Zoely pill vs Rigevidon

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Zoely pill

£From £0.32/day

Rigevidon

£From £0.19/day

Overview

Rated 3.2

22 reviews

Daily

Frequency

91% - 99+%

Effectiveness

Increased

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Rated 2.5

582 reviews

Daily

Frequency

91% - 99+%

Effectiveness

Increased

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Zoely pill ingredients

Main hormones in Zoely pill

Anti-Androgenic progestogen


Rigevidon ingredients

Main hormones in Rigevidon

Androgenic progestogen

Medium oestrogen

What Lowdown reviewers say

36% very negative

41% lighter periods

46% no impact

73% no impact

50% no impact on skin

Cycle return

50% don’t know impact

42% very negative

50% lighter periods

46% lost sex drive

45% no impact

35% improved skin

Cycle return

43% don’t know impact

Benefits: What this contraceptive can help with

Acne or bad skin

Heavy periods

PMS and PMDD

PCOS symptoms

Period pain

Acne or bad skin

Heavy periods

PMS and PMDD

PCOS symptoms

Period pain

Try it now

£From £0.32/day

Try it now

£From £0.19/day

Check out our latest reviews

Real life reviews from people like you

Zoely pill reviews

22 reviews

Combined pill  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
32 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1st May 25

Zoely pill  

My psychiatrist put me on Zoely in August of 2024, I had recently been diagnosed with PMDD (pre menstrual dysphoric disorder) and was at a point in my life where if I didn’t find a way to manage the symptoms I was at breaking point. I’d been misdiagnosed with bipolar, major depression, borderline personality disorder and had been on a rollercoaster of treatments from ages 13-30. So I was hesitant to trust this psychiatrist and go on another potentially damaging rollercoaster of meds. Alas, after 3 weeks I noticed dramatic changes to my moods, I was balanced! I felt in control, grounded and sane! Obviously my period stopped and my cycle was no longer existent but this medication saved my life, my relationship, my mental health and gave me back my life! The only negative side is my low to zero sex drive, that’s been tough but I’m navigating it now, my partner doesn’t feel desirable because I don’t want sex.. like ever but we are both just happy to have a peaceful life without the ups and down. It seems like a fair trade to me. So very grateful for this medication.

Read more

Very positive mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
44 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1st Apr 25

Zoely pill  

I was put on zoely to treat symptoms of perimenopause. It actually made my symptoms worse. I took it for 1 month and found I had more frequent night sweats and hot flashes, my mood felt unstable and erratic, insomnia was worse also. I constantly had spotting every day for the month and then no period. My exhaustion was even worse than it had been before starting it. I've stopped it now and feel better already after 6 days.


Very negative mood

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
30 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  12th Mar 25

Zoely pill  

I was on this pill just shy of a month. I was bloating on the first day of use. I noticed the first week my mental state was horrible very agitated, flat and no energy. I did notice after the first few weeks my skin was definitely clearing up. I get hormonal acne. I had reduced hair loss (from endometriosis) and no ovulation pain. 3rd week in I started to get a sharp pain in the calf. Subsided then came back worse. So decided to stop taking it all together because leg pain wasn't worth the possibility of a blood clot. Three days off the pill the leg pain completely disappeared. Definitely was not the pill for me. Cons- Low mood Low sex drive Joint pain Sore lower back Constant bloating Extreme calf pain Insomnia Nausea Chest hypertension Pros- Clearer skin Less hair loss No ovulation pain


Very negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
32 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1st May 25

Zoely pill  

My psychiatrist put me on Zoely in August of 2024, I had recently been diagnosed with PMDD (pre menstrual dysphoric disorder) and was at a point in my life where if I didn’t find a way to manage the symptoms I was at breaking point. I’d been misdiagnosed with bipolar, major depression, borderline personality disorder and had been on a rollercoaster of treatments from ages 13-30. So I was hesitant to trust this psychiatrist and go on another potentially damaging rollercoaster of meds. Alas, after 3 weeks I noticed dramatic changes to my moods, I was balanced! I felt in control, grounded and sane! Obviously my period stopped and my cycle was no longer existent but this medication saved my life, my relationship, my mental health and gave me back my life! The only negative side is my low to zero sex drive, that’s been tough but I’m navigating it now, my partner doesn’t feel desirable because I don’t want sex.. like ever but we are both just happy to have a peaceful life without the ups and down. It seems like a fair trade to me. So very grateful for this medication.


Very positive mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
44 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1st Apr 25

Zoely pill  

I was put on zoely to treat symptoms of perimenopause. It actually made my symptoms worse. I took it for 1 month and found I had more frequent night sweats and hot flashes, my mood felt unstable and erratic, insomnia was worse also. I constantly had spotting every day for the month and then no period. My exhaustion was even worse than it had been before starting it. I've stopped it now and feel better already after 6 days.


