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
33% no impact on mood
44% lighter periods
56% lost sex drive
67% gained weight
33% improved skin
33% in 1 month
29% somewhat negative
30% lighter periods
39% lost sex drive
45% no impact
40% improved skin
41% in 1 month
Check out our latest reviews
Real life reviews from people like you
Vaginal ring reviews
9 reviews
Used for 12 - 18 mo
22 years old
🇺🇸 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
38 years old
🇺🇸 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
29 years old
🇺🇸 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 12 - 18 mo
22 years old
🇺🇸 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
38 years old
🇺🇸 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
29 years old
🇺🇸 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
Combination birth control pill reviews
83 reviews
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
29 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 3 weeks ago
This birth control made me have headaches, nausea, and very decreased sex drive, will be switching back to sprintec.
Somewhat negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
26 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 1 month ago
Turned me into some kind of testosterone fueled rage monster for two months straight? In addition to severe acne, back pain, and constant sweating.
Very negative mood
3 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
26 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 1 month ago
Terrible, severe depression within a few days of use. Have not experienced mood swings that bad before or since. At least the packaging is cute?
Very negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
29 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 3 weeks ago
This birth control made me have headaches, nausea, and very decreased sex drive, will be switching back to sprintec.
Somewhat negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
26 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 1 month ago
Turned me into some kind of testosterone fueled rage monster for two months straight? In addition to severe acne, back pain, and constant sweating.
Very negative mood
3 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
26 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 1 month ago
Terrible, severe depression within a few days of use. Have not experienced mood swings that bad before or since. At least the packaging is cute?
Very negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
19 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 15th Oct 24
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
Used for 1 - 3 mo
32 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 8th Oct 24
Quiero vajar la meuctracion con estas pastillas
Very positive mood
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
43 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 21st Sep 24
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
Used for 1 - 3 mo
32 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 11th Sep 24
I switched from Yasmin to Jasmiel and it’s better because Yasmin was giving me crazy migraines, and now I don’t have them anymore. The only thing is that Jasmiel is making me sweat, and also sometimes I’ve not gotten my period although I’m not pregnant.
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 5 yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 6th Sep 24
Somewhat negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
29 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 15th Aug 24
I have been on this for less than a week, and I've cried more times in the past two days than I could in a year. I have been so depressed and moody, even my coworkers are noticing. It is sad. I have been debating on stopping this pill. I also have had all the worst cramps while not even bleeding. It just has not been a good week! and it is really taking a toll on me, I feel like I have my period all day everyday for the week just without the blood.
Very negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
19 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 6th Aug 24
I had one day of breakthrough bleeding, which was nice. At about day 9, I had sudden intense cramping, and I thought it was my ovary. Still haven't confirmed this, but I have not experienced that until I started the pill. I had cramps for the 6 weeks I was on it, and many days I was nauseous. I had a headache everyday, but I thought I could handle these physical symptoms since I felt it improved my mood some days. However, after having my first period on the pill (longer than usual, bad cramps, nausea), my mood dropped and I got very suicidal and had to stop taking the pill.
Somewhat negative mood
0 helpful
0 comments
Don’t keep it on the DL.Put it on the LD.
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