Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
• 22nd Aug 19
Even though I am very good at taking my pills, on time every night, I had to stop taking this pill as I was so badly effected every month. My parter could tell when I was near the end of my strip and due on, because I became a monster. I felt terrible every month. Really down and sad and major issues with self confidence. Massive increase in cramps and pain during my noticeably heavier periods! I really did not get along with this pill at all. At one point I bled none stop for two months, people would avoid me!! Thank goodness I stopped!
Impact while using
Mood
Skin
Sex drive
Weight
Bleeds
Impact after using
Mood
Skin
Sex drive
Weight
Cycle return to normal
Side effects reported
While using
After using
Coming off contraception
Much better. Was a relief to get off this pill. Periods returned to normal after a few months, no more migraines, no more mood swings to the extent of when I was on the pill. Much better confidence. Just overall relief!
0 helpful
0 comments
We've got experts to help you with your contraception
We have NHS-registered nurses and doctors who will really listen, and answer your questions.
We have NHS-registered nurses and doctors who will really listen, and answer your questions.
Full 20 minute conversation
Evening and weekend appointments
100% money back guarantee
Leave a comment or question
Post
We've got experts to help you with your contraception
We have NHS-registered nurses and doctors who will really listen, and answer your questions.
We have NHS-registered nurses and doctors who will really listen, and answer your questions.
Full 20 minute conversation
Evening and weekend appointments
100% money back guarantee
Explore popular contraception reviews
Used for 6 - 12 mo
20 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• today
I changed to marvelon from cilique/ levest because neither were helping my skin. this one did!! however my sex drive has gone down massively. but periods are all regular no issues there just low libido :(
Improved skin
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
32 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 day ago
Overall good but feel like unable to lose weight and slight dizziness.
Improved skin
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
23 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 4 days ago
Initially, I had little to complain about with the pill. My skin became clear after a few months and my breasts increased a cup size. HOWEVER, I had always felt more ill and generally tired on this pill, emotionally I also felt very static. Not depressed or unhappy but I could not feel my emotions as normal. My doctor advised me to switch from a 7 day break every month to a 4 day break as the guidelines had changed. This increase in the pill caused my breasts to get even bigger and very very sore. My doctor found multiple cysts in both breasts, I explained that I thought this was due to the increase in the pill I was taking but they said they would drain the cysts rather than me coming off the pill. I decided to come off the pill to see if it would decrease the cysts and they went completely of their own accord within a month of coming off the pill. I lost a lot of hair and my skin got worse but I have never felt better in myself, more healthy and happy since coming off. I will not go on any form of hormonal contraception again.
Somewhat negative mood
3 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
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
21 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3 weeks ago
I’ve been on a couple of pills in the past which have been fine other than the odd side effect. But I’ve changed over due to those small side effects getting worse such as the main one being water retention in the arms. Brevinor, this is by far the worst pill I’ve tried. The first 3 days were terrible. I felt faint, tired & dizzy. My boobs were so sore for the first 21 days when I was taking this pill. Swollen and sore, even putting my bra on. I have gone back to my GP and they have prescribed rigevidon….judging by the reviews on here I will not be taking it or any other pills. I will be starting to track my cycle naturally in the new year whilst using barrier methods such as condoms.
Very negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
24 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 month ago
My experience of this pill was very positive, only reason I do not use it joe is because my pharmacist switched to a different brand (same hormones)
Top side effects not reported
2 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
16 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 month ago
I wish that I never stopped taking this pill! It was brilliant. Cleared up my skin very quickly. Doctor took me off it because I had some headaches. I don’t know whether these headaches were connected but the rest of my experience with this pill was positive !
Improved skin
2 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
16 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 month ago
DO NOT TAKE IF YOU ARE TAKING PILL CONTINUOUSLY! This pill made me bleed when I wasn’t supposed to and have 4 UTIs. Each pill contains a different amount of hormones which sent my period haywire!
