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
43% no impact on mood
36% lighter periods
57% lost sex drive
57% gained weight
36% no impact on skin
40% in 1 month
28% no impact on mood
31% lighter periods
39% lost sex drive
43% no impact
40% improved skin
41% in 1 month
Check out our latest reviews
Real life reviews from people like you
Vaginal ring reviews
14 reviews
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
18 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 6 days ago
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 1 - 3 mo
21 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 24th Apr 25
Easy, lacks significant side effects (for me), has worked thus far, BUT I think my period is heavier and the body cramps are worse than normal
Worse skin
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
31 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 6th Apr 25
I love being able to control when I can start my period but my low to no sex drive isn’t for me. My cramping is just as bad (if not worse) than before going on it (the whole reason my gyn prescribed it) but I also now have more clots and dark blood on my period. I can tell my hormones are more regulated though and that’s been good for me mental health most days.
Improved skin
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
18 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 6 days ago
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 1 - 3 mo
21 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 24th Apr 25
Easy, lacks significant side effects (for me), has worked thus far, BUT I think my period is heavier and the body cramps are worse than normal
Worse skin
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
31 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 6th Apr 25
I love being able to control when I can start my period but my low to no sex drive isn’t for me. My cramping is just as bad (if not worse) than before going on it (the whole reason my gyn prescribed it) but I also now have more clots and dark blood on my period. I can tell my hormones are more regulated though and that’s been good for me mental health most days.
Improved skin
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Combination birth control pill reviews
109 reviews
Used for 8+ yr
41 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 2 weeks ago
I’ve tried the shot, the ring, different pills, this is the one. Weight gain was an important factor as was acne. I have not gained weight and have had only an occasional acne bump likely due to another cause. For birth control, just make sure you take the pill daily at the same time. I no longer experience mood swings or pms in anyway. I also do not have periods bc with my doctor’s approval, I take the pill straight through each month due to endometriosis.
Somewhat positive mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 2 weeks ago
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
36 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 1 month ago
Not pleasant. Slynd seems to yes, decrease my flow, but the side effects are horrendous
Worse skin
1 more effect
12 helpful
0 comments
Used for 8+ yr
41 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 2 weeks ago
I’ve tried the shot, the ring, different pills, this is the one. Weight gain was an important factor as was acne. I have not gained weight and have had only an occasional acne bump likely due to another cause. For birth control, just make sure you take the pill daily at the same time. I no longer experience mood swings or pms in anyway. I also do not have periods bc with my doctor’s approval, I take the pill straight through each month due to endometriosis.
Somewhat positive mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 2 weeks ago
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
36 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 1 month ago
Not pleasant. Slynd seems to yes, decrease my flow, but the side effects are horrendous
Worse skin
1 more effect
12 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
31 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 1 month ago
Began experiencing yeast infections almost immediately after beginning medications, even though I’ve had zero history of yeast infections in the past. Also experienced increase vaginal dryness with painful intercourse. Last but not least, I feel like my depression has been worse.
Very negative mood
2 more effects
12 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
28 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 1 month ago
Improved skin
12 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
30 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 28th Apr 25
So far, I have not had the great experience. I keep spotting a lot after my period ended and seems like it’s never ending so far no cramping, but never experienced this before.
Very positive mood
11 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
44 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 21st Apr 25
Headaches when using placebo pills. Improved when taken continuously but then had weeks of spotting. Thighs noticeably bigger. Weight increase 2-3 pounds over 3 months. Previously on Yaz in my late 20s and early 30s - loved it. This one did not work for me in my mid 40s
Somewhat positive mood
3 more effects
3 helpful
0 comments
Used for 5 - 8 yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 10th Apr 25
No see drive. Gained 15 pounds over 6 years, mostly at the start. Can't seem to lose weight. It's the only bc pill that doesn't seem to affect my heart arrhythmia. Got pregnant twice on this stuff though!
Somewhat negative mood
3 more effects
3 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
24 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 10th Apr 25
I actually really enjoyed the effect Estarylla had on my mood. It helped me through PPD (in combination with prenatals and exercise). However, it gave me nasty cystic acne, so I had to switch. Other birth controls have messed with my mood negatively, so I was really bummed to give this one up after the positive effect it had. The sex was good, too.
Somewhat positive mood
1 more effect
1 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
43 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 8th Apr 25
Somewhat positive mood
1 more effect
1 helpful
0 comments
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