NuvaRing and Acne: What Users Say

• Anonymous
• November 29, 2009

For Birth Control "I originally came on to this site to look for facts on Implanon, because I am thinking of switching from NuvaRing to Implanon. Out of the many comments, only a few were good. There were many negative comments, and it made me wonder if the majority of people who choose to comment do so because they are experiencing negative side effects, and those women who aren't experiencing side effects don't leave any comments at all. So I'm going to go ahead and add a GOOD comment about NuvaRing. NuvaRing has worked out GREAT for me. No side effects that I have noticed. No weight gain, no mood swings, no acne. The only thing is that I can feel it during sex, which is an easy fix to just take it out before and put it back in afterward."

• Kdo...
• April 3, 2014

For Birth Control "After reading 107 reviews on the ring and about 100 of them being bad experiences, I was very nervous to try the ring. I decided to still try since I was horrible at remembering the pill, and I have to say I am so happy I gave it a chance. I absolutely love the ring. I cannot feel it at all, I have lost weight from it, I have more energy, no more moodiness, and just all around a happier person. The only side effect that I had, and that only happened the first day, was my face broke out a little. I have always had clear skin, but my first day trying it, my chin broke out, but after a couple of days it cleared up and I have not had a problem since. I would recommend everyone to try it."

• Sav...
• August 19, 2014

For Birth Control "I love NuvaRing! I was put on Microgestin FE 1/20 but stopped after the first month due to awful cramping in my arms/legs (which I still get during PMS). A year later, I started NuvaRing, and so far it has been no hassle at all. My breasts have grown at least half a cup size, and while my acne isn't gone, it's lightened considerably. My periods are light, 4 days long, and I have little to no cramping when before I would be unable to move for hours due to menstrual cramps/ovulation, and my flow was heavy for at least 5 days. I hope this method keeps working for me, and I recommend it to anyone looking for an easy method of birth control."

• Ela...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 17, 2023

For Birth Control "Only lasted 5 days before I had to remove it. 24 hours after insertion, headaches started. Then my vagina completely dried out and became very itchy. Nausea kicked in so badly I started vomiting, and my face broke out in severe acne. Every joint ached and started stiffening up. My mental health plummeted, and I started having crying fits out of nowhere. I removed it at 5 days, and 10 days later I am still suffering headaches, extreme fatigue, and nausea, which is slowly getting better, and every other issue stopped within 24 hrs of removal. Do not recommend for anyone sensitive to hormones, as this knocks you about quite a bit. Only plus is it can be removed easily when you decide it is not for you."

• Anonymous
• July 26, 2010

For Birth Control "I love, love, love NuvaRing! I have been on hormone-based birth control for 6 years now. I have been on NuvaRing for 1 year. So far, this is the best one I've used, and I have tried several. With other pills, I have had weight gain (not in my breasts, unfortunately), acne, moodiness, lack of sex drive, spotting, periods that lasted forever, etc. With the NuvaRing, nothing. My skin is clearer than it has ever been (not perfect, but I'll take what I can get), I haven't gained any more weight, I only worry about it once a month. I think it's perfect. The thing people have to remember is everyone's going to be different. It's not the product, it's the person. Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo didn't work for me. Neither did Lo Ovral. And they're rather popular."

• ske...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 2, 2014

For Birth Control "I love the NuvaRing! I chose to take this one because of metabolic interactions with my lamotrigine, and I think I would prefer the NuvaRing to pills even without the lamotrigine interaction. I love that I only have to remember to put it in once a month and remove it for a week three weeks later. Prior to starting the NuvaRing, I had awful period symptoms. I had really heavy bleeding for seven days to the point I became anemic due to the blood loss, and the NuvaRing has changed my period to being very light and lasting at most five days and reduced my previously awful acne. My only problem is that sometimes it slides down inside the vagina and can poke out or be uncomfortable, but it can be put back in place with your finger."

