Contraception Reviews

Vaginal ring vs Birth control implant

Vaginal ring

Want to switch birth control?

Birth control implant

Want to switch birth control?

Overview

Rated 3.4

16 reviews

3 weekly

Frequency

91% - 99+%

Effectiveness

Increased

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Rated 3.2

67 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

27% no impact on mood

Bleeds

54% spotting

Sex drive

31% lost sex drive

Weight

45% gained weight

Skin

31% 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

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

16 reviews

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.

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
  •  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
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

67 reviews

Birth control implant  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
16 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  2 days ago

Nexplanon implant  

My birth control has helped me by making my periods really light but then im bleeding for 7 days straight. Its help with some physical changes, but also hurt some important ones like weight. Other than that, I love this so far. But I shall report back in a few months with an update -Sunstruck


Somewhat positive mood

3 more effects

1 helpful

0 comments

Birth control implant  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
40 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  2 weeks ago

Nexplanon implant  

Nothing worked prior to the implant…3 conceived while using another form of controlled release birth control, and my last 2 were planned by getting the implant removed. My periods are somewhat irregular but also extremely lighter than before and shorter lasting, however I have noticed every other month that it’s rougher than before, cramps, headache etc. but then 19 days later it’s just normal. I’ve also been able to maintain the same weight while using the implant and regardless of changes in my lifestyle that would suggest a fluctuation in weight over the last 7 years


Improved skin

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control implant  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  1 month ago

Nexplanon implant  

Terrible….the way my skin broke out with cystic acne….OMG I want to sue if I could, I thought I loosing all the blood in my body because I was on my period for a month every time it came, and the cramps were more painful than without this birth control, my experience was terrible I had no idea what was causing the acne until I went to a dermatologist and she asked about my birth control method and that’s when I decided to end it , I took my life back the day I got this thing out of my arm.


Very negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control implant  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
16 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  2 days ago

Nexplanon implant  

My birth control has helped me by making my periods really light but then im bleeding for 7 days straight. Its help with some physical changes, but also hurt some important ones like weight. Other than that, I love this so far. But I shall report back in a few months with an update -Sunstruck


Somewhat positive mood

3 more effects

1 helpful

0 comments

Birth control implant  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
40 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  2 weeks ago

Nexplanon implant  

Nothing worked prior to the implant…3 conceived while using another form of controlled release birth control, and my last 2 were planned by getting the implant removed. My periods are somewhat irregular but also extremely lighter than before and shorter lasting, however I have noticed every other month that it’s rougher than before, cramps, headache etc. but then 19 days later it’s just normal. I’ve also been able to maintain the same weight while using the implant and regardless of changes in my lifestyle that would suggest a fluctuation in weight over the last 7 years


Improved skin

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control implant  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  1 month ago

Nexplanon implant  

Terrible….the way my skin broke out with cystic acne….OMG I want to sue if I could, I thought I loosing all the blood in my body because I was on my period for a month every time it came, and the cramps were more painful than without this birth control, my experience was terrible I had no idea what was causing the acne until I went to a dermatologist and she asked about my birth control method and that’s when I decided to end it , I took my life back the day I got this thing out of my arm.


Very negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control implant  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  11th Jul 25

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 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