Contraception Reviews

Vaginal ring vs Sterilization

Vaginal ring

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Sterilization

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Overview

Rated 3.3

12 reviews

3 weekly

Frequency

91% - 99+%

Effectiveness

Increased

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Rated 2.7

3 reviews

Permanent

Frequency

Over 99%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

Permanent

Effect on fertility

Vaginal ring ingredients

Main hormones in Vaginal ring

progestin

Sterilization ingredients

Plastic or titanium clamps or silicone ring may be used to block the fallopian tubes.

What Lowdown reviewers say

Mood

42% no impact on mood

Bleeds

33% regular periods

Sex drive

58% lost sex drive

Weight

58% gained weight

Skin

33% improved skin

Cycle return

40% in 1 month

Mood

33% very positive

Bleeds

67% stopped periods

Sex drive

67% don’t know impact

Weight

33% lost weight

Skin

67% don’t know impact

Cycle return

Not enough data to say

Benefits: What this birth control can help with

Acne or bad skin

Heavy periods

PMS and PMDD

PCOS symptoms

Period pain

There are no benefits that are recognised in scientific research or guidelines for this birth control

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Check out our latest reviews

Real life reviews from people like you

Vaginal ring reviews

12 reviews

Vaginal ring  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
31 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  2 weeks ago

NuvaRing  

I love being able to control when I can start my period but my low to no sex drive isn’t for me. My cramping is just as bad (if not worse) than before going on it (the whole reason my gyn prescribed it) but I also now have more clots and dark blood on my period. I can tell my hormones are more regulated though and that’s been good for me mental health most days.

Read more

Improved skin

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Vaginal ring  
Used for 8+ yr
42 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  2 weeks ago

NuvaRing  

I used nuva ring for 10+ years and had no side effects I left it in for 1 month removed it and put in a new ring and never had a period.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Vaginal ring  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
22 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  17th Mar 25

Vaginal ring  

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

Vaginal ring  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
31 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  2 weeks ago

NuvaRing  

I love being able to control when I can start my period but my low to no sex drive isn’t for me. My cramping is just as bad (if not worse) than before going on it (the whole reason my gyn prescribed it) but I also now have more clots and dark blood on my period. I can tell my hormones are more regulated though and that’s been good for me mental health most days.


Improved skin

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Vaginal ring  
Used for 8+ yr
42 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  2 weeks ago

NuvaRing  

I used nuva ring for 10+ years and had no side effects I left it in for 1 month removed it and put in a new ring and never had a period.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Vaginal ring  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
22 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  17th Mar 25

Vaginal ring  

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


Sterilization reviews

3 reviews

Sterilization  
Used for 8+ yr
38 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  6 days ago

Sterilization  

It’s just that my periods are all over and I hate having them anyway so I really hate how they are so irregular


Somewhat negative mood

0 helpful

0 comments

Sterilization  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
48 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  3 weeks ago

Sterilization  

Every one that I spoke with told me that they haven't been able to conceive after taking the Depro Vera shot! Even women that are half my age! Said that it made them sterile as well. I've been seeing commercials for law offices mentioning a certain kind of Cancer. But I've never heard of any pertaining to it making them sterile.


Gained weight

0 helpful

0 comments

Sterilization  
Used for 8+ yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  5th Aug 24

Sterilization  

I am not deliberately using birth control. The survey needs to have a choice for “I am not using birth control.” I had a hysterectomy after developing dangerous cysts.


Very positive mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Sterilization  
Used for 8+ yr
38 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  6 days ago

Sterilization  

It’s just that my periods are all over and I hate having them anyway so I really hate how they are so irregular


Somewhat negative mood

0 helpful

0 comments

Sterilization  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
48 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  3 weeks ago

Sterilization  

Every one that I spoke with told me that they haven't been able to conceive after taking the Depro Vera shot! Even women that are half my age! Said that it made them sterile as well. I've been seeing commercials for law offices mentioning a certain kind of Cancer. But I've never heard of any pertaining to it making them sterile.


Gained weight

0 helpful

0 comments

Sterilization  
Used for 8+ yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  5th Aug 24

Sterilization  

I am not deliberately using birth control. The survey needs to have a choice for “I am not using birth control.” I had a hysterectomy after developing dangerous cysts.


Very positive mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control alternatives and comparisons

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