Second month though, as soon as i put the ring on i got this ridiculous itch. Then the burning during sex that makes me not want to have sex. Then the itch extended to where feeling like im getting an UTI….and the anxious feeling continues, to the point that last nite i was thinking of breaking it off with bf (although he has done nothing wrong…figures). I just went online to see if i could figure out how to get rid of the itching, and finding all this info out made me realize there’s more to it than the itchiness!
Im getting off of it…and i guess just stick to condoms (other bc hasnt worked at all either) Hopefully this will not only save me from more itching but also from losing great guy!!!
good luck with your experiences.

i’ve been on the nuvaring for about 8 months now. i absolutely LOVEd it…up until TODAY…when I did my own research on reviews of the nuvaring. i started dating my current boyfriend 8 months ago. our relationship started out great, until i started getting crazy mood swings about four months into using the ring. i would be happy one second, and the next, i would cry my eyes out. i would get irritated over the tiniest thing that i normally wouldn’t think twice about. i started crying after i lost at a game of scrabble! what sane 25 year old woman cries over losing a game of scrabble?? now i know…a woman who is being driven by hormones released from a ring called NUVARING. recently, i started to believe that i was a horrible person (crazy mood swings) and that i wasn’t deserving of my boyfriend, who is nothing but patient with me. i was entertaining the thought of ending our relationship because i didn’t want him to be unhappy with me, even though i love him with all my heart. after reading these comments, though, i feel so much better. i just pulled out the ring a few minutes ago…i refuse to let a stupid plastic ring ruin my relationship with the best guy i’ve ever met…and hopefully, its just the ring and not me. because if i’m still so crazy and sensitive after taking the ring out…then i need psychotherapy.

I was on the nuva ring for 2 months…I usually get anxiety attacks here and there when I am stressed out…but hadn’t had one for months….right after I put it in I started to have anxiety attacks very frequently….I finally took it out….no more nuva ring for me….too bad because I hate taking the pill…I guess I am getting fixed….

Week 2 of the nuvaring… been crying about everything for the past 10 days, incredibly nauseous, have a yeast infection and have no desire at all for sex. I wish I’d read this thing before I started. I’ll be switching back to the pill and apologizing to my poor boyfriend.

I went to planned parenthood thinking it wouldn’t be a problem qualifying for an iud. two of my cousins had really great experiences with the iud and i figured it could be the same for me. instead they gave me the nuvaring (evil spawn of the devil!) and i started it less than a week ago. first of all, it took me FOREVER to get the thing in. I don’t know why, i followed the directions, but it didn’t seem to be going in right. i ended up using a tampon applicator to insert it, and all seemed fine…until things weren’t! All of the sudden I felt like crap, my boobs started hurting badly, i’d never had a “scent” before but all the sudden I smelled like chemicals down there, and not to mention the fact that I was doubled over with abdominal pain and calf cramps, and most of all the scary ass heart palpatations I started getting. and the neck pain! I don’t have ANY idea why they are still handing these nuvarings out to women like candy! i have read very few positive reviews about the nuvaring, and those who do praise it still complain of no sex drive, painful intercourse, and vaginal itching. THIS IS NOT RIGHT! 99% effective? Oh I believe it — it’s like an instant libido killer. Ugh. Never again!

I have been on Nuva for one month. It has been a absolute mistake. Frome day 5 I have vaginal itching, then it turned to buurning. I was treated for a yeast infection… I have ony had one before I started teh ring. Then came horrible horrible cramps every time I stood up. They were so bad that they would stop me in mid walk. It was embarrasing especially at the grocery store.. Now 4 weeks in… I am being treated for ANOTHER yeast infection! 2 in one month???? I’m getting off of this. I have been taking it out ever other day to rince it and keep it clean. Not even that worked. It’s awesome if it works for you flawlessly, but for the majority of the women taking it… constant pain and no sex drive… just doesn’t cut it.

I finally took the ring out last month and didn’t have the money to refill my prescription, so I just didn’t. I’ve been off of it for a month and a half now and feel so much better. No yeast infections. Sex feels better, MUCH better. I had so much burning and my stomach would cramp unbearably while we were having sex to the point where I was gasping for breath sometimes. I’m considering a hormone free IUD…Although I’m wondering if I would have the same yeast infection problems with it, but it’s worth a try…

I recently read in an online article about a frameless, hormone-free IUD used in Europe and China that is SO much safer and SO much easier for the doctor to insert than the two IUD’s offered in the United States. It’s super small and it’s called the GyneFix. And on top of it, women who haven’t had babies can use it. (a lot of doctors wont put in the IUD if you haven’t given birth.) They have a lower rate of yeast infections and an extremely lower risk of pelvic inflamatory disease/perforation of the walls of the uterus. It pisses me off that they don’t offer it here yet! Because honestly, I’d rather freaking go all the way to Europe and get one of these things than ever go on hormonal birth control ever again. I still shudder at the idea of having that nuva-death thing in me.

Hello,
I have been on the nuva ring for one and a half years. I recently noticed some pretty severe cramping in my calf muscles and stopped using it do to this (afraid it might be blood clots). I thought I would try it out again and re-inserted it today. After about 8 hours of use the leg cramps came back. I took it out an hour ago and they are going away.

I am not putting it back in! Also, to anyone wondering I am 26 years old, a non-smoker and I am leaning towards under versus overweight. I think this is a scary product and I don’t advise anyone to use it!

WOW. I came here searching for anyone talking about *male* allergic reactions to the ring (I keep getting one, and only recently realized the ring may be to blame!), but after reading all the comments – I’m going to have a talk with my gf tomorrow.

She’s had all sorts of symptoms that you guys mentioned: tired, unmotivated, bordering on depressed (her words, not mine.) ; severe headaches – to the point where she went through a full MRI+MRA and is now on 2 different headache medicines (including topomax, which oh, only serves to make her *more* tired) ; and a definite increase in yeast infection frequency.

She was on the patch before the ring, and various pills before the patch, and now I feel like no BC is worth all this. BLOOD CLOTS?? STROKES?? CANCER?? DEATH?? I never minded condoms anyway, to be quite honest. BC was just safer (baby-wise) and more convenient, but 15 percentage points more risk and a few seconds rolling on a condom is SOOO much better than the apparent health risks.

Oh, and for the assholes above: she was the picture of health pre-BC (ran track and did sports), and is very healthy now except for the exceptions noted above. 27, very fit, doesn’t smoke, drinks on occasion. always washes herself *and* her hands before inserting the ring. oh, and a fairly healthy diet.

Thanks everyone.
-the bf

This is my second month with the ring. The first month I felt a decrease on my sex drive, tierd, and irritated from everything! This second month I have a very bad infection.. I didn’t know that all of these symptoms could be related to the ring until I care across website. I will be going to pay a visit to my ob tomorrow and see what else would could i do since i got a blood clot on my leg from the pills, and a overian cyst from the iud!

This made a lot of sense. And it helped a lot. I was experiencing a lot of symptoms that you described and now I know where the pain was coming from. Thank you for the information. I think that I’m going to pass this around to every one I know before they choose to use the ring.

I have been on the ring for 4 months now and love it ! I get a bit of odour but thats easy to take care of. I was on Depo provera before this and would much rather be on the ring !

cara: Your crushing chest pain actually sounds more like costochondritis, from which I also suffer. It’s what happens when the connective tissue between your ribs gets inflamed, making it extremely painful to breathe, especially deep breaths. It’s easily managed though with NSAIDS like Aleve or naproxen, so talk to your doctor about the chest pain first before you blame it on the ring. I also use the ring and have had no side effects, but I am a new user so we will see, but of course anyone taking any medicine should constantly be on the look out for negative signs and symptoms and talk to their doctor ASAP if an issue occurs. My boyfriend makes fun of me for reading all of the information that comes with prescriptions when I get sick, but I’d rather be safe than sorry. (And I’m sure that so many people who did not want to get pregnant but had to take antibiotics would have known to use a back-up method if only they had read the information!) Additionally, you should NEVER diagnose your own chest pain, chest pain is VERY serious, anyone should get to a doctor IMMEDIATELY if they are experiencing chest pain!!

Thanks to all who have posted. It’s great to hear real women’s experiences.

I’m in my early thirties and haven’t used hormonal bc for about 10 years. Previous stints on a variety of bc pills resulted in anxiousness, crying, depression, lack of motivation and feeling worthless – entertaining thoughts of suicide. Anyway, that was then, this is now I thought. Went to the doc, told him of previous experiences but explained was looking to have some contraceptive peace of mind.
Prescribed Nuvaring. Thought it sounded fantastic – low dose, take it out if you wish, a once a month solution. Great!
Heavy feeling in lower legs on day one. Vague feeling of disquiet and anxiousness by the afternoon of first day. No interest in sex. Whole area felt heavy, uncomfortable, sort of sensitive – uncomfortable / unpleasant to touch.
So day 3, feeling like crap – sad, tears. Can’t be bothered to do anything. Zero sex drive. heavy stabbing pain in vaginal area.
Felt the need to do some investigation.
Summary: zero sex drive, heaviness in calves, vaginal discomfort, weird discharge, depressed, sensitive and teary…
Anyway, having read so many similar stories, I have removed it. Hopefully back to normal soon! Thank you ladies for sharing.

I recently started looking up information about nuvaring. I’ve been on it for almost four years. It works for me, I love it. I have found gops of info about blood clots caused from it. Then I looked up the pill stuff, about the same really. I was not aware of the number of blood clots before I went on it. I’m just one of the lucky ones that it doesn’t have and adverse affect on. I think people should be aware and it has been advertised as the lowest side affects. NO BIRTHCONTROL IS 100% SAFE!!!! They all have a lot of nasty side effects. Just monitor them. I am just lucky that i have had zero side effects. fine sex drive, no weight gain, and not health problems. I still try to look out for the symptoms though.

The Pill made me crazy, I feel like myself again since switching to the ring about 6 months ago. It look a little while to adjust, but it’s miraculous. Until I can permanently avoid pregnancy, the Ring is my hero.

Caused me memory loss. Its the ethinyl estradiol. Not taking it again, for I value my memory; plus, he can always just roll on a condom. Week and half later, I’m still recovering, hopefully get this stuff out of my system soon.

NUVA RING IS FROM HELL!!!!

I have been on the ring for twelve months now – and I just snagged it out today before KILLING MYSELF.

Before:

Happy, optimistic, motivated, a little stressed, but nothing I can’t cope with, like most of us – loved myself and my husband (thank God he is PATIENT) – normal sex drive, minimal moodiness (usually circumstantial if ever) – and fairly energetic.

After:

Miserable, negative 24/7, unmotivated, STRESSED OUT (for no apparent reason), HATE myself – sometimes HATE my husband, ZERO sex drive, MOODY as HELL – TIRED AS HELL and SUICIDAL. HEAD ACHES FROM HELL – LEG PAIN AT NIGHT – NIGHT SWEATS (ALL of this was SUDDEN after the twelve month mark by the way).

GET OFF NUVA RING – IT WILL MOST LIKELY EVENTUALLY GET YOU – IF YOU HAVE NO SYMPTOMS, THAT MAY EVEN BE WORSE – YOU COULD JUST DROP DEAD.

I started the nuva ring this past sunday night. By Monday afternoon i was having severe cramping…. i ignnored it, took a vicodin and got out the heating pad. I felt ok the next morning, then BOOM afternoon hit and i was doubled over with cramps again. Its thursday and i have had it….. 4 days with the ring in, and i just yanked it out a few hours ago. The cramps were unbearable. Very low, like menstral cramps but 10 times more severe than any menstral cramp i’ve ever had. Id compare it to labor pains. As im typing this, im sitting here in pain, i just hope and pray this symptom subsides soon as it is just making me miserable. Looks like its going to be another vicodin and heating pad night for me.

