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
44% no impact on mood
44% lighter periods
56% lost sex drive
50% gained weight
38% no impact on skin
40% in 1 month
35% no impact on mood
38% stopped periods
38% no impact
47% no impact
38% no impact on skin
57% don’t know impact
Check out our latest reviews
Real life reviews from people like you
Vaginal ring reviews
16 reviews
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 12 - 18 mo
24 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 30th Jun 25
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
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
18 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 23rd May 25
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
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 12 - 18 mo
24 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 30th Jun 25
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
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
18 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 23rd May 25
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
Mini pill reviews
34 reviews
Used for 5 - 8 yr
35 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 4 days ago
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
Used for 3 - 6 mo
24 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 3rd Dec 25
Improved skin
1 more effect
1 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
32 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 19th Nov 25
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
Used for 5 - 8 yr
35 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 4 days ago
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
Used for 3 - 6 mo
24 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 3rd Dec 25
Improved skin
1 more effect
1 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
32 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 19th Nov 25
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
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
39 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 10th Oct 25
I gained weight on slynd when I stopped nursing my baby. I gained weight in areas I normally don't gain weight in despite dieting and intense workouts. Weight is not really coming off despite being off the birth control.
Somewhat negative mood
3 more effects
1 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
28 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 16th Aug 25
i was on the traditional mini pill for almost a year before switching to slynd. slynd fixed all of the issues I had on the other POP. I did not have breakthrough bleeding, irregular periods or a depressed mood with Slynd. it was a major win-at first. I suddenly noticed I was gaining weight, by month two on slynd I had gained 3-4 pounds, and by the time I quit in month 5 I had gained 11 pounds. 11 pounds in 5 months is insane! I did not change my eating or workouts, so I believe it really was this pill.
Improved skin
2 more effects
1 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
37 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 15th Aug 25
I am on Slynd for heavy period and clotting. It stopped the heaviness and clotting. I do have some dryness in my mouth and apparently my vagina. It may have contributed to acne but not sure.
Somewhat positive mood
2 more effects
1 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 26th May 25
I lost so much hair. I’m done using this. My periods are more painful, I’m so tired now
Improved skin
2 more effects
1 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 16th Apr 25
Really love it! I can skip my periods, don't experience migraines and my acne cleared up!
Improved skin
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 12 - 18 mo
22 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 31st Mar 25
I gained 30 pounds after starting this birth control. Could not figure out what was going on with my body until I found a reddit thread where other people were experiencing the same.
Worse skin
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
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