Vaginal ring vs Implant
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£From £0.41/day
Add your Implant review
Overview
Rated 3.7
54 reviews
Every 3 weeks
Frequency
91% - 99+%
Effectiveness
Increased
Blood clot risk
None
Effect on fertility
Rated 2.8
615 reviews
Every 3 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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£From £0.41/day
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Add your Implant review
Check out our latest reviews
Real life reviews from people like you
Vaginal ring reviews
54 reviews
Used for 6 - 12 mo
22 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3rd Aug 25
I suffer with PMDD, making my periods a very awful time for me due to how depressed I feel. I was on the combined pill before, but found this was worsening my emotions and making me feel horrendous. The ring was an idea my GP suggested, thinking that because the ring is a gradual release, that stays in your body for the duration you don’t wish to bleed, it would affect me less. This is absolutely what’s happened and I’m much happier on the ring. I’ve never had any problems with feeling it, I’ve noticed a few reviews stating they bleed through when taking it back to back and from my experience this is the case with most contraception. I wouldn’t recommend if you want to take back to back as you do bleed through.
Very positive mood
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 5 yr
34 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 17th Jun 25
I was recommended the ring after suffering with irregular and heavy periods. I would describe myself as suffering PMDD before and now my moods are so much better. It's easy to insert, I never feel it, and easy to keep in (or briefly take out) when having sex. The ring is great and I recommend to everyone I meet.
Very positive mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
23 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 13th May 25
The first few months weren’t awful, had regular side effects like nausea, anxiety & tiredness. The main function of the ring for me was to skip my periods & for the first 3 months it worked great. On my 4th ring a few days later I started to feel incredibly nauseous (I didn’t vomit) & the day after I started bleeding, I spotted every day for over a month & still spot every other day, I also had had a large sack of my uterus wall come out which is apparently a side effect when your hormones are unstable. My hips, pelvis, back and legs were aching to the point I struggled to walk. I removed the ring & had instant relief. The nuvaring has made it so I physically can’t have sex as it feels like my vagina is on fire as soon as anything’s inserted, when I took the ring out for a few days this went away & came back the second I reinserted it (it’s also irritated my partners penis). I don’t know if I’m just very sensitive down there or my body doesn’t agree with having a foreign body inside but this just simply hasn’t worked for me. It’s also difficult to get in the right position. My boobs have gotten bigger tho atleast but so has my tummy from the awful bloating!! Swapping to the patch today & hoping it works.
Somewhat negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
22 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3rd Aug 25
I suffer with PMDD, making my periods a very awful time for me due to how depressed I feel. I was on the combined pill before, but found this was worsening my emotions and making me feel horrendous. The ring was an idea my GP suggested, thinking that because the ring is a gradual release, that stays in your body for the duration you don’t wish to bleed, it would affect me less. This is absolutely what’s happened and I’m much happier on the ring. I’ve never had any problems with feeling it, I’ve noticed a few reviews stating they bleed through when taking it back to back and from my experience this is the case with most contraception. I wouldn’t recommend if you want to take back to back as you do bleed through.
Very positive mood
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 5 yr
34 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 17th Jun 25
I was recommended the ring after suffering with irregular and heavy periods. I would describe myself as suffering PMDD before and now my moods are so much better. It's easy to insert, I never feel it, and easy to keep in (or briefly take out) when having sex. The ring is great and I recommend to everyone I meet.
Very positive mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
23 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 13th May 25
The first few months weren’t awful, had regular side effects like nausea, anxiety & tiredness. The main function of the ring for me was to skip my periods & for the first 3 months it worked great. On my 4th ring a few days later I started to feel incredibly nauseous (I didn’t vomit) & the day after I started bleeding, I spotted every day for over a month & still spot every other day, I also had had a large sack of my uterus wall come out which is apparently a side effect when your hormones are unstable. My hips, pelvis, back and legs were aching to the point I struggled to walk. I removed the ring & had instant relief. The nuvaring has made it so I physically can’t have sex as it feels like my vagina is on fire as soon as anything’s inserted, when I took the ring out for a few days this went away & came back the second I reinserted it (it’s also irritated my partners penis). I don’t know if I’m just very sensitive down there or my body doesn’t agree with having a foreign body inside but this just simply hasn’t worked for me. It’s also difficult to get in the right position. My boobs have gotten bigger tho atleast but so has my tummy from the awful bloating!! Swapping to the patch today & hoping it works.