This was my only side effect, but then again….. It was only in for 4 days. I couldnt imagine the side effects i may have had if i didnt take it out.

God bless and good luck to those who use it

I am in my second year of college, and i thought that the nuvaring would be great for my busy schedule. I LOVED the idea of it.I have been very happy on it until recently. But then my family pointed out that i have become very moody. I cry all the time, i have come into a deep state of depression, and i am always a pretty happy person. I have been on it for two months, and I have to get off of it because of unhappy i have been. Its not healthy to be so sad and moody all the time. Depression is directly correlated to a low libido. crying daily is not healthy and i have choosen to research more methods of birth controll. Maybe i will even go back to a low dose birth control.

I HAVE BEEN ON THE NUVA RING FOR 2 MONTHS NOW AND TO BE HONEST I JUST THOUGHT THAT HAVING MY NEW BABY TURNED ME INTO A TOTAL BITCH. I HAVE ZERO SEX DRIVE AND TERRIBLE CRAMPS. I CANNOT STAND ANYTHING. EVEN SOMEONE TAPPING THERE FOOT SENDS ME OFF THE DEEP END. I JUST HAPPENED TO STUMBLE ON THIS SITE WHILE LOOKING UP SIDE EFFECTS BECAUSE I FEEL LIKE I AM GOING TO DIE. I JUST TOOK MY NUVA RING OUT FOR THE SECOND TIME AND I FEEL TERRIBLE. NOT TO MENTION DISGUSTED. INSTEAD OF MY PERIOD BEING RED ITS BLACK AND IVE GOT ABDOMINAL PAIN THAT IS SERIOUS.BUT I HONESTLY HAD NO IDEA ABOUT ANY OF THESE SIDE EFFECTS BECAUSE I NEVER GOT THE PHARMACY PACKAGING! MY DOCTOR GAVE ME TWO OF THEM AT HIS OFFICE. MY RELATIONSHIP IS FALLING APART FOR A NUMBER OF THESE REASONS. I WILL NOT BE PUTTING THIS AWEFUL ABOMINATION BACK IN ME:(

I just have a question is it normal to feel a burning sensation after intercourse? I’ve been on NuvaRing for 10 months but only in this past month has this occured, It’s my only problem so far…

Nuva ring has been fine for me. I’m an 18 year old relatively healthy smoker. No bad side effects, and i like the three week thing.

the only bad thing is that it went off to explore without me the other week, (i think, not really sure when it came out) so there went $50 for plan b and another $15 if my period doesn’t show.

Other than it it’s been good for me. made my mood swings less, less crapms, lighter and shorter period. I like it. and i’ve been on it for a good year or so.

I have tried the Nuva Ring twice now. The first time I inserted the ring right before my period and missed it. Then I had terrible cramping and sore breasts for the next two weeks. I later learned you have to insert it within 1-3 days of starting your period. So I waited another month and started at the right time. I didn’t get cramping, only a subtle cramp here and there. But now after three weeks, I have been dizzy for a week, have had a yeast infection for a week, and have been crying uncontrollably. I have been feeling depressed as well. No yeast infection treatment has been working and I’m just fine mentally when I’m not on the ring. I took out the ring tonight and immediately my yeast infection ended. Coincidence? I don’t think so. Back to family planning I guess…

the nuva ring for me is the best bc I could ever hope for. I have been taking it for 2 months and have actually lost 20lbs and I feel great on it, no depression like other bc pills or spotting or vomiting like I use to on pills I think it either works for you or it doesnt, and thankfully this one works,for me and actually makes me lose weight.

I started the ring 3 weeks ago I broke out with a very bad rash.. I’m not sure why it took 3 weeks but it is uncomfortable. I have also been grumpy and had cramps. I have not went to the doctor but Im going 2marrow for sure…

Okay, I just started the ring a few days ago(switched from the patch at my doctors suggestion). The first time I had intercouse the ring actually came out on my partners penis – has anyone else had this problem? I’m I inserting it wrong? although, that seems sort of impossible?

If you are using the Nuva Ring please make sure that it doesn’t “fall out”. Because it is clear, you may not see it or feel it. Mine went MIA last month and now I am pregnant. You should take a second and check to make sure it is place before having sex. In addition, make sure your hands are clean because there have been cases of infection, that have lead to lower GI infections… not pretty. Good luck! I wish I knew to check that the ring didn’t fall out!

hey everyone, so memory is pretty much back to almost 100%, still don’t remember anything that happened during that time I was on it (see previous post), and I have a question… I’ve been noticing a lot of Nuvarings I see seem to be all a clear color… no color at all actually… and oddly, when I inserted my first one (the one that caused me memory loss), it was a dark blue purple color… and only when i took it out was it clear… is it suppose to be clear or not before you put it in you? thanks everyone! =]

ok- add me to the list – prescribed for uterine fibroids and irregular heavy periods, just finished my first and LAST month with NuvaRing — wicked migraines, weeping fits and general depression and lethargy, bursts of anger (even at my BOSS!!!??), no sex drive, blurred vision… ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!

I was hospitalized for a blood clot in my brain due to the NuvaRing. Horrible.

i have just started my first cycle with this nuva ring, and its my first time on any birthcontrol, after intercourse i experience pain and swelling down south that is very uncomfortable…i have no idea what it is…

i love it otherwise, its just painful after intercourse- maybe its purpose is to make you not want to have sex. a great birth control remedy. ironic.

After 4 days I felt like I had a UTI, I would go to the bathroom, nothing would come out, & the only place I didn’t real horrible was on the toilet. I love the idea of this. But I’m prone to yeast infections. I don’t think it’s worth the risk. Within 4 hours of taking it out I felt better. Anyone else experience this?

Iam Happy for all the new Nuva ring users. If they are pleased with the product ,but I used it for two months in 2005 and Stroked in june of 2005.Iam a person who always used hormonal birth controlland never had any significant reactions. Now Iam ahome boundperson with left sided weakness a shadow of my former self.Please be careful.Life is short and we make it worst by tempting fate. I now wish Inever used this typ of bith controll.Im stuck in a body that I cannot use.

I’ve been on Nuvaring for 2 years now. And I have to say I’m very happy with it. I was on Depo before for about 4 years and my doctor recommended that I switch BC because Depo sometimes leads to bone-density loss. Anyways, Depo made me gain about 5 pounds (which is alot to us women) but the Nuvaring made me lose about 10. I get bad cramping during my menstruation, so my doctor recommended that I use it back-to-back with no “Nuvaring free” week. As soon as I take it out, I put in another one. I have no side effects, I can’t feel that its there and it stays in place by itself.

Like some of the earlier comments, if you think this type of BC might be for you, then try it. Like with every medication, there comes a list of side effects and risks. Every women’s body reacts differently…so you just have to be mindful of what you’re giving/putting into your body.

Good luck to all of you…

i’ve been on nuva ring for almost a year..i love it..but as i was reading through i saw the question can it fall out..absolutly..if its not in all the way or if you have a prolapsed uterus it can fall out and you may not even notice..also to all those who are worried about blood clots you run the risk of blood clots with any birth control medication.

I have been taking the nuva ring for about 2months. I started taking it because my girl friend was taking it and she gave such great reviews. But as the saying goes every thing is not for everybody. Since I have been taking it, I have been a basket case. Im angry at one moment and crying at a drop of a dime the next. Plus, the headaches. So Im off the ring. It”s not for everyone.

my wife is on the ring and she loves it, she has been on it for years. i have recently developed an alergic reaction to it though. it has caused fairly severe skin problems for me in the area exposed to the ring. i am looking to see if this has happened to any other men but havent found anything yet.

I am just reading this and I am so sorry I didnt before, I am not sure if this is what the problem is, but I used it once for 3 weeks also taking my pills. Stopped for 10 days just put it in 4 days ago and the next day my face was red blotchy and sore as well as itchy. I have allergies and went to the doctor, never mentioned Nuvaring. Got a shot am taking 2 allergy medications and I should not still get it after the steroid shot, have it, read this and I just took the ring out after hearing someone else had rashes and it says on the side effects darkening of the skin and itching primarily on the face. Convenient maybe, but I would rather take a pill everyday and have no side effects, I am done with nuvaring.

Wow, what a range of experiences to read about. I started looking for info bc my bf and I recently got back together (sort of) and after we had sex last Tuesday, he started having painful bumps and chafing. This is only our second time since I started using the ring in November. He’s worried it might be an STI; the only issues I’ve noticed are that the soft tissue I feel in my vagina when inserting and removing the ring is now kind of rough and bumpy. This could be scar tissue from LEEP, biopsy, and cystectomy procedures I’ve had in the past year, but since I’m only on my 3rd cycle of using the ring, I don’t have anything to compare to from before the surgeries. I’ve noticed the same discharge as other women mentioned, but no itchiness or irritation to go with the bumpy skin that would indicate an STI. Has anyone else noticed a change in vaginal skin texture? I imagine I’ll ask him if it feels any different in there, since he’s a lot more familiar with it. Reading all these other symptoms, though, almost everything sounds like issues I’ve always had. I would not have noticed depression, mood swings, headaches, or nausea, because those have been around for years due mainly to my lack of regular exercise and poor eating habits since getting married, divorced, and in and out of a couple unhealthy relationships. I’ve been on Wellbutrin for 6 years and although I’m not a Pollyanna, I’m not a raging psycho or incapacitated by my depression. I haven’t had a full-time bf for 3 1/2 years, so I can’t tell if I’ve had a lowered sex drive or not. When the opportunity presents itself to be with my partner, it’s always amazing and I’ve never not wanted to be with him. Absence makes the heart grow fonder – I’m not sure if NuvaRing can interfere with that! I’ll admit I have long been paranoid about a blood clot in my brain – I have weird headaches where I SWEAR I can feel the blood clot in a specific place on my head or behind my eyebrow. I noticed the latter within the last few months, but in general they started a few years ago, before I’d ever even heard of NuvaRing. So, I may have the same health issues as other NuvaRing users, but the ring is not the cause of most of them.

I sure do wish I found this forum 1.5 years ago. I started the ring August 2006 and quit about 3 months ago. Those 14 months were the worst of my life, physically. I developed a rash despite a clean bill of health for STIs. Sex was extremely painful and nearly impossible. After a month, though, painful sex didn’t matter; I had zero sex drive. And during my “ring free” week, my digestive system would crawl to a halt and I would be very uncomfortable until my period was over.

I noticed these side effects almost immediately after starting the ring, but I had never been on bc before so I figured they came with the territory. The most unfortunate thing is that some of my symptoms have persisted. My bf and I never have sex now because it is still too painful, and really, I don’t feel that desire anymore. I fear I will never return to normal.

I’m so greatful that my side effects were not nearly as bad as other posters. My heart goes out to you. And to those signing praise; if the ring continues to work for you, you are lucky, but I hope you aren’t speaking too soon. My best friend went on the ring and ended up with the same side effects as me, but after 6 months. She is now back on the pill.

As for me, I will stear clear of hormonal bc from now on. Condoms make for easier clean up anyways ;).

I have been on Mirena for a year but it got loose and I had it removed today. I got NuvaRing today and can’t wait to see how it does! Has anyone else gone from and IUD to the Ring?

can my partner preform oral sex on me safely being on the nuvaring? there is nothing about it in the info packet but it only makes sense that i ask for being safe.

I have been on the Ring for 1 month after being on the Pill for 18 years and the Patch for 2 months (horrible experience with breast tenderness). I have not experienced any problems with Nuvaring except for a moment of panic when trying to remove and couldn’t find it- but I figured it out. It is early and I remain cautious but I love the freedom from taking a pill every day.

