Microgestin 1/20 and Spotting: What Users Say

• Jac...
• January 10, 2016

For Birth Control "I wanted to write something as I'm in the process of researching new birth control (I have underlying high blood pressure and smoke, so the pill may not be the best long-term birth control option for me), and I found that there's not a lot of good info out there comparing methods. Most reviews seem to be people complaining, because who's going to take the time to write something when they're happy? Well, I want to. I've been on Microgestin for over a year, and it's been great. My acne is much improved on it, I've actually lost weight in this time, I haven't had any spotting. My libido is still high, and I haven't had issues with arousal. I miss my period sometimes, but I think that's from using this continuously so often to skip it. No pregnancy!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 25, 2012

For Birth Control "I've been on this pill for 4 months now. It was my first ever, so I was really nervous! While taking it, everything was normal, no side effects, which was a plus! Before the pill, my period was for 5-6 days, and on the pill, it was only 2-3 days, which was great! In my 3rd and 4th months, I was spotting a lot! On top of that, I was getting my period, which was a pain! No weight gain and acne, my sex drive increased."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 21, 2013

For Birth Control "I was put on Microgestin 1/20 to not only prevent pregnancy, but to prevent the severe cramps I had. It worked well by helping with the cramps, and I had almost zero side effects, but one - spotting. I spotted almost every day. I continued taking the prescription in hopes the spotting would pass, but it didn't. My OB-GYN then put me on Microgestin 1.5/30 for a few months to see if that would help. Unfortunately, it didn't, so I stopped taking birth control altogether. Hopefully, I can find one that works for me!"

• 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."

• 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."

• 4 y...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 16, 2020

For Birth Control "I've been on this pill for 4, maybe 5 years. I take it so that I only have my period a few times a year, as mine previously were so heavy that I was super anemic. I haven't ever had any issues with it, it works great for me. My periods are still heavy and last almost 2 weeks, similar to before the pill. But it's manageable only having it two or three times a year. I do have to take it almost exactly at the same time every day, even an hour's difference can cause spotting or a period to start. I also saw someone say they have to pee right after they take it, and I realized I do the same...overall, very happy."

• wor...
• August 11, 2008

For Birth Control "The only side effect that happened to me was spotting in the first 2 weeks. After that, everything was okay, better than IUD."