Vaginal ring vs Implant
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Overview
Rated 3.6
58 reviews
Every 3 weeks
Frequency
91% - 99+%
Effectiveness
Increased
Blood clot risk
None
Effect on fertility
Rated 2.8
646 reviews
Every 5 years
Frequency
Over 99%
Effectiveness
None
Blood clot risk
None
Effect on fertility
Vaginal ring ingredients
Main hormones in Vaginal ring
progestogen
oestrogen
Implant ingredients
Main hormones in Implant
progestogen
What Lowdown reviewers say
Benefits: What this contraceptive can help with
Acne or bad skin
Heavy periods
PMS and PMDD
PCOS symptoms
Period pain
Heavy periods
Ovulation pain
Period pain
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Check out our latest reviews
Real life reviews from people like you
Vaginal ring reviews
58 reviews
Used for 1 - 3 mo
22 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
I tried it once,,had fewer mood swings and lighter periods,I prefer something I can start and stop if I want to ,is a short method of birth control and I like it
Somewhat positive mood
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
22 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
I tried it once,,had fewer mood swings and lighter periods,I prefer something I can start and stop if I want to ,is a short method of birth control and I like it
Somewhat positive mood
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
Implant reviews
646 reviews
Used for 1 - 3 mo
25 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 days ago
I have attempted trying the implant twice. Once when I was 18 and recently at 25 after having a baby. Whilst insertion is quick, easy and pain free with local anaesthetic, the effects of the implant on my mood have been detrimental. The hormone caused me on both occasions to develop severe anxiety and depression almost immediately after insertion, as someone who doesn't usually suffer with mental health issues. It's like having PMS but on an extreme scale. The implant on both occasions made my life miserable. I had to have both removed early and funnily enough a week or so after I did, I felt like 'me' again. The implant has a massive amount of hormone in that runs through your body daily. A hormonal coil works much better for me as it has almost 1/6th the hormone amount of an implant which is mostly contained within the uterus.
Very negative mood
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
21 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 5 days ago
First year and a bit on the implant absolutely perfect. Minimal periods and literally zero side effects. However coming up to year 2 I started bleeding a lot on it. Almost every other week I was getting my period. My GP recommended I get a new one fitted and sadly from the beginning I’m still having frequent periods and ache. It’s a real shame as I really enjoyed having it at the start but I will be switching now.
Worse skin
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 12 - 18 mo
21 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
The fitting was not as scary as I anticipated (helped by an amazing nurse!), and have had similar side effects to the progesterone-only pill, but without the stress of remembering to take it at the same time which is a nice break after years! 'Periods' come every few months generally for me, and are about twice the length of usual but less painful and none of the usual emotional disregulation leading up to it.
Somewhat positive mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
25 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 days ago
I have attempted trying the implant twice. Once when I was 18 and recently at 25 after having a baby. Whilst insertion is quick, easy and pain free with local anaesthetic, the effects of the implant on my mood have been detrimental. The hormone caused me on both occasions to develop severe anxiety and depression almost immediately after insertion, as someone who doesn't usually suffer with mental health issues. It's like having PMS but on an extreme scale. The implant on both occasions made my life miserable. I had to have both removed early and funnily enough a week or so after I did, I felt like 'me' again. The implant has a massive amount of hormone in that runs through your body daily. A hormonal coil works much better for me as it has almost 1/6th the hormone amount of an implant which is mostly contained within the uterus.
Very negative mood
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
21 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 5 days ago
First year and a bit on the implant absolutely perfect. Minimal periods and literally zero side effects. However coming up to year 2 I started bleeding a lot on it. Almost every other week I was getting my period. My GP recommended I get a new one fitted and sadly from the beginning I’m still having frequent periods and ache. It’s a real shame as I really enjoyed having it at the start but I will be switching now.
Worse skin
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 12 - 18 mo
21 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
The fitting was not as scary as I anticipated (helped by an amazing nurse!), and have had similar side effects to the progesterone-only pill, but without the stress of remembering to take it at the same time which is a nice break after years! 'Periods' come every few months generally for me, and are about twice the length of usual but less painful and none of the usual emotional disregulation leading up to it.
Somewhat positive mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
19 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 24th Aug 26
overall a good experience, used to have very bad acne that was significantly improved. only bad thing I can point out is that my period went to very regular to irregular with ocasional spotting
Somewhat positive mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 8+ yr
29 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 16th Aug 26
I liked the implant however it caused a lot of irregular bleeding and bloating. Once I came off it after 8 years I developed PMDD
Gained weight
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
19 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 21st Jul 26
I’ve had this implant twice now both times had side effects I couldn’t deal with first time I gained nearly 3 stone and this time I’m on the weight loss injection and it seems to be countering the weight gain but honestly I’m so emotional and insecure my partner is struggling to deal with my emotions and so am I
Somewhat negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
26 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 15th Jul 26
At first, my experience with the implant wasn't too bad as I was still 'wet' and moist, but over time my natural moisture has completely dwindled down to nearly nothing. This severe dryness is driving me absolutely insane because it honestly makes me feel like I have a post-menopausal vagina. Because of this, I am now changing back to the generic Desogestrel mini-pill, as I know from previous use that I at least had a normal, healthy white and milky discharge on that method. I am just stating my own personal experience here, and I still think that other people should definitely try the implant if they fancy a different form of birth control, because everyone's body reacts differently to the hormones. so yeah, thank u, next with the implant.
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 5 - 8 yr
31 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 14th Jul 26
Been on the implant for 6 years now, initially I was spotting for 6 months before it finally settled. Now much more lighter periods so I can cope better as previously really heavy and needed tranexamic acid to manage, mood is more level now also, very rarely get cramps which is a bonus, have gained a little weight and body hair, overall happy with it
Very positive mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
24 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 8th Jul 26
Very negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 12 - 18 mo
42 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 24th Jun 26
This i my first time, I discovered skin heat rash at the initial stage, presently loosing weight and loosing hair.
Worse skin
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments

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