I went on this birth control because it sounded easy enough to use; put in, leave in for 3 weeks and then have one ring free week. It worked perfectly fine, but I gained a lot of weight (35 lbs. in 5 months) and I developed pretty severe mood swings. It did prevent pregnancy, and wasn't difficult to use at all; but my body just didn't react well to it. Not recommended if you are sensitive to hormonal birth control.

DeniseMQ

USA

I had been on nuvaring for 5 years and off it since one month. During the 5 yrs, it seemed that this was the best thing ever - put it in and forget about it. However, I have had significant hairloss, been burning up and clammy at night, and mind you I am one that is always on the chilly side, had breast tenderness at all times, felt unusal and slightly swollen in my vagina, lost my natural lubrication and sex drive, and disturbingly sex had changed into a painful instead of pleasurable activity. It seems to me that this nuvaring created havoc in my body. I wanted to share this with my other female compatriots. Be cautious, track your symptoms and dont wait 5 years. In a month, I am already better.

ValenciaUser

USA

I used the NuvaRing for 3 years and had no problems with it. My only complaint was it would sometimes make my vagina dry or irritated way up high where the ring was placed. Other than that I loved this product.

NoMirena4me

USA

I was on nuva ring before the birth of my first child, we took it out, I got pregnant right away. After the birth I opted for no birth control and we were careful. Then I had my second baby, my doctor recommended mirena, I agreed, HORRIBLE!!!!! I had the worst moodiness, i hated my husband and everything. Finally got it out after a year of having it in and went back on nuva ring, I LOVE IT!!! My sex drive is back! AND i know that when we decide to have another child, I can probably get pregnant right away vs. the mirena. All birth control isn't the same for everyone, if mirena and depo shot don't work for you, I encourage you to try the nuva ring, it's WONDERFUL!! My husband doesn't feel it, and I just set a reminder in my phone for when to take it out and put a new one in!!!

Gorskygal

USA

I have had a lot of success with hormonal issues and it is very easy to use. I have been using the NuvaRing for close 18 months and I am finding changes in my personality... irritable and slight depression. I was curious if anyone else has noticed that

overforty

USA

i had just got off the depo shot & switched to the nuva ring to try something different. well i've only been on for a month. . . i'm not a big fan of it. seeing that i haven't had my period since late 2009 cause of the shot. . . i started spotting & eventually got my period back, & that didn't make me happy. i didn't like the fact that i had to insert this ring into my vagina. & it made me very uncomfortable & taking it out was even more uncomfortable. & every time i had intercourse, i would remove the ring. so as we would get into it, i'd have to be like "hold on" & take it out & it would just throw the mood off. & then afterwards, i'd be so tired & too lazy to put it back in, i would just let it sit on my night stand. it was just sucha hassle for me. . . i just don't like it simply because of taking it in & out to have sex.

judiffkay

USA

After I had my second child, I couldn't take the birth control pill I used to because I was breastfeeding. As a new option, I chose NuvaRing because I didn't want to get an IUD. I've been using the NuvaRing for almost 11 months now and I can say that there are things I like about it and things that I don't. Effectiveness If you can remember to insert a new ring when you are supposed to, I highly recommend this method of birth control. It works great for me and I will continue to use it. Ease of Use What I do like about NuvaRing is how easy it is. Simply insert a flexible ring like you would a tampon (but further) and leave it in there for three weeks. Then remove the ring and leave it out for a week (that's when you get your period) and then put a new ring in. It's great because there is nothing you have to remember to do daily. I have never had it slip out and I can't even feel it. I have to check every now and then to make sure it's still there and it always is. It has never caused any pain or discomfort and I have not experienced ANY side-effects from using it. I also like that the hormones released from the NuvaRing are localized to the area that the ring resides, instead of being spread all throughout my body, like the pill. What I don't like about NuvaRing is how easy it is to forget to put a new one in since you don't ever have to think about it. Unlike the pill, you have no daily reminder of something you need to do since there's no pill pack in your medicine cabinet or where ever. You do get stickers to put on your calendar to remind you when to put in a new ring and when to take it out, but that's it. I once forgot to put a new ring in for a whole week and could have gotten pregnant, but thankfully, I didn't. After THAT episode, I put reminders on my phone and use the stickers on my calendar. One other problem is that the rings have to be stored in the refrigerator. That has been a problem for me at times, but I've always made it work.

