Vaginal ring reviews

3.6

50 reviews

Vaginal ring has an average rating of 3.6 out of 5 stars from a total of 50 reviews when used as a contraceptive. These are self-reported reviews where users of Vaginal ring review their satisfaction with this contraceptive and any side effects they feel they experienced whilst using.
The vaginal ring is a combined hormonal contraceptive method. It is a small soft plastic ring that you place inside, at the top of your vagina. It needs to be replaced with a new ring after 3 weeks.

Every 3 weeks

Frequency

91% - 99+%

Effectiveness

Increased

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Vaginal ring

Reviews

3.6

50 reviews

Filter reviews

Community reviews

Vaginal ring  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
31 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  22nd Jan 25

NuvaRing  

NuvaRing greatly affected my mood, at one point I thought I had depression and got prescribed antidepressants by incompetent doctors. The second I stopped using NuvaRing (based on INTERNET RECOMMENDATIONS), all my mental problems went away


Very negative mood

1 more effect

1 helpful

0 comments

Vaginal ring  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  29th Nov 24

NuvaRing  

I used the NuvaRing/Syreni ring for over a year without any apparent issues until I began experiencing severe stomach cramps. The pain was so intense that it often woke me up at night, leaving me unable to move or sleep for hours. Despite multiple doctor appointments, my concerns were repeatedly dismissed, and I was left feeling anxious and on edge, uncertain about the cause of my pain. Frustrated with the lack of answers, I decided to take matters into my own hands and removed the ring myself. Remarkably, after five months of excruciating cramps, they stopped immediately upon removal of the ring. It's been five weeks now, and I remain cramp-free. While I cannot say with absolute certainty that the vaginal ring was the cause, the timing feels far too coincidental to ignore.


Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Vaginal ring  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  29th Aug 24

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
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 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
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 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 3 - 6 mo
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  18th Nov 23

SyreniRing  

Things started out really well. No side effects and I didn't take ring breaks so no periods. My skin got less greasy so I got fewer spots, and I had 3 months blissfully free of painful period diarrhoea. Sadly after 3 months I started to get breakthrough bleeding every day and minor versions of my old period symptoms like back pain, cramps, and digestive upsets started to flare up. I tried removing my ring but that just made it worse and within 4 hours I was having a bad time on the loo and put a new ring in just to make it stop. The new ring helped, but now I feel kind of trapped having a constant mini period all the time with no alternative since the only pill that worked for me in the past has been discontinued, and progesterone only contraceptives have never agreed with me, so nothing else seems as convenient as the ring. All in all, bit of a mixed bag.


Improved skin

0 helpful

0 comments

Vaginal ring  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  7th Oct 23

SyreniRing  

Switched to the vaginal ring after using the pill. When first trying it I could feel some pressure in my lower abdomen but this feeling passed after 1 day and havent had it again since using it. The first 2 periods I had were shorter but heavier than usual but after each period (basically the break week) each period got lighter and my 3rd period was lighter than my usual. Apart from that no other side effects - the above ones I experienced I would say linked to my body adjusting to a new contraception (similar to the pill where they tell you the first 3 months you may experience some side effects). I dont feel as moody as when I was on the pill and the great thing is I dont need to remember to take something everyday so the peace of mind is an additional benefit.


Somewhat positive mood

0 helpful

0 comments

Vaginal ring  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  10th Sep 23

NuvaRing  

I've been using the ring for almost a year now and so far it's been working rlly well for me. I pretty much forget it's there when it's in and its rlly easy to change. It's the first hormonal contraceptive I've used so I was extremely apprehensive about it but slowly I've got used to the idea and now it's just a normal part of my routine. The side effects I've experience are minimal and very manageable. A slight decrease in sex drive particularly a couple of months in, and a very slight increase in weight but both are managable and Ive gotten used to. My periods are really regular and I have very little period pain which is great. I would really recommend giving this method a go, overall I'm very glad I did.


Top side effects not reported

1 helpful

0 comments

Vaginal ring  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  9th Sep 23

NuvaRing  

I didn't have any bad experience with the nuvaring while using it but I stopped 6 years ago and i've had problems with my periods ever since... when I stopped, i was having spotting for 9-10 days before my period, my doctor told me everything would be back to normal after about 3 months, but it's been 6 years. It gradually got better, now i only have 1 to 3 days of spotting before my period. I don't know if the ring caused it but it's getting better and better since i stopped using hormones that's why i think it might be linked.


