Vaginal ring vs Cap or diaphragm
Vaginal ring ingredients
Main hormones in Vaginal ring
progestin
Cap or diaphragm ingredients
What Lowdown reviewers say
41% no impact on mood
41% lighter periods
59% lost sex drive
47% no impact
41% no impact on skin
40% in 1 month
67% no impact on mood
100% no change
67% no impact
100% no impact
100% no impact on skin
Not enough data to say
Check out our latest reviews
Real life reviews from people like you
Vaginal ring reviews
17 reviews
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
33 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 2 weeks ago
Used for 2,5 years, really lowed my libido after some month of use, get me a complete loss after some years. Later suspended for this same reason and because I had a vaginal yeast infection (not used precautions, such as vaginal ovuli with lactobacilli, useful in every hormonal contraception use). Tried years later, but had big problems with increased vaginal discharge (got a vaginal irritation caused by the costant humidity in my lady parts). Very practical (you can forget about it for 3 weeks), but lots of collateral effects (at least for me). You have to try ii to discover if it's good for you or if gives you difficult side effects (it's very personal). If none, can be a very good choise.
Somewhat negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 5 yr
27 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 31st Jul 25
I was put on the pill at 18 for irregular periods, had no problems after the normal first months of weight gain and mood changes. Later on I started a shift job in which I was on alternating shifts, 7a-7p, 11a-11p, 3p-3a, 7p-7a it was impossible to continue taking the pill at the same time everyday. Also I was working in a different state than my OBGYN and traveled alot so planning a procedure was not feasible. I was started on the ring and it was so much easier! My mood swings, breast tenderness were less, I lost some weight. Only thing was having all the symptoms of a 5 day period shoved into 3 days-so more blood and worse cramps. Previously I never needed a heating pad or meds-now I do BUT its only for 3 days. Overall best decision ever to switch to NuvaRing.
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 12 - 18 mo
24 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 30th Jun 25
Easy to use. However started having severe night sweats and have to sleep with AC very low. Love having regular periods. Went from 7 days of medium heavy bleeding to 3-4 light days. I did have a significant drop in my sex drive and it's now almost nonexistent which I did not know was a side effect. Overall though excellent birth control option
Somewhat positive mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
33 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 2 weeks ago
Used for 2,5 years, really lowed my libido after some month of use, get me a complete loss after some years. Later suspended for this same reason and because I had a vaginal yeast infection (not used precautions, such as vaginal ovuli with lactobacilli, useful in every hormonal contraception use). Tried years later, but had big problems with increased vaginal discharge (got a vaginal irritation caused by the costant humidity in my lady parts). Very practical (you can forget about it for 3 weeks), but lots of collateral effects (at least for me). You have to try ii to discover if it's good for you or if gives you difficult side effects (it's very personal). If none, can be a very good choise.
Somewhat negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 5 yr
27 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 31st Jul 25
I was put on the pill at 18 for irregular periods, had no problems after the normal first months of weight gain and mood changes. Later on I started a shift job in which I was on alternating shifts, 7a-7p, 11a-11p, 3p-3a, 7p-7a it was impossible to continue taking the pill at the same time everyday. Also I was working in a different state than my OBGYN and traveled alot so planning a procedure was not feasible. I was started on the ring and it was so much easier! My mood swings, breast tenderness were less, I lost some weight. Only thing was having all the symptoms of a 5 day period shoved into 3 days-so more blood and worse cramps. Previously I never needed a heating pad or meds-now I do BUT its only for 3 days. Overall best decision ever to switch to NuvaRing.
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 12 - 18 mo
24 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 30th Jun 25
Easy to use. However started having severe night sweats and have to sleep with AC very low. Love having regular periods. Went from 7 days of medium heavy bleeding to 3-4 light days. I did have a significant drop in my sex drive and it's now almost nonexistent which I did not know was a side effect. Overall though excellent birth control option
Somewhat positive mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Cap or diaphragm reviews
3 reviews
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
24 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 17th Apr 25
I’ve been using the FemCap for years now and honestly, I’m so impressed. It’s non-hormonal, super discreet, and once you get the hang of insertion, it’s incredibly easy to use. Highly recommend it to anyone looking for a hormone-free option.
Top side effects not reported
1 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
36 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 7th Jan 25
I had to come off hormonal contraception due to health reasons so needed a barrier method. It was quite awkward to insert and always had to keep checking it in case it dislodged itself, was sometimes painful or uncomfortable, my partner could feel it. I was also using an approved spermicide with it but still became pregnant within a month of use.
Somewhat negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 21st Sep 23
My very favorite thing about the Caya is that there really are no side effects. I am not putting anything into my body that is changing the way my body functions- I put it in, leave it in a while, and then I remove it. No hormones, nothing! I’ve been advised that while the Caya can be 80+% effective when used correctly, it’s best to use it with spermicide and condoms. It is tricky to insert the first few times but super easy to remove and I quickly got the hang of a quick and easy insertion! I did find it really difficult to find a pharmacy that sold the Caya (I guess they aren’t as popular now)- but all in all, it’s been fantastic so far! I love that my body gets to function as it normally would but that the Caya helps prevent pregnancy
Top side effects not reported
2 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
24 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 17th Apr 25
I’ve been using the FemCap for years now and honestly, I’m so impressed. It’s non-hormonal, super discreet, and once you get the hang of insertion, it’s incredibly easy to use. Highly recommend it to anyone looking for a hormone-free option.
Top side effects not reported
1 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
36 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 7th Jan 25
I had to come off hormonal contraception due to health reasons so needed a barrier method. It was quite awkward to insert and always had to keep checking it in case it dislodged itself, was sometimes painful or uncomfortable, my partner could feel it. I was also using an approved spermicide with it but still became pregnant within a month of use.
Somewhat negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 21st Sep 23
My very favorite thing about the Caya is that there really are no side effects. I am not putting anything into my body that is changing the way my body functions- I put it in, leave it in a while, and then I remove it. No hormones, nothing! I’ve been advised that while the Caya can be 80+% effective when used correctly, it’s best to use it with spermicide and condoms. It is tricky to insert the first few times but super easy to remove and I quickly got the hang of a quick and easy insertion! I did find it really difficult to find a pharmacy that sold the Caya (I guess they aren’t as popular now)- but all in all, it’s been fantastic so far! I love that my body gets to function as it normally would but that the Caya helps prevent pregnancy
Top side effects not reported
2 helpful
0 comments
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