Somewhat negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Implant reviews
615 reviews
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
• 4 days ago
At first stopped my periods for 1 year but after periods came back much lighter but at random times. Now periods are more regular and still light rather than random spotting. Recently the doctor found a cyst in my ovary they think was caused by the implant.
Decreased sex drive
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
22 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 month ago
I really didn’t like this. I felt I was always bleeding and the first 3 months are brutal emotionally.
Somewhat negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
20 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 20th Aug 25
To me, the implant feels like a very fair tradeoff, where inconsistent spotting and occasional sore boobs is a price I am willing to pay to ensure I have the best protection from pregnancy. That is why I have rated it 5 stars, despite mild side effects. I have had the implant for six months now, and I can honestly say that it has been immense. My copper IUD gave me heavy periods and back pain which would ruin my day, and caused me lots of stress when it randomly decided to dislodge itself after 3 months. The implant cannot dislodge, so this was a welcome improvement. My partner and I used condoms but were worried about the risk of "human error". I was hesitant to start hormonal birth control because I heard stories about people losing their libido or experiencing emotional/personality changes, but these changes have thankfully not occured for me! I may cry slightly more (at films and such) since getting the implant, but I don't actually feel any sadder if that makes sense. Prior to contraception I always had easy, regular periods. Since getting the implant, I have only experienced two physical side effects. One of these is irregular spotting for ~7 days at a time, once or twice a month. This spotting sometimes becomes period-like in terms of the bleeding, and occasionally comes with period-like cramps. I have found this to be easily manageable, but some people find it very frustrating and everyone will have a different experience. It's up to you which side effects you are and aren't willing to put up with. The second side effect for me is sore boobs, although I haven't experienced this for a while. I am hoping that this side effect has run its course now that I have had the implant for 6 months. In terms of the insertion process, it was a ridiculously easy procedure (although I only have an IUD insertion to compare it to). If you're scared of needles I would recommend taking a friend with you because they inject your arm to numb it (mild pain for under 10 seconds, then it's numb). As someone who isn't bothered by needles and had such a friendly doctor, getting the implant was nothing more than an excuse to be taken out for a celebratory dinner. Please don't let the insertion process put you off! Whilst the insertion may sound more inconvenient than picking up a box of condoms or a prescription, it is very straightforward and will only require a 10-minute doctors oppointment every 3 years. I had the implant in my dominant arm and I was able to do normal everyday things, although I had to be cautious about lifting things or raising my arm for the first few days. The bruise took about a month to fully fade, but the mild-moderate aching was gone within a week and a half. In summary, it is so easy to read these reviews and make asssumptions about the implant based on peoples stories of irregular bleeding, painful insertions and hormonal side effects. BUT it is not a negative experience for everyone, and I am so glad to have the implant!
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
• 4 days ago
At first stopped my periods for 1 year but after periods came back much lighter but at random times. Now periods are more regular and still light rather than random spotting. Recently the doctor found a cyst in my ovary they think was caused by the implant.
Decreased sex drive
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
22 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 month ago
I really didn’t like this. I felt I was always bleeding and the first 3 months are brutal emotionally.
