Contraception Reviews

Vaginal ring vs Birth control implant

Vaginal ring

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Birth control implant

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Overview

Rated 3.4

17 reviews

3 weekly

Frequency

91% - 99+%

Effectiveness

Increased

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Rated 3.2

79 reviews

Every 3 years

Frequency

Over 99%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Vaginal ring ingredients

Main hormones in Vaginal ring

progestin


Birth control implant ingredients

Main hormones in Birth control implant

What Lowdown reviewers say

Mood

41% no impact on mood

Bleeds

41% lighter periods

Sex drive

59% lost sex drive

Weight

47% no impact

Skin

41% no impact on skin

Cycle return

40% in 1 month

Mood

28% no impact on mood

Bleeds

53% spotting

Sex drive

35% lost sex drive

Weight

47% gained weight

Skin

32% worse skin

Cycle return

46% in 1 month

Benefits: What this birth control can help with

Acne or bad skin

Heavy periods

PMS and PMDD

PCOS symptoms

Period pain

Period pain

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Check out our latest reviews

Real life reviews from people like you

Vaginal ring reviews

17 reviews

Vaginal ring  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
33 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  2nd Feb 26

NuvaRing  

Used for 2,5 years, really lowed my libido after some month of use, get me a complete loss after some years. Later suspended for this same reason and because I had a vaginal yeast infection (not used precautions, such as vaginal ovuli with lactobacilli, useful in every hormonal contraception use). Tried years later, but had big problems with increased vaginal discharge (got a vaginal irritation caused by the costant humidity in my lady parts). Very practical (you can forget about it for 3 weeks), but lots of collateral effects (at least for me). You have to try ii to discover if it's good for you or if gives you difficult side effects (it's very personal). If none, can be a very good choise.

Read more

Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Vaginal ring  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
27 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  31st Jul 25

NuvaRing  

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

Vaginal ring  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
24 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  30th Jun 25

NuvaRing  

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

Vaginal ring  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
33 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  2nd Feb 26

NuvaRing  

Used for 2,5 years, really lowed my libido after some month of use, get me a complete loss after some years. Later suspended for this same reason and because I had a vaginal yeast infection (not used precautions, such as vaginal ovuli with lactobacilli, useful in every hormonal contraception use). Tried years later, but had big problems with increased vaginal discharge (got a vaginal irritation caused by the costant humidity in my lady parts). Very practical (you can forget about it for 3 weeks), but lots of collateral effects (at least for me). You have to try ii to discover if it's good for you or if gives you difficult side effects (it's very personal). If none, can be a very good choise.


Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Vaginal ring  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
27 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  31st Jul 25

NuvaRing  

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

Vaginal ring  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
24 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  30th Jun 25

NuvaRing  

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


Birth control implant reviews

79 reviews

Birth control implant  
Used for 8+ yr
28 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  23rd Feb 26

Nexplanon implant  

Well I would like to speak to somebody what does it mean when I been on birth control when It ended my five years but keep forgetting about it I'm about 4 or 5 years over an still haven't taken it out please can y'all contact me an let me know if that really bad actually it might even be more than 5 years over mabe like 6 or 7 or 8 years over what isn't good or side affects or is it messing up my insides I need to know theses things please?


Very positive mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control implant  
Used for 8+ yr
47 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  15th Feb 26

Nexplanon implant  

I have had the implant inserted 3 times. First 2 times barely had a period here and there. Always had one for a little longer right after it was placed. But the last time over a year ago it was fine until the last 4 months. I have had a period about every 2 weeks. Starts stops, starts stops. Not sure why but super annoying. Better than the pill and having a pregnancy. My kids are grown. My period has always been 28 days like clockwork. Wish I could not have the sporadic spotting but what do we do??🤪.


Gained weight

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control implant  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
41 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  27th Jan 26

Nexplanon implant  

Gain a ton on weight and lost all sex drive.


Somewhat negative mood

3 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control implant  
Used for 8+ yr
28 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  23rd Feb 26

Nexplanon implant  

Well I would like to speak to somebody what does it mean when I been on birth control when It ended my five years but keep forgetting about it I'm about 4 or 5 years over an still haven't taken it out please can y'all contact me an let me know if that really bad actually it might even be more than 5 years over mabe like 6 or 7 or 8 years over what isn't good or side affects or is it messing up my insides I need to know theses things please?


Very positive mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control implant  
Used for 8+ yr
47 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  15th Feb 26

Nexplanon implant  

I have had the implant inserted 3 times. First 2 times barely had a period here and there. Always had one for a little longer right after it was placed. But the last time over a year ago it was fine until the last 4 months. I have had a period about every 2 weeks. Starts stops, starts stops. Not sure why but super annoying. Better than the pill and having a pregnancy. My kids are grown. My period has always been 28 days like clockwork. Wish I could not have the sporadic spotting but what do we do??🤪.


Gained weight

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control implant  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
41 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  27th Jan 26

Nexplanon implant  

Gain a ton on weight and lost all sex drive.


Somewhat negative mood

3 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control implant  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
18 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  23rd Jan 26

Nexplanon implant  

I’ve been on this for 2.5 years, my periods average 17-28 days, heavy flow, and cramps that leave me throwing up and laying on the ground. My vaginal dryness was horrible, I feel so bad for my partner because we have to stop for more lube.


Very negative mood

1 more effect

1 helpful

0 comments

Birth control implant  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
17 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  4th Jan 26

Nexplanon implant  

I’ve lost my sex drive almost completely. I don’t enjoy sex anymore it feels like a chore. My weight has fluctuated 15lbs while on Nexplanon. Vaginal dryness has also been a problem due to my sex drive not being there.


Somewhat negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control implant  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
21 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  27th Dec 25

Nexplanon implant  

When I first started this birth control, I had a period for three months on and than it stopped for three months and that cycle continues into my second year where my periods got more regular like normal. Now in my 4-5 year of use and getting a fresh implant i do not get a period at all. I also noticed a significant amount of weight gain when i started on it about 35 lbs.


Gained weight

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control implant  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  1st Dec 25

Birth control implant  

Amorea AYA RENEE TURNER


Worse skin

1 more effect

1 helpful

0 comments

Birth control implant  
Used for 5 - 8 yr
47 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  23rd Nov 25

Nexplanon implant  

Nexplanon was effective as far as preventing pregnancy. However it has caused sharp pains in my head and heart, increased pulse, high blood pressure. Anxiety, depression, hopelessness. Swelling in my legs up to my knees. Huge weight gain and difficulty loosing weight. It has slipped and hasn’t been found. Sleepless nights, due to increased heart beat at night. An adrenaline attack only at night.


Worse skin

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control implant  
Used for 5 - 8 yr
34 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  3rd Nov 25

Nexplanon implant  

I got on the birth control on the same day I had a surgical abortion due to abnormal ultrasound 14 weeks into pregnancy in 2019. My body was going through a lot of hormonal changes as expected. Severe bleeding for several weeks occurred yet once my body adjusted to the birth control, I have not had any issues. Lighter regular periods with no side effects or unexpected pregnancies. I kept the first implant 5 years to the date of insertion and had a new one inserted in 2024. No heavy bleeding, side effects, or changes occurred. Highly recommended for those who wish to avoid pregnancy until the time is right and do not want the responsibility of taking the pill daily. Give patience to the implant as it may be slightly overwhelming at first but rest assured I have had absolutely no problems, pains, or poor side effects!


Improved skin

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control implant  
Used for 8+ yr
34 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  22nd Oct 25

Nexplanon implant  

Horrible side effects and depression/anxiety


Very negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control alternatives and comparisons

Compare the Vaginal ring with other birth control

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