Vaginal ring vs Birth control shot
Vaginal ring ingredients
Main hormones in Vaginal ring
progestin
Birth control shot ingredients
Main hormones in Birth control shot
What Lowdown reviewers say
40% somewhat negative
40% lighter periods
60% lost sex drive
60% gained weight
30% improved skin
25% in 1 month
39% somewhat negative
39% stopped periods
39% lost sex drive
52% gained weight
35% no impact on skin
50% in 3-6 months
Check out our latest reviews
Real life reviews from people like you
Vaginal ring reviews
10 reviews
Used for 3 - 6 mo
22 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 3 weeks ago
Although I didn't get any physical symptoms, I did find notable mental side effects. History: I did have anxiety before starting the medication. Beginning (first month): I was an absolute raging b*tch. I could not control my anger. I was angry and crying all the time. I couldn't focus on anything. It was horrible. I felt like a monster. After the first month symptoms definitely leveled out. Like I said, no physical symptoms, but I noticed that the brain fog/inability to focus continued and although I did not experience clinical depression, I did feel like I just lost my overall happiness.
Somewhat negative mood
1 more effect
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 3 - 6 mo
22 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 3 weeks ago
Although I didn't get any physical symptoms, I did find notable mental side effects. History: I did have anxiety before starting the medication. Beginning (first month): I was an absolute raging b*tch. I could not control my anger. I was angry and crying all the time. I couldn't focus on anything. It was horrible. I felt like a monster. After the first month symptoms definitely leveled out. Like I said, no physical symptoms, but I noticed that the brain fog/inability to focus continued and although I did not experience clinical depression, I did feel like I just lost my overall happiness.
Somewhat negative mood
1 more effect
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
Birth control shot reviews
23 reviews
Used for 3 - 5 yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 4 days ago
The beginning i bled a lot, 40 plus day periods with few breaks in between. After about a year my periods went away and I only have spotting now. I recently found out I should only be using this form for no more than 2 years but this is my best option. It has been affecting my bones because I experience pain in my knees and hips that I haven't before this birth control. It does control my acne and is reliable which is a plus for me, i haven't experienced weight gain which is a common side effect. I have migraines more often after my shot and leading up to it as well. Overall I don't care for birth control in general and will be looking for other options.
Somewhat negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
27 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 24th Feb 25
Somewhat negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
27 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 21st Feb 25
I became depressed and experienced pregnancy symptoms. I had it for a year. Half way through that year is when I realized it was the birth control that was making me feel out of wack. I had a horrible reaction receiving last shot and that was it. I continued using it because I thought my body was suppose to get use to it. I’ve changed a lot since then and not in a positive way.
Very negative mood
1 more effect
1 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 5 yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 4 days ago
The beginning i bled a lot, 40 plus day periods with few breaks in between. After about a year my periods went away and I only have spotting now. I recently found out I should only be using this form for no more than 2 years but this is my best option. It has been affecting my bones because I experience pain in my knees and hips that I haven't before this birth control. It does control my acne and is reliable which is a plus for me, i haven't experienced weight gain which is a common side effect. I have migraines more often after my shot and leading up to it as well. Overall I don't care for birth control in general and will be looking for other options.
Somewhat negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
27 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 24th Feb 25
Somewhat negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
27 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 21st Feb 25
I became depressed and experienced pregnancy symptoms. I had it for a year. Half way through that year is when I realized it was the birth control that was making me feel out of wack. I had a horrible reaction receiving last shot and that was it. I continued using it because I thought my body was suppose to get use to it. I’ve changed a lot since then and not in a positive way.
Very negative mood
1 more effect
1 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 2nd Nov 24
Very positive mood
3 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 21st Jul 24
Have been nonstop throwing up and being nauseous and dizzy, lost a lot of weight from that alone. Have a bad fever and a lot of hot flashes, very uncomfortable and won’t ever do this again. Ever. Ever. Ever again.
Very negative mood
2 more effects
2 helpful
1 comments
Used for 3 - 5 yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 19th Jul 24
I first started receiving the shot as a teenager (for 2 years) and the only side effect I experienced was no periods, which is what I wanted. I started back on it 5 years ago after trying 2 other types of BC that I did not like. Once again, my periods stopped, but this time I also gained about 30 lbs, my breasts grew, and I suffered from excessive sweating/ hot flashes. The weight gain was no issue to me since I have always been very tall and skinny. Putting on some extra weight was a plus. It was the constant sweating and hot flashes that made me stop taking the shot. I would even sweat from my head and *down there*, which I never used to before. It was very embarrassing and difficult for me to control. I was showering 3-4 times a day in between trying to work and go to school. Not to mention all of the different types of deodorant I had to try to remedy this issue. If I can find a viable solution, I would most definitely restart this BC.
Gained weight
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 12 - 18 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 3rd Jul 24
Depo Provera stopped my periods completely. After being on it for more than a year, I can’t fit into my favorite belt that I easily could a year ago. Mind you, last year I was more sedentary — this year I’ve been training for 5Ks. That’s how much weight I’ve gained on Depo.
Very negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 21st Jun 24
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 20th Jun 24
I never had any real big side affects when I was on depo over a decade ago but now that I'm older and went back on it, the breast tenderness (only 1) and slight discharge is becoming nearly unbearable. It happens about 3-5days after getting the shot and lasts 4-7days. I gotta decide if this is worth it.
Somewhat negative mood
1 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 17th Jun 24
I am having pigmentation down there and its always a thrush always itching causing discomfort .
Very positive mood
1 more effect
1 helpful
0 comments
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