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 4.3

4 reviews

3 weekly

Frequency

91% - 99+%

Effectiveness

Increased

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Rated 3.6

27 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

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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Real life reviews from people like you

Vaginal ring reviews

4 reviews

Used for 12 - 18 mo
19 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  24th Oct 23

  •  Stopped using

Very easy to use. Periods were heavy at first but very light on last days. Main problem was discharge. Caused a increase in my migraines

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Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 8+ yr
42 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  5th Oct 23

  •  Still using

I’ve used NuvaRing for over 20years and highly recommend it. It’s super easy to put in and take out. And I really like that I don’t have to worried about it for 3 weeks!


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
28 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  4th Oct 23

  •  Still using

I generally like my Nuvaring, when I'm responsible about using it correctly. I feel confident that it works and I can forget about it most of the time, until I forget to take it out or put it in on the right day. I have used it to skip a period every once in a while. When used inconsistently like that, in combo with not taking out or putting in on the right days, I developed terrible migraines and strange neurological symptoms, like lightheadedness and scalp numbness/tingling. But when I used it regularly again, the symptoms disappeared. I do think I gained weight on it.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 12 - 18 mo
19 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  24th Oct 23

  •  Stopped using

Very easy to use. Periods were heavy at first but very light on last days. Main problem was discharge. Caused a increase in my migraines


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 8+ yr
42 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  5th Oct 23

  •  Still using

I’ve used NuvaRing for over 20years and highly recommend it. It’s super easy to put in and take out. And I really like that I don’t have to worried about it for 3 weeks!


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
28 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  4th Oct 23

  •  Still using

I generally like my Nuvaring, when I'm responsible about using it correctly. I feel confident that it works and I can forget about it most of the time, until I forget to take it out or put it in on the right day. I have used it to skip a period every once in a while. When used inconsistently like that, in combo with not taking out or putting in on the right days, I developed terrible migraines and strange neurological symptoms, like lightheadedness and scalp numbness/tingling. But when I used it regularly again, the symptoms disappeared. I do think I gained weight on it.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments


Combination birth control pill reviews

27 reviews

Used for 6 - 12 mo
31 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  today

  •  Still using

It has been great and I have had no adverse effects


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 3 - 6 mo
20 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  1 month ago

  •  Stopped using

I first went on this bc for heavy periods that gave me awful cramps (would throw up and almost pass out). I’ve always had overall regular periods, this did not change on the pill. My periods did get soo much better (lighter and only 2-3 days, maybe spotting on day 4) and the cramps were so faint, I didn’t have to take any ibuprofen or Tylenol. I was on the pill for 6 months and 3 weeks. I do feel like it heightened my emotions at times (anxious and sad) which is one reason I took a break because I had a lot going on at the time and didn’t want to deal with that (graduation, relationship problems, worried about finding a job). I’ve never really had much acne, maybe a pimple or two around my period, but I do have bacne which completely went away on the pill. I did feel bloated around 5 months on the pill, and water retention maybe, because starting the pill I was 124 pounds and at month 6-7 before I stopped it was like 129-131. This could be stress and holiday foods too though I’m just not sure. Although I wasn’t having sex during this time (we were waiting till marriage) my libido was about the same, maybe even higher. But I wouldn’t know about dryness down there or in there, I could still get like wet not trying to be tmi… but overall I would say it’s pretty good. I may end up trying it again when I’m married. Bc is so personal, my experience may be completely different, you just have to try it :) best of wishes and I hope this was helpful! - JoAnna


Top side effects not reported

1 helpful

0 comments

Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
21 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  4th Nov 23

  •  Still using

My experience with Junel Fe 1.5/30 has been wonderful. I went from SUPER heavy 2 week-long periods, to the nexplanon which cause months of continuous bleeding and spotting when i wasnt 'actively' bleeding, and finally was prescibed junel fe 1.5/30. Junel Fe gave me the option to reduce the amount of periods I was having. I opted for once every 3 packs or 63 days. My periods have come exactly when they are supposed to, not late or early, they are lighter and the cramps are far less painful.


