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Microgestin Fe 1/20 for Birth Control User Reviews (Page 4)

Reviews for Microgestin Fe 1/20

Commonly mentioned side effects
  • sam...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • December 9, 2018

"I was so skeptical to begin taking this because I read the reviews beforehand, but after being on it for a full month now, I can say I think I found the one. My boobs grew just enough, light period, and virtually no cramps. I used to not even be able to get out of bed because of my cramps, and it is so nice to be able to actually function the first couple of days of my period."

10 / 10
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  • Van...
  • December 18, 2015

"This birth control is the worst kind I've ever taken in my life. I thought I had a bad experience with Seasonique solely because of the weight gain, but Microgestin Fe was 100 times worse. The first month I was totally fine, then after a while, I started getting really emotional. I cried at the most absurd things, and I'm not usually a crier. It made me so irritable and cranky with my family, my boyfriend, and even his family. Not to mention it caused me to get a yeast infection, which I never had before and haven't had since I got off the pill. And the worst part, it made me go from someone with an extremely high libido to someone that cringed at sex. Getting off it was the best decision I've made."

1 / 10
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  • Sar...
  • March 1, 2016

"I've been on this pill for a little more than 2 years (can't remember exactly when I started it). Only birth control I have ever used, and I have no problems with it whatsoever. No mood swings, no weight gain, no increased acne, and so light of periods that I only need a liner which lasts for 2 to 4 days. My sex drive is the same as it was before the pill, and I haven't had a single pregnancy scare, which is great because I've had unprotected sex with my boyfriend the entire time I've been on the pill. I, of course, take the pill like you are supposed to (every day at the same time), other than not bothering with the sugar pills. I recommend trying it for a few months because when I first began the pill, I had nausea, but it stopped after a few months."

10 / 10
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Frequently asked questions

  • Anonymous
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • December 16, 2019

"I have been on this birth control for a month now. I was never really the type of person to get a lot of acne, but ever since I started on this pill, I’ve got super bad acne and hate my skin. I was “light bleeding” for over 2 weeks. I have gained a little over 10 pounds since I started because I'm constantly wanting food. Before I started this birth control, I weighed 115, now I weigh 127 in one month. Another thing is I'm always tired, no matter how much I sleep. The only “plus” side is that my cramps aren't as bad anymore."

5 / 10
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  • Jen...
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • July 1, 2019

"I have been on this pill for almost 1 year. It’s the first BC pill I’ve ever taken, and it regulated my periods. I used to only get my period about 6-8 times a year, and this pill helped with that. I took it every day on time, and it’s very effective at preventing pregnancy. I didn’t get any bad side effects, which is great. I did, however, gain 10 lbs, and I’m not complaining because I needed it, and now I’m at a steady weight. I just switched to Junel Fe, and now I’m sad because Microgestin changed my life and made me feel more confident."

9 / 10
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  • Zay...
  • September 28, 2017

"I was extremely nervous about taking this BC. This is my first BC pill I've taken, and it's been great. I just finished my first pack, and all I can say is I weigh less and my period was super light! Before BC, my periods were like 4 days long. On birth control, it was literally a day. I didn't have any mood swings or depression. I do feel like it increased my anxiety a tad bit. Always remember, when looking for the right BC for you, never put too much into these reviews. Try it out for yourself."

10 / 10
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  • Tex...
  • Taken for 2 to 5 years
  • June 2, 2015

"When I originally took Microgestin 1/20 by Watson, it was amazing (particularly after the first couple of months of taking when my body got used to it). My breasts went up a cup size, and there were little to no side effects. Lighter periods. No pregnancy. WIN! THEN, after almost two years, a dark cloud called Actavis became the new manufacturer and shattered my love for Microgestin. Something changed in the formula because I was suddenly sick during the first week of each new pack to the point that I'd throw up at times. Random cramping. Gained about a pound a week - not a deal breaker, but still sucks. HEAVY, exhausting 2-3 day periods. Two side effects worsened over time: melasma and mood swings. Needless to say, it's goodbye time. Beware!"

1 / 10
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  • Anonymous
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • May 3, 2013

"Switched because my old pill was crazy expensive. This pill personally just does not agree with me! No weight gain, but sore breasts constantly, lack of periods, nausea, shortness of breath. Been on it since December (now it's May), and I've had about enough. My sister was on this pill also, and she said she would also go months without a period (which is just getting on your nerves)."

