Annovera and Sexual Dysfunction: What Users Say

• Old...
• January 22, 2021

For Birth Control "I’m a 35-year-old woman who has Hashimoto's thyroiditis, EDS, and PCOS. I do terrible on most hormonal birth controls, and IUDs make my anemia and pain worse. I put Annovera in on day 2 of my period, the period stopped. Had a headache for a day. I started spotting around day 20, with some cramps, heavy breakthrough around day 21. On day 17, I was irritable, but fine after. I can’t skip my period with any of the low estrogen BCs like this. I did have some cramping when spotting, took Ibu, period/cramps a little heavier. I used NuvaRing in the past: depression, no sex drive, and weight gain, none on this. My hormonal acne stopped. Partner can kinda feel it, but not enough to bother him, I can’t feel it. I really like it, hopefully, I will stop spotting after this period because it would be nice to find a birth control that doesn’t make my PCOS worse."

• Ame...
• October 28, 2020

For Birth Control "Overall, I have had a positive experience with Annovera. I took Tri-Nessa for 4 years and stopped for a year due to increased anxiety/crying and lack of sex drive. Three months ago, I started Annovera because my OB/GYN found several ovarian cysts that were causing me pain and irregular periods. So far, it is much better side effect-wise than the pill for me. The first month was rough with nausea, but has lessened with each reinsertion. My period is now predictable, and I have experienced 0 breakthrough bleeding. I have noticed a slightly lower sex drive, but not as severe as before. Also not prego, so it’s doing its job!"

• Bel...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 29, 2022

For Birth Control "I absolutely love Annovera and would highly recommend it. I was nervous about Annovera because I’ve had such bad side effects in the past on BC (weight gain, severe depression, anxiety, loss of sex drive, mood swings, you name it, I had it), and I also currently suffer from occasional migraines and am prone to yeast infections, so I was nervous this would make them worse. But after doing a lot of research, I still felt like this was what I wanted to try. I have had very minimal symptoms on this, if anything, it’s actually lessened my period symptoms and made me feel more mellow. The worst side effects I’ve had are breakthrough bleeding, which is annoying, but I’m only on month 3, and it seems to be getting better, if that’s the worst symptom I get, I’ll take it! I do get headaches the week I take it out, but they aren’t unbearable, just annoying. And I did have one spell of anxiety when I took it out and had to put it back in. But weirdly, anytime it’s in, I’m a happy camper!"

• Kri...
• March 30, 2021

For Birth Control "I was on NuvaRing for over 10 years, and it worked well for me. The only con was having to wait in line at CVS every 90 days to refill the prescription, or hope that the mail-away option arrived in a cooled package. I was searching for a similar birth control option that didn't need to be refrigerated, and I saw commercials for Annovera. I asked my doctor about it, and she told me it was new and she wasn't sure of the side effects. I figured I would give it a go. I switched from NuvaRing to Annovera in September 2020. I have been on Annovera for 6 months and have been experiencing several side effects. The worst of them all are the severe yeast infections and terrible itching. I have been in and out of my doctor's office, and it's embarrassing and painful. I am also experiencing fatigue, sporadic nausea, irritability, and pain during intercourse. I am so annoyed that this ring has so many side effects. I am making the decision to stop taking Annovera. It's not worth it."

• Flo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 15, 2020

For Birth Control "I’ve been using Annovera for birth control for 5 months now, and I’m switching when it’s time for removal due to all these side effects that I have had. No sex drive, anxiety and depression (that I’ve never had before), heavy bleeding during the 7-day removal, bleeding in between periods. I have had it fall out several times, back pain, and fatigue."

• Sti...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 4, 2021

For Birth Control "So my experience with Annovera was great! I loved the freedom that it allowed and seemed like a step up from my previous experience with NuvaRing (5+ years). It was easy to insert and maintain. No thinking! Awesome! I had taken a break from my previous birth control (copper IUD, which I didn't like and that I had for several months). Initially, my chest swelled and was painful to the touch for a couple of months. That’s since gone away. My periods are predictable and light (2 days after removal). However, the depression that I’ve been experiencing has been so much I think I’m going to take it out. My sex drive is at zero. I’m not sure what’s up, but I’m not in a good place. Any and all hormone BC affect me this way. I think I paid $64 with my insurance coverage."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 5, 2021

For Birth Control "I’ve been on Annovera for about six months now, and I have a mixed opinion. It is really easy to use, and it’s convenient for use, but I’ve been experiencing a lot of side effects: I get random cramps in between that feel a lot like period cramps, headaches from time to time (never really had them before), nausea, and the main thing is that it’s affected my mood a lot. I already had anxiety before, but it’s so intense now, I feel incredibly moody and sad a lot, and my sex drive has never been this low. Probably going to see it out for the rest of my year, but probably won’t take it for another year."

