Microgestin 1/20 and Depression: What Users Say

• Jaz...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 10, 2019

For Birth Control "This is my first birth control experience, and I would have to say that this medication makes me want to never try birth control ever again. I have endometriosis, and I was put on this pill just to alleviate that pain and improve my cycle. The day I began taking it, I fell into a deep depression where I just could only feel numb. (I am always a happy person with no history of depression.) I was crying all day or just feeling like there was nothing to live for. This also made me go into fits of rage, where I would lash out on people for no reason. My anxiety peaked, and I could only be anxious at night, so I wasn't sleeping either. This continued for about a week, and I couldn't take it anymore, so I just stopped taking it as a whole. Overall, a horrible experience, and I would not recommend this to first-time users."

• 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!!!"

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• jen...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 31, 2017

For Birth Control "I've been taking Microgestin for about a year and a half now, and it just recently occurred to me that the pill is the reason for my mental decline. When I first started the pill, things were fine. I didn't have any abnormal side effects except for the slight, almost unnoticeable weight gain. Looking back, I've noticed a gradual yet severe change in my mood and happiness. It wasn't until a year and a half later that I realized the pill was the reason for this. I sobbed to my mom one night, and she explained that the pill did that to her too. After speaking with my gyno the next day, she assured me the progestin in Microgestin was the reason for my depression. I switched to Aviane and feel much, much better."

• Swe...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 28, 2018

For Birth Control "This birth control helped all of my physical symptoms from PMDD and endometriosis, no longer did I cramp and swell all over like a balloon three weeks before my period (I was bloating up to 10 lbs almost). My near-constant fatigue went away. My breasts grew like two cup sizes, but they hurt all the time. Also, my scalp hair grew like crazy, it was thicker and fuller than it had been since I was a teenager, and my skin was literally glowing. I thought I had found the answer to my problems until I slowly began to cry over nothing all the time, have insane anger, and lash out at others irrationally. I was so depressed and down after nine months of being on this medication. I even tried to physically attack somebody while drinking, which I have never done before, I stopped this medication immediately then. I also had white discharge all the time. If you become depressed on this or sensitive to things like this, do not take this."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 9, 2019

For Birth Control "For me, the time on this pill was a nightmare. I took this pill for 2 years until the start of 2019. Then, I took a six-month break because I thought the creeping anxiety and depression I'd experienced might be linked to the pill. I went back on Microgestin in June 2019, and things seemed okay. Until September. Suddenly, I felt like my head was in a constant fog again. It started making me anxious, I couldn’t think straight. I started to feel numb, mentally. Like I couldn’t be happy. Then, I started snapping at my partner, who I absolutely adore, and realized it was happening again. Long story short, if you’re not feeling like yourself, don’t hesitate to try switching or stopping pills (with a doctor’s advice, of course). I’ve had three instances now of feeling like myself again after stopping a birth control pill."

• JuA...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 24, 2015

For Birth Control "Took it for a year, and although I loved it in the beginning (lost weight, no acne), after about 6 months, I realized I was feeling sad, tired, with no energy or no sex drive at all. Also experienced hair loss and nausea. Going off now and will try something else."

• jjj...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 24, 2016

For Birth Control "I was on Microgestin for 5 months. Although it solved my original problem of severe cramping (what I thought was ovarian cysts), Microgestin had many side effects for me. I experienced nausea right before periods, depression, anxiety, and extreme mood swings. I was sleeping a lot during the day, which caused me to not sleep at night. I am switching to Trinessa and hope it fixes these problems."

• 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!!"

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 3, 2020

For Birth Control "I did not do well on this pill, my pharmacy suddenly switched me over to this drug about 4 months ago. Not to mention, about 80% of my prescription gets delayed, and then I go a week without starting a new set. My first month was pretty standard, however, I haven’t gotten my period now for 3 months! I’ve tried taking tests, yet they all come up as not pregnant. I guess it’s doing its job, but I’ve never had my period become this irregular. I’ve gained 15 lbs since the switch, I have severe insomnia, and no sex drive whatsoever. I get depressive episodes and find myself irritable with my significant other when I don’t mean to be. I just consulted with my doctor and am now switching to an IUD because I’m surely over this pill."

• Mak...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 25, 2021

For Birth Control "I have tried so many different types of birth control, and I think I have found the ONE! I think this is it. I actually tried the Microgestin Fe 1.5/30, and it made me gain weight and made me super depressed. Been taking this one for about 2 months now. I've been spotting for a few weeks on and off, and haven't had an actual period, which is super nice. The only side effect I noticed is tender, sore breasts, and a bit more bloating. I'm actually able to keep my weight stable by doing calorie counting daily. Thank God it didn't affect my mood at all either. So happy with this birth control. Also, my bf and I have been having unprotected sex like every weekend, and I have no pregnancy scares! Hope this review helps ya!"

• 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."

• Unh...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 17, 2022

For Birth Control "So I was put on it as I have severe PMS and bleeding, but believe me, I took it for 3 weeks, and it has been an absolute nightmare!! I am a rather happy person who is very outgoing and talkative, but this pill, it put me into a depressive mood. I lost interest in my hobbies, studies, etc., and I would start crying and couldn’t stop most of the time. I know it’s not like that for everyone, and some people might not have this, but if you all of a sudden experience those things, it might be the pill. I’m staying off for sure. I can deal with the pain, but not this mental torture."