Vaginal ring vs Male condom

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Vaginal ring

£From £0.41/day

Male condom

Want to switch contraception?

Overview

Rated 3.7

48 reviews

Every 3 weeks

Frequency

91% - 99+%

Effectiveness

Increased

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Rated 4.1

65 reviews

During or before sex

Frequency

82% - 98%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Vaginal ring ingredients

Main hormones in Vaginal ring

progestogen

oestrogen

Male condom ingredients

Male condoms are thin latex or polyurethane sheaths that are worn on the penis during sexual intercourse.

What Lowdown reviewers say

58% no impact on mood

52% lighter periods

46% lost sex drive

67% no impact

37% no impact on skin

Cycle return

53% in 1 month

74% no impact on mood

88% no change

79% no impact

99% no impact

92% no impact on skin

Cycle return

50% in 1 month

Benefits: What this contraceptive can help with

Acne or bad skin

Heavy periods

PMS and PMDD

PCOS symptoms

Period pain

Protects against STIs

Try it now

£From £0.41/day

Try it now

Want to switch contraception?

Check out our latest reviews

Real life reviews from people like you

Vaginal ring reviews

48 reviews

Vaginal ring  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
20 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

NuvaRing  

No side effects at all but the ring kept falling out so i always felt it while standing up

Read more

Increased sex drive

0 helpful

0 comments

Vaginal ring  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
29 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  8th Jul 24

NuvaRing  

I really loved using the ring, compared to the pill the side effects were minimal and absolutely no bother in remembering it. Unfortunately my doctor just made me come off it as my blood pressure has steadily gone up over 3 years of using it. I did experience loss of sex drive, and vaginal dryness which led to thrush infections. But no changes in mood or skin!


Decreased sex drive

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Vaginal ring  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
29 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  15th May 24

NuvaRing  

Love the Nuvaring. Hardly have to think about changing it. I can get the odd bit of breakthrough bleeding if I don't take my 7 day break. Overall, I'm a big fan!


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Vaginal ring  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
20 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

NuvaRing  

No side effects at all but the ring kept falling out so i always felt it while standing up


Increased sex drive

0 helpful

0 comments

Vaginal ring  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
29 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  8th Jul 24

NuvaRing  

I really loved using the ring, compared to the pill the side effects were minimal and absolutely no bother in remembering it. Unfortunately my doctor just made me come off it as my blood pressure has steadily gone up over 3 years of using it. I did experience loss of sex drive, and vaginal dryness which led to thrush infections. But no changes in mood or skin!


Decreased sex drive

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Vaginal ring  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
29 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  15th May 24

NuvaRing  

Love the Nuvaring. Hardly have to think about changing it. I can get the odd bit of breakthrough bleeding if I don't take my 7 day break. Overall, I'm a big fan!


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments


Male condom reviews

65 reviews

Male condom  
Used for 8+ yr
46 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  15th May 24

Skyn condom  

I was recommended dretine and I've not looked back.


Very positive mood

0 helpful

0 comments

Male condom  
Used for 8+ yr
56 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  12th Mar 24

Durex condom  

Potentially safe


Somewhat positive mood

0 helpful

0 comments

Male condom  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
25 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  8th Mar 24

Pasante condom  

You would need a lot of lube as it is not naturally liberated.


Somewhat positive mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Male condom  
Used for 8+ yr
46 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  15th May 24

Skyn condom  

I was recommended dretine and I've not looked back.


Very positive mood

0 helpful

0 comments

Male condom  
Used for 8+ yr
56 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  12th Mar 24

Durex condom  

Potentially safe


Somewhat positive mood

0 helpful

0 comments

Male condom  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
25 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  8th Mar 24

Pasante condom  

You would need a lot of lube as it is not naturally liberated.


Somewhat positive mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Male condom  
Used for 5 - 8 yr
45 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  23rd Feb 24

Pasante condom  

I have no problem apart from feeling friction more quicker then using without a condom.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Male condom  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
24 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  21st Feb 24

Mates condom  

I am happy using the male condom as it does not effect my hormones nor cause massive physical issues.


Somewhat positive mood

0 helpful

0 comments

Male condom  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
22 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  13th Feb 24

Durex condom  

I like to use them because they don’t affect you / if you have had bad experiences with hormonal birth control in the past


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Male condom  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
28 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  12th Feb 24

Durex condom  

My partner uses a male condom which comes with no symptoms as it is not harmonal. However, I struggle with intense ovulation symptoms that ranges from lower abdominal cramps to spotting in mucus. This started 3 years ago (age 25) and first occurred periodically but for the past year it has been almost every month. The mucosal spotting is not heavy and does not require pads. However, it use to last only 1-2 days but now it extends 3-4 days.


Very positive mood

0 helpful

0 comments

Male condom  
Used for 5 - 8 yr
26 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  8th Feb 24

Durex condom  

For me using condoms worked great and I had virtually no complaints during the years I used them.


Decreased sex drive

0 helpful

0 comments

Male condom  
Used for 8+ yr
58 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  8th Feb 24

Durex condom  

Simple but effective. It was the main form of contraception we learnt about at school and the one that was easily available, I switched between this and the coil until I had my babies. Some men may not want to wear one but then they are not people you should be sleeping with!


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Male condom  
Used for 5 - 8 yr
25 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  8th Feb 24

Pasante condom  

For me nothing compares. No side effects and it is the only form of protection that prevents pregnancy and STI's 10/10 recommended.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Contraceptive alternatives and comparisons

Compare the Vaginal ring with other contraceptives

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87% of women are happier with their contraceptive choice after speaking with one of The Lowdown's doctors

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