Reviews
Gedarel 20/150 pill reviews
2.7
135 reviews
Daily
Frequency
91% - 99+%
Effectiveness
Increased
Blood clot risk
None
Effect on fertility
Reviews
2.7
135 reviews
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Community reviews
Used for 3 - 5 yr
30 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
I took the combined pill (first Rigevidon and later Gedarel) for more than 2 years. The first few months after taking Rigevidon I had nausea and tender breasts but this settled after about 2-3 months. I developed migraines that would coincide with the break week (pill-free days). I tried switching to skipping break weeks and taking the pill for several months in a row (until I got several days of breakthrough bleeding, usually every three months), but I still got migraines randomly throughout the months and also almost every time I did eventually take a break-week. I switched to Gedarel but this did not change anything about the migraines. I had to take break weeks more often with Gedarel since I would get breakthrough bleeding more quickly (every two months). Overall I liked being able to skip periods and I think my skin/acne and hair growth maybe improved slightly. However, because of the migraines I eventually switched to a progesterone only pill.
Improved skin
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
20 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 month ago
Was an okay pill, had been taking for around a year if not longer but I got pregnant on this pill so am now changing pill type/brand
Somewhat positive mood
3 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
• 29th Dec 24
I started using contraception again to help manage my PMS, particularly the mood swings a week before my period. At the time, I was also struggling with severe anxiety, which made PMS even harder to cope with each month. I hoped contraception would help regulate my hormones and provide some relief. Initially, I was prescribed Rigividon, but it didn’t work for me. A week before my period, I had intense emotional spikes, irritability, increased appetite, cramps, and breast tenderness. While I could just about manage it most of the time, I worried about how difficult it might get during stressful periods. My nurse suggested switching to Gederal. Since switching to Gederal, my experience has been much better. My periods are lighter, and my PMS symptoms have improved significantly. I feel much more emotionally stable in the week before my period. However, I tried skipping the 7-pill free days to avoid the break, but by the third packet, I felt PMS symptoms building up again, including mood swings. I have had a small amount of reoccurring dermatitis on my nose and chin since starting the pill. Overall, Gederal has been a much better fit for me compared to both Rigividon and my experience without contraception. It’s made a noticeable difference in managing my PMS and emotional well-being.
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
20 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 11th Dec 24
I was only on this for a month, no issues at the beginning, however gradually my mood worsened and I began getting very severe cramps and heavy bleeding. Checked with a doctor and was due to the pill not being strong enough for myself personally.
Very negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
1 comments
Used for 12 - 18 mo
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
• 27th Nov 24
At the start all was going great but in the last 2/3 months things have started going really downhill, I have started shedding hair at an alarming rate, I have gained weight, I have developed thrush on my boob, my eczema is awful, the skin on my face is so oily, I constantly feel down and sad which I used to only experience when I was in the week before my period. It’s definitely not a long term solution.
Somewhat negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
• 2nd Jul 24
Have been using Gedarel for 2 weeks now, the initial side effects in week 1 were strong.I got dizzy, was nauseous and slightly depressed.By week 2 I didn't feel as bad, my boobs started to hurt and I got light cramping, my moods are still up and down but not as severely.Overall ive had mild symptoms.
Somewhat negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
• 20th May 24
Somewhat negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
• 16th May 24
This definitely helped me with my PMS symptoms. No significant changes to my weight. I had more sensitive skin / allergic reactions during my time on it but not necessarily due to the pill. My mood was pretty similar to when I was off the pill.
Somewhat positive mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 5 yr
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
• 7th May 24
It was alright however I gained weight on it and it made me have horrible mood swings
Somewhat negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 12 - 18 mo
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
• 15th Apr 24
Having been on this pill for a year, I noticed that I hadn't felt like myself for a while. I found myself with persistently lower moods. Even during times of joy, the feeling felt dampened. This is the primary reason I decided to stop taking this pill; no contraception is worth losing yourself to! I am still in the early stages of being off this pill, but I feel relieved to have made the choice. It did make my withdrawal bleeds ("periods") very light. However, I do also think it completely suppressed my libido. I (being naive) thought that being on a low dosage pill, I might have fewer symptoms, but it just hasn't worked for me. I just wish there were more non-hormonal options out there.
Very negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Gedarel 20/150 pill 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
Gedarel 20/150 pill alternatives
Contraceptives that work in similar ways, or brands that have close or exactly the same hormonal ingredients