Top side effects not reported

1 helpful

0 comments

Used for 6 - 12 mo
31 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  today

  •  Still using

It has been great and I have had no adverse effects


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 3 - 6 mo
20 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  1 month ago

  •  Stopped using

I first went on this bc for heavy periods that gave me awful cramps (would throw up and almost pass out). I’ve always had overall regular periods, this did not change on the pill. My periods did get soo much better (lighter and only 2-3 days, maybe spotting on day 4) and the cramps were so faint, I didn’t have to take any ibuprofen or Tylenol. I was on the pill for 6 months and 3 weeks. I do feel like it heightened my emotions at times (anxious and sad) which is one reason I took a break because I had a lot going on at the time and didn’t want to deal with that (graduation, relationship problems, worried about finding a job). I’ve never really had much acne, maybe a pimple or two around my period, but I do have bacne which completely went away on the pill. I did feel bloated around 5 months on the pill, and water retention maybe, because starting the pill I was 124 pounds and at month 6-7 before I stopped it was like 129-131. This could be stress and holiday foods too though I’m just not sure. Although I wasn’t having sex during this time (we were waiting till marriage) my libido was about the same, maybe even higher. But I wouldn’t know about dryness down there or in there, I could still get like wet not trying to be tmi… but overall I would say it’s pretty good. I may end up trying it again when I’m married. Bc is so personal, my experience may be completely different, you just have to try it :) best of wishes and I hope this was helpful! - JoAnna


Top side effects not reported

1 helpful

0 comments

Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
21 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  4th Nov 23

  •  Still using

My experience with Junel Fe 1.5/30 has been wonderful. I went from SUPER heavy 2 week-long periods, to the nexplanon which cause months of continuous bleeding and spotting when i wasnt 'actively' bleeding, and finally was prescibed junel fe 1.5/30. Junel Fe gave me the option to reduce the amount of periods I was having. I opted for once every 3 packs or 63 days. My periods have come exactly when they are supposed to, not late or early, they are lighter and the cramps are far less painful.


Top side effects not reported

1 helpful

0 comments

Used for 1 - 3 mo
23 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  27th Oct 23

  •  Still using

Increased sex drive massively, skin is improving, and I feel happy and confident. I have tried multiple other pills and this one is a match for me.


Top side effects not reported

1 helpful

1 comments

Used for 3 - 5 yr
21 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  25th Oct 23

  •  Still using

I've been on this birth for a few years, and I've had few to no side effects. I got on birth control to regulate my periods and help my cramps. It's made my periods much lighter and more regular, and I've had much fewer cramps. Recently, I think the birth control has affected my anxiety levels. I'm very prone to anxiety, and I think the pills have heightened my emotions. However, I've adjusted my anxiety medication, and I feel normal.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

1 comments

Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
27 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  12th Oct 23

  •  Still using

I went on Loryna initially as a generic form of Yaz for my PMDD symptoms. I would bounce daily from full on rage to the deepest depression within a few minutes before being on these meds. Now everything is much more even and I feel that I can actually function in my day to day life. However, I have noticed that it has completely erased my sex drive to the point where I have to psych myself up for sex with my partner starting at least a day in advance to even feel a bit of desire. Before Loryna, I would be ready to go at the drop of a hat. I also have experienced a pretty significant increase in dryness, which I never had a problem with before, and I do not believe that age should be a factor in this just yet.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 1 - 3 mo
25 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  6th Oct 23

  •  Stopped using

It was fine at first, but then 3 weeks in I started feeling symptoms of depression. I felt sad and like I wanted to cry all of the time, which was unusual. It was hard for me to stay motivated, keep up with basic hygiene and getting out of bed in the morning. I stopped taking this pill and the symptoms completely went away for me! I ended up switching to a Mirena IUD and it was a great decision!


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 3 - 5 yr
22 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  28th Sep 23

  •  Still using

This isn’t the best birth control I’ve been on but I’ve been on worse pills. I mainly switched because my previous pill was negatively affecting my mood. This pill doesn’t! I do have the occasional spotting but for the most part my periods are regular and light!


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 6 - 12 mo
19 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  26th Sep 23

  •  Still using

This birth control has been effective with stopping pregnancy while giving me light periods with little to no side effects.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 6 - 12 mo
23 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  26th Sep 23

  •  Stopped using

Literally the god send pill that I started using on my study abroad year in America but can no longer access because I’m British and its only available in the US😭 Literally had no negative side effects apart from some nausea at the beginning that went away swiftly. PLS AUBRA, COME TO THE UK, I WILL PAY FOR YOU!!


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

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