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
24% very positive
35% stopped periods
41% no impact
53% no impact
53% no impact on skin
33% in 1 month
Check out our latest reviews
Real life reviews from people like you
Vaginal ring reviews
9 reviews
Used for 12 - 18 mo
22 years old
🇺🇸 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
38 years old
🇺🇸 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
29 years old
🇺🇸 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
22 years old
🇺🇸 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
38 years old
🇺🇸 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
29 years old
🇺🇸 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
17 reviews
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
38 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 3 weeks ago
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
25 years old
🇺🇸 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
14 years old
🇺🇸 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
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
38 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 3 weeks ago
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
25 years old
🇺🇸 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
14 years old
🇺🇸 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
Used for 3 - 6 mo
21 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 18th Jul 24
I was on this pill for about 4-5 months. I’m just going to try to sum this up the best way I can; No change with boobs, no change with weight, acne cleared up, no change with hair growth or loss. Dizziness, several headaches a week. Fatigue, low mood and feeling numb. First 3 months was constant spotting and bleeding with about a week to week and half of nothing in between. Then I stopped taking placebos and zero bleeding or spotting for two months. Also around this time I experienced a huge drop in libido, barely able to get turned on and unable to get wet. The few times I tried to have sex I kept getting a perineal tear in the same spot and this was with a significant amount of lube. Finally found a doctor who told me this was because of my birth control. It impacted my hormones and changed my hormones down there to the point I was unable to have sex. My lips also looked like a prune and were wrinkly. I’ve been off the pill for over a week and my lips are pink, full and plush, and I was able to get wet when kissing my husband which had not happened in months. I feel like I’m coming alive again. Personally done with hormones, we are doing nfp and condoms. I don’t want to scare anyone but this was my experience if you happen to go through the same it may be this pill causing the tearing issue and other sexual function issues (which is listed as a side affect)
Very negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
16 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 25th Jun 24
I like it, helps me a lot with my cramps
Very positive mood
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
31 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 5th Jun 24
Had a terrible experience with a combined BC pill (depression, exhaustion, weight gain), the mini-pill has been GREAT. I get my period only twice a year, and the only side effects are some breast tenderness an occasionally ovarian cysts before my period, but never serious. No mood side effects.
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
38 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 28th May 24
Took OPill after pregnancy, to fill the gap before going back to IUD. Ease of access is a big plus (picked up at grocery store, no prescription needed). First period was weird: started spotting at around the normal time of month, but just stayed like that for about a week before starting "in earnest", at which point it was fairly normal. Feeling a reduction in libido and sexual sensitivity, but could also be related to post-pregnancy hormone fluctuations.
Decreased sex drive
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 12 - 18 mo
38 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 9th May 24
I used to be able to skip periods but my old birth control gave me monthly migraines so I switched to the mini pill. My migraines are decreasing and my periods are regular now.
Very positive mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 20th Apr 24
When I started take this pill 3 weeks in I noticed my hair falling out I took it almost 2 months iv been off of it 3 weeks and my hair is still falling out when will it stop
Very negative mood
1 more effect
1 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
29 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 2nd Feb 24
Worked out great until I started losing my hair. Had more ovary pain too.
Gained weight
0 helpful
0 comments
Don’t keep it on the DL.Put it on the LD.
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