Contraception Reviews

Combination birth control pill vs Vaginal ring

Combination birth control pill

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Vaginal ring

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Overview

Rated 3.6

27 reviews

Daily

Frequency

91% - 99+%

Effectiveness

Increased

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Rated 4.3

4 reviews

3 weekly

Frequency

91% - 99+%

Effectiveness

Increased

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Combination pill ingredients

Main hormones in Combination pill

estrogen


Vaginal ring ingredients

Main hormones in Vaginal ring

progestin

What Lowdown reviewers say

Benefits: What this birth control can help with

Acne or bad skin

Heavy periods

PMS and PMDD

PCOS symptoms

Period pain

Acne or bad skin

Heavy periods

PMS and PMDD

PCOS symptoms

Period pain

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Check out our latest reviews

Real life reviews from people like you

Combination birth control pill reviews

27 reviews

Used for 6 - 12 mo
31 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  2 days ago

  •  Still using

It has been great and I have had no adverse effects

Read more

Top side effects not reported

1 helpful

0 comments

Used for 3 - 6 mo
20 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  7th Nov 23

  •  Stopped using

I first went on this bc for heavy periods that gave me awful cramps (would throw up and almost pass out). I’ve always had overall regular periods, this did not change on the pill. My periods did get soo much better (lighter and only 2-3 days, maybe spotting on day 4) and the cramps were so faint, I didn’t have to take any ibuprofen or Tylenol. I was on the pill for 6 months and 3 weeks. I do feel like it heightened my emotions at times (anxious and sad) which is one reason I took a break because I had a lot going on at the time and didn’t want to deal with that (graduation, relationship problems, worried about finding a job). I’ve never really had much acne, maybe a pimple or two around my period, but I do have bacne which completely went away on the pill. I did feel bloated around 5 months on the pill, and water retention maybe, because starting the pill I was 124 pounds and at month 6-7 before I stopped it was like 129-131. This could be stress and holiday foods too though I’m just not sure. Although I wasn’t having sex during this time (we were waiting till marriage) my libido was about the same, maybe even higher. But I wouldn’t know about dryness down there or in there, I could still get like wet not trying to be tmi… but overall I would say it’s pretty good. I may end up trying it again when I’m married. Bc is so personal, my experience may be completely different, you just have to try it :) best of wishes and I hope this was helpful! - JoAnna


Top side effects not reported

1 helpful

0 comments

Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
21 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  4th Nov 23

  •  Still using

My experience with Junel Fe 1.5/30 has been wonderful. I went from SUPER heavy 2 week-long periods, to the nexplanon which cause months of continuous bleeding and spotting when i wasnt 'actively' bleeding, and finally was prescibed junel fe 1.5/30. Junel Fe gave me the option to reduce the amount of periods I was having. I opted for once every 3 packs or 63 days. My periods have come exactly when they are supposed to, not late or early, they are lighter and the cramps are far less painful.


Top side effects not reported

1 helpful

0 comments

Used for 6 - 12 mo
31 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  2 days ago

  •  Still using

It has been great and I have had no adverse effects


Top side effects not reported

1 helpful

0 comments

Used for 3 - 6 mo
20 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  7th Nov 23

  •  Stopped using

I first went on this bc for heavy periods that gave me awful cramps (would throw up and almost pass out). I’ve always had overall regular periods, this did not change on the pill. My periods did get soo much better (lighter and only 2-3 days, maybe spotting on day 4) and the cramps were so faint, I didn’t have to take any ibuprofen or Tylenol. I was on the pill for 6 months and 3 weeks. I do feel like it heightened my emotions at times (anxious and sad) which is one reason I took a break because I had a lot going on at the time and didn’t want to deal with that (graduation, relationship problems, worried about finding a job). I’ve never really had much acne, maybe a pimple or two around my period, but I do have bacne which completely went away on the pill. I did feel bloated around 5 months on the pill, and water retention maybe, because starting the pill I was 124 pounds and at month 6-7 before I stopped it was like 129-131. This could be stress and holiday foods too though I’m just not sure. Although I wasn’t having sex during this time (we were waiting till marriage) my libido was about the same, maybe even higher. But I wouldn’t know about dryness down there or in there, I could still get like wet not trying to be tmi… but overall I would say it’s pretty good. I may end up trying it again when I’m married. Bc is so personal, my experience may be completely different, you just have to try it :) best of wishes and I hope this was helpful! - JoAnna


Top side effects not reported

1 helpful

0 comments

Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
21 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  4th Nov 23

  •  Still using

My experience with Junel Fe 1.5/30 has been wonderful. I went from SUPER heavy 2 week-long periods, to the nexplanon which cause months of continuous bleeding and spotting when i wasnt 'actively' bleeding, and finally was prescibed junel fe 1.5/30. Junel Fe gave me the option to reduce the amount of periods I was having. I opted for once every 3 packs or 63 days. My periods have come exactly when they are supposed to, not late or early, they are lighter and the cramps are far less painful.


Top side effects not reported

1 helpful

0 comments


Vaginal ring reviews

4 reviews

Used for 12 - 18 mo
19 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  24th Oct 23

  •  Stopped using

Very easy to use. Periods were heavy at first but very light on last days. Main problem was discharge. Caused a increase in my migraines


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 8+ yr
42 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  5th Oct 23

  •  Still using

I’ve used NuvaRing for over 20years and highly recommend it. It’s super easy to put in and take out. And I really like that I don’t have to worried about it for 3 weeks!


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
28 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  4th Oct 23

  •  Still using

I generally like my Nuvaring, when I'm responsible about using it correctly. I feel confident that it works and I can forget about it most of the time, until I forget to take it out or put it in on the right day. I have used it to skip a period every once in a while. When used inconsistently like that, in combo with not taking out or putting in on the right days, I developed terrible migraines and strange neurological symptoms, like lightheadedness and scalp numbness/tingling. But when I used it regularly again, the symptoms disappeared. I do think I gained weight on it.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 12 - 18 mo
19 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  24th Oct 23

  •  Stopped using

Very easy to use. Periods were heavy at first but very light on last days. Main problem was discharge. Caused a increase in my migraines


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 8+ yr
42 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  5th Oct 23

  •  Still using

I’ve used NuvaRing for over 20years and highly recommend it. It’s super easy to put in and take out. And I really like that I don’t have to worried about it for 3 weeks!


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
28 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  4th Oct 23

  •  Still using

I generally like my Nuvaring, when I'm responsible about using it correctly. I feel confident that it works and I can forget about it most of the time, until I forget to take it out or put it in on the right day. I have used it to skip a period every once in a while. When used inconsistently like that, in combo with not taking out or putting in on the right days, I developed terrible migraines and strange neurological symptoms, like lightheadedness and scalp numbness/tingling. But when I used it regularly again, the symptoms disappeared. I do think I gained weight on it.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 8+ yr
32 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  3rd Aug 23

  •  Still using

Overall, the birth control is reliable. I like not having to worry about it on a daily basis and it does not interfere with sex.


Top side effects not reported

1 helpful

0 comments

Birth control alternatives and comparisons

Compare the Combination birth control pill with other birth control

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