Microgestin 1/20 and Nausea: What Users Say

• Nic...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• January 28, 2014

For Birth Control "I was on this birth control for almost 10 years. It was very effective at preventing pregnancy, even though I missed it a few times and there weren't any crazy noticeable side effects like weight gain, nausea, headaches, etc. I think because I was on it for so long, I didn't realize the side effects until I went off of it. Once I stopped, I felt like a completely different and better person. My sex drive went through the roof, and I realized how much it had suppressed my sex drive this whole time. I also found a huge sense of peace and was able to let go of things much easier. I felt like a cloud of depression was lifted. When I tried to go back on it, it made me really irritable, and I had to stop."

• 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."

• SMa...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 17, 2015

For Birth Control "My biggest fear with BC pills was the weight gain - I can assure you now that this does not happen and is somewhat of a myth. I'm married, been on this pill for about two plus years and haven't had any scares or issues. I get a little nausea when starting a new pack, so I always take it at night (my only real hang-up). Never emotional, super light and predictable periods. Very happy."

• Anonymous
• January 2, 2016

For Endometriosis "The first 2 months I took this pill, I wanted OFF and a new OB. I had horrible side effects from nausea to paranoid anxiety. I've now been on it for 6 months and love it. I have no side effects, no periods (continuous use), and I have endometriosis and NO cramping! It's a literal miracle. I have had a 10 lb weight gain, but I have also recently been diagnosed with fibromyalgia and have stopped working out, whereas before I attended Zumba weekly to bi-weekly. I don't know what to attribute it to for sure, but I would say maintaining your weight would not be difficult even if it was the pill. If you're googling because you were just put on it and are freaking out, I suggest pushing through. This has worked miracles for me!"

• 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."

• 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..."

• Bam...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 9, 2016

For Birth Control "I am in my 30s. I do not take any other medications. I do not smoke or drink. I have anxiety. This birth control ruined my life. My anxiety went through the roof. I couldn't leave the house. My husband was getting frustrated, but we communicate well, so while he was skeptical, he saw the side effects. The enhanced anxiety was nuts! Our anniversary was ruined by me not being able to go into the hotel/casino, sitting in the truck, shaking and throwing up. The hot and cold flashes were unbearable. I couldn't cuddle with my husband, and I would go outside to cool off (thank God we live in the Rocky Mountains) in the snow. Debilitating migraines, nausea, vomiting, etc. I switched to Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo :) and my husband is getting a vasectomy."

• 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."

• 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."

• JTR...
• July 19, 2016

For Birth Control "Been taking Microgestin for three months. (Had to get off Levora because of seriously chronic nausea.) The first month on Microgestin, I was just a couple hours late taking a pill and bled almost immediately. Second and third months haven't missed a pill, and my periods have been almost nonexistent. Super scary on month two, but really an appreciated bonus I hope continues."

• 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."

• Her...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 3, 2017

For Birth Control "I've been on this pill for a year to treat PCOS. My periods were very irregular, and I experienced spotting and a low sex drive for the first three months after starting. Then I was having normal 3-4 day periods every other month. I also had trouble with nausea and an upset stomach, but it subsided after a week or so. I continued to work out and eat somewhat healthy, and I was still able to lose weight. My only complaint was that after starting the pill, my skin got very sensitive to the chlorine in the pool."

• Meh...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 14, 2016

For Birth Control "Awful birth control - If your doctor has prescribed this to you, please ask them to reconsider because it truly shouldn't even be on the market. Spotting, nausea, headaches, weight gain are all a few side effects."

• Not...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 24, 2022

For Birth Control "I have taken Microgestin consecutively for a year. I have also been off of it for about 3 months. When I first started it, I dealt with nausea until my body got used to it. Then, it seemed to be okay. It was right after having my first child. But, once I stopped, I realized that it really demolished my sex drive, which is not okay for me since I am married. Now that it has gotten all out of my system, I feel so much better. It did a great job of not getting me pregnant, which was the upside. It was also covered through my insurance. I don’t really have any complaints except the aforementioned."

• 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!"

• Tri...
• August 10, 2016

For Birth Control "The only bad side effect I have is very light nausea after taking the pill, other than that, I have had a very pleasant experience with the pill and do not plan on switching."