Gedarel 20/150 pill reviews

2.7

135 reviews

Gedarel 20/150 pill has an average rating of 2.7 out of 5 stars from a total of 135 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

135 reviews

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Community reviews

Combined pill  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
30 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  8th Feb 25

Gedarel 20/150 pill  

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

Combined pill  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
20 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  26th Jan 25

Gedarel 20/150 pill  

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

Combined pill  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  29th Dec 24

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.


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

Gedarel 20/150 pill FAQs


Whilst there's no guarantee, Gedarel 20/150 can improve acne for some people. According to our data and medical research, more people report an improvement than those who don't take the combined pill. Take a look at our user-generated reviews to see how our community report how Gedarel 20/150 affects their skin. Find out more in our guide to the contraceptive pill and acne .

There is no definitive answer as to whether the combined pill causes mood swings or depression. Some research says it does - and some says it doesn't! Helpful we know. What we are sure of is that when it comes to your mental health, it's important that you weigh up your individual risks against the benefits of Gedarel 20/150. Check out our guide to contraception and mood to find out more and don't forget to look at our user-generated reviews above to see how our community report Gedarel 20/150 affects their emotions.

The combined pill has not been proven to affect weight. With that said, there are a few related areas that could impact weight gain or loss including appetite, water retention and how the body stores fat. Take a look at our guide to contraception and weight for more information and to look at our reviews to see how hundreds of people have felt their weight has been impacted by Gedarel 20/150.

Yes! 'Back to backing' is not just that thing you did before your girls holiday to Zante in 2010. Taking the combined pill like Gedarel 20/150 back to back and avoiding a withdrawal bleed is perfectly safe and can be done for as long as you like. Find out more in our guide to continuous pill taking .

Gedarel 20/150 is a type of combined pill, a small tablet you swallow daily that contains the hormones oestrogen and progestogen. Gedarel 20/150 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 by preventing the lining of your womb from thickening enough for a fertilised egg to implant into it. Gedarel 20/150 is around 93% effective with typical use which means that 7 in 100 women fall pregnant whilst taking the pill each year. Find out more about how clinical effectiveness is determined. There are a few things that can stop the combined pill from working properly including vomiting, some antibiotics, or missing a pill. Take a look at our complete guide to the combined pill to find out more. You can also use our Missed pill calculator to help you understand what to do if you miss a pill.

You should take your Gedarel 20/150 pill around the same time every day. We recommend keeping your pill packet somewhere you look at everyday (like your makeup bag) to remind you to take it, or set an alarm on your phone. Gedarel 20/150 is designed to be taken for 21 days followed by a 7 day break during which you'll experience a withdrawal bleed (like a period). If you want to, you can choose to shorten this break or miss it out altogether (check out our blog on [taking your pill back to back(https://thelowdown.com/blog/taking-the-pill-back-to-back)). Depending on where you are in your cycle when you start the pill, you might not be protected against pregnancy straight away. Check out our blog about the combined pill for more info. Coming off Gedarel 20/150 is easy - you just stop taking it. When you do, you’re no longer protected from pregnancy. If you want to stop the pill but do not wish to become pregnant then you should complete your current packet before stopping and consider switching to another form of contraception before you stop taking your pill. If you have unprotected sex and stop your pill before the packet is finished you may ovulate (release an egg from the ovary) and could become pregnant. You can use our Missed pill calculator if you have missed any pills from your packet. Read our complete guide to coming off the pill for more advice.

Gedarel 20/150 is safe to take. There are however some small risks associated with taking the pill. With any combined type of hormonal contraception that contains oestrogen, there is a slightly increased risk of developing blood clots in your veins and arteries. The combined pill may also increase your blood pressure. Your doctor will check your individual risk before prescribing the pill. Use of the combined pill 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 the combined pills does not protect you from STIs.

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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

Less-Androgenic progestogen

Gedarel 20/150 pill alternatives

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

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