• Mzz...
• July 27, 2014

For Birth Control "The NuvaRing has worked for me. I have never tried any other form of birth control, and I started using it 6 years ago to help with a very irregular, long, and heavy period. It also helped clear up my skin then, and when I went off birth control, my periods did get heavier, and sometimes I had debilitating cramps. Plus, I suffered from bad adult acne that nothing would fix. Within 3 months of going back on the NuvaRing, my acne cleared right up, and immediately my periods got shorter, lighter, and were less painful. I didn't note any significant mood changes or changes in sex drive (but mine has never been especially high). I have experienced significant vaginal discharge, but it is normal aside from increased quantity. It is very convenient."

• Swe...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 6, 2015

For Birth Control "I have been on NuvaRing for four years. I had major cysts on my ovaries when I was younger and was forced to change my birth control medications six times in three years. I was skeptical about taking the Depo shot and any IUD for fear that I would have cysts develop again. My doctor wanted to conduct an exploratory surgery. I had to try something immediately. I asked my doctor about the NuvaRing. If it didn't help, I would go through with the surgery. I was constantly in pain, and I was fed up with it. I read the information and started my dose. After 24 hours, I felt wonderful. In four years, I haven't had a cyst. Lighter, shorter periods, no weight gain, less acne, healthier skin and hair, and very little PMS. I highly recommend it."

• CRo...
• December 7, 2019

For Birth Control "This is my last round of the ring after over 12 years of using NuvaRing. I can recall the first few months of using it having depression. After that subsided, I noticed my bad acne had completely gone away but also my sex drive as well. I was told by my doctor to continue to use it if it works well for me in other ways. Fast forward to now, I’ve had an insanely difficult time losing weight. And it’s now come down to the possibility that it’s the NuvaRing. While it wasn’t the cause of my weight gain, I’m strongly wondering if it’s the cause of my weight loss resistance. I’ve been consistently working out plus dieting only to lose a few pounds here and there. I’ve tried so many diet lifestyles and would stick with it for several months to no avail. So now, after much contemplation, it is now time to do without the NuvaRing. And it would be nice to have a sex drive again! And it will be interesting to see how much it affected me in other ways that I hadn’t noticed."

• Yel...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 24, 2013

For Birth Control "I have been on NuvaRing for 3.5 years. I almost immediately experienced major mood swings, crying, getting offended by things that normally don't bother me. However, the convenience and the fact that my severe cramps and heavy flow greatly diminished made it worth it to me. But as time went on, after the first year or so, I began to notice my sex drive wasn't as strong. Two years in, I had zero sex drive whatsoever, and three years in I experienced many more side effects. These include severe cystic acne, 12 lb weight gain, headaches, nausea, and my mood swings have worsened. I feel anxious all the time. So, tonight I took it out and don't plan to put one back in again. I did go off the ring once before for a month and felt normal again."

• Anonymous
• August 31, 2009

For Birth Control "I've been on NuvaRing for 3 months. I chose NuvaRing because I knew I couldn't be trusted with taking a pill every day but wanted birth control to help regulate my periods, ease mood swings, and clear skin. On NuvaRing, I still have mood swings, more headaches now, at times feel very tired, still have bad breakouts, and also an almost non-existent sex drive. I assumed all this was because I was home with 3 little kids until I noticed a pattern while on the NuvaRing. Three days after I take the ring out, I have a surge of sexual desire (also this is when my period starts, figures). I'm going to stick with it for another 2 months to see how it goes, meanwhile, I'm going to talk with my doctor again about better options."

• Mad...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 3, 2016

For Birth Control "So I had tried the pill in college, which left me 30 lbs heavier. Fast forward 4 years, and I find myself trying to pick out a birth control that wouldn't cause such a dramatic weight gain. I tried Nuva per my OBGYN's suggestion. I really like how easy it is to use. I never had a problem inserting or removing, along with no problems during intercourse. My periods were also lighter. Nuva really worked with my schedule. The downfall is that my face broke out with cystic acne (which is extremely painful). My breasts hurt 24/7. I have no sex drive. I constantly feel like I have a UTI or something. My appetite is up and down, sometimes I feel sick for no reason. Also, I get 1-2 headaches a day since starting Nuva."

