What Is Rigevidon?
Rigevidon is a combined oral contraceptive pill used to prevent pregnancy. Each tablet contains two active ingredients — ethinylestradiol (oestrogen) and levonorgestrel (progesterone).
When taken correctly, Rigevidon is over 99% effective — meaning very few women will fall pregnant while using it.
How Does Rigevidon Work?
Rigevidon prevents pregnancy by:
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Stopping the release of an egg from the ovaries (ovulation)
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Thickening the mucus in the neck of the womb, making it harder for sperm to reach an egg
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Thinning the lining of the womb, so a fertilised egg is less likely to implant
To stay protected, it’s important to take Rigevidon correctly and avoid missing pills. If you do miss a pill, take the next one as soon as possible to maintain protection.
Rigevidon and Anxiety
Some women may notice mood changes, such as anxiety or low mood, after starting Rigevidon. Mood swings are a known side effect. If you already experience anxiety, you may find your symptoms become more noticeable.
If this happens, speak with your doctor or pharmacist for advice.
Coming off Rigevidon
When you stop taking Rigevidon, your period might not return straight away. It can take up to four weeks for your cycle to restart and around three months for it to settle back into a regular pattern.
You can become pregnant as soon as you stop taking Rigevidon, so if you are not planning a pregnancy, use another method of contraception such as condoms.
Rigevidon vs Yasmin
Both Rigevidon and Yasmin are combined contraceptive pills that are over 99% effective when used correctly.
They contain similar hormones, but Yasmin uses a different type of progesterone (drospirenone) and in a lower dose. Yasmin is also generally more expensive than Rigevidon.
Both can cause similar side effects, such as mood swings, headaches, breast tenderness, and nausea.
Gedarel vs Rigevidon
Gedarel and Rigevidon are both combined pills, but Gedarel is a lower-dose option and contains a different form of progesterone (desogestrel instead of levonorgestrel).
While their active ingredients and hormone doses differ, they work in the same way and can cause similar side effects. Rigevidon is usually the more cost-effective option.
Can I Buy Rigevidon Online?
Rigevidon is a prescription-only medicine in the UK, so it isn’t available over the counter.
You can request Rigevidon from our UK-registered online pharmacy. Complete a short consultation with our clinical team, and once approved, we will dispense your order in discreet packaging with fast, next-day delivery.
Are All Daily Oral Contraceptives the Same?
No, not all oral contraceptives are the same. There are many different types of oral contraception, and each one differs slightly. Your oral contraception should always be taken as directed by your prescriber. If you miss doses or do not take your pill as prescribed, it will not be as effective and may fail to prevent pregnancy.
What Types of ‘The Pill’ Are Available?
There are two main types of oral contraception:
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The Combined Oral Contraceptive (CoC) – contains two hormones: oestrogen and progestogen.
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The Progestogen-Only Pill (PoP) – often referred to as the ‘mini pill’, which contains only one hormone, progestogen.
Both the CoC and PoP are over 99% effective if taken as prescribed, meaning your chances of becoming pregnant are very low. However, they do not protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs). If you are having unprotected sex with different partners, you are still at risk of contracting an STI.
What Is “The Pill”?
Contraceptive pills are often referred to as “The Pill”. They contain synthetic hormones (hormones that mimic those made in your body).
If I Vomit or Have Diarrhoea After Taking the Pill, What Should I Do?
If you have severe diarrhoea or vomit within 3–4 hours after taking your pill, it may not have been absorbed and you may not be protected from pregnancy. If this happens, take another pill as soon as possible (within 12 hours of the episode).
How Reliable Is Oral Contraception?
When taken correctly as prescribed, the pill is over 99% effective at preventing pregnancy. However, it does not protect against STIs, so if you are having sex with different partners, you should also use barrier contraception (such as condoms).
How Hard Is It to Remember to Take Oral Contraception?
Taking the pill requires a consistent daily routine. If you find you often forget, try:
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Taking your pill at the same time every day (for example, when you wake up)
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Setting reminders on your phone
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Using reminder apps (e.g. myPill for Android and iOS)
Do I Have to Take My Pill at the Same Time Every Day?
Routine is important when taking oral contraception. The time of day you take the pill does not matter, but you must be consistent. If you choose mornings, afternoons, or evenings—stick to the same time every day.
Can I Still Have Sex During the 4- or 7-Day Break?
Yes. It is safe to have sex during the break if you have been taking your pill correctly as prescribed. Just make sure you start your next strip on time to maintain full contraceptive protection.
I Have Not Had My Period and Have Been Taking My Pill as Prescribed — Am I Pregnant?
If you have been taking your pill on time every day as directed, the chances of pregnancy are extremely low. Sometimes, the lining of the womb becomes too thin to be shed, which means you may not bleed during your break.
Before taking any medication, it is important to read the Patient Information Leaflet.
Warnings & Precautions
The combined contraceptive pill is not suitable for everyone and should be avoided by people with certain conditions. This includes people with a history of blood clots, very high blood pressure, unexplained vaginal bleeding, and a history of heart attack or stroke. Our doctors will decide your suitability based on your assessment answers.
Taking combined contraceptive pills has been linked to a slightly raised risk of developing blood clots. Blood clots can be serious, and you should be aware of the symptoms of blood clots. If you notice any of these symptoms while taking Rigevidon, seek medical attention immediately.
There is also a link between taking the combined pill and a slightly increased risk of breast and cervical cancer. This is why yearly screenings are required. Women with a personal or family history of these cancers should avoid taking combined pills for this reason. See the Cancer Research UK website for further information.
Other medicines and Rigevidon
Certain medicines such as epilepsy treatments, HIV medicines, certain antibiotics and antifungal medicines can reduce the effectiveness of the contraceptive pill. To ensure the pill remains effective, it is important that your doctors and health professionals are aware of all the medicines you take when they prescribe for you.
Rigevidon and breastfeeding
The advice for women who are breastfeeding is to avoid using a combined contraceptive pill. Speak to your doctor for further advice.
