Microgestin 1/20 and Mood Swings: What Users Say

• Nor...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 15, 2015

For Birth Control "I have had a very positive experience with Microgestin. I started using it about 6 months ago, and it was my first time on birth control. It helped to clear up my acne and made my periods much lighter and shorter (from 7 days to only 2 or 3). I did not experience any weight gain or nausea. The only negative side effects I had were that I was a bit more emotional than usual in the first two weeks of use, and that for a few months, I would have a bit of light spotting leading up to my period. Overall, it has been a really great birth control and had very few side effects."

• 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."

• 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."

• hig...
• August 5, 2016

For Birth Control "I'm taking it for regular birth control, and I'm just fine. I haven't had any crazy mood swings, no weird cravings, and my acne is actually clearing up. It all depends on your body and how your body takes it. Like I said, I'm just fine!"

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• Kaz...
• November 18, 2016

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I was prescribed Microgestin after experiencing prolonged abnormal bleeding. I've not been on birth control for over a decade, and I have to say I hate this drug! Three weeks in and I am miserable. I don't want to continue taking it at all, I can't do this for 3 months. Here is my experience: I started taking the pill while on my cycle, as directed by my Ob-Gyn, and on the last day of my cycle, as the flow was lessening, it suddenly got heavier, and I spent five days dealing with extremely heavy flow (every 60-90 minutes). Then it stopped for 2 days, and then started again. Sore lower back and abdomen constantly. Increased appetite. Fatigue. Emotional. Advil is a constant, without it, I'd be a wreck!"

• 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!!"

• 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."

• 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!"

• 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."

• 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."

• Anonymous
• November 7, 2020

For Birth Control "I got on this pill around 3 years ago to help with horrible periods that would make me cancel all plans because of the pain I was in. I would bleed for around 8 days heavily before this pill. When I first started taking Microgestin 1/20, I spotted for around 2 weeks, and a month later for a week, but that was it. I have not had a period since after those two weeks of the pill. I skip my period, and it helps SO much. I did have some mood swings and still some bloating, but those are the only side effects I have noticed. Overall, I love this, and it’s made my life so much easier! (I sometimes take it an hour to two hours late on accident, but it doesn’t affect me any.)"

• Min...
• July 12, 2014

For Birth Control "I've been taking Microgestin for almost a year now. It has been great at preventing pregnancy. The first three months, I got mood swings bad, but now it works great! Absolutely love the pill!"