To ask if anyone is on Rigevidon ...

[YipYipAppa]

What is your experience with weight gain and/or the ability to lose weight?

I've been on Rigevidon for the last five years or so and haven't had any problems with it, however over the last year or so, I've noticed that I seem to be gaining weight and despite exercising more than I have done in previous years, I still seem to be gaining weight all the time (I've gained about an inch everywhere in the last 12 months). My eating habits haven't really changed but I've always eaten pretty healthily in general and I don't think I'm eating a lot more or more unhealthily than I was when I was a much healthier weight.

I've been thinking maybe struggling to lose the weight could be something to do with the pill as I don't seem to be losing anything and did a google search and found lots of testimonials of people saying when they came off of Rigevidon, they lost weight they'd gained while on it.

I'm feeling pretty miserable about my weight at the moment and do wonder if something else is at play as I really seem to be struggling to lose anything at the moment. I'm not on any other medication so the pill seems the most likely cause.

I switched doctors a couple of years ago due to moving, and though my last doctor would do a repeat prescription for 12 months and then I would have to go in and have my weight and blood pressure checked and she'd make sure everything was okay before giving me a new repeat prescription for 12 months, my current doctor hasn't done any of that - I went to see her, she handed me a repeat prescription and there's been no reviews or anything since. I didn't really think about that until recently but now, especially reading some of the horror stories about Rigevidon, I realise that is definitely something that should have been happening.

I know I need to make an appointment with the doctor to have a review anyway, but I'm just wondering if it would be worth requesting to be put on a different pill? I really don't want to go another year not able to wear most of my wardrobe because it doesn't fit. It's bringing me down.

Rigevidon is the only pill I've been on so I'd really love to know if anyone else has had a similar experience.

I was on it for a very brief time but didn’t get on with it at all. A google search made me realise I was far from the only one.. awful. But not long enough to notice weight issues.
If it’s a new phenomenon, have you thought about getting your thyroid checked? An under active thyroid can cause weight gain.

I've put on weight on it, but suffered less other side effects. Last time I asked to change pill I was told I'd tried all of them!

Rigevidon made me really unwell and practically gave me a personality transplant. I wasn't on it long enough to really experience the weight issues, but I generally think it's better to avoid that pill. It's cheap so they dish it out to everyone but there are plenty others you can take.

I've been on Microgynon/Rigevidon (same thing) for 13 years. About 5 years ago I joined a gym, watched my diet, looked fabulous, so the pill doesn't stop me losing weight. My weight has crept up over the last two years but that's covid/lockdown. If you're exercising a lot more are you sure your appetite hasn't increased accordingly? Your current doctor should still be doing a weight and BP check, they might have skipped one due to covid but should do it ASAP.

It's always worth asking to try a different pill if you don't get on with one. But I have to say, I've been fine on it.

I was on it for a very brief time but didn’t get on with it at all. A google search made me realise I was far from the only one.. awful. But not long enough to notice weight issues.
If it’s a new phenomenon, have you thought about getting your thyroid checked? An under active thyroid can cause weight gain.

It's definitely something I'll be speaking to the doctor about. I just put the weight gain down to lockdown (and hitting the snacks a bit too hard at the beginning of the first lockdown) but it is concerning me that I seem to be just constantly gaining.

I've put on weight on it, but suffered less other side effects. Last time I asked to change pill I was told I'd tried all of them!

I haven't noticed any other side effects, and to be honest, I don't think I really had much weight gain until the last year or so - which I've put down to lockdown etc - but it's just the fact that I'm really struggling to lose it despite my efforts that is concerning me.

Rigevidon made me really unwell and practically gave me a personality transplant. I wasn't on it long enough to really experience the weight issues, but I generally think it's better to avoid that pill. It's cheap so they dish it out to everyone but there are plenty others you can take.

I haven't had any issues with it so far, other than this, but I have read some horror stories so it is all a bit concerning.

*I've been on Microgynon/Rigevidon (same thing) for 13 years. About 5 years ago I joined a gym, watched my diet, looked fabulous, so the pill doesn't stop me losing weight. My weight has crept up over the last two years but that's covid/lockdown. If you're exercising a lot more are you sure your appetite hasn't increased accordingly? Your current doctor should still be doing a weight and BP check, they might have skipped one due to covid but should do it ASAP.

It's always worth asking to try a different pill if you don't get on with one. But I have to say, I've been fine on it.*

My current doctor has never done a review - I've been registered with them for three years I think now so should have had at least a couple but I haven't. My old GP was lovely, she always seemed to so interested but my current one doesn't seem at all interested, which does put me off seeing her but I know I need to so will make an appointment in the new year.

Apart from the weight, I haven't had any problems with it, which is why I'm a bit reluctant to change as I don't want to risk going on a different one that causes issues, but I know I need to do something as I don't want to keep feeling sad when I look in the mirror! I will definitely be speaking to my GP about my weight anyway and see what she suggests, I just wondered if anyone had any experience of it themselves.

@YipYipAppa I find contraception clinics much more helpful than GPs anyway. You can access them through certain pharmacies and sexual health/family planning clinics. Mine is currently not running due to covid (still ) but I really recommend trying to find one. They're really well-informed on contraception, where GPs are generalists and don't have the same insight on side-effects and suitability. It's totally unacceptable that you've gone three years on the pill without a BP check, please insist on this ASAP. It's not so much the review of the pill that's necessary (although 100% desirable) but weight and BP should be monitored for safety reasons.

It's totally unacceptable that you've gone three years on the pill without a BP check, please insist on this ASAP. It's not so much the review of the pill that's necessary (although 100% desirable) but weight and BP should be monitored for safety reasons.

When I say review, I mean basically weight and blood pressure. My previous doctor did it once a year without fail but so far nothing from my current GP. It is always something that was on my to-do list but there was always something else that seemed to be more urgent and then it would slip my mind for a while.

Thanks for the tip re contraception clinic - I will take a look for one near to me.