I have been on Nuvaring for a little over a year and for the first year and 2 months, absolutely loved it! Thought it was the greatest thing ever because I didn’t have to worry about taking a pill everyday. Now, the past week, I’ve broken out in a very itchy and contagious rash that my doctor thinks may be an allergic reaction to the ring. After reading through many of the posts here and hearing others stories of a lack of sex drive, made me start to think…that’s what the last year as been for me…lack of sex because I just don’t want it. I loved the ring at first, but now am starting to consider taking it out and just starting over with something else. I’ve had trouble wearing my contacts, trouble sleeping lately, and I think it all boils down to the ring. Boo!

I’m on the ring. Fierce sex drive the first 5 days after insertion. Convent-like prudity there after.

I forget it’s there, but NuvaRing.com invented the nifty NuvaTime counter that sits on my desktop and counts down the days until removal like an Advent Calendar.

No babies. I give it 2 thumbs up.

I have been on the ring consistently for a little over a year now and have become tired of the side effects. I to get frequent yeast infections and decreased sex drive. I also get left side abdominal cramping, occasionally when not on my period. I also have constant discharge which is annoying. I also have the skin rash and low energy. After realizing that this might have something to do with the ring, I decided to investigate more. I decided today to stop using the ring and other hormonal B/C has not been good in the past either. I will try to find something else, especially after reading some of the comments.
Cheers

I’m so glad for all of your posts because I know that I’m not alone. I started Nuvaring in December after the doc told me I had a fibroid. I stayed on my period for a full month before I finally stopped. On my 2nd ring, I thought everything was normal until I started getting nauseated while trying to do household chores or throwing up after my boyfriend made me dinner. I started getting very tired at odd times…thank God I work at home and can take a break anytime I want. I was going to try to stick it out to see if the symptoms would go away, but I too get the worst mood swings. I went ballistic cause Nuvaring told me my boyfriend was using too much barbeque sauce on his food. Anything and everything gets on my last nerve. Now Nuvaring has given me pain in the left side of my chest. I fear that I’m going to have a heartattack in my sleep…when I CAN sleep. Right now it’s 3:55 am and Nuvaring won’t allow me to get any zzz’s. I kept scratching at my arm and have discovered that I have a rash. I look like a damn drug addict with track marks. Every morning I wake up with a swollen throat. It’s time for Nuvaring to hit the road. I’m making an appointment with my doc in the morning. I don’t remember having these problems when I was on the pill. At this point, I think it may be better for me to just get a hysterectomy and get it over with. Good luck to future Nuvaring users.

I went on the ring 6 months ago and haven’t got my period yet this month…my pharm said they forgot to put it in the fridge and now I might be prego….other than that its been good…I do get headaches though…I’m starting to think this ring is a sham

I’ve been on the ring for four months now and it’s not bad. Tried the pill a few years ago and it made me a crazy woman–terrifying mood swings, sobbing at diaper commercials, etc. None of that on the ring, thankfully. Sex drive is still fine, no rashes, and periods and cramping are both much lighter and more bearable than before. Did pick up my first yeast infection a day or so ago, but that was also in part b/c I’m stressed, my diet has been crap, and I tried to unwind by taking a bubble bath, all of which will trigger YIs as well.

(TMI alert) the sex drive is fine, but I do dry up sooner than I used to. And I start bleeding 3-4 days before I’m supposed to take the ring out, which I’m pretty sure is not supposed to happen after the first month or two. Sigh. One more month of this and I’ll look into switching.

For those who love it, rock on; for those who don’t, hope you find something that works for you. Good luck.

I am concerned about the many women who reported headaches. I too had a headache and an occular migraine (weird spots in front of my eyes) on day 12 of using the ring, and then suffered a SEIZURE on the same day! I have NO health problems! I don’t even get headaches very often! I read the info closely, no mention of seizures, except that seizures can be triggered by headaches. That was a crazy event in my life. I think, if you can’t tolerate hormones, it doesn’t matter what form they come in.

i had the side effects plus i would start my period a week early. Plus as far as sex was concerned it was the worse. My hubby and i would play ring toss during sex. ( at that point he wore more then i did) it almost never stayed inside of me. I would cramp worse then normal and the doc told me it was normal? I didn’t think so it lasted 3 months until i quit using it and now nothing has changed i wonder if the side effects are long lasting?

Wow. And.. wow. I was on Nuvaring for something like 7 or 8 months. I stopped about 2 months ago because I forgot to put it in on the insertion date and went online to find out what to do about it. I found a forum (not this one) where the people were talking about girls my age (27) dying of blood clots and strokes. I’m a nervous nelly and a hypochondriac, so after much agonizing and debating with myself, I decided not to put the ring back in.

Now I’m reading these boards because since going off the Ring, my long-time boyfriend and I went back to using condoms… which usually means a moment or two of unprotected sex, because he HATES condoms. And this time it led to me getting the Plan B pill, but I haven’t taken it yet because I fear the hormones in it might react with the remnants of the Ring’s hormones. I’ve only had 2 cycles (I think) since coming off the ring, including the one that started in my last ring-free week.

But reading these boards made me really glad I took it out when I did. I noticed an almost immediate increase in libido (yay) and much much much less pain during sex. With the ring, sex would burn and hurt and wasn’t very good at all!

I also had these AWFUL headaches and would get angry SO easily. The anger would sometimes TRIGGER headaches where I felt like I was going to stroke out.

I also had left leg cramps for a few months!

I also wondered what someone else wondered. If you’ve already got blood clots, will taking the ring out help? My common sense says no… but my mom thinks it would do no good to go to the ER and tell them to look for blood clots when I’m currently having no symptoms.

Just for those wondering, I was on the patch before the ring, and loved it except for the fear of increased risks.

I miss the ring already for my acne, but… ah well. Clear skin isn’t worth death ;)

I’m 27, 5′4, 125 lbs. I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 2004 but haven’t had a relapse since. Do have unexplained chest pain since Dec 2005, but I’m wondering if being off hormones might help…

This is going to be very straight forward, if you gross out, don’t read!

I have been on the ring since Saturday at 1030 am (today’s Tuesday). Saturday I felt GREAT, Sunday was pretty good, too. Yesterday, I was a bitch beyond belief!!! Today, I’m sooo emotional! I started my period last Thursday and it ended Sunday morning (usually they last 9-13 days). My face has cleared up so much. Things don’t taste good anymore, I would rather stop eating (and as little as I do, my metabolism has dropped, I’m not digesting food as quickly, and when I am able to make a bowel movement, it’s a very slow process, and the ring does tend to pop out a little, so I kind of have to hold myself there, using a piece of toilet paper of course, just in case it slips enough for me to push back in.
I have this crazy throbbing, bloated pain on my right side since Sunday mid-morning.
I am also taking Phentermine (since November) and now I’m feeling the “high” side effect it gives. No headaches, but really irritable – and my anxiety level has risen enough for me to need to be away from people.
Feeling really neaseaus (sp?) and am getting uber bad heart burn/acid reflux? in my throat. And a huge craving for chocolates. Had unprotected sex Saturday (pull-out method), he felt it but says it doesn’t bother him.
I can’t use condoms b/c I am allergic to latex and refuse to use sheep skin due to love for animals. Birth control pills (Yasmin especially) made my depression worse, causing me to resort to self mutilation. Doc won’t give me patch as her patients have had adverse reactions, won’t do Depo b/c of possible bone loss.
Other than that, I love the ring, can’t feel it AT all anymore. Sunday it was a little noticeable.

…oh and I forgot to say that since Saturday, I have had the WIERDEST sleep schedule:
Sat night- 3 hours of sleep and felt SO energized
Sun night- 4.5 hours, and dragged all day
Mon night – 6.5 hours of sleep, and couldn’t get up on own (fiance had to literally push me off bed) and draggin so bad at work…

…last update promise…

I am so constipated (anyone else??) and needing water like a camel!

I’ve been using the nuvaring for a year and a half almost and in the last month have been having odd things happen. Arch pain in my foot, shin pain in on e leg, joint pain in my thumb….ok…so much for getting old. But then for the last week I’ve had dull chest pain on the left side of my chest and every once and a while – sharp stabbing pain that goes away quickly. My emotions when on the nuvaring are great, but the minute I’m off – watch out. Any suggestions???

I was on NuvaRing and had the best side effect of all! I got pregnant while using it. While I am not the mother of a beautiful baby boy, I would highly recommend against using NuvaRing unless you’d like a child. When I was in the hospital, my mother was talking to other people there and there were a ton of other people having babies that were on the NuvaRing as well. I hope they turn out a class action suit against this ridiculous “birth control”.

I have been reading most of these messages with my jaw dropped. I have used the ring for almost 2 years now. I am in good health all things considered, slim, not a smoker. I am asthmatic, have a severe latex allergy, and have chronic migraine (15+ migraines a month when not treated). I started bc to regulate my cycle and the last pill I was on was ortho-try-cyclen lo, and it was hell. I had a 47 day period and my migraines were utterly crippling and constant, so my doctor switched me to the ring because the estrogen is a constant release, where as a pill inevitably has spikes as you process it and those spikes in your hormones are often what perpetuates a migraine attack.

I loved it for a while. My face cleared up, I lost some of the weight I had put on from the ortho-try-cyclen lo, and no 47 day periods anymore! My migraine control continues (despite all the negative crap I am about to say) to be fabulous on the ring! I thought it was great for a looong time. I tried to dose so that I would only have the 4 periods a year, but my body refused to (I would spot endlessly until I just removed the ring and had a period). So I am on the monthly plan.

In May of 2007 I had an unexpected “period.” The cramping became incredibly intense, to the point I almost has my bf take me to the hospital. I began bleeding heavily, then I passed a significant amount of tissue and clots. Given the symptoms and appearances it was presumed that I had been pregnant, not known it, and miscarried.

Two months ago the same thing occurred, however this time the timing makes no sense, so I feel confident that it was not a miscarriage. In both cases blood work showed that after it happened my HCG levels were at 0 – meaning it was either a complete miscarriage or not a miscarriage at all. No idea if this is related to the ring or not, but it has never happened before so I am quite puzzled.

In early 2007 I was diagnosed with PMDD, which had never been a problem before. I now take a generic of prozac according to my cycle because I was so severely depressed.

I have had periodic itchy rash outbreaks, UTIs (which I am not prone to), and yeast infections (which I usually only get with any antibiotic, but not the case here in the last year). The painful rash has been a real problem in the last several months, and I am clear on any STDs. I just finished taking difulcan for a yeast infection (I cannot use monistat, I have an allergic reaction!) and the burning, swollen tenderness is back. I have had the current ring in for about 2 weeks, and I am thinking of ditching it.

The problem is I have so few alternatives. Latex allergy, the polyurethane condoms even react to my skin sometimes (tho I have been on the ring for every attempt with them), I cannot take any oral pill as it affects my daily migraine treatment so severely, but bc is also part of that treatment as it regulates my cycle….and every woman I am related to who has tried depo has hemorrhaged. It just plain sucks!

I started connecting the dots in the last month. I am not sure what my best course of action is, but I have to do something.

Hi i’ve been on the nuvaring for about 2yrs and i think it’s great. I haven’t had any problems Thank God. I don’t understand how it falls out. When you put it in as far as it can go. UGH that doesnt sound right i hope that doesn’t happen to me. Sorry to hear about the problems with everybody else but i have noticed that my sex life has slowly declined not a good thing.

My friends wife died from it in Dec. She was 32 and had a seizure in front of him and their child. She had a severe blood clot in her leg. Another local women just died at 31. Blood clot. Apparently there are 100’s of wrongful death suits now. Is it worth it??