2 / 10
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  • Anonymous
  • December 6, 2011

"This is the 2nd birth control I've tried to balance out my hormones, and it works! No weight gain (other than the breasts one cup size), my mood is calm, and I only cry once a month, if even (compared to every day), and I'm not depressed or anxious anymore, and sleep is better. It does make your energy lower, however, and depending on your meal schedules, if taken on an empty stomach, it raises your acids throughout the day, so hunger is increased. I believe you gain weight if you give in to all the cravings. For the first 5 months, I had light periods, and now for the last two, it stopped altogether. I LOVE this pill. For once, I'm NOT CRAZY, sex is still the same, and I finally have clear skin!"

8 / 10
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  • Anonymous
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • December 6, 2015

"I am finishing up my 4th pack of this pill, and I am seriously considering switching pills. The first two months weren't too bad, I had mild side effects, but they were manageable. It wasn't until the third month that I started getting constant nausea like all day, every day, and even worse at night, headaches, sore boobs, frequent urination, and absolutely no sex drive. The only good thing is my period is like clockwork, and I'm for sure not pregnant, but the side effects make me feel like I am!!!"

5 / 10
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  • Ale...
  • November 22, 2014

"Just finishing my first pack with this medication, and I have to say, it's working great for me. I'm 20 years old, and this was my first time on hormonal birth control. I chose to get on it for birth control, to help acne, and to regulate my period. Needless to say, I was scared to try it and was worried about side effects. My first week was probably the hardest. I bled for the first 2 days pretty heavy, then it stopped. I had nausea on and off for the first week and a half or so, sometimes lasting all day. I could tell my body was a little thrown off, but it subsided by week two. Since then, it's been smooth sailing, and I feel adjusted and perfectly myself on it. Nothing but a good experience for me so far!"

9 / 10
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  • cry...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • October 3, 2014

"I have been on this pill for a little over 4 months now. So far, so good, up until today. I had the worst experience ever. I was having a bad mood or anxiety attack. I had company over, and I felt so overwhelmed. I lost focus and wandered off into space. I couldn't focus properly. I also felt so tense up and just wanted to scream. When my company left, I felt short of breath, and my whole body felt so achy. I almost called for medical help. I finally gathered myself together and called my friend who is a nurse. The first thing she asked is, which birth control are you taking? She knew exactly why I was going crazy. It makes me so moody, but never this bad."

8 / 10
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  • Bre...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • December 4, 2015

"This is the worst birth control I have ever used. I have been taking it for two weeks now, and I have literally gone crazy. I'm not myself at all. It has made me insanely emotional, I cry all the time, not to mention I'm very, very depressed and have thoughts of suicide. I am also very irritable and find myself snapping at people for no reason. I would never recommend this pill to anyone."

1 / 10
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  • Anonymous
  • December 3, 2009

"I had been taking Microgestin for over 6 months now (switched from the patch), and I will be switching to another form of birth control once again. I've gained 15 pounds (going up 3 dress sizes!), and I've had excessive night sweats. None of these side effects have occurred prior to taking this pill. I will be switching to another form of birth control."

3 / 10
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  • Che...
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • March 23, 2016

"I'll admit, the first couple of months are terrible, but once you get over that hump, it's really amazing. I've always had extremely heavy, painful periods, and I've always been prone to ovarian cysts every 6 months. It's month 8 on Microgestin, and not only are my periods lighter, but my face doesn't break out, and I've lost 16 lbs. This stuff has honestly changed my life."

10 / 10
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  • Tyl...
  • December 23, 2016

"I started this birth control after my insurance stopped covering Loloestrin Fe. The first 2 months of this were a breeze. I had little to no symptoms, almost like I wasn't even on birth control. I finally reached my 3rd month and I am truly horrified by my experience with this B.C. I am a sexually active woman and the symptoms I'm experiencing are making me feel like I may be pregnant even though I am not. It started with severe constipation, frequent urination, loss of appetite altogether, nausea all day every day, mostly at night. I truly can't take it anymore, and I decided to stop this B.C. last night in hopes of the nausea stopping. If you are feeling this way, please go to your gyno and seek a new pill. It's truly not worth this feeling."

2 / 10
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  • 41...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • December 18, 2019

"I had the Mirena for 3 years. It was the first birth control I've used since I got married 3 years ago... It was wonderful, except after a year I started getting hot flashes. I suffered for a bit longer and then had it removed. Hot flashes gone!!! I was given Microgestin. I took it for 16 days and bled for 16 days. Full-blown, heavy bleeding, huge clots, thought I would expel my uterus. lol. Dr. said keep taking, and if I feel like I'm going to pass out, come to the office. I didn't listen and stopped the pills. 3 days later, no blood. I've never bled like this in my life. Not sure why it made me bleed. Wish I understood this since it's supposed to make you not... Anyways, I'm going to take a break for a couple of months and maybe try a different pill..."

