Contraception Reviews

Vaginal ring vs Combination birth control pill

Vaginal ring

Want to switch birth control?

Combination birth control pill

Want to switch birth control?

Overview

Rated 3.0

9 reviews

3 weekly

Frequency

91% - 99+%

Effectiveness

Increased

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Rated 3.3

94 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

33% no impact on mood

Bleeds

44% lighter periods

Sex drive

56% lost sex drive

Weight

67% gained weight

Skin

33% improved skin

Cycle return

33% in 1 month

Mood

28% no impact on mood

Bleeds

29% regular periods

Sex drive

39% lost sex drive

Weight

43% no impact

Skin

40% improved skin

Cycle return

42% 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

Try it now

Want to switch birth control?

Try it now

Want to switch birth control?

Check out our latest reviews

Real life reviews from people like you

Vaginal ring reviews

9 reviews

Vaginal ring  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  6th Jun 24

NuvaRing  

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.

Read more

Improved skin

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Vaginal ring  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  17th Mar 24

Annovera ring  

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

Vaginal ring  
Used for 8+ yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  2nd Feb 24

NuvaRing  

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

Vaginal ring  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  6th Jun 24

NuvaRing  

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

Vaginal ring  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  17th Mar 24

Annovera ring  

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

Vaginal ring  
Used for 8+ yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  2nd Feb 24

NuvaRing  

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

94 reviews

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
52 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  today

Nortrel 7/7/7 birth control pill  

no noted side effects very happy with this medication was switched to sprintec and not happy at all with sprintec


Very positive mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
23 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  today

Lutera birth control pill  

I actually didn't really have any "normal" side effects with this pill, I felt like I was mostly normal. But I did notice that my hair was gradually thinning, and it felt like it triggered some form of chronic hair loss for me. Interestingly enough, while it wasn't a huge issue, I noticed that I had "stinky" periods? I stopped having them after I stopped the pill.


Worse skin

0 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 5 - 8 yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  1 week ago

Vestura birth control pill  

Being on this actually helps me to get fewer menstrual migraines. I don’t seem to have had any truly bad side effects over the years I’ve been taking it.


Improved skin

0 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
52 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  today

Nortrel 7/7/7 birth control pill  

no noted side effects very happy with this medication was switched to sprintec and not happy at all with sprintec


Very positive mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
23 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  today

Lutera birth control pill  

I actually didn't really have any "normal" side effects with this pill, I felt like I was mostly normal. But I did notice that my hair was gradually thinning, and it felt like it triggered some form of chronic hair loss for me. Interestingly enough, while it wasn't a huge issue, I noticed that I had "stinky" periods? I stopped having them after I stopped the pill.


Worse skin

0 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 5 - 8 yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  1 week ago

Vestura birth control pill  

Being on this actually helps me to get fewer menstrual migraines. I don’t seem to have had any truly bad side effects over the years I’ve been taking it.


Improved skin

0 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
25 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  2 weeks ago

Lo Loestrin Fe birth control pill  

I got major mood swings when skipping the placebo week, which is why I stopped.


Very negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

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

Vestura birth control pill  

I love my birth control


Very positive mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 8+ yr
39 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  17th Dec 24

Nortrel 0.5/35 birth control pill  

Overall discomfort.


Somewhat negative mood

3 more effects

3 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  10th Dec 24

Combination birth control pill  

Eh


Worse skin

2 more effects

3 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 8+ yr
32 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  10th Dec 24

Junel 21 1/20 birth control pill  

Lots and lots of weight gain to the tune of 70+ lbs in about 12 years currently. Been on depression medication for no energy and nothing has helped


Very negative mood

2 more effects

3 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
45 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  5th Dec 24

Beyaz birth control pill  

When I stop this medicine i get worse. I can t stay without yaz


Somewhat negative mood

3 more effects

2 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
20 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  4th Dec 24

Volnea birth control pill  

I've really enjoyed being on volnea but switching to one that helps acne more.


Lost weight

2 helpful

0 comments

Birth control alternatives and comparisons

Compare the Vaginal ring with other birth control

Don’t keep it on the DL.Put it on the LD.

Slide into our DMs

hello@thelowdown.com

Sitemap

©The Lowdown 2025