Contraception Reviews

Vaginal ring vs Combination birth control pill

Vaginal ring

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Combination birth control pill

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Overview

Rated 3.2

14 reviews

3 weekly

Frequency

91% - 99+%

Effectiveness

Increased

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Rated 3.3

109 reviews

Daily

Frequency

91% - 99+%

Effectiveness

Increased

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Vaginal ring ingredients

Main hormones in Vaginal ring

progestin


Combination pill ingredients

Main hormones in Combination pill

estrogen

What Lowdown reviewers say

Mood

43% no impact on mood

Bleeds

36% lighter periods

Sex drive

57% lost sex drive

Weight

57% gained weight

Skin

36% no impact on skin

Cycle return

40% in 1 month

Mood

28% no impact on mood

Bleeds

31% lighter periods

Sex drive

39% lost sex drive

Weight

43% no impact

Skin

40% improved skin

Cycle return

41% 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

Vaginal ring reviews

14 reviews

Vaginal ring  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
18 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  6 days ago

NuvaRing  

I believe this birth control is very effective and better than others, though it's given me a lot to deal with mentally. My sex drive has decreased drastically and it makes me feel disconnected with my body so I'm considering trying a new route.

Read more

Somewhat positive mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Vaginal ring  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
21 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  24th Apr 25

NuvaRing  

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

Vaginal ring  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
31 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  6th Apr 25

NuvaRing  

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

Vaginal ring  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
18 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  6 days ago

NuvaRing  

I believe this birth control is very effective and better than others, though it's given me a lot to deal with mentally. My sex drive has decreased drastically and it makes me feel disconnected with my body so I'm considering trying a new route.


Somewhat positive mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Vaginal ring  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
21 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  24th Apr 25

NuvaRing  

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

Vaginal ring  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
31 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  6th Apr 25

NuvaRing  

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


Combination birth control pill reviews

109 reviews

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 8+ yr
41 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  2 weeks ago

Yaz birth control pill  

I’ve tried the shot, the ring, different pills, this is the one. Weight gain was an important factor as was acne. I have not gained weight and have had only an occasional acne bump likely due to another cause. For birth control, just make sure you take the pill daily at the same time. I no longer experience mood swings or pms in anyway. I also do not have periods bc with my doctor’s approval, I take the pill straight through each month due to endometriosis.


Somewhat positive mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  2 weeks ago

Apri birth control pill  

Na


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

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

Combination birth control pill  

Not pleasant. Slynd seems to yes, decrease my flow, but the side effects are horrendous


Worse skin

1 more effect

12 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 8+ yr
41 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  2 weeks ago

Yaz birth control pill  

I’ve tried the shot, the ring, different pills, this is the one. Weight gain was an important factor as was acne. I have not gained weight and have had only an occasional acne bump likely due to another cause. For birth control, just make sure you take the pill daily at the same time. I no longer experience mood swings or pms in anyway. I also do not have periods bc with my doctor’s approval, I take the pill straight through each month due to endometriosis.


Somewhat positive mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  2 weeks ago

Apri birth control pill  

Na


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

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

Combination birth control pill  

Not pleasant. Slynd seems to yes, decrease my flow, but the side effects are horrendous


Worse skin

1 more effect

12 helpful

0 comments

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

Loryna birth control pill  

Began experiencing yeast infections almost immediately after beginning medications, even though I’ve had zero history of yeast infections in the past. Also experienced increase vaginal dryness with painful intercourse. Last but not least, I feel like my depression has been worse.


Very negative mood

2 more effects

12 helpful

0 comments

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

Yasmin birth control pill  

.


Improved skin

12 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
30 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  28th Apr 25

Hailey Fe 1/20 birth control pill  

So far, I have not had the great experience. I keep spotting a lot after my period ended and seems like it’s never ending so far no cramping, but never experienced this before.


Very positive mood

11 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
44 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  21st Apr 25

Nikki birth control pill  

Headaches when using placebo pills. Improved when taken continuously but then had weeks of spotting. Thighs noticeably bigger. Weight increase 2-3 pounds over 3 months. Previously on Yaz in my late 20s and early 30s - loved it. This one did not work for me in my mid 40s


Somewhat positive mood

3 more effects

3 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 5 - 8 yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  10th Apr 25

Mili birth control pill  

No see drive. Gained 15 pounds over 6 years, mostly at the start. Can't seem to lose weight. It's the only bc pill that doesn't seem to affect my heart arrhythmia. Got pregnant twice on this stuff though!


Somewhat negative mood

3 more effects

3 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
24 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  10th Apr 25

Estarylla birth control pill  

I actually really enjoyed the effect Estarylla had on my mood. It helped me through PPD (in combination with prenatals and exercise). However, it gave me nasty cystic acne, so I had to switch. Other birth controls have messed with my mood negatively, so I was really bummed to give this one up after the positive effect it had. The sex was good, too.


Somewhat positive mood

1 more effect

1 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
43 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  8th Apr 25

Combination birth control pill  

Not at all


Somewhat positive mood

1 more effect

1 helpful

0 comments

Birth control alternatives and comparisons

Compare the Vaginal ring with other birth control

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