Vaginal ring vs Combined pill
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£From £0.16/day
Overview
Rated 3.6
57 reviews
Every 3 weeks
Frequency
91% - 99+%
Effectiveness
Increased
Blood clot risk
None
Effect on fertility
Rated 2.8
2798 reviews
Daily
Frequency
91% - 99+%
Effectiveness
Increased
Blood clot risk
None
Effect on fertility
Vaginal ring ingredients
Main hormones in Vaginal ring
progestogen
oestrogen
Combined pill ingredients
Main hormones in Combined pill
progestogen
oestrogen
What Lowdown reviewers say
Benefits: What this contraceptive can help with
Acne or bad skin
Heavy periods
PMS and PMDD
PCOS symptoms
Period pain
Acne or bad skin
Heavy periods
PMS and PMDD
PCOS symptoms
Period pain
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£From £0.16/day
Check out our latest reviews
Real life reviews from people like you
Vaginal ring reviews
57 reviews
Used for 12 - 18 mo
32 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 13th Apr 26
Have used the ring for a year. In terms of admin it’s an absolute dream. Put it in and set a reminder on my phone to replace in a few weeks. Been absolutely fine for my moods and body and skin, no obvious changes. I take it back to back and have a breakthrough bleed every 3 months. However after about a year on it I’ve developed hormonal post nasal drip, which is driving me absolutely nuts because it’s constant. It’s like I’ve got hayfever. So I’m going to try stopping and see if this resolves. I’m gutted as it was such an easy contraception otherwise.
Somewhat positive mood
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
24 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 10th Nov 25
This has been one of the worst experiences of my life. It killed my mood completely, I never felt worse about myself and had worse mood swings. Low libido, feeling ugly, body pain... overall, never again.
Very negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
26 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 26th Oct 25
I had a terrible reaction to this unfortunately, despite my optimism. Main symptoms were intense nausea that caused me to not eat for several days, insane anxiety with some panic attacks (especially as I slept) and some depressive thoughts. I took sick days from work believing it was the flu. I thought there is no way birth control could cause these side effects. After a call with my GP, we suspected it could be the ring. I tried to stick with it but on only day 14, awake at 5am due to recurrent panic attacks, I took it out. The next days were perfect. I ate all the food I could and was so grateful for a restful night's sleep. The difference in how I feel is night and day. I understand that this reaction is probably rare but this is what happened to me.
Very negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 12 - 18 mo
32 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 13th Apr 26
Have used the ring for a year. In terms of admin it’s an absolute dream. Put it in and set a reminder on my phone to replace in a few weeks. Been absolutely fine for my moods and body and skin, no obvious changes. I take it back to back and have a breakthrough bleed every 3 months. However after about a year on it I’ve developed hormonal post nasal drip, which is driving me absolutely nuts because it’s constant. It’s like I’ve got hayfever. So I’m going to try stopping and see if this resolves. I’m gutted as it was such an easy contraception otherwise.
Somewhat positive mood
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
24 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 10th Nov 25
This has been one of the worst experiences of my life. It killed my mood completely, I never felt worse about myself and had worse mood swings. Low libido, feeling ugly, body pain... overall, never again.
Very negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
26 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 26th Oct 25
I had a terrible reaction to this unfortunately, despite my optimism. Main symptoms were intense nausea that caused me to not eat for several days, insane anxiety with some panic attacks (especially as I slept) and some depressive thoughts. I took sick days from work believing it was the flu. I thought there is no way birth control could cause these side effects. After a call with my GP, we suspected it could be the ring. I tried to stick with it but on only day 14, awake at 5am due to recurrent panic attacks, I took it out. The next days were perfect. I ate all the food I could and was so grateful for a restful night's sleep. The difference in how I feel is night and day. I understand that this reaction is probably rare but this is what happened to me.
