The Lowdown, a Vira Health company

Vaginal ring vs Withdrawal or pull out method

Vaginal ring

Want to switch birth control?

Withdrawal or pull out method

Want to switch birth control?

Overview

Rated 3.2

18 reviews

3 weekly

Frequency

91% - 99+%

Effectiveness

Increased

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Rated 3.6

11 reviews

During or before sex

Frequency

80% - 96%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Vaginal ring ingredients

Main hormones in Vaginal ring

progestin

Withdrawal or pull out method ingredients

The withdrawal method (also known as the pull out method) relies on the penis being all the way out of the vagina before ejaculation and ejaculation occurring away from the vagina or vulva.

What Lowdown reviewers say

Mood

39% no impact on mood

Bleeds

39% lighter periods

Sex drive

61% lost sex drive

Weight

50% gained weight

Skin

44% no impact on skin

Cycle return

40% in 1 month

Mood

46% no impact on mood

Bleeds

46% no change

Sex drive

46% no impact

Weight

55% no impact

Skin

82% no impact on skin

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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Try it now

Want to switch birth control?

Check out our latest reviews

Real life reviews from people like you

Vaginal ring reviews

18 reviews

Vaginal ring  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
31 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  2 days ago

NuvaRing  

I have Endometriosis and got my first surgery to remove a myoma this year. I had to start using birth control because of the risk of having other myomas and my anemia. I´m using it since 9 months and the first 3 months i was feeling good, even if it doesnt affect at all my bleeding. I was feeling better with my mood/PMS, got bigger boobs but the rest was the same. But, after 4-5 months i started gaining weight, having headahes quite often, still dealing with my anemia, and now i have dryeness in my vagina. Really low libido, my sexual relations are painful, i don´t recognize my body. I´m not able to connect with my body. I have my appointment with my Gyne soon, i´ve decided to stop using it.

Read more

Somewhat positive mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Vaginal ring  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
33 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  2nd Feb 26

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 6 - 12 mo
31 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  2 days ago

NuvaRing  

I have Endometriosis and got my first surgery to remove a myoma this year. I had to start using birth control because of the risk of having other myomas and my anemia. I´m using it since 9 months and the first 3 months i was feeling good, even if it doesnt affect at all my bleeding. I was feeling better with my mood/PMS, got bigger boobs but the rest was the same. But, after 4-5 months i started gaining weight, having headahes quite often, still dealing with my anemia, and now i have dryeness in my vagina. Really low libido, my sexual relations are painful, i don´t recognize my body. I´m not able to connect with my body. I have my appointment with my Gyne soon, i´ve decided to stop using it.


Somewhat positive mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Vaginal ring  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
33 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  2nd Feb 26

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


Withdrawal or pull out method reviews

11 reviews

Withdrawal or pull out method  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
31 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  27th May 26

Withdrawal or pull out method  

its stressful for me


Increased sex drive

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Withdrawal or pull out method  
Used for 5 - 8 yr
34 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  23rd Apr 26

Withdrawal or pull out method  

None


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Withdrawal or pull out method  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
34 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  15th Jan 26

Withdrawal or pull out method  

I was on a iud for 9 years for endo


Very positive mood

3 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Withdrawal or pull out method  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
31 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  27th May 26

Withdrawal or pull out method  

its stressful for me


Increased sex drive

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Withdrawal or pull out method  
Used for 5 - 8 yr
34 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  23rd Apr 26

Withdrawal or pull out method  

None


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Withdrawal or pull out method  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
34 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  15th Jan 26

Withdrawal or pull out method  

I was on a iud for 9 years for endo


Very positive mood

3 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Withdrawal or pull out method  
Used for 5 - 8 yr
31 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  24th Aug 25

Withdrawal or pull out method  

Made me gain weight


Gained weight

3 helpful

0 comments

Withdrawal or pull out method  
Used for 8+ yr
36 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  30th Jun 25

Withdrawal or pull out method  

I have my tubes tied.


Top side effects not reported

2 helpful

0 comments

Withdrawal or pull out method  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
24 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  10th Apr 25

Withdrawal or pull out method  

I don't recommend going multiple rounds. Otherwise, seemed pretty effective.


Increased sex drive

3 helpful

0 comments

Withdrawal or pull out method  
Used for 8+ yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  28th Sep 24

Withdrawal or pull out method  

Annoying to have to fuss with putting the condom on, and I don’t enjoy the change in sensation while using a condom. But I feel protected against pregnancy. I occasionally rely on pull out method, and the anxiety over my partner accidentally not timing this correctly (ie not pulling out soon enough) negatively affects my sexual experience.


Very positive mood

1 helpful

0 comments

Withdrawal or pull out method  
Used for 8+ yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  20th Jun 24

Withdrawal or pull out method  

Still can get pregnant with pull out method or anal


Very negative mood

3 more effects

1 helpful

0 comments

Withdrawal or pull out method  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  20th May 24

Withdrawal or pull out method  

I get pretty sick on the pill and with same partner 3.5 yrs no issues but recognize not most effective practice.


Top side effects not reported

1 helpful

0 comments

Withdrawal or pull out method  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  27th Mar 24

Withdrawal or pull out method  

It worked but I was terrified I was pregnant until I got my period. I had no sex drive because of this and was incredibly stressed. It worsened my mood as well.


Very negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

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