I was put on the nuva ring and I used it the first day of my period and when I had sex I went to see if it was still there and I couldn’t feel it and I went to look for it and couldn’t find it any where in about three day I had the worst pains in my lower abdomin and it hurt so bad but they say that it can’t get stuck but ovisly it did because I cant find it anywhere and it still hurts more on the left side when I try to sit up or when I’m walking

I just got perscribed the Nuva ring today. Despite all of the negative comments I’ve seen here I’m still planning on giving it a go. Why? I’m on the patch right now, and have been for a couple of years. I found out that it delivers up to 60% more estrogen than the pill!! Nuva ring is very low dose hormone (especially compared to the patch). I’ve had most of the symptoms of estrogen dominance, and I’ve finally realized that they might be related to the patch: fatigue, sadness, UTIs, increased yeast infections (never had one until I started the patch and I’d been on the pill before), increased and painful PMS symptoms, you name it. The hope is that even though some of you have reported the same side effects that with the ring I won’t suffer them as bad, especially since I’ve been on such a high dose of estrogen. I hope that I end up being a success on the ring, because I know now that the patch has caused me some pretty bad issues. Wish me luck, I can’t see matters getting worse than they were on the patch (which by the way DOUBLES the risk of blood clots!). If it isn’t for me its back to the pill, I was on it for 6 years and never had a problem.

I have been a nuva ring for 2 years now…I haven’t gained weight, experience emotion, nor had any “yeast” problems. I just wanted all of the people that have been reading this site, not to be biast because the Nuva Ring really is a great method of birth control. Thanks.

any other men experiencing what could be an allergic reaction to the ring?

On the advice of a friend, I tried Nuvaring. I’ve been on the pill for many years, and although I had no problems with it, I liked the idea of once-a-month bc. After only one month, I’m returning to Trinessa. Within a day of inserting the Nuvaring, my mood altered terribly and ANYTHING made me irritable. By day 5, a recurring eye-twitch developed, and my vision was a little blurry. The discharge was constant, and cramping/bloating haven’t gone away for the entire month. The headaches have been constant, too. Just yesterday, my boyfriend showed me some chaffing/dry skin issues that he was having, which after reading through all of these posts, I now see can be attributed to Nuvaring.

I know that bc affects everyone differently, but I just wanted to put my two cents in to show women who may be experiencing what I have that they’re not alone. We all have to find what works best for our bodies, and unfortunately for me, it’s not Nuvaring. Back to the daily pill!

i was on nuva ring for a year. there were no problems, although now i think i was a little more moody but that could have just been me being me. But i stopped taking it last month (the price went up and im cheap) and i havent gotten my period yet. once you go off birth control does it take a while before your period gets back on track? someone email me, please!
xboykrayzeex@yahoo.com
thanks

Ok…I’ve been on the ring for almost 4 yrs and after reading all of these posts, I am removing it. I started the ring after an incomplete abortion (via the abortion pill, which I also DO NOT recommend) led me to emergency surgery bleeding to near death. I have had constant headaches, yeast infections and severe PMS. I finally sought help for PMDD (prementrual dysphoric disorder), never thinking that Nuvaring may be the problem source. My doctor won’t contribute the yeast infections to the ring because he doesn’t know much about it. Yet, he prescribed it… go figure! I have two kids from the pill and thought the ring would work for me because every pill I was on made me sick. Now I sit back and think about all the physical and emotional ailments I suffer and I’m only 31. I guess I’d better update my living will.

what? why is the nuva ring tyrin to kill you?

Ok Ok. So after reading this page and going to two different doctors I defiantly am having a allergic reaction to the Nuvaring. My girlfriend stopped using it early this week due to similar above sistuations. I am experiencing dry, cracked, white flakes, a bit burning/ senitivity, and I am positive it nicked me three times along the shaft after sex sunday night. Not to mention I had a break out of red bumps on my lower stomach. I have done all the STI checks and like I knew I am clean. I have checked the specific website and spoken with two doctors and the three sources say its not possible. What do we need to do to get this out there? I am in pain and not quite sure how long this is going to take to go away. I am a healthy 27 year old male who is now for sure out to get these bastards. Along with the pain and inconvience I even had to question if my partner was being faithful. I am ready to make this company owe up to these effects.

i’ve been on the ring for about 2 weeks and i just developed a yeast infection, i wake up with nausea, i’m extremely sleepy and tired, my left arm numbs and i don’t want to have sex!!!

this really calls to have it removed…i’ll be going back to pulling out cause i

girls i just want to cry, i put it in oneweek today and had a uti within a few days. i am so neauseous in the morning [dont worry i had a neg preg test] and everyone rolled their eyes at my symptoms. i am so relieved i am notalone. i am going to take it out. thanks sp much

CAUTION ON NUVA RING — my sister DIED from a pulmonary embolism (blood clot that travelled to her lungs) from using the ring. UNDERSTAND the RISKS and discuss them with your doctor. This is not safe!

I HAVE THE WORST RASH FROM THE NUVA RING! It first started a few days after I started using it. I saw little bumps here and there but thought nothing about it…THEN one week exactly I broke into this nasty rash…it goes from my toes to my fingers…ALL OVER MY BODY. My doctors thought it was just an allergic reaction to something i ate or the change in weather…WRONG! After reading all these posts…it’s CLEAR…its the NUVA RING! I’m NEVER using it again…and anyone that asks me about it im gonna tell them about this!

Planned Parenthood gave me the Nuvaring. It sounded great! Today was my first day using it, but after reading all the terrible things on this site and all the lawsuits I decided to take it out immediately. I know there are side effects to oral contraceptives as well, but the nuvaring sounds way more dangerous. I don’t think it’s worth the risk. Going back to the good old condoms! I advise you all to do the same!

i decided to take the ring out on the third day !!! i had severe side effects as soon as the ring entered my body. on the first day i experienced headache, vaginal discomfort, nausea. on the second day i felt the same but with increased appetite, decreased libido, and i my mood changed to extreme depression. on the third day i got a rash and a yeast infection. oh and so did my boyfriend.

i do not recommend it !!!

I have been on the Nuvaring for 4 months, and completely swore by it at first. Since being on the ring I have had 3 UTIs and more recently a yeast infection that will not go away. I made an appointment with my doctor(who won’t fit me in until late next week) and she told me to keep it in and Imight have another type of bacterial infection. After reading the posts on this site and a few others that say very similar things I just took it out to see if anything changes. I also have had severe nausea and mood swings, and depression that I didn’t relate to the ring until now. I almost dropped out of college last week because I was so depressed and thought a major change in my life would be good for me, now I am almost positive it is the ring. My boyfriend of 2 years even said to me about a month ago that he’s worried about me. Also, my sex drive is down to zero, which has never been a problem for me in the past and I was on ortho-tri-cyclen for years. It seemed like a simple solution, but I think it is just too new. Pay attention to your body if you do decide to start it !!

I was on the Patch for 5 months, the first 3 were very good, no side effects whatsoever, but after the 4 month i started to have a very bad allergyc reaction; i started with a bad rash and when i peelled it out it was all swallowed, red and it hurt!!!!
Today is my first day on the ring and it feels like nothing, but my head is crazy about having something inside of me, anyway, i like it so far.

If the nuva ring was as dangerous as all you people say than it wouldnt still be on the market. I have been on the ring for three years. no problems. you people are crazy.

I love the nuva ring! I was on depo caused tons of weight gain. The pill I missed often. The ring I am worry free my boyfriend likes it to sometimes he feels it while having sex but it is not bothersome to him. I forget having it in as well. Very nice to all those worried I wouldnt be. All birth control has side effects alon with having sex. You could get yeast infections from a bunch of different things, orthotry can cause one, using antibiotics lots of things, all birth control is going to cause hormonal changes due to being mostly homones themselves. We all dont agree with certain things that touch our bodies we all are allergic to certain things so you just have to try it out. As for strokes, heart attacks and blood clotting that is a risk for all hormonal birth control, you should not smoke while using them because it increases your risk and i imagine ig you are at risk for those symptoms you may increase that risk while on hormonal BC. Overweight,family history, sedentary lifestyle.

HI Everyone!
I got on here tonight after having 3 HORRIBLE days with a rash. I havent changed any detergents, cosmetics, perfumes….nothing. I blame it on the nuvaring. I took it out and my skin already feels better. Honestly, I hate the NR…BAD. I have had absolutely NO sex drive whatsoever, weight gain, water retention…then I got a rash ALL OVER MY FACE AND CHEST. My boyfriend (now Fiance) JUST got engaged….we had to cancel our engagement dinner because I looked and felt hideous. I loved the nuvaring at first and recommended it to friends…but now, I wouldnt wish it on my worst enemy. I went from wanting to have sex almost every day…to literally, once a month. I am not exaggerating one bit. To all of you reading this, be careful! Taking a pill is annoying to do everyday but waaaay better than this stupid thing!!!

I just started the second month. Im really scared that it got pushed into my uterus. My boyfriend has a huge penis and when we started having sex I felt something painfully like get pushed way up inside me. Now the ring is gone. I looked everywhere for it!! I cant find it. I am hoping that it just came out when I was peeing or something but I never noticed it ever coming out and now its lost! I put in a new ring just in case because I dont want to get pregnant. It says its impossible for the ring to get to your uterus but Im talking about my boyfriends penis is really big and hes really forcefull and I cant find the ring anywhere. ANY SUGGESTIONS!?? am I going to die!??

Okay so after just posting that i decided I would wash my hands and see whats going on up there. Sure enough, I pull out 2 rings! and I am talking I COULD NOT FIND THE OTHER RING ANYWHERE in my vagina after I had sex and either could my boyfriend. Soooo ever since yesterday I have really had 2 rings in. No wonder I felt sooo bad today and I have a headache and I took a nap for 2 hours and ughh. This will be my last month on the ring. I feel sick.

TO Michigan Man and all!
I just have to say that it’s amazing to read all of this. I have been using the Nuvaring for about 6 years now. All of these side effects were unknown to me. I recently, just this year, starting having serious issues in the vaginal area! When I read Michigan Mans post I flipped! I am having the same issues! I have red, inflamed skin, it’s itchy, it burns. 2 weeks ago I had the flaky, peeling skin all over my vagina. I have bumps. My doctors have treated me for yeast infections, bacterial vaginosis, and fungal issues. Nothing I was given helped me for more than a day or 2. Now that I am reading all of these posts I am convinced I have developed an allergy to the Nuvaring and must stop using it.

I am so disappointed though because I cannot take oral bc’s due to nausea and break through bleeding. Now I have to figure out what to do next.
Thanks for this forum!

I’ve been on the ring for about 6 months now and i LOVE it. several of my friend use it as well. but what works for one person doesnt work for everyone. duuuuh!

I have been on so many doffreent kinds of BC it’s rediculous. I have been on the Nuva Ring for a bout four months and I love it. No side affects at all. Everyone’s body reacts diffrent to BC, sorry it didn’t work for you.

HI! I looove Nuva Ring! I’ve been on it for a year now and I cry alittle more on it than I did on the pill. I actually LOST weight on it and LOST that pucky feeling the pill gave me. I’m sorry people have had problems with it… I love it!!!! <3

I think you’re special and not in the good way. All medications have side effects, even aspirin has been known to make some people sick. On that note some people are allergic to peanuts.

Secondly, when you said you can store the ring in the fridge for 3 hours, I think you were confused. You can take out the ring for up to 3 hours and still be protected against sperm, you can store the ring in the fridge till you are ready to use it. The reason is the ring, as all medications, likes to be stored between certain temperatures and on a hot day it may exceed that temp and no longer be as effective as it could have been. By storing the ring in the fridge one can make certain that the medication will be released properly in your body.

My partner and I love the ring. He says it tickles and he really digs it.

And finally maybe your friend is angry because you were around and is simply using the ring as an excuse.

