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
33% no impact on mood
44% lighter periods
56% lost sex drive
67% gained weight
33% improved skin
33% in 1 month
40% no impact on mood
60% no change
60% no impact
80% no impact
80% no impact on skin
Not enough data to say
Check out our latest reviews
Real life reviews from people like you
Vaginal ring reviews
9 reviews
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 8+ yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 2nd Feb 24
I was on this birth control for 10 years until I got a blood clot and had to be on blood thinners for a month. Not fun.
Somewhat negative mood
2 more effects
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 8+ yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 2nd Feb 24
I was on this birth control for 10 years until I got a blood clot and had to be on blood thinners for a month. Not fun.
Somewhat negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Withdrawal or pull out method reviews
5 reviews
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 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
Don’t keep it on the DL.Put it on the LD.
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