• Ove...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 15, 2020

For Birth Control "I have a bleeding disorder that makes my periods VERY heavy. I have used birth control to keep my periods short or so I can skip them. I spoke with my doctor about this, and she said I could leave it in for three months and then take it out for three days, then go back on. Well, right away, I had headaches, now, three months in, I have been spotting EVERY DAY for the past 52 days! I am done. No sex drive, feel angry, mad, and upset all the time. I'm ready to be done, but my doctor won't change it. I will be looking for a new doctor if she does not help me out at my appointment in five days! Worst birth control I've tried!"

• Pen...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 27, 2022

For Birth Control "Used Jan. 2020-May 2022, Sept. 2022- Takeaway: So easy to use and stop using that I’d recommend it. Just monitor your mental health over the first months. My biggest symptom has been increased anxiety, but it’s hard to tell how much is due to this med. With this med as one of many possible factors, I developed OCD-like levels of preoccupation and fear three months after starting. Other Effects: - Felt mildly fatigued and achy for the first few days, like I had a stomach bug, and was slightly nauseous and sensitive to certain foods. - Period lightened, shortened, and became even more predictable. Cramps became milder. - Thick clear or whitish discharge. I often had to wear liners or swap underwear midday. Hasn’t happened the second time around yet. - Possible increase in screen headache sensitivity (hard to prove). - Decrease in libido and possible decrease in attraction to then-partner (could’ve been natural). - Skipping 2+ periods caused bleeding and darkened ring."

• Hal...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 16, 2022

For Birth Control "I’m about to be on my fourth cycle with Annovera, and overall it’s really not that bad. My boobs are huge and sore, but not unbearable. I find it very comfortable, and it’s easy to remove/insert once you get the hang of it, and my periods are normal and easy to track. HOWEVER, I will be taking it out. Unfortunately, this has completely gotten rid of my libido, and I’m now suffering from dryness and pain during intercourse. I was on the pill prior, and it hurt my libido, but I never experienced pain. I’m planning to go hormone-free for the rest of the year just to see how it goes. I don’t see any point in taking BC if it makes me not even want to have sex???"

• Loc...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 11, 2021

For Birth Control "I was on Annovera for 6 months. The only negative side effect I had was a decreased sex drive. The ring was great. Easy to insert. A few times I had trouble removing it and had to get my partner to help, but otherwise, it wasn’t troublesome. No interference during sex. I wish I could continue to use it, but the effect on my drive was enough to make me take it out for good."

• Hap...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 7, 2022

For Birth Control "For me, Annovera has been life-changing! While taking the pill, I struggled with frequent nausea, weight loss (due to the nausea), hair loss, and loss of libido. I was not comfortable with getting an implant or IUD; I wanted something I could remove on my own. I was at the end of my rope until my own research led me to Annovera. Studies on the progestin used in Annovera have shown it is less likely to negatively impact sexual function in women because it is not androgenic. Fortunately, I've found Annovera to have no negative impact on my sex life. A major win! You can download the Annovera app, and your insertion/removal schedule for the year is all mapped out for you. I have had some nausea during the first 24 hours after inserting the ring, but now that I'm in my third year using this product, it is rare. Zero other side effects, and zero pregnancies! I don't know what I would have done without Annovera. It has had such a positive impact on my quality of life."

• Sar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 12, 2023

For Birth Control "Annovera is great most of the time. However, after using it for 3 months, at exactly 16-18 hours after insertion, I vomited continuously for over 5 hours. I tried it for another month and had the same result. Despite that, it is easy to use, doesn't shift/fall out, doesn't interfere with sex, doesn't require me to remember a pill daily, and I can take it out if I need to, unlike the IUD. I have had mild weight gain and sadness, and some decreased libido, but all of this could be from the seasonal depression I get, so it's hard to separate out. I might continue using it if I can control the vomiting."

• Rio...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 14, 2022

For Birth Control "I’ve been on Annovera for 3 months, and it’s the best BC I’ve used. I had a Mirena IUD, which gave me severe breakthrough bleeding for a year, then I switched to the pill, where I had breakthrough bleeding for a few months, but it eventually stopped. I switched to Annovera because of the negative effect the pill had on my mood and the annoyance of taking it every day. I’ve seen a huge improvement and would say I’m back to myself, and NO breakthrough bleeding either! (Tip: When changing BC, it’s been helpful to have a full period, then start the new birth control the last day of your period/day after.) The cons I’ve noticed are reduced sex drive and also slight vaginal dryness (this can be fixed with lube, though). My partner and I don’t feel the ring at all during sex, although sometimes I do choose to take it out, as removing it does help the natural lubrication to flow (sorry TMI). During the first 1-2 months, I sometimes felt cramping/discomfort, but this did go away."

• Hol...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 5, 2021

For Birth Control "DON'T. DO. IT. I have been placed on many different birth controls, and this Annovera is by far the worst. Migraines, vaginal discomfort during sex, no sex drive, painful periods, and to top it all off, I ended up with an infection that placed me in the hospital. I’m currently doubled over with some of the most painful cramps I have ever experienced. Please take it from someone who has tried everything. Explore other options."