I just stopped using the Nuva Ring about 3 weeks ago after using it 2 1/2 times. It was a horrible experience. My husband, a Marine, was coming home from a long deployment so I got on it 15 days before his return. I had worked my butt off to lose weight while he was away and I was looking forward to showing off my improved body. Well, nuva ring ruined that for me. I gained 10 of the 20 lbs I lost within those 15 days. Also, he had to deal with me being practically psychotic. I would get mad over the stupidest things like if he moved the coffee table an inch and it was no longer symetrical to the rest of the living room, that would infuriate me. I had severe headaches every evening that kept us from going out, and I’ve had a yeast infection every month since I’ve been on it.

I took it out 3 weeks ago and I’m waiting for those crappy hormones to leave my body, I still have the headaches and now I have another yeast infection. Thanks Nuva Ring!

I seriously would rather have a baby than go through this crap.

I WAS CONSIDERING USING THE NUVA RING TO SKIP MY PERIOD NEXT MONTH. I AM GOING ON A CRUISE AND WOULD HATE TO HAVE MY PERIOD WHILE ON VACAY. i THINK IT SHOULD BE SAFE ENOUGH FOR A ONE TIME USE.

i have been on this ring for 4 mo. i have been angry alot. this isnt right… i am also feeling sad alot ..very down. i thought my anger had to do with other stuff in my life but after reading all this i know what it is now. i ve also noticed my heart pounding fast .cramping,headpain,my periods were not nomal looking the blood wasnt even blood it was like unnormal ..this just cant be right..its too bad we have to risk so much to gain such little credit we girls go thru.our men just dont know what we have to deal with i think we all know what the right thing is to do .TAKE IT OUT .i might look in to natural family planning,the thing is it dont matter what we women use if THE GOOD LORD wants us to be pregnant we are gonna get pregnant wheather we tkink we want to or not. this is life …

Wow. Thanks so much for everyone who shared. I think this is what women do best! Anywa, thanks so much. I was consideringthe ring…but I think I will NOT.

For anyone who reads, I have not had much luck with BC at ALL. I did Lo (four (?) years ago) and bled for months, cramps etc, even though docs said keep trying I would adjust, I did not. I did the patch (three years ago)and had heart flutters, nausea, and OH sooo much weight gain. The regular old pill was the best, but looking back at my old journals, I realize it made me VERY moody and suicidal. *sigh* I’m really sensitive to that stuff I guess, and really listen to my body. I feel so good now that i’m off of everything.

We’re having luck with condoms…yucky, but hey, they’re better than hormones. The husband would surely rather have sex with those, than face a fat, suicidal, homicidal beast i’m sure! ha!

I have had the ring in for about 2 weeks, and I was told to look it up. I had AWFUL cramps last night, and before I went to bed I was sick to my stomach. I had never experienced pain like I did last night, and I’ve also been very emotional. I’m not an average woman, it takes a lot to make me cry! After I started breaking out, which is also VERY rare for me, even on any other form of BC, I got worried. Once I read half of these comments and other information, needless to say I took it out and I’m not going back to it. Since removing it I have had uncomfortable itching and pain on my right side, so I am making an appointment to see my doctor, and I’d also like to thank him for suggesting such a “great” product. Thank you to all of you that shared, you helped me “hit the nail on the head!”

today is my second day and i’m feeling great as ever…i’m just wonering if it’s effective now that i have it in there?

another thing is i’m not really feeling any side effects lately, will stay posted soon!

appreciate this site…stay healthy ladies!

I’ve been on the nuvaring for 3 weeks and I had a little bit of cramping. I felt bloated and had more cramps than usual. It also fell out during sex.

I have been on Nuvaring for a little over a month now and have been starting to feel depressed. I have not wanted to have sex for about a month now and didn’t realize that the Nuvaring may be the problem until now. I have had itching ever since I inserted this thing. I don’t think that it is a yeast infection but who knows.

I will be making an appointment with my doctor tomorrow to have everything checked out. I had an IUD until right before I got this and had to have it removed because I bled so much that I became severely anemic. I don’t want any more kids but at this point I am thinking that may be better than going through all of this!

Also, my doctor told me that there would be not change in weight or appetite. Too bad I was too lazy to read the darn side effects until now because my appetite has increased and so has my weight. No more hormonal BC!

I am at my wits end with all methods of BC, cannot remember to take the pill, despise condoms and after the enormous dissapointment which is NUVARING feel as though there are no real options for me.
I am not 100% sure in regards to my susceptibility to infections but no more than 2 days into using NUVARING developed symptoms of UTI And a definate yeast infection with what appeared to be traces of blood??. Not to mention a notible increase in my irritability
My poor little vagina.
I am so frustrated with my situation and the situation of countless other women who encounter difficulties in relation to BC products.
I am so pissed off, it could be because my nani is on fire or that im $30 dollars down after buying the little plastic ring which is now in the bin after only 3 days, or it could be attributed to the fact that i now have to go out and buy another course of antibiocs for this yeast induced hell it’s left me in.
But hey, at least its a great method of contraception! because sex is now the last thing on my mind. Ironically its succeeded in taking away the fundamental reason women find birth control so appealing..

Thats two thumbs down from me

I spent two weeks and six days on the Nuvaring. After having severe pain and numbness in my calf, I took it out and called the doctor. I received the Nuvaring from Planned Parenthood after asking for an IUD or diaphragm. The nurse kind of chuckled when I asked for those forms of birth control and launched into a glowing review of Nuvaring. I figure, hell, why not try it out? Big mistake. In three weeks I’ve lost patches of hair, have bled 18 days out of the 20 and have had painful intercourse. Emotionally I had symptoms similar to those that you would have during a bi-polar cycle where I was totally up and totally down. I cried constantly and never felt like I was stable mentally. When the shooting pains in my calf occurred I yanked the darn thing out.

After 18 days of bleeding, the bleeding increased and after a couple of trips to the REAL doctor, not Planned Parenthood, the Nuvaring pusher, I have now been diagnosed with my first ever yeast infection. This is my second day without Nuvaring and my legs are just now returning to normal. I now have to take iron because I am anemic and am still bleeding heavily.

I decided to put my research skills to work. Planned Parenthood did not give me the list of side effects or information about third generation birth control. After reading about third generation birth control and the way that Nuvaring can change the way that your blood clots, increasing the risk of blood clots(in the New England Journal of Medicine), I am pissed that Planned Parenthood is passing this thing out like it’s candy. Read up on this thing before using it and make an informed decision. See what doctors and researchers have to say about it.

I have been off the ring 4 a month and i feel great !It just wasnt worth my happiness it didnt solve my problem it became a problem,if you feel sad for no reason its not you its the ring …if you feel down depressed its not you its the ring …dont try to convince your self that its not the ring if you feel this way at all…im tellin you i really wanted to stay on the ring no matter what it cost but really i wasnt any better off i became so down i hated the way i was .i also was angry for no reason i had no self control ,one day i was doing dishes and was mad but could not give one reason why i was angry….then it dawned on me …i just couldnt do this to my fMILY MY HUSBAND MY SON just because I feel like I might get pregnant really are babies the worse thing in life ? I also felt really selfish and always on edge…ladys does this really sound like a real healthy happy enjoyable sex liffe ?I THINK NOT.I ve heard natural family planning has worked for some,condoms we all know about them …i might go back to the diaphram…what else is there to do… we need to all realize how thinkful we are to have children for some its a big problem they cant …and we say it is a problem cause we can …

I just started the nuvaring recently but sometimes I can’t tell if I put it deep enough cause at times I try to push it in higher and it doesn’t work and other times when it does it goes back down again is it because I’m on my period? But the ring still works as long as it’s in your vagina right? So it’s okay if it’s not like in all the way? Since I’m having a problem pushing it in really deep. So far it’s okay but it’s only been 4 days but the beginning days I was really moody and depressed but so far I’m okay. It makes me have nausea sometimes and makes me want to eat less cause I feel like I want to gag when it comes to certain foods but so far somewhat okay.

I’ve been on the ring for almost a year now. Ive had no side effects and have been very happy with it, but after reading all of the people who were seriously hurt/killed from it im starting to have second thoughts…does anyone know if people have died from other forms of birth control or just the ring? im seriously considering going back to condoms even though i hate them, id rather use them than get a stroke or blood clots or die!

I’ve used it for years – and love it .. I have just developed a yeast infection – but I’m attributing that more so to my new partner – I’ve just stumbled upon the site in trying to determine if a treatment might affect the effectiveness of the ring ..

I have to say – I hate it when women blame the pill ‘for making them crazy’, ‘gaining weight’ etc. most often it’s just in our heads and the power of suggestion .. hate it almost as much as I hate blaming PMS for things .. stand-up, take ownership – it makes us all look bad!

I wish I would have done more research before getting on the NuvaRing.

I have been on the NuvaRing for 4 months and here are my symptoms:

1. EXTREME anger. Thrown things at people (sciccors, books, drums, speakers, etc.) where I haven’t done this before.
2. Need to cry. WHY!? I fucking hate crying. It’s so damn annoying being emotional.
3. Yeast infection. hooray. I don’t know about you guys, but I took sex education 8 years ago. I don’t have a fucking clue what a yeast infection looks like. I searched on the internet, can’t find a picture. SO I am freaking out, wtf is wrong with my vagina. It itches, burns on occasion when I urinate, extremly dry, gets open wounds from beings so dry then me examining my vagina, hurts during sex, etc. I searched for about 2 weeks now trying to figure out wtf is wrong with me. STD? No, yeast infection.

And of course, I am too damn stubborn and .. retarded.. to switch my BC. I’ve gone through the Depo shot (depression/gained 40lbs) and did the pill. The pill is wonderful I was A Okay with it, but never remembered to take it. I guess my sanity is far more imporant. I should try a little harder…

how come it doesn’t fit on my penis… i wasted my money for no reason!

this is my second month on the ring…first month i was crazy happy, this month i’ve been crying every day for a week straight and get irritated so easily! i take the ring out on friday but am not refilling my prescription and going to pills instead. the risks and mood swings are not worth it!

I read a comment from “Molly” where she said she loves nuva ring and “you can take it out when you have sex”. I’m using nuva ring and love it but I NEVER heard you can take it out when you have sex.. isn’t that risky?? My doctor never said anything about that!

I’ve had Nuva Ring for about 3 1/2 months now.. I absolutely love it. I never used birth control so I got an IUD for my first method and had crazy mood swings, depressed, crying, cramps that woke me up in the middle of the night screaming, and I could feel it during sex. I took it out after 3 months and got Nuva Ring.. never had any sort of problem, and I recommended it to my best friend who is now using it too. BUT my doctor never told me I could take it out during sex. Is that true??

Yes, people have died on this product!! I lost my 27 yr old daughter in Oct. 2006. She woke up with a swollen ankle. A trip to the urgent care clinic, and then a week later to the hospital, failed to reveal her blood clots. She received a basic ultrasound, that didn’t show her clots. Since the Nuvaring is so safe (yeah right) and contains low doses of estrogen, she wasn’t a smoker, so she was sent home with an appointment for physical therapy.
She never made it to the appointment, because she dropped dead the morning before from a pulmonary embolis. Ruled by the authopsy to be from the NUvaring. The only thing in her system, other than the pain meds. for her leg. She wasonly on the ring for 6 months. Other women have bben on it for up to 3 years, before suffering clots. There are several hundred lawsuits pending right now for this product. Of course, you don’t hear about that because the mfg. will drag them on as long as possible, while endangering countless women. Drs and health care personnel need to be aware of the risks!! This wasn’t even developed in our country. It’s from the Netherlands. Why would they use info. from an oral birthcontrol they mfg. and pass it off as the warnings and possible side effects for this product when they are used totally different? One is ingested and travels through your digestive system first. The ring is placed internally and the hormones go straight into your blood stream. The risk factors are not the same. what did they have to hide? Evedently alot.

What happens if you suddenly stop using the ring? I’m having horrible side effects so I just took it out but should I now expect some crazy emotions?
Will I feel better soon? I have a sinus infection, constant headache, cramps and I’m irritable.

