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 3.4

80 reviews

Daily

Frequency

91% - 99+%

Effectiveness

Increased

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Rated 3.0

9 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

Mood

29% no impact on mood

Bleeds

30% regular periods

Sex drive

38% lost sex drive

Weight

45% no impact

Skin

41% improved skin

Cycle return

40% in 1 month

Mood

33% no impact on mood

Bleeds

44% lighter periods

Sex drive

56% lost sex drive

Weight

67% gained weight

Skin

33% improved skin

Cycle return

33% in 1 month

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

80 reviews

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
19 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  3 weeks ago

Junel Fe 1/20 birth control pill  

the combo pill helped get my period back to its normal cycle after spotting for 3 years on nexplanon. i definitely feel like i have retained some water weight in my stomach, arms, and face. i also have more acne than i did when i was on nexplanon. the last symptoms im dealing with are more anxiety and more sweat on my feet and palms. i’m open to trying different combo pills but i think im going to stay on this one for a year to feel the full effects/symptoms.

Read more

Somewhat negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
32 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  1 month ago

Tri Lo Estarylla birth control pill  

Quiero vajar la meuctracion con estas pastillas


Very positive mood

0 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
43 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  21st Sep 24

Aviane birth control pill  

I use BC to control my heavy 3 week long bleeds. I'm 43, and went from PCOS bleeds to perimenopause bleeds. This one worked well, but did cause breakthrough bleeding a little in the first few packs. By breakthrough I mean an actual period gush, not spotting, I also had spotting off and on. It did shorten my periods to about 7 days. My mood seemed down a bit more, and my libido did decrease a little. However, I had the big O just fine, with my previous one(elinest) I couldnt. I'm starting Amethyst which is a slightly lower dose of the same hormones, hopefully that helps even me more. Overall, I would take Aviane again if I had to.


Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
19 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  3 weeks ago

Junel Fe 1/20 birth control pill  

the combo pill helped get my period back to its normal cycle after spotting for 3 years on nexplanon. i definitely feel like i have retained some water weight in my stomach, arms, and face. i also have more acne than i did when i was on nexplanon. the last symptoms im dealing with are more anxiety and more sweat on my feet and palms. i’m open to trying different combo pills but i think im going to stay on this one for a year to feel the full effects/symptoms.


Somewhat negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
32 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  1 month ago

Tri Lo Estarylla birth control pill  

Quiero vajar la meuctracion con estas pastillas


Very positive mood

0 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
43 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  21st Sep 24

Aviane birth control pill  

I use BC to control my heavy 3 week long bleeds. I'm 43, and went from PCOS bleeds to perimenopause bleeds. This one worked well, but did cause breakthrough bleeding a little in the first few packs. By breakthrough I mean an actual period gush, not spotting, I also had spotting off and on. It did shorten my periods to about 7 days. My mood seemed down a bit more, and my libido did decrease a little. However, I had the big O just fine, with my previous one(elinest) I couldnt. I'm starting Amethyst which is a slightly lower dose of the same hormones, hopefully that helps even me more. Overall, I would take Aviane again if I had to.


Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments


Vaginal ring reviews

9 reviews

Vaginal ring  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
22 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  6th Jun 24

NuvaRing  

I like the ring, I have gained a bit of weight though. I am also very nervous about blood clot risk so I might switch to minipill, but the ring has made my periods very bearable and I can choose to only have them every two months! I also had a decrease in body acne on the ring, particularly on my back. I would recommend this method if you are not overweight, smoke, or are over 35 as the risk of blood clots goes does a lot and it’s easy to use! I also have experienced headaches for the first time in my life since being on this, they’re mild but not fun.


Improved skin

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Vaginal ring  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
38 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  17th Mar 24

Annovera ring  

This birth control caused me to have 2 strokes and I almost died. I do not recommend it at all. My doctor insisted I use it and within the first year I had more frequent and more severe headaches. I gained a ton of weight and my cholesterol shot up despite my being a very active vegetarian and working with a dietician. After 18 months on it I had my first stroke and it went undiagnosed, I had a severe headache and I went blind. The hospital sent me home and told me it was "just a migraine." 10 months later I had a massive bilateral stroke that has ruined my life. I am only in my 30s. Run far away from this medication.


Somewhat negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Vaginal ring  
Used for 8+ yr
29 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  2nd Feb 24

NuvaRing  

I was on this birth control for 10 years until I got a blood clot and had to be on blood thinners for a month. Not fun.


Somewhat negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Vaginal ring  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
22 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  6th Jun 24

NuvaRing  

I like the ring, I have gained a bit of weight though. I am also very nervous about blood clot risk so I might switch to minipill, but the ring has made my periods very bearable and I can choose to only have them every two months! I also had a decrease in body acne on the ring, particularly on my back. I would recommend this method if you are not overweight, smoke, or are over 35 as the risk of blood clots goes does a lot and it’s easy to use! I also have experienced headaches for the first time in my life since being on this, they’re mild but not fun.


Improved skin

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Vaginal ring  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
38 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  17th Mar 24

Annovera ring  

This birth control caused me to have 2 strokes and I almost died. I do not recommend it at all. My doctor insisted I use it and within the first year I had more frequent and more severe headaches. I gained a ton of weight and my cholesterol shot up despite my being a very active vegetarian and working with a dietician. After 18 months on it I had my first stroke and it went undiagnosed, I had a severe headache and I went blind. The hospital sent me home and told me it was "just a migraine." 10 months later I had a massive bilateral stroke that has ruined my life. I am only in my 30s. Run far away from this medication.


Somewhat negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Vaginal ring  
Used for 8+ yr
29 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  2nd Feb 24

NuvaRing  

I was on this birth control for 10 years until I got a blood clot and had to be on blood thinners for a month. Not fun.


Somewhat negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Vaginal ring  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
27 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  21st Jan 24

Annovera ring  

I’m not a birth control novice and wanted to try Annovera due to its novel progestin and ease of use. It’s worth noting that I’m extremely sensitive to progestin related side effects. I have never felt worse in my life than the week I used this ring. I endured episodes of uncontrollable vomiting, horrendous body aches, and a constant feeling of internal rage!! Plus, the level of discharge it caused was frankly disturbing and unlike anything I’ve experienced in the past. Felt better almost immediately upon removal. Obviously every person’s experience will be unique but I definitely wouldn’t recommend Annovera to anyone.


Very negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Vaginal ring  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
37 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  14th Jan 24

NuvaRing  

First three months were great. No period no break through bleeding no side effects. On month 4 I started having extreme cramps and breakthrough bleeding often. I would remove ring (1 hour) and re insert it due to the cramps. I even tried having regular cycles. Nothing helped with bleeding or cramps. I like not having to take a pill everyday, but I don’t think it’s worth the cramps and break through bleeding.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

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

NuvaRing  

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


Somewhat negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

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

NuvaRing  

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!


Very positive mood

0 helpful

0 comments

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

NuvaRing  

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.


Decreased sex drive

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

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

NuvaRing  

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.


Improved skin

2 more effects

1 helpful

0 comments

Birth control alternatives and comparisons

Compare the Combination birth control pill with other birth control

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