Vaginal ring vs Withdrawal or pull out method
Vaginal ring ingredients
Main hormones in Vaginal ring
progestin
Withdrawal or pull out method ingredients
What Lowdown reviewers say
42% no impact on mood
33% regular periods
58% lost sex drive
58% gained weight
33% improved skin
40% in 1 month
50% no impact on mood
67% no change
50% no impact
83% no impact
83% no impact on skin
Not enough data to say
Check out our latest reviews
Real life reviews from people like you
Vaginal ring reviews
12 reviews
Used for 3 - 6 mo
31 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 2 weeks ago
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
Used for 8+ yr
42 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 2 weeks ago
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
Used for 3 - 6 mo
22 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 17th Mar 25
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 3 - 6 mo
31 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 2 weeks ago
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
Used for 8+ yr
42 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 2 weeks ago
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
Used for 3 - 6 mo
22 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 17th Mar 25
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
Withdrawal or pull out method reviews
6 reviews
Used for 3 - 5 yr
24 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 2 weeks ago
I don't recommend going multiple rounds. Otherwise, seemed pretty effective.
Increased sex drive
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 8+ yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 28th Sep 24
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
Used for 8+ yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 20th Jun 24
Still can get pregnant with pull out method or anal
Very negative mood
3 more effects
1 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 5 yr
24 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 2 weeks ago
I don't recommend going multiple rounds. Otherwise, seemed pretty effective.
Increased sex drive
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 8+ yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 28th Sep 24
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
Used for 8+ yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 20th Jun 24
Still can get pregnant with pull out method or anal
Very negative mood
3 more effects
1 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 20th May 24
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
Used for 1 - 3 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 27th Mar 24
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
Used for 5 - 8 yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 26th Feb 24
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
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