I was fine when i took the ring out after four monthes.perhaps you should ask a nurse if you should see a doc,or maybe take some good vitamins i know they can do alot for our bodies.I mean think about it this ring most likely caused your body to go into a shock or something.You did the right thing now you just need to get your body back on track. Go see a doctor if you might think you need to.Dont take your health for granted or your life. I Hope this helped. Another thing to is if your eating poorly or smoke this will contibute to a lot of what your feeling .

Ok so here’s my story…ladies, this is so frustrating isn’t it?! I’ve been trying different methods of birth control for over 10 years. I started off with the pill and finally attributed it to anxiety and depression…I tried different versions of the pill and had similar results, one version resulted in spotting and a very tender chest. And yes, I’ve tried the “low hormone” versions. I’ve tried spermacide and latex condoms which cause irritation after sex for the rest of the day. So for the last few years my steady bf and I have been using the Trojen lambskin condoms. We really like them, they feel natural and no side effects. But to be honnest I just miss the feeling of skin on skin! So at my recent visit to PP I asked what other amazing forms of bc are out there? They told me so many women like the Ring and so I was deciding between that and a UID. I really don’t like the idea of filling my body with medication but I did some research on the internet and a lot of people seemed to like the ring. So I thought I would try it before the UIDs. I’ve had it in for about 1 1/2 weeks but have not been able to experience any benefits because soon after I put it in I started feeling symptoms of a yeast infection. I tried a 3 day round of over the counter stuff but today, after I should be all better, I feel it hasn’t helped at all. So back I went to the gyno (NOT PP). They say I have a yeast infection and I was asking about if they thought it was Ring related – the doctors say they doubt it and haven’t heard of many people having those symptoms. But on my over the counter treatment leaflet the first cause of yeast infections was “some birth control”…interesting. I DID of course wash myself and my hands well before inserting the ring. I haven’t had a yeast infection prior to this for a really long time so coincidence? I find it unlikely. The doctor gave me yeast infection pills and prescription cream. I decided to take the ring out. I’m going to Hawaii in 6 days and don’t want anything to ruin it…I was HOPING I could have condom free sex in Hawaii but alas, I’m back to the condoms. Sigh. I was thinking about trying the ring again next month, but after reading so many stories of clots and strokes now I’m quite scared.

I have been on the nuvaring for 3.5 years and I LOVE it! Before that I tried 4 different types of pills…each one gave me horrible side effects. Orthotricylin made me moody and my sex drive crashed, another pill gave me yeast infections about once per month. I have never experienced a harmful side effect on the nuvaring — and my libido is the best it’s ever been. I have recommended it to many friends who also love it. The best part is you can decide what day to get your period within about a week’s time — just take the ring out a couple of days before you want to get it. Of course every type of birth control reacts poorly with certain people, but just because some people had poor reactions to the nuvaring is not a reason to skip even giving it a try.

i insterted my nuvaring for the first time a couple days ago. i wanted to make sure everything was still alright up there… but it seems to be gone! i’m a little scared and was wondering if anyone has words of wisdom?

It might of fell out in the toilet!call your doc!

I have been on nuvaring for over 4 years. I loved it, until last week. I started getting REALLY bad headaches, then a few days later suffered a minor stroke. I went into the hospital for a CT scan and they discovered a blood clot on my brain. I am totally healthy, I am average weight, I don’t smoke, I’m 28 years old. They said I was lucky, most people don’t realize what is happening and don’t go in to the doctor, they end up dying. I spent 7 days in the hospital undergoing tons of blood test. There are no genetic factors, it was the nuvaring. I will most likely not be able to ever get pregnant without risking my own life. I will be on blood thinners for at least 6 months. I am getting married in June, if only I had know that this was a risk for a healthy young girl on nuvaring. I will do my best to inform others, this should not be happening!

My female partner started using the Nuvaring and it seriously damaged my penis. I have been to the doctor several times and still am having problems.

i have been on the nuvaring for well over seven months, and i have never been happier with it. the pill messed up my mental health much more than the ring ever did.
and that is the thing, everyone reacts to it differently. it doesn’t matter what the side effects are, some people experience them and some don’t.

I was on depo (the shot) for years (loved it to bits!) my doc didn’t like me being on it so long so I tried Ortho Evra… I hated it!!! I was sick the whole time on it, nauseous, fever, headaches, etc… so I tried the nuvaring. No problems at all, I like it. There are pros and cons to EVERY type of birth control, it’s just a matter of finding one that’s right for you.

I started on the nuvaring to help with my migraines and my OB thought the lower hormone level would help. I just took it out today and plan to never use it again. I must say that my sister uses it and is really happy with it so I believe it is a case by case basis. My experience was very bad. I was uncomfortable with it the first day I put it in. It would come out a little bit and cause me alot of pain and cramping. Today was the day that I was supposed to take it out and I have the worst cramps I have ever felt in my life. I cant even stand up, I am doubled over in pain. I think that my body was trying to reject this foreign object. I am going back to the pill, remembering to take a pill with minimal side effects is much better than the nuva ring for me. I think if it works for you it is a great idea, but there is a higher risk of blood clots that people need to be aware of. When I got my nuvaring from my ob, I received no information, no PI, nothing associated with any risks. I had to do any research myself. I am not impressed with this product. Thats just my experience, I wanted to share it.

i’ve been on the nuva ring for almost 2 months. i take it out next sunday. when i first put it in i kept feeling like i needed to have a BM but that was never the case. about a week into it my thighs started hurting really bad. i don’t know if they were just sore because i had pulled something or if it is because of the NR. I haven’t taken a pregnancy test yet because i want to see if my period comes before i freak myself out and i can’t decide if the symptoms im having are NR or pregnancy related. Friday the day after christmas i took myself to the ER because i had a bump on my vagina. I thought maybe it was a cyst. turns out its a bartholins abscess aka boil right on my crotch. i couldn’t touch it. i could barely bring myself to wipe after going to the bathroom. they say its probably staph related but im starting to wonder. While the doctor was looking at he asked if i had put any cream on it and i said no why. he’s like well you have a yeast infection and a bad one. i’ve had one before about 2 years ago so i didn’t think anything of it. Now after reading this i think the NR might have had something to do with both of my problems. He had to drain my abscess which means for the next week and a half im going to be walking around with an unneeded hole in my crotch just to get rid of the gunk and im in a hell of a lot of pain. I haven’t decided whether im going to keep it out yet. I can’t do the shot because i can’t do needles. The pills, im very forgetful when it comes to taking them on time and they make me very nauseaus. I don’t want to put something on my skin and i don’t have insurance for the IUD. im kinda screwed.

Way to scare the shit outta the Navy Chic! I just put the ring in this Sunday, it’s now Tuesday. I read almost all of these posts. Down to the the channel 10 news to Hawaii women and all that. I only came to look at some reviews today and ended up spending my after noon reading (starting from 2pm to now 5:30pm) Because I’ve talked to three people today alone who say they rig has been bad news. The one friend got pregnant, the other said his wife got depressed, bi-polar, no sex drive and was like he had to play stranger with himself till his wife finally got the brains to get off the dmn thing. naturally her sex drive came back. Finally the last was from a women (who also had a child due to the Nuva Ring in the navy) said the thing never seemed to have a problem falling out, so she had a false ense of trust in it a boom bada bing, she pregnant. The only complant she had was it being un usable. She’d have to suck it back in during bowelmovents.

I just to the damn thing out. I tried to hold out and just trust my Navy doctor (because why would the navy wanna lose something it has put time and effort into?) But quite frankly I’ve never really trusted all the stuff they stuff into my body anyway. I was going to be happy about this. But during sex last night (the first time I had sex with it by the way) I was furosiously horney but during sex the ring hit the back of my wall and it was just down right painfull. I’m expriencing mild chest pincthing. But again that might be because these posts have made me so nevrous. I’ve been doing the pull out method since I was 16 never got pregnant the only reason I did this was because the doctor was deanding I get a form of birth control. Tried the pill for a while got depressed. I’m really an natural girl and I think I’m going to go back to being that way. Screw what the doctors have to say about it. Mom says I’ve been terribly lucky with the pull out method I just don’t wanna find out how lucky I miht be with thi ring. Death,stroke and medication for life is a high price to avoid being pregnant. (Just my opinion)

Now I’m just wondering about what will happen now that i’ve taken out. It did cut my period short but the blood that was left from the period turned black kinda gross huh? Well here’s hoping. Ayone else get the black blood?

Well I just wrote the longest comment ever and it got erased somehow, but in a teeny nutshell, GET OFF THE RING! I was on it for 3 years, no probems for the first 2, but within the last few months I’ve been a horrible, fat, miserable person. I was angry alll allllllll the time and everything would send me in fury. I couldn’t drive at rush hour because I couldn’t trust myself to not get in a fight. I couldn’t shop at busy times because the crowds gave me panic attacks. I thought I should break up with my fiancee since all I ever did was fight with him and criticize every move he made. I stopped the ring Sunday, this is Tuesday, and for the first time in months I woke up on my own at 9 am, am productive, happy, less bloated, less sexually needy (3 times a day wasn’t enough on the ring) and my mood is even and rational. I couldn’t even be around my parents because I had to be so fake and happy and didn’t want them to worry about me.

I went to doctors for “happy pills” and set up appointments with therapists. I had numbing and tingling and vision problems, especially in flourescent lighting and driving at night. I went to the emergency room because I thought I was having a stroke. My brain went numb after my fingers, toes, lips, and left arm and leg tingled and eventually lost feeling. My doctor blamed it on the wine I drank 3 days before and asked me out. He’s nuts. Back to the point –

I’m happy and feel thinner, whether I am or not, I FEEL better and have worked out twice already.

If you’re miserable and irrational and just plain ANGRY, i bet it’s this!!!

Best of luck!!!!!

hey everyone,
given how many comments have been posted i stopped reading about halfway down the page, but that was enough for me to decide to post something about my recent experiences with nuvaring.
like some of you of also said, the first time i was on nuvaring i was on it for about a year and i absolutely loved it. i didn’t have to remember to take a pill everyday and it was like i wasn’t even on birth control.
however, i stopped using it for about a year while i was out of the country because it was hard to get. i wasn’t on any sort of birth control at that time. i just started taking it again about 3 months ago and started noticing this red swollen eczema like rash around my eyes, and once it was around my lips. also my complexion has just been getting worse, ruddy and darker and the circles under my eyes have become extremely dark. but then, during the week that i have it out for my period, my complexion looks great and i am glowing. at first i thought the rash had to do with something else, but now i know it must be associated with the nuva ring because it goes away during my period when the ring is out, and it always comes back at the same time, about the end of the first week to the second week after i put it back in.
also, my hormones are out of control. like many of you i become extremely depressed at times, get upset and angry over things that dont usually anger or upset me, and am extremely lethargic. i recently am on break from school and have been getting sooo much sleep, like 10 or 12 hours a night just because i cant wake up in the morning, even though i try. i know that getting too much sleep can make you lethargic, but i feel this way even when i get 6 to 8 hours of sleep. i also got car-sickness for the very first time in my life the other day and it was so bizarre. and i always had a very strong stomach but now certain smells make me feel sick and i cant stand them. all of this is very abnormal for me and i know it must be the nuva ring.
also, looking back at the time in my life when i was on nuva-ring for the first time,for a year, when i thought i had no side effects: that year i was also extremely depressed and crying all the time and it ruined one of my intimate relationships because all of a sudden (around the time i started using the nuva ring) i got psycho and over-emotional; completely out of character so my boyfriend was very frustrated and confused.
moreover, i have had about three anxiety/panic attacks in my life, which is also not characteristic of me normally, and every single one of those panic attacks happened during a period where i was on the nuva ring.
the more i write the more i know that all of this is because of the nuva ring. Lastly, the reason i started realizing that the rash i was getting on my face had something to do with the nuva ring was because a girl who i am living ring was also on the nuva ring and she got the exact same rash, except unfortunately for her it was very very severe and it was like an itchy sunburn covering her body eventually. she ended up having to go to the emergency room. before that she was prescribed all kinds of oral medications and topical creams, but nothing worked. then, she stopped using the nuva ring and was almost instantly back to normal. she also is a very level-headed and down to earth girl, but while she was on the nuva ring she was crying multiple times a day every day over nothing.
i know this was a really long comment, but the more i wrote the more i started realizing the connections. basically, both times that i was on the nuva ring were times in my life where i was extremely depressed, mood-swingy, anxious, angry, lethargic, and a-motivated. the only difference the second time around were the new physical symptoms of the facial rash and worsening complexion.
please be cautious with the nuva ring. i am going to stop using it, and even though at first i thought it was a miracle and recommended it to everyone, i realize now that i would NEVER recommend it to anyone. it seems ideal and it is unfortunate, but its just not worth it. if you have ANY sign of character change or physical change while take the nuva ring, i recommend at least taking it out and not using it for a month or two to see if those changes go away, and if so, stop using it because it will probably just keep getting worse.

