Microgestin 1/20 and Bleeding: What Users Say

• Ten...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 13, 2019

For Birth Control "I would not recommend Microgestin 1/20. I was prescribed this because I have very heavy periods and am very anemic. I have been bleeding for 13 days. I feel like having my uterus removed! Once I am done with this pack, I am never taking it again!"

• You...
• April 23, 2016

For Menstrual Disorders "I've been taking this pill for two months now and have been bleeding for the last 28 days, and this is with already skipping the sugar pills. Can't imagine if I actually had let my body have a period. The doctor said, give it three months, I'm waiting. I have cramps every day, Motrin is like a daily routine now, day and night. Has anyone experienced this?"

• Ash...
• June 1, 2017

For Birth Control "This birth control is awful. I've been on Microgestin for almost two months now and I have nothing good to say about it. My anxiety is through the roof (I'm not generally an anxious person), I'm super moody (I'm normally a happy person), I'm extremely bloated 24/7 (I look 6 months pregnant), my hair keeps falling out, I'm nauseous, I just got over my period a week ago and now I have breakthrough bleeding (heavy bleeding). I already have horrid period cramps from PCOS, but these Microgestin cramps are almost unbearable. Seriously, just don't try this BC..."

• CC ...
• December 9, 2016

For Birth Control "I have been on Microgestin for 4 months now, and I hate it. I have not found a birth control yet that doesn't screw up my period, which I used to be able to count on every 30th or so of the month. This is my 3rd birth control. Mood swings, depression, sadness, lower sex drive, increased appetite, and, oh yeah, a whole lot of bleeding. My period is completely out of whack. I tried to skip ONE period. Well, it worked. But then, out of nowhere, I bled for 19 days straight (not light bleeding either). I don't know what to do! My body hates birth control. My mom said that it was like that for her as well. Not sure what to try next."

• Mel...
• July 25, 2016

For Birth Control "I've been on this pill for about a month now. I've been bleeding since the first day I started it. I'm now up to my placebo pills, which I'm just going to take. I'm hoping my body adjusts soon because the bleeding/spotting is quite aggravating. I've been moody, but I'm a generally moody person and would have to wait it out to say it's the pill doing it. My appetite has actually decreased, which is something I wasn't expecting at all. Other than the bleeding, no complaints on this pill this far."

• ser...
• April 13, 2012

For Birth Control "I like Microgestin. My doctor originally put me on Lo Loestrin Fe, which caused me breakthrough bleeding every day. Since Microgestin has double the estrogen of Lo Loestrin Fe, but is still considered a very low dose. Had minor spotting only in the beginning. No other negative side effects."

• Jks...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 7, 2019

For Birth Control "So I started taking these, and they were fine. I didn't have any complaints, and then the 2nd week in, I started bleeding every day. I felt bloated and weak all the time. Had absolutely no energy. They haven't changed my mood at all and have also cleared up my skin, but I wouldn't recommend."

• Kri...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 6, 2018

For Birth Control "I'm halfway through my 3rd month, and I started bleeding heavily the second week into it. I have a history of anxiety, but the last two weeks have been bad for my anxiety. My mood is unstable, I cried for 2 hours over nothing. I'm having irrational angry episodes that are creating tension in my relationships. However, for the first two months, I was regular, and my periods were light. I definitely think I'm going to be switching."

• Dee...
• January 4, 2017

For Birth Control "My experience has been horrible. I have taken Loestrin brand for years, and I have never had breakthrough bleeding with other BCs until now. I am halfway through my 3rd pack, and I came back a week after my cycle stopped. I am extremely heavy, and it's worse than my normal period. I am going back to the doctor this week."

• 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."

• SBD...
• November 22, 2016

For Birth Control "This is my first time in 12 years being on the pill. I originally stopped taking birth control because I would get such bad headaches. I'm currently finishing up my first month. I can honestly say the only complaint I have is the breakthrough bleeding and random cramps, which started 2 1/2 weeks in. While I've read it is normal due to hormones changing and your body getting used to it, it is VERY inconvenient! It's been consistent and heavy enough that I have to wear tampons. I've read this can happen for the next few months-great, so not looking forward to nonstop bleeding! I did notice slightly fuller breasts.... Well, at least my left one, haha! I've noticed I have more energy. Slightly irritable at times."

• 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."

• wel...
• September 12, 2011

For Menstrual Disorders "By BMI, I am overweight but not obese and was tried on the patch and several different birth control pills without success. Bled more often than once per month and/or longer than 5 days/month. I was given samples of Loestrin FE 24, which worked flawlessly for 3 months, so a prescription was written for Microgestin 1/20 (generic form). After 1 week of Microgestin, I was 3 hours late with 1 pill (1st time I have missed ever). By the time I took the late pill, breakthrough bleeding had already begun. A week later, still bleeding, and it has become stronger - still not as strong as a regular period had been. Going back to Loestrin FE 24, hope it works again."

• Ali...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 8, 2020

For Birth Control "I’ve been on Microgestin 1/20 for about a year. I started at the beginning of 2020. I had mild periods the first few months, but then they stopped for about 6 months. I’m having a period now in December. I was worried because I have been inconsistent taking it the past couple of weeks because of my work schedule and forgetting to take it at the same time. I read that this could be withdrawal bleeding, but also it could be normal because it’s been about 6 months since my last period (in June). I’ve been sexually active this past month, too, so I’m really hoping I don’t end up pregnant."