• gra...
• June 27, 2014

For Birth Control "So I just switched from the Pill to the ring (I was on the Pill for three years and needed something more convenient. At first, I loved it because all I had to do was slip it in and forget for three weeks. Two weeks into it, however, I have begun breaking out all over my body (I NEVER break out, EVER), and my forehead is littered with pimples. I've gotten moody, sore, and I'm nauseous beyond belief. After reading about others' experiences, I'm starting to get that it's a common thing. I'm switching back to the Pill. This isn't worth the convenience. Plus, it's two times the cost of what I was paying for the Pill."

• Al ...
• August 28, 2016

For Birth Control "I LOVE THE RING!!! Ladies, I seriously recommend the ring to anyone and everyone. The ring has given so much freedom in college, and it's amazing. I've been on it for a year and have had zero side effects. ZERO weight gain, no acne (in fact, my skin is clearer than it was before being on the NuvaRing), no mood swings, no decrease in sex drive, etc. Five of my friends have tried the ring as well, and they love it too!! You can't feel it once inserted, and it stays in place during sex and won't move until you take it out. It's super easy to put in as well! It has helped make my period super manageable, and I have no PMS. I used to suffer from painful periods, and now I don't have to worry about any of that. It's great! Give it a try!"

• Ak4...
• January 11, 2016

For Birth Control "I've been using NR for 6 years. I love it. I've tried Yaz and some other types of pills, hated that you had to take them at the same time each day. This is much more convenient. I get my period right on time and then take it out. Simple. It doesn't do anything different to me, such as acne or weight gain. But that depends on the person more than the contraceptive. The best way to put it in: use a tampon applicator (take out the tampon), place the ring in the applicator (bend the ring), and put it in as if it were a tampon. I've heard of it coming out during sex, but I've never experienced this, nor have I ever had it slip out or go missing. Highly recommended :) :) Unfortunately, it is pricey, however. :("

• Lov...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 29, 2015

For Birth Control "General pros: Easy to use and low maintenance, no weight gain (but never had issues with this), doesn't affect my moods. Below is a timeline of my experiences. Age: 22 Note: I have had a lot of acne issues with birth control in the past. Feb 2015 (month 1) - Breasts are fuller. Cons: - More acne - Annoying and sometimes painful when it slides partially out. Mar-Apr 2015 - Breasts are still fuller. Cons: - Still lots of acne - Still slides partially out - No sex drive (sex hurts... no natural lubrication) - Excessive discharge - Considering changing birth control. May – Jul 2015 - OMG, I love my NuvaRing! - Acne is 99% gone! - No excessive discharge - I take NuvaRing out for sex, and sex is great! - Breasts back to regular. Cons: - falls partially out sometimes."

• dsu...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 17, 2014

For Birth Control "This is my first time ever being on birth control, and so far I'm loving this NuvaRing. I've lost 5 pounds in 3 weeks. No acne, the only side effect is that I can't keep anything down. All I want to eat is fruits and salads. My doctor said it was normal and that maybe this will help with the anxiety I had before. But everybody is different, let's keep that in mind."

• Abc...
• November 9, 2019

For Birth Control "I have been on many different pills, two different IUDs, the Depo shot, and then the ring. The ring, by far, was the worst. I had side effects with all forms of birth control, usually to do with unusual bleeding or inconsistent periods. The NuvaRing was the only birth control I could find that controlled my periods. Unfortunately, it also caused acne, weight gain, despite feeling nauseous all the time and having no appetite. No sex drive, and I was so anxious and emotional that I thought I was going crazy. I was on the ring for almost two years, with all of these side effects, which I did not realize were being caused by it. When I finally realized this may be why this is happening, I took it out, and I feel so much better now."

• nuv...
• August 13, 2009

For Birth Control "It seems that a lot of the people describing their experience with the NuvaRing are of the younger generation. I'm 31 and have been using the ring for the last 4 months after being on Ortho Tri-Cyclen for years. Within the first 2 weeks of inserting the ring, my body went through changes as if I were in puberty all over again. My breasts swelled and became annoyingly sensitive, my face broke out with acne, and I gained weight over two months' time. On top of all of this, I've been overly emotional and tired. The convenience of the ring is nice, but definitely not worth all the side effects for me."

