Reviews

Vaginal ring reviews

3.7

45 reviews

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

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


Vaginal ring FAQs

No FAQs at this moment

Reviews

3.7

45 reviews

Filter reviews

Community reviews

Used for 3 - 6 mo
33 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  18th Nov 23

  •  Still using

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.

Read more

Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 1 - 3 mo
29 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  7th Oct 23

  •  Still using

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.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 6 - 12 mo
23 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  10th Sep 23

  •  Still using

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

Used for 3 - 5 yr
31 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  9th Sep 23

  •  Stopped using

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.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

1 comments

Used for 1 - 3 mo
30 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  11th Aug 23

  •  Stopped using

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.


Top side effects not reported

1 helpful

0 comments

Used for 1 - 3 mo
32 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  8th Aug 23

  •  Stopped using

My mood spiralled quite rapidly - by week three I was in what I would describe as a state of depression and had to remove it a few days early. I felt as though there was a grey cloud over my head constantly and I was randomly crying several times a day. It was actually interesting tracking my mood because it was a stark difference to how I was feeling prior to using the ring. It's a shame it didn't work out for me as it was quite convenient method of protection but I couldn't endure the feelings for more than one cycle.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 3 - 5 yr
36 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1st Aug 23

  •  Still using

Best contraceptive I’ve tried so far, and love that I only need to change every 3 weeks!! Unlike the pill, no mood disturbance, weight changes, skin changes! (had previously used the 3rd gen pills, which were much better than the others which made me hungry and depressed. I used gestodene, for 10 years, then switched to yaz for 5 - was better than gestodene - then a GP friend told me about the nuvaring)


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 12 - 18 mo
27 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  8th Jun 23

  •  Still using

I really love using the ring, I was hesitant at first because I thought I might be able to feel it when it’s in place, but I honestly forget it’s there, and don’t even notice it during sex. My periods have almost completely stopped, I just sometimes get a bit of spotting around the time I change the ring.


Top side effects not reported

1 helpful

0 comments

Used for 1 - 3 mo
28 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  6th May 23

  •  Still using

I've been using NuvaRing in the past and I was most content, so when getting a new long term partner now it was my first choice. I'm currently on my 4th ring. 1st month was messy due to prolonged bleeding, but now I'm not having any side effects except vaginal dryness, which became pretty prominent and has very negative impact on my sex life. Aside of that, I'm very happy with this method (cumulative 5 years of experience)


Top side effects not reported

1 helpful

0 comments

Used for 3 - 5 yr
27 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  12th Feb 23

  •  Still using

Great not having to remember each day. Has made my periods regular even though they are still heavy


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Compare contraceptives

Use our handy tool to see how they stack up

Vaginal ring side effects

Possible side effects with Vaginal ring

Vaginal ring side effects

Possible side effects with Vaginal ring

Order online

Order online now

Use our online prescription in under 5 mins

  • No GP appointment needed

  • Free standard delivery

  • Set up a subscription and never run out

Speak to a doctor

Not sure yet? Speak to a doctor

Schedule an appointment now

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

Order Vaginal ring

No GP appointment needed

The Lowdown

Women's health, reviewed.

Get the best women’s health info in your inbox

You are signing up to receive The Lowdown's latest findings and news in women's health. Your data will be used in accordance with our Privacy & Cookie policy

Built by doctors and experts

Our tools are made by medical professionals for your peace of mind

Pharmacy services provided by Phlo Technologies Ltd. GPhC reg number: 9011171

When you click on some links on this site, we may get a small affiliate commission