Reviews

Gedarel 20/150 pill reviews

2.7

133 reviews

Gedarel 20/150 pill has an average rating of 2.7 out of 5 stars from a total of 133 reviews when used as a contraceptive. These are self-reported reviews where users of Gedarel 20/150 pill review their satisfaction with this contraceptive and any side effects they feel they experienced whilst using.
Gedarel 20/150 is a low oestrogen combined pill that contains a type of progestogen called desogestrel - which is also in most mini pills. Gedarel 20/150 might be a good option if you are suffering from side effects related to oestrogen with other combined pills, like nausea and sore boobs.

Daily

Frequency

91% - 99+%

Effectiveness

Increased

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Gedarel 20/150 pill

Reviews

2.7

133 reviews

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Community reviews

Combined pill  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  3 weeks ago

Gedarel 20/150 pill  

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.

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Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
20 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  11th Dec 24

Gedarel 20/150 pill  

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

Combined pill  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  27th Nov 24

Gedarel 20/150 pill  

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

Combined pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2nd Jul 24

Gedarel 20/150 pill  

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

Combined pill  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  20th May 24

Gedarel 20/150 pill  

Breast pain was too much I could not even lie down.


Somewhat negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  16th May 24

Gedarel 20/150 pill  

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

Combined pill  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  7th May 24

Gedarel 20/150 pill  

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

Combined pill  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  15th Apr 24

Gedarel 20/150 pill  

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

Combined pill  
Used for 8+ yr
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  31st Mar 24

Gedarel 20/150 pill  

I had terrible experiences (bouts of acne) around age 17/18 with higher dose pills like Yasmin. Eventually settled on Marvelon and was put onto Gedarel (higher dosage) when there were stock issues. After 2 years I moved to the lower dose of Gedarel, and had a relatively positive experience with it for around 5 years but things have worsened recently. Side effects have been; spots around chin around end of pill pack, some spotting when taking back-to-back, lower sex-drive. More significant side-effects have been water-retention/weight gain and boob size increase. I am now thinking about coming off Gedarel as I have noticed the side effects have become more dramatic and all other things are equal - my boobs change massively in size throughout the course of a pack of pills, they are tender, and my weight is also massively fluctuating (I assume from water retention - between 55 - 60kg within the month). I am very active and generally healthy, if anything I am less stressed and have a healthier lifestyle now than I did a few years ago, yet the frequent changes to my body are making me feel uncomfortable in my own skin.


Increased sex drive

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  30th Jan 24

Gedarel 20/150 pill  

I have now taken this for a year and the side effects of this pill are more prominent than my previous pill. I bleed and spot after having a break, my sex drive has decreased and I encounter random strong period cramps randomly throughout the month


Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Gedarel 20/150 pill FAQs

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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 ingredients

Main hormones in Gedarel 20/150 pill

Low oestrogen

Less-Androgenic progestogen

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Gedarel 20/150 pill side effects

Possible side effects with Gedarel 20/150 pill

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