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
44% no impact on mood
44% lighter periods
56% lost sex drive
50% gained weight
38% no impact on skin
40% in 1 month
29% no impact on mood
31% lighter periods
37% lost sex drive
44% no impact
41% improved skin
39% in 1 month
Check out our latest reviews
Real life reviews from people like you
Vaginal ring reviews
16 reviews
Used for 3 - 5 yr
27 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 2 weeks ago
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
18 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 23rd May 25
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
Used for 3 - 5 yr
27 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 2 weeks ago
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
18 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 23rd May 25
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
Combination birth control pill reviews
121 reviews
Used for 3 - 5 yr
48 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 1 week ago
I loved this for helping prevent migraines (taking continuously) and helping even out my moods. But I just realized it is probably what is causing my hair loss. Looking to change to a lower androgen pill like Yasmin
Very positive mood
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
23 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 2 weeks ago
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
19 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 2 weeks ago
The only side effects for me personally, is when every time I am starting the first hormonal pill again after the placebo week, I wake up very nauseous. But on the second day your body should adjust to it again and it will go away. Other ones is decreased sex drive, slight vagina, dryness, and I also cry more often. Other than that, the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. So I like this one.
Somewhat negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 5 yr
48 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 1 week ago
I loved this for helping prevent migraines (taking continuously) and helping even out my moods. But I just realized it is probably what is causing my hair loss. Looking to change to a lower androgen pill like Yasmin
Very positive mood
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
23 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 2 weeks ago
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
19 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 2 weeks ago
The only side effects for me personally, is when every time I am starting the first hormonal pill again after the placebo week, I wake up very nauseous. But on the second day your body should adjust to it again and it will go away. Other ones is decreased sex drive, slight vagina, dryness, and I also cry more often. Other than that, the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. So I like this one.
Somewhat negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
46 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 3 weeks ago
Works to regulate period but did a number on me mentally.
Very negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 12 - 18 mo
24 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 3 weeks ago
I've been continuously cycling with these pills (skipping periods) and I've found a lot of my period and pre-period symptoms have improved! My doctor recommended this because of my PMDD and hormonal acne and I've found that both are easier to manage on this pill.
Somewhat positive mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
23 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 8th Jul 25
i’ve been on sronyx for 6+ years and since its been discontinued my pharmacy gave me aviane. i took one pack for the month and experienced the worst anxiety, nausea, mood swings, irritability, and general pain. it also caused heavy period like breakthrough bleeding and i do NOT ever want to take this afain
Very negative mood
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 5 - 8 yr
23 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 8th Jul 25
been on sronyx for 6 years and it’s been great. only take like 3 periods a year and literally no issues ever. so sad this has been discontinued bec i am terrified to switch
Improved skin
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 5 yr
21 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 30th Jun 25
The pill was a great experience for me. I’d recommend it if you are someone capable of remembering to take it at the same time everyday. Also, I always know exactly when my period will be. Acne went away and no major side effects. The only potential negative is you have to deal with pharmacies and getting your prescription renewed regularly. I’m about to start a demanding job and am switching to an IUD for convenience.
Improved skin
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
20 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 24th Jun 25
I have pmdd and the progesterone in this pill is known to not be great for that, so take this review with a grain of salt. The first day I was a little nauseous and had some headaches but nothing that major. My boobs hurt for the first month and after that the pain started to subside. What got me was the emotional side effect. When I get pms I tend to get really depressed and anxious and I get extra sensitive to how people act around me. On Audra, every day of the active pills was like that. There was a point towards the end of the first pack where I felt so depressed that I could barely get myself out of bed. Things that wouldn’t bother me usually started causing mental breakdowns. I started avoiding people because I felt like everyone hated me and that everything I said was wrong. All of the feelings were similar to what I experience with my pmdd, but it can be very debilitating experiencing that everyday rather than a few days every month. The only relief I got was when I started the placebo pills, I felt like myself for the first time since starting the pills, and my roommate even mentioned I seemed happier all of the sudden, though I do think it’s made my period cramps last longer (I’m usually fine after day one but on day three I was still feeling slight cramps). The second month wasn’t as bad but I was still crying everyday about things that did not warrant me crying lol. I ended up talking to my doc and we’ve decided to switch pills because I don’t think I can deal with this anymore. The first two days being off were rough since I stopped in the middle of the second pack. I started crying hysterically about something the first night and then spent the next day feeling numb and lying in bed. But after that I had my period and I finally feel like myself again. Hopefully the next pill will work better.
Very negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
34 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 19th Jun 25
I’ve heard this birth control is supposed to be helpful for acne, but I have been flushed since I started taking it and seen a couple breakouts, and I haven’t even finished my first pack yet. I have also been sweating profusely off and on since the second week of taking it. Those are the most significant side effects I’ve noticed. I did just have my Mirena IUD removed after my uterus tried to absorb it, so these effects could be related to that. I’ve been on many different birth control pills over the past 15 years and usually I have no side effects after the first month or two, so we’ll see.
Decreased sex drive
0 helpful
0 comments
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