I am sitting here at work on my lunchbreak, ready to flip the F*&$ out at my co worker who keeps scraping her spoon on the bowl she is eating from. I can’t F*%ing stand it. Now I am beginning to realize there is a reason I am acting like a maniac.

I’m currently on nuvaring (been 2 years) and I never really pieced it together, that this is why I am becoming so angry.

Earlier I freaked out because the printer wasn’t feeding envelopes through.

It seems like everyday I find something new to flip out about, no matter how miniscule it is.

I am going to take this ring out and I am done for good.

My daughter has been on it for 2 months now. She’s 18 and has been very bitchy since she has been on it. She keeps telling me she can’t help her mood. But, she also has another yeast infection to boot. I wasn’t aware that the ring causes yeast infections too. She claims it’s hanging out all the time. I thought this product was supposed to be safer than the oral contraceptives. But as read through all of your notes, I guess I was wrong. Surely a blood clot/stroke would be the worst. Maybe we will think of other options. Thanks for all of your info!

I am in a monogamous relationship with someone that uses the NuvaRing, and after months of sex, I looked down to see welts/irritation on the head of my penis. I have read above that others have had the same reaction, but is there any further danger/consequence to us men?

Well so far i’m on my 3rd week and all seems well. The only thing is that on accident I cut my bf with my nail during sex right on the tip. And ever since he says it hurts really bad to feel the ring during sex. But other then that the ring seems to work alright with me. The reason i tried the ring is because the pill made me dry and not want sex at all. The ring doesn’t seem to have that effect on me, but I’m not going to assume it won’t.

Wow that sounds like a shitty time. I think a lot of those side-effects are a part of being on hormones in general. When I switched to the birth control that I’m currently on, I got a yeast infection. Then everything was okay from there. Sometimes the change in hormones fuck with you.

I have gone on the ring twice – but this time was even worse than last. I LOVE the idea of the ring, and like many other I know a TON of women who are happy with it. That being said, here are MY symptoms:
-Extreme Exhaustion and Depression: Hard to admit it was the ring at first since it is February and this is kind of a depressing time of year anyways. Still – week one and two were marked by such serious exhaustion. I am okay for the first hour of the day, then I am just TIRED, SAD and IRRITABLE.
-Nausea: I usually feel nausea and a total disinterest in food for the first two weeks too. I would like to think this will lead to weight control, but honestly – I am so frigin’ tired, the loss of exercise time and my engorged breast are making me feel disgusting regardless of what I do or don’t eat.
-BREAST ENLARGEMENT – some women love this, I hate it.
-Tingling in my Upper Thighs – other women have talked about body tingles. I get this crazy sensation in my quadriceps. It makes it hard to do my yoga practice. It’s kind of creepy to wake up in the morning with tingling front legs.
-Yeast/UTI: So, this is the kicker. I get yeast infections every time I am on the ring. I take this as my body trying to remove the thing itself. I also just got my first UTI since I was 10. I kicked it out with cran juice and baking soda last week and now, this morning, it’s back. The difference today is that I am peeing blood. I just removed the ring – honestly, if my body is going through this much straight up infection then it is saying NO to the method.
Birth Control is so hard. On the one hand, most of us would rather have symptoms than get pregnant. On the other hand, there are so many other ways to avoid pregnancy. Yes, condoms aren’t great and using the cycle method isn’t easy either. But it’s a choice – would you rather sacrifice convenience or your health. Hormone are hormones. The ring, the pill – whatever – it’s all the same – something you put into your system that wasn’t supposed to be there. For those women who have side effects years down the line – that’s even scarier to me. That says to me that your body didn’t like it the whole time but just tolerated it until it became unbearable.
Also, a word on the depression and exhaustion. Often times one of the markers of dysthymic, low-grade depression is that we almost don;t realize anything is wrong until we turn around months or years later and realize that life used to be different. We can go years with low grade depression that does not inhibit our day to day to the point where we make a serious observation of our own sadness, energy levels and outlook on life. We take our depression to be the status quo – attributing it to all the external factors that make life a challenge in general. It’s hard to separate out the side effects of BC from the circumstances of life. I recommend that any woman going on hormones should closely track the before and after. It is good for those of us with any history of depression to be aware of what the triggers are – meds, life, events, etc.
Also – know that many doctors LOVE the ring. Especially OBGYN’s. They DO NOT want you to get pregnant if you don’t want to and so they may put this as priority over your health. Also, with so many women raving about the ring, it’s hard for them to imagine different or even long term reactions. YOU always know what is best for your body.

Thank you to all the others that have shared their stories and I highly advise folks who are on it to be watchful as side effects aren’t necessarily immediate or consistent.

I started on Nuva Ring in late November of 2007 after having tried many other forms of BC with many side effects from extreme cramping, bad depression, bleeding, etc. so I was excited to try something my Dr. thought I’d respond to better as it contains a different type of hormone than the others I had been on. Previously I tried modicon, ortho-cept, ortho-tri-cyclen, and yasmin.

My first month went fine and in January I became ill with what my doctor’s thought was a sinus infection and shortly there after the flu. I took levaquin, then was put on a zpack for the pneumonia they then believed I had. I took my ring out as it was time for my period and during that week I began to get better. I then put my ring back in for the next month. I took an immediate decline and was given then another antibiotic as my cough sounded scary and they were worried it was whooping cough and I continued to get worse. I developed pleurisy (swelling of the lining of the lung) and was coughing so violently I cracked a rib. I was then put on a super strong dose of biaxin along with 7 other medications. Being on so many meds I thought it best to take out the ring so as not to be on so many medications. I finally got better after 6 weeks of the initial onset and not being able to work during that time. I also noticed a strange occasional occurrence of my left arm feeling asleep even when I wasn’t laying on it. I decided to stay off BC for a few months to purge my system of all the stuff I had been on. Over the summer I decided to go back on BC in July.

The first week of September I went to visit family and got a few mosquito bites. Within days my leg began to swell and the area around the bite became large and dark blue and blackish, my Dr. thought it be a brown recluse bite and put me on steroids and antibiotics to be safe, but said it looked more like a blood clot. My leg stayed swollen and I started having really bad headaches, four days later I put in my contacts when my left eye started hurting. I thought it was just salty contact water as they were new contacts although it seemed a bit hazy I went to meet a friend but it was bothering me so much I came home to switch back to my glasses. When I pulled the contact out I realized it wasn’t the contact that was hazy but my eye. After the contact was out my vision deteriorated I could barely see out of my left eye and walked to the emergency room two blocks away. I explained what was going on. They looked but couldn’t find anything immediately that would cause such fast and extreme vision loss (imagine someone holding over your eye folded over wax paper and trying to see through it) They then flushed my eye, checked my pressure, gave me antibiotic eye drops and admitted me as they were concerned I was having a stroke of some sort and stayed for 2 days why they ran tests. I asked the doctors if they thought it was related to my bite or to my bc as I had read on the label Nuva ring could cause cornea tears with contacts and since I was also on steroids I was wondering if that was what had caused the problem. The doctors told me that they had never heard that BC could cause eye problems! While in the hospital I took out my ring again since I was concerned and my eye site returned mostly right after it’s removal and improved during the week with the help of the antibiotics. I still have some optic nerve damage that I have yet to fully recover from and the doctors were baffled as to what had caused the problem as my Catscan, mri, etc. came back normal but since my vision was coming back they discharged me. When admitted to the hospital my left eye went from 20/400 back to my normal 20/40 which is pretty extreme. When I saw my gyno I relayed the experience and asked if she thought ti was the BC she said it could be but we thought it was because I had been on the steroids so she suggested I keep using it unless I had further problems.

I decided to try the bc one last time and started using it again December 2008. During the months I was not on the ring I was pretty healthy and had NONE of the weird problems listed above. At the beginning of February I started getting sever headaches (one day a full on migraine), tingly left arm when not laying on it, and my eyes felt funny like they had back in September. I went to the opthamologist he detected something in my right cornea but couldn’t explain any of the effects I was having except looking into MS or lupus (not what I wanted to hear but again other tests from the fall didn’t indicate). I had to switch to a stronger pair of glasses as my vision was weaker. I then went to my ENT and he put me on a heavy dose of antibiotics (875 mg twice a day for 10 days) because of the sinus infection I had developed. Instead of getting better I started getting worse, a deep cough almost like last year after being on the antibiotic for 7 days. I started researching about what could be causing all these symptoms -vision loss, eye pain, headaches, sinus infections, upper respiratory infections, blood clots and low and behold only the Nuva ring was what kept popping up as no disease fits the pattern. I kept a journal during that time of my symptoms from the previous year and went back read it and noticed the bc correlation. I got nervous and took out the ring. Within 24 hours it was like I was a different person- able to breath, headache gone. 72 hours later minor cough and back to my regular glasses and improved vision.

I won’t be using it again and am VERY concerned about what could have happened to me if I’d stayed on it; every time I took it out I got better.

For those of you just trying it be please be watchful and be careful. I hope this helps others.

I am 21 years old, a RECENT non-smoker, and I am in good health… I just started NuvaRing this month, and I have 3 days left until I have to remove the ring. After which, I will not be using it again. Only a week after I started taking the pill, I started experiencing fatigue like I have never had before, along with severe, random cramping. Soon after, I started to get INCREDIBLY emotional. Granted, that might be the medication interacting with an antidepressant I am on, but this FAR surpasses any mood swings I have EVER had. Now, this morning, I wake up to my entire body itching like crazy! I’ve been scratching ALL day, and now, at 4 am the following morning, I’m developing this extreme rash all over my body. I will be calling my doctor tomorrow to see what she thinks I should do, but either way, I WILL be switching birth control methods. This may work for other people, and I thought I was crazy with this whole rash thing until I got on a few sites, and noticed I’m not the only one. THANK YOU LADIES for posting your experiences, without which, I might still think I’m a nutcase with a random rash!

Hey
I’m 18 years old, active and am a non-smoker.
Three days ago, i went on my first birth control method, which was (you guessed it!) the ring.
Today, my boyfriend broke out in a rash (described by many above) on his head.
Today and yesterday, i was so dry that he hurt me, even though i was completely compliant.