• tha...
• February 19, 2016

For Birth Control "This is my second month on it, and I love it so far. I read the side effects and was scared to be moody or have a low sex drive. I experienced none of that so far. I already get migraines and have acne, but I do notice I don't get migraines as often now. I did have some bleeding at the end of the third week that lasted about 5 days. I read the information pamphlet, and I guess that was normal. But there's no bleeding now that I'm on my second ring. It's not noticeable for my lover and me during sex, but you can take it out if it is and put it back after 3 hours. Read the pamphlet front to back before the first use until you're confident. Also, refer to it when you have any questions."

• BCa...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 2, 2014

For Birth Control "Birth control pills make me extremely nauseous, and the shot made me gain a ton of weight and caused bad acne, so the only method I can use consistently is the NuvaRing. It keeps my skin clear, is easy to use, doesn't bother my husband during sex, and it grew my breasts a cup size. Unfortunately, NuvaRing makes me so tired that I gained weight due to inactivity since all I want to do is sleep. I suspect it has caused anxiety and depression (although I can't be sure), and it gives me a terrible headache and nausea the first three days I put a new ring in. It dulls my sex drive a bit, but nothing major. I will probably stick with this method for a while unless something better comes around."

• kc1...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 25, 2014

For Birth Control "My whole reasoning to get on birth control was to help my miserable cramps and periods. Saying that it was my first time on birth control, my midwife and I decided that the NuvaRing was the best route to go. I put it in the first day of my cycle, and I bled for three days (I have a five-day cycle). I was so excited to have no cramps and a short period. Then, about a week later, I started getting horrendous cramps, even worse than my period cramps. The cramping wouldn't go away, along with the cramping - my skin changed from silky soft to desert dry, and I was extremely itchy all over my body. Come to find out, I was actually allergic to the NuvaRing. Some other symptoms that I got with the NuvaRing were zits, hunger, and moody!"

• ATW...
• December 8, 2013

For Birth Control "My experience on NuvaRing was a mixed bag. My first time on it was wonderful - I was CRAZY the first month on, after that, it was smooth sailing. Absolutely no bad side effects. I had to discontinue due to no insurance, but when I went on it again years later, I had a multitude of problems. BAD bloating around the midsection (I am otherwise a slender woman, and the bloat didn't look right on me), thinning hair, dark spotting of the skin on my back and stomach, borderline severe depression and anxiety. I lost all the bloat as well as the depression and anxiety when I came off it. Unfortunately, my acne came back (much to my dismay) when I stopped using it, but for me, the NuvaRing was still not worth the side effects."

• Run...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 31, 2015

For Birth Control "This is my third month using NuvaRing. I'm on the three-week cycle. It's very convenient, I don't have a consistent work schedule, so I never have to worry about missing the pill. HOWEVER, this thing makes me sweat SO bad at night. I keep my bedroom in the mid-60s while my side of the bed is closest to the vent, and I sleep nude. I will shower the night before and wake up covered in sweat and smell terrible! And that has NEVER been the case. I've been a very competitive athlete all my life, and even in my sweatiest games, I never had BO. I've also noticed extreme mood swings that third week it's in, intense vaginal irritation to say the very least, and no change to my acne, it's been bad for as long as I can remember."

• Car...
• November 22, 2016

For Birth Control "I started NuvaRing at 13 to regulate my heavy periods. I'm 23 now, still on it and love it. Here's the basics: -Never falls out, can't feel it at all (unless it's not put in right or if you have a wider/tilted uterus) -Husband is large and can't stand it, so I put it back in after intimacy. -If I forget/lose it, I just put a new one in for 3 more weeks (skip a period, whoop!) -I have never refrigerated mine, the teens don't need to see that in there lol -no cramps, bloating, acne, weight gain, etc. (I eat a lot so I'm not gonna blame my anti-baby meds for my own bad habits) -no mood swings, sex drive hasn't changed, periods are lighter/are over quicker than before. -no insurance? Forget it. These freaking things are $150 a pop."