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
38% 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
• 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
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
• 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
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
126 reviews
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
18 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 2 weeks ago
hey readers! i’m 18 and have been on it since 15. my periods were 50-70 days late and now i can pin it down on a calander! i’ve always been slimmer due to my sickness (cvs) and this has helped it tremendously too, i haven’t noticed much weight gain. (shoutout to my gyno) that being said my friends have had some other feedback so it is very personal to your body. but for me it has been life changing! i am considering maybe a shorter period length now that mine are 4 days and not 7.
Very positive mood
1 more effect
1 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
44 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 3 weeks ago
Decreased sex drive
1 more effect
1 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
50 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 1 month ago
Very negative mood
2 more effects
1 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
18 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 2 weeks ago
hey readers! i’m 18 and have been on it since 15. my periods were 50-70 days late and now i can pin it down on a calander! i’ve always been slimmer due to my sickness (cvs) and this has helped it tremendously too, i haven’t noticed much weight gain. (shoutout to my gyno) that being said my friends have had some other feedback so it is very personal to your body. but for me it has been life changing! i am considering maybe a shorter period length now that mine are 4 days and not 7.
Very positive mood
1 more effect
1 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
44 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 3 weeks ago
Decreased sex drive
1 more effect
1 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
50 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 1 month ago
Very negative mood
2 more effects
1 helpful
0 comments
Used for 12 - 18 mo
28 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 24th Aug 25
Made my chin area have uncontrollable hormonal acne. Breakthrough bleeding from intimacy and pretty bad PMS symptoms for days before.
Somewhat negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
28 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 24th Aug 25
Went on Yasmin for helping acne and breakthrough bleeding. Completely cleared my skin. I did have a full heavy period for 3 weeks out of 4. Waited out incase it would go away. It did not
Improved skin
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 5 yr
48 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 3rd Aug 25
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
• 2nd Aug 25
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
19 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 1st Aug 25
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
• 26th Jul 25
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
• 21st Jul 25
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
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