Since becoming sexually active i have been more susceptible to UTIs and Yeast Infections than ever before, and i would hate to think that the ring would make me even more prone to them. I would also hate to think that the previous two symptoms above are also due to the ring. I attributed the rash to the ring, yes, but the dryness i attributed to the fact that i was recently on my period. I’ve heard from some that the ring can be removed for up to three hours, so i suppose for three hours he can be ring-free, but does that mean that he won’t get the rash?
I will not sacrifice my health to this ring, but i’m afraid that my OBGYN will not want me to worry, and will brush off these side effects as rare or even non existent. She failed to mention any of the side effects listed in your posts when i went on the ring. I asked her about the weight gain which goes in hand with the pill, and she essentially told me there was no such thing, which i know for an almost certain fact is not true.
However, i gain weight very easily, so i’m afraid that the pill might not be the right option for me, unless someone can give me the name of a pill that has worked for them?
Basically my question is this; should i stay on the ring to see if i get any symptoms listed above, or have MOST people been happy with it? Please let me know, i feel as if i cannot turn to m OBGYN, and my doctor is……
lets just say not much of a doctor.

Ok, I’ve been going crazy this past week or two researching information and side effects related to the use of the Nuva Ring. I started using the ring this past June 2008, it started off great…no side effects, and the easiness of it was fabulous! I was horrible at taking the pills, I would forget to take them and it was so annoying. I’ve been on about 5 different pills before my gyno suggested the ring. The reason I switched was because of the horrible side effects which included: weight gain, low sex drive, mood swings, spotting, and of course being over emotional. When I started it, I had no problems…no mood swings, bigger breasts(not to fond of it, but it was better than 10 lbs), and my sex drive was somewhat back to normal. This past month or so(started in February), I’ve been getting severe migraines and I have absolutely no sex drive, and whan I do have sex I am drier than usual…which causes intense pain during the fact…I hate condoms…and I feel safer on BC, but why should I live each day with a headache? I wake up with them, advil, excedrin and other headache remedies don’t seem to help at all…It wasn’t until last Friday when I got my period to start researching…I spoke to my boyfriend about the problems I’ve been having and he agreed with me that it would be better to get off of BC all together…My health is more important. So I didn’t put the ring in that next Tuesday…My girlfriend who was on it a year prior had horrible side effects which made her see the emergency room one night because she was in so much pain on vacation in england. I talked to her about it and she told me just get off BC all together, it’s just not safe. It’s been about a week and I feel so much better, I still have the occasional headache, but my friend said it will take about a month for the chemicals to get out of your body…So I am patiently waiting…I know that the migraines are associated with the ring because I’ve never had these migraines ever in my life…and for days at a time…it just seems outrageous!! So, yesterday was the first time my boyfriend and I had sex and we used a condom…which mind you I haven’t used a condom in like 5 years!! I don’t like it, neither does my boyfriend…any suggestions to what type of condoms are best?? We are both two nervous to try the pull out method…too risky…

To all woman who are on the nuva ring…I highly do not reccommend it…read the side effects carefully…you never know what could go wrong…The gyno might suggest otherwise…but your body might disagree…

Hi I’m 21 and have been on the nuvaring for almost 3 years with NO mess ups… But now I messed up . I left my ring out for a night and when i woke up i put a brand new one in.. its been a week since this happened and im freaking out because i am not ready for a child RIGHT now… SO anyone… please help what are my chances of getting pregnant?

Sarah,
I recommend you get a new doctor. You should have a completely comfortable and trusting relationship with your Ob Gyn and it certainly doesn’t sound as if you do. Your doctor should listen and heed your concerns, even if he/she doesn’t think the problem is what you do your doctor should listen to you and regard your wishes.

Good luck!

I didn’t have a very good experience with nuva ring. My mom really urged me not to go on it in the first place but I just wanted to try it. I had the same symptoms tired, moody, depressed, cried all the time, severe severeee cramps and then on my third or fourth month I had sudden break through bleeding so I discontinued it and will be starting ortho trycyclin (I’m thinking about trying YAZ instead). I’m kinda glad I stopped nuva ring. The moodiness and sadness was bad enough but strokes and blood clots? that really scares me.

I’m glad that it works out for some but the majority seem to have problems. Please be careful.

For the most part I like the ring I have been on it for 6 months now. I have gained a few pounds and am at my heaviest I have ever been and felt really down about it (which didn’t help my sex drive) witch was really odd because I am very confident in my self. I also never used to have headaches AT ALL. Now I have headaches quite frequently although they aren’t migraines like some people are reporting. I do have a tougher time getting in the mood and even when I am it seems to be more difficult to become wet than it used to. Besides that the thing that I am most concerned with is i feel like i’m getting a yeast infection nearly every month. Also my bf had a reaction it was chafing and tender and redness below the head like the other people reported. Even after taking it out almost every time we have sex his condition seems to be reoccurring for over 2 months now. He didn’t think it was related but i think so. What do you guys think about the guys having reactions?

Im on my 2nd month of NR. and Im not sure but think i may be experiencing side effects, Ive been very emotional and crying alot. And having bad anxeity. Also early this morning i had a leg cramp and now i bent over while cleaning and have a very sharp pain in my leg! I dont know weather to be worried about this seems how i heard it can cause blood clots. But my doctor says the chances are slim. I need answers??? I dont want to die from some blood clot over birthcontrol!

I think allergic reactions should be the least of your problems if you are using Nuvaring. It has been linked to more than one death. Any other drug with that record would have been banned by now.

My period has been strange over the past 3 yrs after coming off the patch which i was on four yrs prior. My new OB suggested the ring so it could try and correct the period issue. Even though I was reluctant, I went ahead and tried it. I put in the Nuvoring on Monday (5 days ago) for the first time which is the week after my period started which was last friday. Today is Friday, the 8th day and i am still bleeding. Also for the past 2 days i have been easily angered to the point where I almost had a fight w/ someone and caused my husband to stop talking to me and now today I am becoming depressed. This is not like me at all. THen I started to put it all together and I realized that it is this thing that has been causing it. After researching online about this, I’m going to take this thing out as soon as i’m done w/ writing this post. I’d rather take my chances and go back to condoms w/ my husband and have irregular periods than to live like this.

I was on NR for 5 months and just took it out last Sunday, today is Wed.
It was OK for the first 3 months, but I had noticed weight gain around the waste area and huge boobs and weight gain in upper area. I did not weigh myself, I dont’ want any more emotional shock, but it seems like, by my clothes, I’ve put on about 7-10lbs or so in just one month, from 3rd to 4th month of using.
Then, I saw myself on camera last month, and could not believe how huge I become between 3rd and 4th month of using. I went on strict diet w/dancing and exercising a lot, and nothing. No weight lose. For the last month of using I’ve noticed my abs, my always strong abs became fat with like cellulite despite of doing sit ups every day. I had never had this before.
So, I decided to come off the ring. Going to the doctor on Monday, switching to Loestrine 24 FE.

I have been using the ring for 3 weeks now, and it is almost time for me to remove it. But I am having a VERY hard time finding it. So has anyone else had this problem?? I have tried everything!! Someone HELP PLEASE!

ATTENTION Ladies and Gentelmen, man can be affected by this thing: My boyfriend’s penis as been seriously effected by this darn ring. I got back on it after being off for a year. I have never had any problems however, once i had unprotected sex with my boyfriend his penis head is red, swollen, has cuts on it, his skin is discolored and this has been going on for three weeks now. He went to the doctor and he was checked for everything under the sun and was negative (of course, im clean). He was told it was an allergic reaction and given meds five days later no change. This is horrible and i pray that he is healed and back to normal asap. I would love some feed back for some guys who have experienced this. how long did it take to go away? what treatment did you use? Clearly his doctor is not up on this issue.
Please respond.

I have been on and off the Nuva Ring for several years now and have had different experiences everytime. This last round I have had regular abnormal headaches which in turn cause nausea. Already a large busted woman my chest has increased dramatically (almost 2 cup sizes) and my sex drive seems to have run away I have also been experiencing a maddening ringing in the ears some of these may in fact be Nuva related or just the side effects of life in general but after reading some of these I feel it may be time to try a different method.

I’ve been on the nuvaring for 5 years. I am on the extended cycling plan so I only have a period a few times a year. It lessens my pain, (I have extremely painful periods that leave me in bed for days) it equals out my mood (when I’m not on it and its my period I am a hormonal bitch) Never had any problems, it didn’t stop me from getting a cyst on my ovary that ended up bursting, but it wasn’t the cause. I love the nuvaring and it is so much more convenient. I tried the pill and patch and had horrible reactions on both of them. None of my boyfriends have ever had problems with it, the only (funny) thing that happened was my current speared it and it came out around his penis. ^^() Haha.

I went on the Nuvaring about a year ago. I immediately noticed a lot of white-ish discharge, but I was happy with it otherwise. I started removing the ring during intercourse, and the discharge problem improved a lot but never really went away. A month ago I had an annual pap smear and pelvic exam, and they told me I had a lot of inflammation of my cervix, the discharge was back to being heavy too. I’m monogamous, but they tested me for STIs to be sure, and it was all negative. They took swabs and see a lot of white blood cells (white blood cells and inflammation are an immune response, both to infections and foreign bodies) but no sign of disease. The second medication they tried made it better–for three days and then it was worse than ever, pink and itchy everywhere, soreness deep inside. I feel pretty certain my body just doesn’t want a something inside it all the time.

When I asked for different form of birth control, my practitioner was skeptical. “The ring doesn’t cause this in my experience,” is basically what she said. No one I saw recommended taking the thing out, but I go to Planned Parenthood, and while they have been wonderful, their big focus is preventing unintended pregnancy obviously, so I think they tend to gloss over the ‘irritations’ as necessary evils. It’s clear from a little internet browsing that some women have a lot of irritation from it. If it’s not agreeing with you, don’t be afraid to stop using it no matter how much your doctor or girlfriends like it. I feel better already, less discomfort. I will post later as to whether the inflammation goes away. Now that I’ve read about the blood clots, I am really glad I took it out, and will look into non-hormonal methods.

I recently was introduced to Nuvaring. I was so excited to try the ring because for me it was the answer to my prayers. No more taking pills everyday. I tried the ring for the first time about two weeks ago. At the time I was also taking antibiotics to fight off a sinus infection. I know that antibiotics are supposed to reduce, if not eliminate, the benefits of birth control, but I wanted to have something in just to be protected. Within hours of putting in the ring I broke out in a rash that covered the lower half of my body. (feet, legs, butt) I was covered in hives as well. I immediately took out the ring and took a warm shower. After about an hour the itching stopped and everything disappeared. I thought that it was probably just a reaction from mixing birth control and antibiotics, but last night I decided to put the ring back in. I woke up this morning and I felt fine. I went to my morning classes, but during the second to last one, my left foot started to itch really bad. By the time I got home at 11:30, both of my feet and ankles were covered in an itchy rash with hives.

I have been off of the antibiotics for about a week now, so I know the reaction is not from them. I really thought that Nuvaring was the best thing ever invented, but it just didn’t work for me. I have since taken the ring out and again took a warm shower. The itching and hives are now gone, but my feet are still red. For me it is a sad thing that the Nuvaring did not work, I wish that it had. But I do not discourage other people from trying it, I just request that they know the side effects to what they are trying. Hope this helps people.

i wasnt sure about the Nuvaring. ive been juggling BCP for about 7 years. pills all worked for me, but i came off them because i had no physical relationships for a while, and my insurance was fighting with me.

ive always been VERY sensitive to medications.

i started the Nuvaring on Monday, and it is Friday. i have Nausea, Dizzyness to the point of almost fainting, headaches, no sex drive, symptoms of a possible UTI that isnt really like a UTI at all, discharge, mood swings, sadness, and i have already gained weight.

its been 4 days, and maybe i should try and stick it out for a bit, but im scared, and i think the pill, while it takes longer to get into the system, is still the right choice for me.

has anyone else had symptoms this early on?

My step daughter passed away a year 1/2 ago due to a blood clot associated with Nuvaring . Ladies please do more research and STOP taking it ! She was a healthy happy 22 year old with a 10 month old baby .
Don’t think oh nothing will happen to me , why take the chance.

here is a link to more info
http://www.topix.com/forum/drug/TSEMEFN6EBEM3OE64