Contraception Reviews

Vaginal ring vs Sterilization

Vaginal ring

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Sterilization

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Overview

Rated 3.4

17 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

41% no impact on mood

Bleeds

41% lighter periods

Sex drive

59% lost sex drive

Weight

47% no impact

Skin

41% no impact on 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

17 reviews

Vaginal ring  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
33 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  2 weeks ago

NuvaRing  

Used for 2,5 years, really lowed my libido after some month of use, get me a complete loss after some years. Later suspended for this same reason and because I had a vaginal yeast infection (not used precautions, such as vaginal ovuli with lactobacilli, useful in every hormonal contraception use). Tried years later, but had big problems with increased vaginal discharge (got a vaginal irritation caused by the costant humidity in my lady parts). Very practical (you can forget about it for 3 weeks), but lots of collateral effects (at least for me). You have to try ii to discover if it's good for you or if gives you difficult side effects (it's very personal). If none, can be a very good choise.

Read more

Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Vaginal ring  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
27 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  31st Jul 25

NuvaRing  

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

Vaginal ring  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
24 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  30th Jun 25

NuvaRing  

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

Vaginal ring  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
33 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  2 weeks ago

NuvaRing  

Used for 2,5 years, really lowed my libido after some month of use, get me a complete loss after some years. Later suspended for this same reason and because I had a vaginal yeast infection (not used precautions, such as vaginal ovuli with lactobacilli, useful in every hormonal contraception use). Tried years later, but had big problems with increased vaginal discharge (got a vaginal irritation caused by the costant humidity in my lady parts). Very practical (you can forget about it for 3 weeks), but lots of collateral effects (at least for me). You have to try ii to discover if it's good for you or if gives you difficult side effects (it's very personal). If none, can be a very good choise.


Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Vaginal ring  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
27 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  31st Jul 25

NuvaRing  

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

Vaginal ring  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
24 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  30th Jun 25

NuvaRing  

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


Sterilization reviews

3 reviews

Sterilization  
Used for 8+ yr
38 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  13th Apr 25

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

1 helpful

0 comments

Sterilization  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
48 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  3rd Apr 25

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
  •  13th Apr 25

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

1 helpful

0 comments

Sterilization  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
48 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  3rd Apr 25

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

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