Allergic Reaction to NuvaRing

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-20-2004
Allergic Reaction to NuvaRing
2
Tue, 10-19-2004 - 11:56am
Hi, its been awhile since I've been here. Here's a backround on my birth control experience. I went on the patch in April and in the second month started having side effects. At first I had anxiety problems, vaginal dryness and low sex drive, but the anxiety issues went away in a few weeks and weren't really severe.

I changed to the NuvaRing in September to see if the lower amount of hormones would increase my sex drive. In the second month of the NuvaRing (last week), I was having horrible anxiety attacks and severe depression. Throughout last week it got progressively worse until I went to the hospital on Friday where they determined that I'm allergic to synthetic hormones.

I'm putting this out there to worn women that severe reactions to synthetic hormones can and do happen and its nothing minor. Thursday night, it got so bad that I was suicidal, which is the point at which I knew that something was very wrong with me. I'm fine now, the hormones wore off in a few days and I'm back to my normal self again, but it was a scary experience.

So, hormonal birth control is out of the question for me. I'd really like a copper IUD but I'm not sure if Planned Parenthood will do it since I'm only 20 and haven't had any children. I know my other choices are a diaphram or cervical cap, but I'm still deciding on what to choose. Any ideas?

Hopefully I didn't scare anyone away from the NuvaRing. My warning to women is to be careful if there is a family history of synthetic hormone sensitivity and to seek help if you suddenly have severe depression and anxiety for no external reason.

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Tue, 10-19-2004 - 1:24pm
Hi katoka, welcome back!

I'm so glad you are feeling normal again! I think your biggest concern about having an IUD placed is being in a monogamous long term relationship. That is because with an IUD, multiple partners place you at a greater risk of getting a serious infection that could affect your fertility. You might give PP a call and set up a consultation to see what they say.

Cervical barriers are less effective than IUDs and are high maintenance devices. I'm not trying to discourage you from using a barrier, I use a cervical cap myself, but you should know that a diaphragm or cervical cap takes discipline to use correctly and consistently. If you haven't read them already, there are posts in the FAQs about IUDs and Cervical barriers that you might want to read. Let us know what you decide, ok?

Good luck and hugs,

      Jill

    

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-20-2004
Thu, 10-21-2004 - 7:34pm

Hey Jill,

Thanks for the response! I am in a monogamous long term relationship so I'm not worried about that. My boyfriend and I are commited, have been together for almost a year and plan to stay together. I'm not one to date around... it's not my personality. He's my first boyfriend, first kiss, first everything and I hope he's the only one.

I actually did call Planned Parenthood today and asked to make an appointment but their nurse practioner isn't in this week, so I'm going in next week. I really hate condoms and since the barriers aren't as effective as hormonal contraceptives, I would hate to have to use both. That is why I'm going to beg and plead with them to give me the copper IUD. If I can't be on hormones and I don't want to use a condom, I think thats really my only choice with a high protection rate.

Thanks again for the response and let me know if you have any other suggestions. I'm also going to buy "Taking Charge of Your Fertility" to find out more about that method.

Katie