this2shallpass19

Camp Lejeune, NC

I was on the patch for years and my doctor wanted me to try Nuvaring. She claimed it released same amount as the patch, but only applied once a month. I didn't have insurance so she was afraid that if I developed a blood clot with the patch it would be expensive.  She also said if I didn't have a blood clot after 5 years on the patch I wouldn't get one, but told me to try the ring at least. I loved the patch, but was willing to try the ring out. Once a month? You can't beat that, right? Ugh!! The first month was fine on the ring.  Easy to use, couldn't feel it during intercourse, didn't fall out.  I was excited.  That soon faded. During the second month my face began breaking out really bad.  I wasn't sure what was causing it, tried new face washes and medicine. But it remained. I then began experiencing blinding headaches. They were so bad, I almost wrecked while night driving and couldn't stand to look at the computer or television. They made me always feel nauseous and angry. For me, this was sign something was wrong.  I never get sick, have never really had a headache in my 23 years living.  I attributed it to stress from Grad school and being a newlywed. Again, didn't even consider the ring.  I never wanted to have sex with my husband.  Partly because my drive wasn't there, but also because I had developed dryness and irritation also.   I also gained weight, again giving thanks to eating on the run due to grad school.  I had severe cramps.  Cramps that locked me in place and sent pain throughout my entire body.  I have never had cramps, even during my periods, even before BC.  Obviously something was wrong. And it started with the ring. After about 4 months, I began thinking about the ring causing this.  I never had a single side effect with the patch (my only form of BC) so it never registered.  I decided to go off for 2 months to see how I felt.  After about 2 weeks, the headaches stopped.  Didn't experience any cramps and my problems with dryness/irritation began to dissipate.  I went back on until time for my checkup and immediately began experiencing every problem again.   AT my appointment when asked how I was liking the ring, I said "I HATE IT and want something else!"  My doctor was surprised but said not everyone accepted things the same and put me back on the patch.  I had reached the point where I wanted to see a neurologist because the headaches were always in the same spot and had me worried. But after a month back on the patch, I was good as new.  No headaches, skin began clearing, no more cramps and my drive began coming back.  It was still in my head that sex hurt, so mentally it took A LOT longer to overcome that part.   I was so thankful to change back and if anyone started the ring and is experiencing headaches, cramping, or pain below I would suggest after about 4 months if it hasn't stopped to change BC.  Anyone interested in trying it, do it. But be aware of these possible side effects so that if they begin happening, you immediately know the cause and can get off it. This form has worked for many so just try it.  As far as blood clots go, all BC have danger of clots associated.  The patch also went through this same "recall" for causing blood clots, but it worked for me and still is, so the ring may work for you.   As for the weight gain, I tried hard to lose the weight I gained for 4 months and lost 4lbs and didn't slim up at all (eating healthy & working out 4/5 days/wk doing cardio, weight, variety). I had to eventually go on Adipex to get my weight back down.  Effectiveness Didn't get pregnant in the time I was on it, so it was effective in my case.

mfsbrown

Calera, AL

I hope everyone takes into consideration that you cannot compare apples to apples.  Everyone will react differently.  I use Nuvaring and I would say please try it for yourself before you pass judgement based on someone else's review!  For a year now, I've had excellent results with the only side effects being a slight decrease in appetite and very, very, very mild vaginal irration towards the end of the three weeks (and this is only occasionally, for that matter).  This method is great for me and never (in the course of one year) have I experienced a "slip".  My ring always navigates itself to the cervix and stays in place.  Neither my husband nor myself can feel the ring during intercourse.  Although there is no pain or uncomfortableness involved for me during sex, I prefer to take it out because I am aware of it being there and I can't focus on the 'task at hand' as well.  My first week on Nuvaring was the worst for me because I experienced nausea, upset stomach, terrible headaches and a tremendous decrease in appetite. But over the course of that first month the negative side effects dewindled down and eventually disappeared completely by month two.  There are so many negative reviews for Nuvaring that I'm trying to post as often as I can to show women who are considering this method, that it does work for some! Please do not be intimidated by the negative reviews. And please, please, please do not brush this effective no brainer method off just because someone else said something that disturbed you.  I told my doctor that I wasn't sure about this method; I had a ton of questions, just as I'm sure you do, so my doctor gave me three months of rings for free!  I've had such a positive experience with Nuvaring.  My guess would be that women who have had a negative experience with Nuvaring would be more likely to post than one who is truly happy with this method.  If you decide to try Nuvaring, I hope you experience the same positive results that I have. If you have questions or want to talk, please, feel free to email me. Thanks! Good Luck.

callarae

Olive Branch, MS

I was excited to use this product, but after wearing it for one day I was already feeling a pain in my leg and slight chest pain. I knew that blood clotting could are one of the side effects that the product warns about, but I assumed that particular side effect would effect people who smoke, take drugs, and who are overweight. I am 19 years old, healthy, and do not smoke. I do not know why I was experiencing the symptoms of blood clotting so soon. Perhaps I did not have a blood clot, but it felt like it was possibly leading up to it. I did not want to take a risk. Keep in mind that everyone is different. Any other type of birth control could have this same side-effect too. You won't know till you try it out. So therefore I can't say that the nuvaring is necessarily a bad form of birth control. Find out what's right for you.

ItzD

Arcadia, CA