Vaginal ring vs Combination birth control pill
Vaginal ring ingredients
Main hormones in Vaginal ring
progestin
Combination pill ingredients
Main hormones in Combination pill
estrogen
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
28% no impact on mood
32% lighter periods
37% lost sex drive
44% no impact
39% improved skin
35% in 1 month
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
• 2nd Feb 26
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
• 2nd Feb 26
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
Combination birth control pill reviews
142 reviews
Used for 3 - 6 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 5 days ago
I really enjoy taking this brand. It still feels like I am me at the end of the day and I’m in control of my emotions and not hindered by excessive hormones.
Very positive mood
3 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
48 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 6 days ago
Omg the lower back pain and the leg pain was unreal. I thought something was very very wrong with me but when I stopped taking this is went away.
Somewhat negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
49 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 3 weeks ago
I went on this pill for pre-menopause symptoms that were driving me crazy (hot flashes, really bad sleep disruptions). It worked really well, but there was one side effect that I couldn't handle. I couldn't wear my contacts anymore, and my eyes were always really dry and itchy. When I tried to wear my contacts, they would get a film on them after only and hour or two of wearing, which would make it seem like I was looking through a mist, and lights had halos around them, which made night driving totally unsafe. If it wasn't for that I'd still be taking them. I really liked how much lighter and shorter my period was while I was on it, because my normal period was really heavy and and crampy and lengthy.
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 5 days ago
I really enjoy taking this brand. It still feels like I am me at the end of the day and I’m in control of my emotions and not hindered by excessive hormones.
Very positive mood
3 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
48 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 6 days ago
Omg the lower back pain and the leg pain was unreal. I thought something was very very wrong with me but when I stopped taking this is went away.
Somewhat negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
49 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 3 weeks ago
I went on this pill for pre-menopause symptoms that were driving me crazy (hot flashes, really bad sleep disruptions). It worked really well, but there was one side effect that I couldn't handle. I couldn't wear my contacts anymore, and my eyes were always really dry and itchy. When I tried to wear my contacts, they would get a film on them after only and hour or two of wearing, which would make it seem like I was looking through a mist, and lights had halos around them, which made night driving totally unsafe. If it wasn't for that I'd still be taking them. I really liked how much lighter and shorter my period was while I was on it, because my normal period was really heavy and and crampy and lengthy.
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 1 month ago
Very negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
31 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 16th Mar 26
I was fine when I started taking it last month until I had break through bleeding that is going on for 3 weeks. The pads are becoming irritating.
Worse skin
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 12th Mar 26
it’s making me sad and angry and anxious all the time. i’m also cramping more then usual.
Very positive mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
19 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 17th Feb 26
The loss of sex drive and vaginal dryness is affecting my relationship
Somewhat negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 12 - 18 mo
15 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 9th Feb 26
The head aches are not to bad but the font go away with meds
Very positive mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 5th Jan 26
This birth control has been GAME CHANGER for me. My periods are almost non-existent, seriously, so light I barely notice! My cramps are also almost NEVER there when my period comes. Before, I would have crippling pain and a heavy, inconsistent period. In the first month or two of taking the pill, I did notice a frequent occurrence of headaches, but nothing major or unbearable. Also, no weight gain!! I used to occasionally have acne, but that seems completely gone now too. I do feel my mood has improved considerably as well. Endlessly grateful for this pill, I hope it works for many others when they try it!
Very positive mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 5 yr
28 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 28th Dec 25
I got on this birth control because I was having mood swings and was feeling irritable and not like myself on the birth control pill I was on before. This one helped my mood a lot and my periods have been short and light on it (bleeding for 2-3 days and spotting for 1-2 days).
Somewhat positive mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
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