Vaginal ring vs Mini pill
Vaginal ring ingredients
Main hormones in Vaginal ring
progestin
Mini pill ingredients
Main hormones in Mini pill
progestin
What Lowdown reviewers say
33% no impact on mood
44% lighter periods
56% lost sex drive
67% gained weight
33% improved skin
33% in 1 month
21% very positive
38% spotting
42% no impact
54% no impact
46% no impact on skin
50% don’t know impact
Check out our latest reviews
Real life reviews from people like you
Vaginal ring reviews
9 reviews
Used for 12 - 18 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 6th Jun 24
I like the ring, I have gained a bit of weight though. I am also very nervous about blood clot risk so I might switch to minipill, but the ring has made my periods very bearable and I can choose to only have them every two months! I also had a decrease in body acne on the ring, particularly on my back. I would recommend this method if you are not overweight, smoke, or are over 35 as the risk of blood clots goes does a lot and it’s easy to use! I also have experienced headaches for the first time in my life since being on this, they’re mild but not fun.
Improved skin
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 17th Mar 24
This birth control caused me to have 2 strokes and I almost died. I do not recommend it at all. My doctor insisted I use it and within the first year I had more frequent and more severe headaches. I gained a ton of weight and my cholesterol shot up despite my being a very active vegetarian and working with a dietician. After 18 months on it I had my first stroke and it went undiagnosed, I had a severe headache and I went blind. The hospital sent me home and told me it was "just a migraine." 10 months later I had a massive bilateral stroke that has ruined my life. I am only in my 30s. Run far away from this medication.
Somewhat negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 8+ yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 2nd Feb 24
I was on this birth control for 10 years until I got a blood clot and had to be on blood thinners for a month. Not fun.
Somewhat negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 12 - 18 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 6th Jun 24
I like the ring, I have gained a bit of weight though. I am also very nervous about blood clot risk so I might switch to minipill, but the ring has made my periods very bearable and I can choose to only have them every two months! I also had a decrease in body acne on the ring, particularly on my back. I would recommend this method if you are not overweight, smoke, or are over 35 as the risk of blood clots goes does a lot and it’s easy to use! I also have experienced headaches for the first time in my life since being on this, they’re mild but not fun.
Improved skin
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 17th Mar 24
This birth control caused me to have 2 strokes and I almost died. I do not recommend it at all. My doctor insisted I use it and within the first year I had more frequent and more severe headaches. I gained a ton of weight and my cholesterol shot up despite my being a very active vegetarian and working with a dietician. After 18 months on it I had my first stroke and it went undiagnosed, I had a severe headache and I went blind. The hospital sent me home and told me it was "just a migraine." 10 months later I had a massive bilateral stroke that has ruined my life. I am only in my 30s. Run far away from this medication.
Somewhat negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 8+ yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 2nd Feb 24
I was on this birth control for 10 years until I got a blood clot and had to be on blood thinners for a month. Not fun.
Somewhat negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Mini pill reviews
24 reviews
Used for 6 - 12 mo
27 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 3 weeks ago
I’m hoping it gets better. Switched from Errin to Slynd 6 months ago. Hair loss stopped. Acne got better. Those were an immediate win. Month 1 - bled for 1 week. Month 2 - bled for 3 weeks. Month 3 - bled for 2.5 weeks. Month 4 - bled for 2 weeks. Month 5 - bled for 1.5 weeks. Month 6 - bled for 1 week. I naturally have a short cycle, and in the process of trying to force my cycle into a 30 day cadence, I’ve gotten 1-2 days per month of severe headaches before my period (thought my head would blow off without Tylenol) and minor dull headaches for ~1 week before each period. The headaches didn’t happen with Errin - but they are happening with Slynd (and also happened a few year back when I took the combo pill).
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
21 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 1 month ago
It does what it needs to do, pregnancy prevention. Intense emotional fluctuations following the “usual” postpartum journey is definitely a downside
Very negative mood
3 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 31st Dec 24
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
27 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 3 weeks ago
I’m hoping it gets better. Switched from Errin to Slynd 6 months ago. Hair loss stopped. Acne got better. Those were an immediate win. Month 1 - bled for 1 week. Month 2 - bled for 3 weeks. Month 3 - bled for 2.5 weeks. Month 4 - bled for 2 weeks. Month 5 - bled for 1.5 weeks. Month 6 - bled for 1 week. I naturally have a short cycle, and in the process of trying to force my cycle into a 30 day cadence, I’ve gotten 1-2 days per month of severe headaches before my period (thought my head would blow off without Tylenol) and minor dull headaches for ~1 week before each period. The headaches didn’t happen with Errin - but they are happening with Slynd (and also happened a few year back when I took the combo pill).
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
21 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 1 month ago
It does what it needs to do, pregnancy prevention. Intense emotional fluctuations following the “usual” postpartum journey is definitely a downside
Very negative mood
3 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 31st Dec 24
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
33 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 29th Dec 24
My experience thus far has been great with minor concerns for acne.
Worse skin
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 19th Nov 24
started taking it about a week and a half ago. i missed a day on sunday, so i took two on monday. today is tuesday and im having terrible cramps. other than that, emotionally its better than the combination pill.
Worse skin
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 12 - 18 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 2nd Nov 24
This pill improved my sex drive which had been very reduced by the combination pill. It allowed me to put on more muscle too! The weight gain was mostly muscle, which I was so happy about. It was just hard to take the same exact time everyday.
Somewhat positive mood
3 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 31st Oct 24
Very positive mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 26th Sep 24
10/10 highly recommend. Stopped my periods which increased my quality of life!
Very positive mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 30th Aug 24
I just feel as if Norinthdrone isn’t agreeing with me but this is my second time being prescribed this particular birthcontrol for my Endo since it’s progestin only and I’m trying to make it work to be healthy and no get pregnant but it’s really taking a toll on me and my new marriage…I don’t know if I should stay and deal with the side effects and Endo or get off of it and deal with Endo pain and maybe a pregnancy.
Somewhat negative mood
3 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 3rd Aug 24
I’m on Desorex and I’ve had no changes to my body at all or no life threatening things (e.g. blood clots). I feel the same and i’d definitely recommend if you’ve spoken to your GP or sexual health clinic about family history!
Very positive mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
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