Improved skin

1 more effect

0 helpful

1 comments

Vaginal ring  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  11th Aug 23

NuvaRing  

Unfortunately this contraception made me feel very sad! It led to a continuous low mood, of which I have experienced with the pill previously. I basically just cried a lot for two months and so decided to stop using it. I liked that this could be a short term solution (more short term than the coil) and it was easy to insert/remove. It was not uncomfortable.


Very negative mood

1 helpful

0 comments

Vaginal ring FAQs


To use a vaginal ring, start by choosing the position for inserting that is most comfortable to you (this could be standing with one leg up, squatting, or lying down). You can then remove the vaginal ring from its wrapper, holding the ring between your thumb and index finger, press the opposite sides together and insert the ring into the vagina. You can find out more information on how to insert it here .

The vaginal ring contains both oestrogen and progestogen and can improve acne in some women. Most women who take combined contraception see an improvement in their acne although it can worsen initially. However it's not a one-size-fits-all solution.

The vaginal ring stays inside your vagina for 3 weeks (21 days) at a time.

Some women report vaginal dryness whilst using the vaginal ring. Changes in vaginal 'wetness' are a well reported side effect of combined hormonal contraception, but research on this is often conflicting or inconclusive.⁠ It's also worth noting that vaginal discharge fluctuates anyway during the menstrual cycle.⁠ If vaginal dryness, discharge or itching becomes a problem (i.e. it's painful or uncomfortable or affecting sexual intercourse), it's worth speaking to your GP or practice nurse.

Hormonal methods of contraception may affect your mood. However there are several factors that influence this such as your age, medical history and contraceptive history, as well as what else may be going on in your life. Sadly there's a lot of contradictory evidence out there on this topic, and much more research is needed. You can find more information on what our community reports as side effects from the vaginal ring, or check out our guide to contraception and mood.

The vaginal contraceptive ring is a small soft plastic ring that you place inside your vagina for 3 weeks (21 days) at a time. It releases the hormones oestrogen and progestoge into the bloodstream. It prevents pregnancy in three ways – by stopping ovulation, making the fluid in your cervix thicker (which makes it more difficult for sperm to enter the womb), and preventing the lining of your womb thickening enough for a fertilised egg to implant into it.

When inserting a vaginal ring, make sure you have just washed your hands and then squeeze the first ring between your thumb and forefinger and gently insert the tip into your vagina. You should push it into your vagina so it feels comfortable - it should be far enough inside you so that you don't feel it, towards your cervix, like a tampon. After 21 days, you remove the vaginal ring and have a 7 day ring-free break. In this break you may have a withdrawal bleed (like a period). You then put in a new ring for another 21 days. You may wish to shorten the break between taking your ring out and starting a new one, or have no break at all to avoid a withdrawal bleed. For more information on the vaginal ring, you might like to take a look at our comprehensive guide. Coming off the vaginal ring is easy - you just stop using it. When you do this you’re no longer protected from pregnancy. If you want to stop using the ring but do not wish to become pregnant then you should consider switching to another form of contraception before you stop. If you have unprotected sex and stop the ring before you have used it for 21 consecutive days you may ovulate (release an egg from the ovary) and could become pregnant.

The vaginal ring is a safe form of contraception. However, like with all combined hormonal methods containing oestrogen there is a small risk of developing blood clots in your veins and arteries. It may also increase your blood pressure. Your doctor will check your individual risk before prescribing the ring to you. Use of the ring is also associated with small increased risks of breast cancer and cervical cancer. These reduce with time after stopping. It's also important to remember that vaginal ring does not protect you from STIs.

Vaginal ring benefits

Some of the benefits that are recognised in scientific research or guidelines for this contraceptive

Acne or bad skin

Heavy periods

PMS and PMDD

PCOS symptoms

Period pain

Vaginal ring ingredients

Main hormones in Vaginal ring

oestrogen

progestogen

Vaginal ring alternatives

Contraceptives that work in similar ways, or brands that have close or exactly the same hormonal ingredients

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