Very negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Combined pill reviews
2798 reviews
Used for 1 - 3 mo
17 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 4 days ago
Ive been on rigivedon for about 21 days now my first packet so still quite early on. However I’ve been experiencing lower back ache which has been going on and off for a while and it is getting me down I have booked a GP appointment incase it’s something more serious or to change pill. I can see 1 in 3 women experience back ache on this pill so I am quite sure it’s this.i think I have also felt quite down within myself and my gums have been more tender and sensitive.
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
29 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
I was on Rigevidon when I was 20, switched to mini-pill then the coil. I asked to go back on Rigevidon because it worked for me the last time. Cut to 29, I am miserable. My main side effects are - Extreme fatigue Nausea Mood swings / irritability Not feeling myself Brain fog Low sex drive Skin worsen Headaches Tender and swollen breasts I am at the GP tomorrow to be asked to change to a different kind of hormone and smaller dose. The nausea and tiredness I cannot take anymore.
Somewhat negative mood
3 more effects
0 helpful
1 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
25 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
Been on it for 2 weeks now and my anxiety has gotten so bad, should I wait 3months for my body to adjust or just switch?
Somewhat negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
17 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 4 days ago
Ive been on rigivedon for about 21 days now my first packet so still quite early on. However I’ve been experiencing lower back ache which has been going on and off for a while and it is getting me down I have booked a GP appointment incase it’s something more serious or to change pill. I can see 1 in 3 women experience back ache on this pill so I am quite sure it’s this.i think I have also felt quite down within myself and my gums have been more tender and sensitive.
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
29 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
I was on Rigevidon when I was 20, switched to mini-pill then the coil. I asked to go back on Rigevidon because it worked for me the last time. Cut to 29, I am miserable. My main side effects are - Extreme fatigue Nausea Mood swings / irritability Not feeling myself Brain fog Low sex drive Skin worsen Headaches Tender and swollen breasts I am at the GP tomorrow to be asked to change to a different kind of hormone and smaller dose. The nausea and tiredness I cannot take anymore.
Somewhat negative mood
3 more effects
0 helpful
1 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
25 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
Been on it for 2 weeks now and my anxiety has gotten so bad, should I wait 3months for my body to adjust or just switch?
Somewhat negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
33 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3 weeks ago
I started Microgynon30 becase my previous mini-pill (Cerelle) made me bleed every other week. Pharmacist advised the combined would regulate the periods. Unfortunately within 24h of starting Microgynon30 I have severely painful breasts, swollen and itchy (I went up a full cup size and it's not fun, I can't fit into my bras and running has become impossible). Nipples are itchy and sensitive and get scabby and dry. I have sore muscles as if I was constantly PMSing. The worst side effect though has been migraines with aura. Never had migraines in my life before, and now I do. I'm gonna switch to Slynd now, I don't ever wanna go back on a combined pill ever again.
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
29 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 month ago
Only lasted a month on this pill as it made me incredibly low and irritable. Severe bloating
Very negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
29 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 month ago
Generally my mood on it was brilliant however it caused severe bloating and cravings so I gained weight
Somewhat positive mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 8+ yr
28 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 month ago
I have tried a few contraceptives including the implant, mini pill and a different combined pill before landing on this one and it was by far the best. Lighter periods, can predict them starting to the hour. No cramps or pains or nausea which i did have before contraception. I do have hormonal headache leading up to and during the break week. Moods were awful on the progesterone only pills but on gedarel I am very level to the point of sometimes feeling a bit numb.
Somewhat positive mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 12 - 18 mo
19 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 month ago
I have been happy with this pill and haven’t really noticed anything significant and has been working as it should, however over the past 15ish months i have been having recurring thrush and i have worked it down to i believe being this pill. i have gone to the pharmacy today and gotten a new pill to try so fingers crossed but yeah turns out thrush is a symptom i believe 1 in 10 people on it
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 5 yr
31 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 month ago
Decreased sex drive
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
39 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 7th Aug 26
Brilliant medication, the bio identical oestrogen is definitely kinder and easier to manage. I managed to gain weight and keep it, it's something I struggled with massively before. I have nicer bust size too 😁. Tbh is better than Eloine and I have less tension in my body. I recommend it to neurodiverse ppl for certain.
Very positive mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments

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