Very negative mood

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
30 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  12th Mar 25

Zoely pill  

I was on this pill just shy of a month. I was bloating on the first day of use. I noticed the first week my mental state was horrible very agitated, flat and no energy. I did notice after the first few weeks my skin was definitely clearing up. I get hormonal acne. I had reduced hair loss (from endometriosis) and no ovulation pain. 3rd week in I started to get a sharp pain in the calf. Subsided then came back worse. So decided to stop taking it all together because leg pain wasn't worth the possibility of a blood clot. Three days off the pill the leg pain completely disappeared. Definitely was not the pill for me. Cons- Low mood Low sex drive Joint pain Sore lower back Constant bloating Extreme calf pain Insomnia Nausea Chest hypertension Pros- Clearer skin Less hair loss No ovulation pain


Very negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments


Rigevidon reviews

582 reviews

Combined pill  
Used for 5 - 8 yr
29 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  3 days ago

Rigevidon  

This contraception changed my personality. It made me very angry, easily frustrated and issues that should be small seemed huge in my mind. Since changing contraception to the Yasmin pill, I honestly feel like a different person. I am quite upset that most of my twenties were spent in this state of constant anger. I thought it was just my personality but since changing pill I can now see that it was the contraception. I also got severe withdrawal headaches when I took the 7 day break.


Very negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
19 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  4 days ago

Rigevidon  

i have PCOS this pill was amazing for the first 3 1/2 years, it made me lose 10 pounds in two weeks from me changing nothing to my active levels and diet, my skin cleared up, i had lighter and regular periods, had a high sex drive until i started having very irregular periods in the last 6 months. including periods happening every other week and spotting between it even when taking it correctly so i decided to change contraception but this may be because of my PCOS


Improved skin

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
20 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

Rigevidon  

For the first 2 years it was great. Then it got progressively worse, it severely affected my mental health and physical qualities of life too. Periods are so unpredictable by both pain and flow. As a contraceptive however, it works very well.


Very negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 5 - 8 yr
29 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  3 days ago

Rigevidon  

This contraception changed my personality. It made me very angry, easily frustrated and issues that should be small seemed huge in my mind. Since changing contraception to the Yasmin pill, I honestly feel like a different person. I am quite upset that most of my twenties were spent in this state of constant anger. I thought it was just my personality but since changing pill I can now see that it was the contraception. I also got severe withdrawal headaches when I took the 7 day break.


Very negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
19 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  4 days ago

Rigevidon  

i have PCOS this pill was amazing for the first 3 1/2 years, it made me lose 10 pounds in two weeks from me changing nothing to my active levels and diet, my skin cleared up, i had lighter and regular periods, had a high sex drive until i started having very irregular periods in the last 6 months. including periods happening every other week and spotting between it even when taking it correctly so i decided to change contraception but this may be because of my PCOS


Improved skin

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
20 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

Rigevidon  

For the first 2 years it was great. Then it got progressively worse, it severely affected my mental health and physical qualities of life too. Periods are so unpredictable by both pain and flow. As a contraceptive however, it works very well.


Very negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
19 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  3 weeks ago

Rigevidon  

Intended purpose is great- it’s stopped my debilitating periods and I can now carry on with my day when I first start my period, however I have experienced acid reflux and a lot of nausea specifically in the morning even after 8 months on this pill.


Decreased sex drive

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
24 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  30th Jun 25

Rigevidon  

This sent me nearly insane with my moods. I had no other side effects other than it made me nearly suicidal. I know you could say maybe it wasn’t the pill but I was fine before taking it, happy in myself, then after I had a mental breakdown I stopped taking it and suddenly felt like myself again. I’ve heard a lot of people say it’s been awful for their mood and I’m surprised they haven’t banned it yet


Very negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 5 - 8 yr
28 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  24th Jun 25

Rigevidon  

I’ve used Rigevidon on and off for years. It was great from my late teens to about age 25, my periods reduce to 3 days on this pill and are very light, with minimal cramping. When I hit 25, I really started to notice mood swings and complete loss of libido. Came off the pill for a while, then back on it, and am noticing the same symptoms again


Somewhat negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
18 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  9th Jun 25

Rigevidon  

Used Rigevidon for 6 months, had to stop due to mood. It didn't make me depressed or anxious just a lot more sensitive, took my quite a while (another 6 months) for my hormones to finally balance out again. My weight didn't change a massive deal, I gained a little bit, probably more due to me being more upset than usual. Stopped period pain and made periods a lot lighter and easier and grew my boobs a bit. Also very clear skin which is a bonus. Overall okay pill I just didn't like the mood swings.


Somewhat negative mood

3 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
33 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  4th Jun 25

Rigevidon  

I’ve managed 10 days on this pill - but have stopped for my mental health. Never have I suffered with anxiety like I have on this pill. It has been horrendous. My mood is so low and I’ve not been able to function normally for days. I’ve not eaten or drank normally. The headaches and nausea are constant.


Very negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

1 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
25 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  12th May 25

Rigevidon  

I really didn't like this pill. It caused my mood to plummet, and I gained weight on it.


Very negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  9th May 25

Rigevidon  

It was good in the sense that my “cycle” felt really regular and I had very consistent moods which felt good as it avoided the PMS I used to get. The peace of mind as a contraceptive method was also good. Whilst I was on it I didnt realise anything significantly different about myself. However, when I came off it i didnt realise how much of my self it had suppressed - in terms of feeling alive to the word and sexually charged. I now use condoms/ may consider the localised hormonal coil as I am no longer interested in experiencing such significant changes in myself for contraception.


Somewhat negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Contraceptive alternatives and comparisons

Compare the Zoely pill with other contraceptives

Compare the Rigevidon with other contraceptives

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