1 / 10
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  • Anonymous
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • January 24, 2013

"I have just been on Microgestin Fe 1/20 for a month now. No period yet, which made me nervous until reading some of these reviews. I was on Microgestin Fe 1.5/30 and wanted something with less estrogen. I have lost five pounds, no mood swings, and I'm loving it. Only thing is night sweats and more emotional at times."

8 / 10
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  • Anonymous
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • August 29, 2015

"I'm about to start my third month of Microgestin Fe 1/20, and it's great. I have to say that the WORST symptom I experienced was very mild nausea/loss of appetite, and even that would only last for an hour or two after I took it, then I would be fine. I found that it helps to eat something small (like crackers) before taking it. I'm a Sunday starter, and I take it at 7:30 each morning. Also, my breasts have gotten a little bigger (next size up), and my acne hasn't changed much, even though it wasn't bad at all before I started this. My hair hasn't fallen out, and I've actually lost a few pounds due to loss of appetite. My periods are now more like spotting but last the full 7-8 days. I can get away with just a panty liner though."

9 / 10
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  • Anonymous
  • December 8, 2011

"This was the very first pill I was prescribed and stayed on it for 3 years. I decided to try something new and switched to a different pill. Needless to say, I'm switching back. When on Microgestin Fe 1/20, I experienced relatively no side effects besides a few pounds of weight gain, and my breasts grew about 2-3 cup sizes. My skin was perfect and no nausea, depression, or painful periods. The pill was very effective in preventing pregnancy, I didn't have one scare in the 3 years I was using it. When I first started the pill, probably around month 6, I did experience a decreased sex drive, but it returned within about a month or two. Overall, I would highly recommend this pill!"

10 / 10
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  • dan...
  • September 13, 2016

"I've been on this pill for 8 months. I've always been overweight, but I've significantly changed my lifestyle, going to the gym consistently for the first time ever, yet I'm gaining weight. Ugh. Other side effects: anxiety, panic attacks, mood swings, weird, vivid, and often sexual dreams. I sleep so much (10 hrs/night), loss of sex drive. Headaches and disturbed sleep, which were extremely rare for me before. Also, my blood pressure was 140/89 the other day, and I've never had high blood pressure! I was compelled to read reviews after that, and I see some people had the same issue. This is the first pill I've been on, so I thought 'maybe this isn't so bad,' but now, writing out all of my side effects, I'm seriously considering stopping this pill."

6 / 10
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  • bea...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • February 6, 2019

"I recently started taking this 3 days ago for PCOS… I asked my doctor for something to control facial hair, but it honestly seems like this is a nightmare. I have a strict skincare routine and rarely ever break out. Then, 3 days in, I'm starting to see bumps on my forehead. I feel like my pores are enlarged, I get nauseous from the smell of food, and my vision is blurry…. Also, TMI, but I get dark-colored discharge the size of a crayon? This is too much for me… I'll just use my other medications and forget this."

4 / 10
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  • Anonymous
  • September 22, 2015

"I am a 20-year-old, and I started taking Microgestin in August of this year. I started gaining weight, breasts getting bigger, retaining a lot of fluid, and mild hair loss. I didn't notice any of this until now, I'm in my second month, and my mom told me she can tell I have a lot of fluid in my body. My feet swelled up and all. My breasts are really tender most of the time, which I hate. My sex drive has increased, which is a plus, and my periods last about 4 days. As far as the acne, it is crazy. I went to the dermatologist, and she told me this birth control is prone to acne, but maybe it might go away after a few months. I will come back and update you guys! As everyone said, side effects are different for everyone."

5 / 10
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  • Eri...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • February 12, 2014

"I am 20 years old, and here's my experience with this birth control. Pros: didn't get pregnant. SLIGHTLY fuller breasts in the same cup size. Didn't gain weight. Cons: I lost ALL sex drive and became a moody, depressive, crying, tired, sad prude. Which is sad because my husband thought I wasn't attracted to him, and I am VERY attracted to his sexy, handsome self! My acne also got worse. After two months, I stopped the pills and switched to condoms. I am back to my sexual self and get along 100."

5 / 10
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  • chi...
  • April 14, 2012

"Microgestin 1/20 is the best low-dose birth control pill I've tried. Some side effects the first couple of months, but now I feel great. No decrease in sex drive and increase in breast size - I went from an A to B cup! No other weight gain."

10 / 10
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