Vaginal ring vs Male condom
Vaginal ring ingredients
Main hormones in Vaginal ring
progestin
Male condom ingredients
What Lowdown reviewers say
39% no impact on mood
39% lighter periods
61% lost sex drive
50% gained weight
44% no impact on skin
40% in 1 month
29% no impact on mood
29% irregular periods
71% no impact
86% no impact
71% no impact on skin
Not enough data to say
Check out our latest reviews
Real life reviews from people like you
Vaginal ring reviews
18 reviews
Used for 6 - 12 mo
31 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 2 weeks ago
I have Endometriosis and got my first surgery to remove a myoma this year. I had to start using birth control because of the risk of having other myomas and my anemia. I´m using it since 9 months and the first 3 months i was feeling good, even if it doesnt affect at all my bleeding. I was feeling better with my mood/PMS, got bigger boobs but the rest was the same. But, after 4-5 months i started gaining weight, having headahes quite often, still dealing with my anemia, and now i have dryeness in my vagina. Really low libido, my sexual relations are painful, i don´t recognize my body. I´m not able to connect with my body. I have my appointment with my Gyne soon, i´ve decided to stop using it.
Somewhat positive mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
33 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 2nd Feb 26
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
Used for 3 - 5 yr
27 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 31st Jul 25
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
Used for 6 - 12 mo
31 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 2 weeks ago
I have Endometriosis and got my first surgery to remove a myoma this year. I had to start using birth control because of the risk of having other myomas and my anemia. I´m using it since 9 months and the first 3 months i was feeling good, even if it doesnt affect at all my bleeding. I was feeling better with my mood/PMS, got bigger boobs but the rest was the same. But, after 4-5 months i started gaining weight, having headahes quite often, still dealing with my anemia, and now i have dryeness in my vagina. Really low libido, my sexual relations are painful, i don´t recognize my body. I´m not able to connect with my body. I have my appointment with my Gyne soon, i´ve decided to stop using it.
Somewhat positive mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
33 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 2nd Feb 26
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
Used for 3 - 5 yr
27 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 31st Jul 25
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
Male condom reviews
7 reviews
Used for 12 - 18 mo
25 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 1 month ago
Very positive mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 12 - 18 mo
25 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 9th Sep 26
I have been on the pill for over a year; I don’t really have periods, but other than that I don’t have side effects.
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
21 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 14th Jul 25
I don’t know what it is, but I’ve had an insane allergic reaction due to these condoms :( very sad
Somewhat negative mood
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 12 - 18 mo
25 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 1 month ago
Very positive mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 12 - 18 mo
25 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 9th Sep 26
I have been on the pill for over a year; I don’t really have periods, but other than that I don’t have side effects.
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
21 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 14th Jul 25
I don’t know what it is, but I’ve had an insane allergic reaction due to these condoms :( very sad
Somewhat negative mood
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
26 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 1st Jan 25
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 8+ yr
27 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 29th Dec 24
Overall it's been great, but remembering a pill at a specific time is challenging for me
Somewhat positive mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 8+ yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 4th Sep 24
Condoms did not change any part of my period for me, no side effects of using this form of contraceptive and it has been effective in avoiding pregnancy as well as STDs.
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
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