Microgestin 1/20 and Cramps: What Users Say

• Ano...
• January 26, 2014

For Birth Control "I was on a different birth control beforehand, and I had every side effect possible, so my doctor switched me to Microgestin, and I'm so glad she did! I haven't had a single side effect since being on the pill! I used to get terrible cramps, and even after taking the pill for a month, the cramps were completely gone. The only thing that happened was that my breasts got bigger, which I'm not complaining about!"

• Ana...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 23, 2015

For Endometriosis "I have been on this for almost two years, and I am so glad that I am on it! I gained zero weight (I actually lost weight), I am not moody, my skin is smooth and clear, the periods are SO much better! I only get a little bit of a flow, and the cramps are minimal. I actually barely get a period anymore, but my GYN said it was normal."

• 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?"

• 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."

• kim...
• November 28, 2014

For Birth Control "I was 23 when I started this birth control. It was my first time using it, and I was terribly afraid of getting pregnant while on this. Surprisingly, after almost a year of using it and turning 24, I haven't gotten pregnant, my skin looks the best it's ever looked, and my periods are finally regular. There is some heavy spotting that comes unpredictably and heavy cramping at times, but it works, and if you have insurance, it should be free. I take it at the same time every day. I used a condom the first month so my body could get used to it."

• ano...
• May 6, 2013

For Birth Control "I've been on Microgestin for about a year now. My OBGYN said it would be best if I took it continuously, so that's exactly how I've been taking it. I take it consecutively for 3 months and then I take a break for a week. Ladies, I haven't had a period in over a year, and although it sounds scary, believe me, it is totally fine. Zero nasty side effects like headaches, cramping, long periods, moodiness, etc. The only thing is lowered libido, but hey, after all, there is no perfect pill that won't have any side effects! Good luck with this medication."

• 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..."

• Izz...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 13, 2019

For Birth Control "I got on this pill, Microgestin 1/20, so I wouldn’t have periods, as I was basically bedridden during that time of the month. I missed one pill in June and took one pill 6 hours late a month later in July. It is mid-August, and I have been spotting with cramps for a little over two months. I have absolutely no sex drive. It’s completely disappeared, and that’s hard for me, as I am in a long-term relationship with my boyfriend. I love him so much and want to be intimate with him, but I just have zero libido for it. I also feel like I’m crazy. My emotions have been all out of whack. I’m either sad, angry, or numb. My last birth control lowered my sex drive and made my emotions funky sometimes, but it was NOTHING compared to this. Would not recommend to my worst enemy. I give it a 2 out of 10 because I’m not pregnant, which is the ONLY upside."

• Lit...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 7, 2017

For Birth Control "Been on the pill for about 9 months. Only the first month had side effects. Since then, my mental health has finally stabilized. I have had severely unstable moods since I was 9. I also had premenstrual dysphoric disorder and extreme cramping. Since taking the pill, my whole life has improved, and I'm able to accomplish things such as going to a regular school full time. Now my period only lasts 3 days, and my sex drive is still there."

• Mis...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 2, 2020

For Birth Control "Have endometriosis and took Microgestin 1/20 continuously for no periods. Haven’t gotten my period since, but experienced extreme moodiness and slight depression the first 4 months. Spotted every day for 5 months as well, with slight cramping. I took it like a champ because most birth control will cause this. It’s been 6 months now and all the side effects went away, and I’m perfectly normal and happy now with no periods."

• Anonymous
• October 30, 2008

For Birth Control "I absolutely adore Microgestin, now that I've been on it for three and a half months. The first two months were brutal. In the second week, I had horrible uterine cramping and terrible cramping during my period also. The first month also, until I got used to it, it did give me mood swings, but did not make me depressed. Once I was on it for a few months, however, all of this went away. Right now, I have mild breast tenderness, but honestly, it isn't bad at all, and I'd recommend it to anyone."

• 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."

• Cyd...
• November 15, 2015

For Birth Control "This medicine is awful. I originally started taking it for stomach cramps and regulating my period, and I wish I never started taking it in the first place. I was on the second week of my third pack and felt awful. Not only was I nauseous 24/7, I got headaches, cramps in my upper and lower back, side pains, and chest pains, as well as an intolerance to gluten. At first, I thought my stomach problem was from eating fast food, but as I think about it, I was nauseous the first month of taking this pill and it steadily got worse. I'm on my second week off the pill, and I'm going through serious side effects of my body trying to regulate itself. I've lost 6 pounds and my appetite. Do not take this pill."

• Ash...
• December 2, 2016

For Endometriosis "I started my first pack October 1st, two months ago. Since then, I've been on my period on and off the last six of the eight weeks. Spotting on the days I was supposed to get my period, but living with full-blown endo all eight weeks. This by far is the worst birth control I've ever taken. Side effects out of this world. First, it was the cramping, then the headaches, then chronic fatigue even after food. What made it strange is the horrible mood swings, making a monster. (Literally) My emotions were gone, all I felt was anger and numbness. I had no idea it was the birth control until my OB informed me yesterday that generic brands are made in other countries, made with God-knows-what. So today, I was put on a name brand birth control. We shall see!"

• 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."

• 77m...
• April 26, 2009

For Birth Control "The first two months were not fun, but then it got better. I have been on it for almost 3 years, and I'm very happy with it. My periods are regular, and I have had no mood swings, cramps, or migraines. I love it. The only thing is it is expensive, and my insurance only covers 10 percent, but it's worth it because it works so well."

• Mel...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 20, 2024

For Birth Control "I had changed birth controls due to another doctor recommending avoiding blood clot risks. I tried it for 5.5 months. I had been on birth control well over 20 years and was to the point of little to no cycle (2 or 3 days of spotting or light flow). Once I changed, it all came back like I was a teenager: cramps, nausea, and heavy flow. I also noticed that my thighs have grown. Yeah, I know jeans are tight after drying, but they still went on until recently. I Googled, and a lack of estrogen can cause this!"