Microgestin 1/20 and Acne: What Users Say

• Jac...
• January 10, 2016

For Birth Control "I wanted to write something as I'm in the process of researching new birth control (I have underlying high blood pressure and smoke, so the pill may not be the best long-term birth control option for me), and I found that there's not a lot of good info out there comparing methods. Most reviews seem to be people complaining, because who's going to take the time to write something when they're happy? Well, I want to. I've been on Microgestin for over a year, and it's been great. My acne is much improved on it, I've actually lost weight in this time, I haven't had any spotting. My libido is still high, and I haven't had issues with arousal. I miss my period sometimes, but I think that's from using this continuously so often to skip it. No pregnancy!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 25, 2012

For Birth Control "I've been on this pill for 4 months now. It was my first ever, so I was really nervous! While taking it, everything was normal, no side effects, which was a plus! Before the pill, my period was for 5-6 days, and on the pill, it was only 2-3 days, which was great! In my 3rd and 4th months, I was spotting a lot! On top of that, I was getting my period, which was a pain! No weight gain and acne, my sex drive increased."

• Mae...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 2, 2017

For Birth Control "Severe acne, low sex drive, vaginal dryness, extreme nausea and vomiting at the start of each pack, turned me into a raging psycho most of the time (literally felt like a different person on this pill, it was amazing getting off this and feeling like a cloud of anger and anxiety had been lifted off my shoulders). But the real kicker was when I started experiencing random shooting pain in my right front thigh, followed by right leg numbness. Fast forward a few more weeks and both legs started going numb, and I got shooting pain that would travel up to my chest and arms. Doctors couldn't determine what was going on exactly (my BP was normal) but advised me to get off the pill, which I gladly did. Craziest BC experience of my life by far."

• ran...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 19, 2014

For Menstrual Disorders "I take birth control for my severe PMS symptoms, and this is easily the best I've tried. After a few days of very mild nausea in the beginning, Microgestin 1/20 has given me no noticeable side effects besides going up a full cup size. If anything, I've lost weight (including the three pounds I gained on my previous birth control), have had no breakouts or spotting, and cramps so mild that for the first time in a long time, I didn't need to take any pain medication. Plus, the low dose means no significant increase in breast cancer risk. I'd recommend this BC to anyone."

• can...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 10, 2019

For Birth Control "I don't like this Microgestin 1/20 birth control at all. Since taking this med, my acne has gotten so bad. It doesn't make my face oily, but I am getting so much acne around my jawline and down my neck, which is new for me. My skin just feels so gross! My boobs are also constantly swollen. I lack energy. I've been depressed. I haven't been myself! So happy that I finally realized it was this birth control because I will never take this stuff again! Awful!!!"

• Sai...
• January 18, 2016

For Birth Control "I wanted to write this review because I read many negative reviews and do not want people to think birth control is a horrible thing. Everyone's body is different, so the reactions to the pill will be different, it is not a one-size-fits-all type of deal. Additionally, it is best to stay on birth control for at least 3 months before switching over. Some people only stay on it for a month or two before switching because they are not happy with the side effects but do not realize they disappear over time. I've only been on the pill for over a month, but overall I am very satisfied with the results. I did experience back pain, breakouts, breast tenderness, and headaches, but it went away. My period is shorter and cramps are way less painful."

• Ann...
• November 7, 2014

For Menstrual Disorders "I have been on this birth control for over a year, and I have not had any complaints so far! This was my first birth control that I had ever taken, and it is a lifesaver! I had the worst periods with awful cramps and a heavy flow, but now I barely get periods, and the pain that comes when I do have a period is very tolerable and minimal. I did not gain any weight since I started the birth control, and in fact, it helped me lose weight. I do not get any acne while on this pill, nor do I get any severe mood swings."

• Man...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 1, 2019

For Birth Control "This birth control has made my periods and overall symptoms worse than ever. I started taking it to help with my irregular periods, which after a few months, it did. But every other aspect of my periods has become worse. I used to have light periods with no symptoms, but after taking this birth control, I have had heavy periods with bad cramps, and I’ve developed cystic acne all over my chin and jaw. I’ve tried this birth control a few times over many years, but I’m finally quitting it for good. It has been awful to my skin and made my periods miserable, I cannot recommend this to anyone with relatively normal periods because it has only made mine worse."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 17, 2013

For Birth Control "I am finishing up my first month on it. The first two weeks were rough. I started my period in the first month, and it was very heavy. My doctor prescribed me with it to control my migraines and periods. So far, no migraines and less acne. My breasts have grown a whole cup size, though."