Somewhat negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
20 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 20th Aug 25
To me, the implant feels like a very fair tradeoff, where inconsistent spotting and occasional sore boobs is a price I am willing to pay to ensure I have the best protection from pregnancy. That is why I have rated it 5 stars, despite mild side effects. I have had the implant for six months now, and I can honestly say that it has been immense. My copper IUD gave me heavy periods and back pain which would ruin my day, and caused me lots of stress when it randomly decided to dislodge itself after 3 months. The implant cannot dislodge, so this was a welcome improvement. My partner and I used condoms but were worried about the risk of "human error". I was hesitant to start hormonal birth control because I heard stories about people losing their libido or experiencing emotional/personality changes, but these changes have thankfully not occured for me! I may cry slightly more (at films and such) since getting the implant, but I don't actually feel any sadder if that makes sense. Prior to contraception I always had easy, regular periods. Since getting the implant, I have only experienced two physical side effects. One of these is irregular spotting for ~7 days at a time, once or twice a month. This spotting sometimes becomes period-like in terms of the bleeding, and occasionally comes with period-like cramps. I have found this to be easily manageable, but some people find it very frustrating and everyone will have a different experience. It's up to you which side effects you are and aren't willing to put up with. The second side effect for me is sore boobs, although I haven't experienced this for a while. I am hoping that this side effect has run its course now that I have had the implant for 6 months. In terms of the insertion process, it was a ridiculously easy procedure (although I only have an IUD insertion to compare it to). If you're scared of needles I would recommend taking a friend with you because they inject your arm to numb it (mild pain for under 10 seconds, then it's numb). As someone who isn't bothered by needles and had such a friendly doctor, getting the implant was nothing more than an excuse to be taken out for a celebratory dinner. Please don't let the insertion process put you off! Whilst the insertion may sound more inconvenient than picking up a box of condoms or a prescription, it is very straightforward and will only require a 10-minute doctors oppointment every 3 years. I had the implant in my dominant arm and I was able to do normal everyday things, although I had to be cautious about lifting things or raising my arm for the first few days. The bruise took about a month to fully fade, but the mild-moderate aching was gone within a week and a half. In summary, it is so easy to read these reviews and make asssumptions about the implant based on peoples stories of irregular bleeding, painful insertions and hormonal side effects. BUT it is not a negative experience for everyone, and I am so glad to have the implant!
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
32 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 16th Aug 25
All the great wetness I was feeling down there is all gone. I have painful sexual intercourse and I'm sad.
Very negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
17 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 13th Aug 25
Poor experience. Great at preventing pregnancy however side effects on mental and physical health were not worth it. I chose to prioritise my health and swap to condoms.
Very negative mood
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
24 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 23rd Jul 25
Bled constantly for months, then no period for ages, then bleeding again for weeks on end. Really heavy which is abnormal for me. No sex drive, I was really depressed for the nearly 3 years I was on this and I thought that was just me, funnily enough when i came off it I felt so much better and couldn’t believe most my problems were probably being caused by this implant
Somewhat negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
26 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 20th Jul 25
Extreme weight gain, despite always being a consistent weight and no changes in lifestyle/eating habits. Also I have become increasingly more self conscious and body conscious, so an affect on mental health
Very negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 5 yr
19 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 13th Jul 25
Great if you want to have sex and not worry about pregnancy’s however the change in my physical appearance and mood swings have been crazy and I will be getting it removed asap as I can’t go on like this
Very negative mood
1 more effect
1 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
20 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 5th Jul 25
Some infrequent cramping and bleeding but in general a good experience. Despite a lot of fear and generally being very bad with needles, a very good fitting experience (thank you to the nurse for introducing me to glucose shots that reduced the delayed faint for me!), and very convenient to not have to think about it for a few years. Feeling for it has not been as bad as it sounded, and while you cannot avoid side effects as easily - unlike a pill or patch you can't just stop taking it or take a break - they have not been worse than a usual cycle, and happen less frequently so overall, happy!
Somewhat positive mood
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
21 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 4th Jul 25
Great, less to worry about. But the cramps are brutal as well as the mood swings.
Somewhat negative mood
0 helpful
0 comments

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