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

16 reviews

3 weekly

Frequency

91% - 99+%

Effectiveness

Increased

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Rated 3.2

64 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

44% no impact on mood

Bleeds

44% lighter periods

Sex drive

56% lost sex drive

Weight

50% gained weight

Skin

38% no impact on skin

Cycle return

40% in 1 month

Mood

28% no impact on mood

Bleeds

55% spotting

Sex drive

33% lost sex drive

Weight

45% gained weight

Skin

33% no impact on skin

Cycle return

50% don’t know impact

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

16 reviews

Vaginal ring  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
27 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  2 days ago

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.

Read more

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
18 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  23rd May 25

NuvaRing  

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

Vaginal ring  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
27 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  2 days ago

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
18 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  23rd May 25

NuvaRing  

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


Birth control implant reviews

64 reviews

Birth control implant  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  1 month ago

Birth control implant  

Placed 6wk postpartum. Lots of bloody/brown discharge since . No true period. No pain Migraines, weight gain, sweating, mood swings. But I’m not pregnant


Worse skin

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control implant  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
20 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  27th Jun 25

Nexplanon implant  

Weight gain, poor mood, more body hair, period cramps, long lasting light periods, increased sweating.


Very negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control implant  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
38 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  23rd Jun 25

Nexplanon implant  

Non stop spotting for over a month and sudden lower back pain


Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control implant  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  1 month ago

Birth control implant  

Placed 6wk postpartum. Lots of bloody/brown discharge since . No true period. No pain Migraines, weight gain, sweating, mood swings. But I’m not pregnant


Worse skin

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control implant  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
20 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  27th Jun 25

Nexplanon implant  

Weight gain, poor mood, more body hair, period cramps, long lasting light periods, increased sweating.


Very negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control implant  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
38 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  23rd Jun 25

Nexplanon implant  

Non stop spotting for over a month and sudden lower back pain


Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control implant  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
16 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  19th Jun 25

Nexplanon implant  

Nexplanon is a great contraceptive, I have had no pregnancy scares. Break through took about 1.5 years last 2-3 months of constant spotting older blood.


Gained weight

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control implant  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
22 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  2nd Jun 25

Nexplanon implant  

This is a test!


Very negative mood

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control implant  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
25 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  20th May 25

Nexplanon implant  

Overall it manages my endometriosis very well by preventing periods. It also is very effective in preventing pregnancy without any other methods needed. I barely notice it, my mood is better because I'm not going through painful horrible endometriosis cycles anymore. I took it out and was still able to get pregnant a few months later when I decided I wanted to. Any side effects are significantly better than the stuff I deal with for my condition. Really it makes me feel secure, more stabilized, and in significantly less pain.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control implant  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  13th May 25

Nexplanon implant  

Nexplanon has made my periods go from regular, about 5 day periods once a month to one month on one month off. It started with 3 weeks on, 1 week off but has gradually gotten better atleast I have a month off of it now. I also find it hard to get lubricated for sex, even though that was never a problem before. Overall though, I have not gotten pregnant and "woohoo" very very frequently with my partner, so that is a plus!


Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control implant  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
35 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  26th Apr 25

Nexplanon implant  

The efficacy of the implant is the only positive thing I can say about this. When I had this put in, I was young and very naive. I did not know hormonal birth control caused weight gain or mood changes or acne or anything. I was only told the positive things about it by my doctor like, no more periods and it may help your acne. This was also when nexplanon was new on the market. When I finally learned that it could cause weight gain was after I put on all the weight and wondered why? I don't remember how I finally realized the connection between the weight gain and implant but I decided to lookup reviews on it and almost every single woman said it caused significant weight gain for them. That was when I decided to have the second implant removed. I also must note that I had always been on the very thin side up to this point. The weight snuck up on me slowly over time. Mind you I had already had a child by the time I got this put in and had no weight issues before, during or after my pregnancy. This was 6 or 7 years after I had given birth. Just please be aware of the side effects.


Gained weight

9 helpful

0 comments

Birth control implant  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
17 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  14th Apr 25

Nexplanon implant  

It doesn’t make me feel normal or comfortable or confident


Very negative mood

3 more effects

2 helpful

0 comments

Birth control implant  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
25 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  12th Apr 25

Nexplanon implant  

Is okay


Worse skin

1 helpful

0 comments

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Compare the Vaginal ring with other birth control

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