• Meg...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 23, 2015

For Birth Control "I've been taking Microgestin FE for 3 months now. The first two, there were no really bad side effects except some acne and heavy flow with nasty cramps that I was assured would go away by month three...ABSOLUTELY NOT. Month three has been the worst...I break out all the time when I never used to get pimples, I feel nauseous and pukey all day, every day, no food sounds or tastes good, I have back pain and lower abdominal pain, I'm bloated and swollen, and I've gained almost 8 pounds! This is absolutely miserable."

• Ser...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 4, 2018

For Birth Control "Would put zero if I could. This is the worst birth control experience I have ever had!!! My mood swings were out of control, and I experienced anxiety that turned into a really awful depression that affected my personal relationships. I don't have a history of breaking out and started to notice my face become oily and breakouts appearing soon after I started the pack. Do NOT take this, especially when there are so many other birth controls!!"

• mad...
• October 8, 2017

For Birth Control "My new doctor put me on this birth control to try to ease my ovarian pain and severe cramping. After only a week of taking it, my skin became extremely oily, when I normally have dry skin, and my skin began to break out. It made me bleed non-stop and didn't help with any of my PMS symptoms, if anything, it made them worse. I've tried several other birth controls, and this might be the worst one."

• Anonymous
• October 17, 2011

For Birth Control "I started taking Microgestin 1/20 a year ago after my insurance quit covering Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo, which I had no issues with. I've tried other birth control pills in the past with side effects like acne or headaches and didn't want any of that, I told my ob/gyn just something comparable to Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo. I rapidly started gaining weight shortly after starting the pills - up five pants sizes since then with no other changes in lifestyle. I have tried exercising even more and ate relatively healthy before, but tried harder on that and portions also, but have not lost an ounce. My husband has exercised with me and eaten the same meals, larger portions, and has lost weight. So I am thinking it is the Microgestin."

• Reb...
• November 10, 2015

For Birth Control "I recently started this pill almost a month ago to prevent pregnancy. I am almost finished with the first pack and anxious to see what my period will be like. As for side effects, I have been very emotional and irritable at times. I used to be on a different medicine for acne, but once I started this pill, I stopped taking the other medicine, and now I have whiteheads everywhere, which is opposite from what I usually get. I also have been very constipated and have had a lot of gas, although I haven't gained any weight. Overall, I don't know if I would recommend this pill due to all of the side effects that I have already experienced."

• lad...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 6, 2017

For Birth Control "Just thought I'd add another review for this pill. I'm on week 6 of Microgestin, and it seems to be working fine. I haven't had any extreme side effects so far. I was pretty moody a couple of weeks ago, experienced some light bleeding for a couple of days, and my face has broken out-but not too badly. Overall, it seems to be working just fine, and the side effects are manageable. My period is usually very regular, and I haven't gotten it yet since starting the pill-but then again, my periods are always very light and only last about 3 days anyway."

• Fja...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 11, 2016

For Birth Control "I don't really know how to feel about this pill. My doctor switched me over from Tri-Previfem because I got very bad migraines. I still do suffer pretty bad headaches, but less severe and less often. I also had no issue with my period (lasts around 3 days and is fairly light), it's also helped a lot with cramps. I did break out a little, but I'm not sure if that was from the pill or stress from starting a new job. I also gained a little weight, but again, that may be my lifestyle (not always eating right and exercising). One thing this pill did do is prevent me from getting pregnant because my sex drive has been so low I haven't been able to have sex!"

• Shi...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 20, 2021

For Birth Control "I had the worst experience taking this pill. I felt awful the entire time taking it. I started at the start of my period, and it lasted for 16 days. When my period had finally finished, I felt so depressed I could barely do anything, and when I didn’t feel like crying, I was so angry for no reason. My skin also broke out with hormonal acne all over my chin. I also noticed an increase in my appetite and felt very bloated and gassy."

• Dan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 8, 2021

For Birth Control "So this is my first time ever on birth control. It was prescribed to me in order to regulate my period because of my recent PCOS diagnosis. I was very skeptical about weight gain because I’ve heard so many stories about women blowing up while on it, but luckily for me, I think I’ve actually lost about 10 pounds. No crazy emotional side effects, sex drive is completely normal. I did break out a little, but it did clear right up. My periods have been regular since starting the pill 2 months ago (may even be a little lighter) and I’ve also noticed that it lasts 5-6 days. (They used to last 7-8.) Overall, very happy with this birth control."