Contraceptive gel vs Vaginal ring
Contraceptive gel ingredients
Vaginal ring ingredients
Main hormones in Vaginal ring
progestin
What Lowdown reviewers say
50% very positive
75% no change
75% increased sex drive
50% no impact
100% no impact on skin
100% don’t know impact
46% no impact on mood
31% regular periods
54% lost sex drive
54% gained weight
31% improved skin
40% in 1 month
Check out our latest reviews
Real life reviews from people like you
Contraceptive gel reviews
4 reviews
Used for 8+ yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 17th Apr 24
Birth control implant I have had this birth control for 10 years (3 implants). It makes your period lighter and more regular, or takes it away completely; I had a birth control pill ( i'm not sure if the name) prescribed beforehand and i could not stand that one.
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 12 - 18 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 12th Jan 24
I feel like I've tried every birth control out there. Pills, patches rings, IUDs - with the exception of depo, you name it, I've tried it. But Phexxi has been a game changer for me! I never felt "whole" on hormonal methods or the IUDs, but with Phexxi I don't have to deal with hormonal side effects and I only use it when I need it. Super easy to use, not messy, and I feel like myself again!
Very positive mood
1 more effect
1 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 12th Jan 24
Love that I can use Phexxi only when I need it. I do not like adding hormones to my body. I really love the lubricating effect, makes for even better sex!
Very positive mood
1 more effect
2 helpful
0 comments
Used for 8+ yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 17th Apr 24
Birth control implant I have had this birth control for 10 years (3 implants). It makes your period lighter and more regular, or takes it away completely; I had a birth control pill ( i'm not sure if the name) prescribed beforehand and i could not stand that one.
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 12 - 18 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 12th Jan 24
I feel like I've tried every birth control out there. Pills, patches rings, IUDs - with the exception of depo, you name it, I've tried it. But Phexxi has been a game changer for me! I never felt "whole" on hormonal methods or the IUDs, but with Phexxi I don't have to deal with hormonal side effects and I only use it when I need it. Super easy to use, not messy, and I feel like myself again!
Very positive mood
1 more effect
1 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 12th Jan 24
Love that I can use Phexxi only when I need it. I do not like adding hormones to my body. I really love the lubricating effect, makes for even better sex!
Very positive mood
1 more effect
2 helpful
0 comments
Vaginal ring reviews
13 reviews
Used for 1 - 3 mo
21 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 3 weeks ago
Easy, lacks significant side effects (for me), has worked thus far, BUT I think my period is heavier and the body cramps are worse than normal
Worse skin
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
31 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 6th Apr 25
I love being able to control when I can start my period but my low to no sex drive isn’t for me. My cramping is just as bad (if not worse) than before going on it (the whole reason my gyn prescribed it) but I also now have more clots and dark blood on my period. I can tell my hormones are more regulated though and that’s been good for me mental health most days.
Improved skin
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 8+ yr
42 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 6th Apr 25
I used nuva ring for 10+ years and had no side effects I left it in for 1 month removed it and put in a new ring and never had a period.
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
21 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 3 weeks ago
Easy, lacks significant side effects (for me), has worked thus far, BUT I think my period is heavier and the body cramps are worse than normal
Worse skin
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
31 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 6th Apr 25
I love being able to control when I can start my period but my low to no sex drive isn’t for me. My cramping is just as bad (if not worse) than before going on it (the whole reason my gyn prescribed it) but I also now have more clots and dark blood on my period. I can tell my hormones are more regulated though and that’s been good for me mental health most days.
Improved skin
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 8+ yr
42 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 6th Apr 25
I used nuva ring for 10+ years and had no side effects I left it in for 1 month removed it and put in a new ring and never had a period.
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
22 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 17th Mar 25
Although I didn't get any physical symptoms, I did find notable mental side effects. History: I did have anxiety before starting the medication. Beginning (first month): I was an absolute raging b*tch. I could not control my anger. I was angry and crying all the time. I couldn't focus on anything. It was horrible. I felt like a monster. After the first month symptoms definitely leveled out. Like I said, no physical symptoms, but I noticed that the brain fog/inability to focus continued and although I did not experience clinical depression, I did feel like I just lost my overall happiness.
Somewhat negative mood
1 more effect
1 helpful
0 comments
Used for 12 - 18 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 6th Jun 24
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
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 17th Mar 24
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
Used for 8+ yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 2nd Feb 24
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
Used for 1 - 3 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 21st Jan 24
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
Used for 6 - 12 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 14th Jan 24
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
Used for 12 - 18 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 24th Oct 23
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
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