Contraception Reviews

Vaginal ring vs Mini pill

Vaginal ring

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Mini pill

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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 3.3

41 reviews

Daily

Frequency

91% - 99+%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Vaginal ring ingredients

Main hormones in Vaginal ring

progestin


Mini pill ingredients

Main hormones in Mini pill

progestin

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

37% no impact on mood

Bleeds

37% stopped periods

Sex drive

37% no impact

Weight

42% no impact

Skin

37% worse skin

Cycle return

63% 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

Heavy menstrual bleeding

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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


Mini pill reviews

41 reviews

Mini pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
32 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  5 days ago

Slynd birth control pill  

I have been on this for 2 days, day 1 I had unmanageable migraines that made me want to cry and lower back pain, day 2 I am experiencing migraines and severe abdominal cramps and lower back pain. I dont know if I want to take this another day 😕


Somewhat negative mood

0 helpful

0 comments

Mini pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
40 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  1 week ago

Slynd birth control pill  

I was really hopeful about starting Slynd. My purpose for starting Slynd was not a kit birth control but more about controlling heavy, painful periods, as well as the bodily changes as I entered my 40s. My previous experience with birth control has not been great, however I remained hopeful. Unfortunately, I could only take the side effects from Slynd for a little over 2 months. As a health professional, I understand that these medications require time, but this was making my life more miserable. Here are some of the side effects I experienced: Month 1 through Month 2 Late period (10-12 days late) Prolonged period (over 2 weeks long) then continuous spotting Nausea daily Migraine Pimples (I’ve never experienced this many pimples in my entire life!) Cramping (during missed period & during period) Fatigue (extreme) Back pain By the 3rd pack, I gave up due to increased cramping, back pain with spotting and increased irritability from the pain. At this point, I’ve gone from regular heavy, painful periods to daily, painful spotting. I’m definitely not myself and would like to end this misery! I truly don’t believe in giving up, I understand every woman is different. This birth control is just not for me!


Somewhat negative mood

3 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Mini pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
19 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  3 weeks ago

Slynd birth control pill  

i have had really bad headaches on this pill, and i never had headache before taking it. i have also had a large amount of bleeding, i bled for 11 days 2 weeks into taking my first pack and I also had lost part of my uterine lining at the begging of those 11 days. since then i have had spotting which i also have never had before. i am considering taking a new pill but i don't know which one yet.


Worse skin

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Mini pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
32 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  5 days ago

Slynd birth control pill  

I have been on this for 2 days, day 1 I had unmanageable migraines that made me want to cry and lower back pain, day 2 I am experiencing migraines and severe abdominal cramps and lower back pain. I dont know if I want to take this another day 😕


Somewhat negative mood

0 helpful

0 comments

Mini pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
40 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  1 week ago

Slynd birth control pill  

I was really hopeful about starting Slynd. My purpose for starting Slynd was not a kit birth control but more about controlling heavy, painful periods, as well as the bodily changes as I entered my 40s. My previous experience with birth control has not been great, however I remained hopeful. Unfortunately, I could only take the side effects from Slynd for a little over 2 months. As a health professional, I understand that these medications require time, but this was making my life more miserable. Here are some of the side effects I experienced: Month 1 through Month 2 Late period (10-12 days late) Prolonged period (over 2 weeks long) then continuous spotting Nausea daily Migraine Pimples (I’ve never experienced this many pimples in my entire life!) Cramping (during missed period & during period) Fatigue (extreme) Back pain By the 3rd pack, I gave up due to increased cramping, back pain with spotting and increased irritability from the pain. At this point, I’ve gone from regular heavy, painful periods to daily, painful spotting. I’m definitely not myself and would like to end this misery! I truly don’t believe in giving up, I understand every woman is different. This birth control is just not for me!


Somewhat negative mood

3 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Mini pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
19 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  3 weeks ago

Slynd birth control pill  

i have had really bad headaches on this pill, and i never had headache before taking it. i have also had a large amount of bleeding, i bled for 11 days 2 weeks into taking my first pack and I also had lost part of my uterine lining at the begging of those 11 days. since then i have had spotting which i also have never had before. i am considering taking a new pill but i don't know which one yet.


Worse skin

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Mini pill  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
23 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  1 month ago

Mini pill  

Still affected by a bit of acne, but not experiencing mood swings like when I was on Yaz. However, I am having severe break through bleeding every few weeks, and it lasts for 1-2 weeks every time unless I stop taking the pills and let it happen.


Worse skin

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Mini pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
34 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  28th Feb 26

Slynd birth control pill  

I like Slynd except it has caused almost daily headaches. No effect on libido which I always have with estrogen-containing pills, but high is great. But more spotting than normal.


Very positive mood

0 helpful

0 comments

Mini pill  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  11th Feb 26

Slynd birth control pill  

I had break through bleeding for about the first 4 months. After my period stopped completely. I'm a bit more tired, but no depression or mood swings.


Improved skin

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Mini pill  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
25 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  10th Feb 26

Slynd birth control pill  

I do have a heart problem hence as to why my obgyn has switched me to a progestin only bc. I do like that i dont get my period anymore but i HATE the vaginal dryness. Im considering moving on to something else because i cant take it anymore honestly.


Somewhat negative mood

3 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Mini pill  
Used for 5 - 8 yr
35 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  18th Jan 26

Norethindrone 0.35 birth control pill  

Worked fine for many years and helped with having much lighter, shorter periods with less cramps, but after briefly switching to the shot and then switching back to the pill I have been having breakthrough bleeding every other week for months now and my periods are no longer lighter or shorter so I'm trialing a different type now.


Top side effects not reported

3 helpful

0 comments

Mini pill  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
24 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  3rd Dec 25

Mini pill  

No pain


Improved skin

1 more effect

1 helpful

0 comments

Mini pill  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
32 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  19th Nov 25

Norethindrone 0.35 birth control pill  

I have had no issues with Norethindrone! I have been on it for two years with no weight gain, irregular periods, or acne. I have noticed that I get a little bit more emotional the week before my period that I did not use to have, and sometimes I feel a little nauseous in the mornings. Neither of which have caused any major discomfort or problems. Norethindrone has been great!


Somewhat negative mood

1 helpful

0 comments

Birth control alternatives and comparisons

Compare the Vaginal ring with other birth control

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