Improved skin
2 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
20 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 month ago
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 6 - 12 mo
31 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 month ago
Overall this is one of the better pills I've been on (previously tried Dianette and Marvelon) - I don't think I'll ever find a perfect solution! For PCOS it improved acne effectively and quickly. However, I've had much better results reducing hirsutism with previous pills and with the Mirena coil. Main perk of this pill compared to others is that I haven't experienced thrush (which was a regular issue before on other pills). I also feel like my sex drive, while reduced, isn't totally absent! The knowledge that this pill contains lower doses of active ingredients and is less 'synthetic' than traditional pills makes me feel like it's closer to my natural hormonal state. I'm hopeful that when I do come off the pill and try to get pregnant, it won't take many months for my periods to come back. It took several months to return with other pills. Mentally I think this pill is dampening my mood and energy a bit, but at least I don't experience the huge mood swings that I'd experience during my natural cycle. Finally I've heard anecdotes about ADHD medication not being as effective whilst on the pill. I haven't found this to be an issue taking Drovelis, and actually the consistency in my mood is fairly helpful for ADHD symptom management.
Improved skin
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Explore popular contraception reviews
Used for 6 - 12 mo
20 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• today
I changed to marvelon from cilique/ levest because neither were helping my skin. this one did!! however my sex drive has gone down massively. but periods are all regular no issues there just low libido :(
Improved skin
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
32 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 day ago
Overall good but feel like unable to lose weight and slight dizziness.
Improved skin
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
23 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 4 days ago
Initially, I had little to complain about with the pill. My skin became clear after a few months and my breasts increased a cup size. HOWEVER, I had always felt more ill and generally tired on this pill, emotionally I also felt very static. Not depressed or unhappy but I could not feel my emotions as normal. My doctor advised me to switch from a 7 day break every month to a 4 day break as the guidelines had changed. This increase in the pill caused my breasts to get even bigger and very very sore. My doctor found multiple cysts in both breasts, I explained that I thought this was due to the increase in the pill I was taking but they said they would drain the cysts rather than me coming off the pill. I decided to come off the pill to see if it would decrease the cysts and they went completely of their own accord within a month of coming off the pill. I lost a lot of hair and my skin got worse but I have never felt better in myself, more healthy and happy since coming off. I will not go on any form of hormonal contraception again.
Somewhat negative mood
3 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
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
21 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3 weeks ago
I’ve been on a couple of pills in the past which have been fine other than the odd side effect. But I’ve changed over due to those small side effects getting worse such as the main one being water retention in the arms. Brevinor, this is by far the worst pill I’ve tried. The first 3 days were terrible. I felt faint, tired & dizzy. My boobs were so sore for the first 21 days when I was taking this pill. Swollen and sore, even putting my bra on. I have gone back to my GP and they have prescribed rigevidon….judging by the reviews on here I will not be taking it or any other pills. I will be starting to track my cycle naturally in the new year whilst using barrier methods such as condoms.
Very negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
24 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 month ago
My experience of this pill was very positive, only reason I do not use it joe is because my pharmacist switched to a different brand (same hormones)
Top side effects not reported
2 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
16 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 month ago
I wish that I never stopped taking this pill! It was brilliant. Cleared up my skin very quickly. Doctor took me off it because I had some headaches. I don’t know whether these headaches were connected but the rest of my experience with this pill was positive !
Improved skin
2 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
16 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 month ago
DO NOT TAKE IF YOU ARE TAKING PILL CONTINUOUSLY! This pill made me bleed when I wasn’t supposed to and have 4 UTIs. Each pill contains a different amount of hormones which sent my period haywire!
Improved skin
2 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
20 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 month ago
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 6 - 12 mo
31 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 month ago
Overall this is one of the better pills I've been on (previously tried Dianette and Marvelon) - I don't think I'll ever find a perfect solution! For PCOS it improved acne effectively and quickly. However, I've had much better results reducing hirsutism with previous pills and with the Mirena coil. Main perk of this pill compared to others is that I haven't experienced thrush (which was a regular issue before on other pills). I also feel like my sex drive, while reduced, isn't totally absent! The knowledge that this pill contains lower doses of active ingredients and is less 'synthetic' than traditional pills makes me feel like it's closer to my natural hormonal state. I'm hopeful that when I do come off the pill and try to get pregnant, it won't take many months for my periods to come back. It took several months to return with other pills. Mentally I think this pill is dampening my mood and energy a bit, but at least I don't experience the huge mood swings that I'd experience during my natural cycle. Finally I've heard anecdotes about ADHD medication not being as effective whilst on the pill. I haven't found this to be an issue taking Drovelis, and actually the consistency in my mood is fairly helpful for ADHD symptom management.
Improved skin
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
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
Slide into our DMs
Built by doctors and experts
Our tools are made by medical professionals for your peace of mind
Our website uses affiliate links and we may earn a small commission if you click on them
Leave a comment or question
Post