Microgestin Fe 1/20 and Acne: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Bsu...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 28, 2013

For Birth Control "I started this pill after a horrible experience with Implanon. I've been on the pill for over a year, and I love it! My periods are predictable and very light, and I have had no weight gain. I only get light acne (one or two pimples) when my cycle is about to come on. I've had no breakthrough bleeding, but have noticed a decrease in sex drive, but not by too much."

• xxx...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 8, 2017

For Birth Control "This was my first birth control ever, so at the time I didn't have anything to compare it to. Looking back, it was a pretty bad experience. I have problem skin, and this drug gave me pretty extreme hormonal acne around my jawline that only got worse over time. Please be careful if you have past experience with acne or if you notice the acne isn't going away! I got acne scars that are just now fading. I also noticed that it nearly completely killed my sex drive and put me in a generally depressive state. It might work for some people, but I urge you to try multiple types of birth control before you settle for one because something you take every day should not leave you with such bad side effects."

• xxx...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 8, 2017

For Birth Control "This was my first birth control ever, so at the time I didn't have anything to compare it to. Looking back, it was a pretty bad experience. I have problem skin, and this drug gave me pretty extreme hormonal acne around my jawline that only got worse over time. Please be careful if you have past experience with acne or if you notice the acne isn't going away! I got acne scars that are just now fading. I also noticed that it nearly completely killed my sex drive and put me in a generally depressive state. It might work for some people, but I urge you to try multiple types of birth control before you settle for one because something you take every day should not leave you with such bad side effects."

• SPT...
• December 27, 2013

For Birth Control "I started this pill, and all seemed fine. I had some symptoms while my body was 'adjusting' to the hormones: breakthrough bleeding, a little weight gain, feeling blue. But I guess my body never fully adjusted because 6 months later, this pill is giving me headaches. I have breakthrough bleeding in the middle of the month every month, I feel slightly nauseous all throughout the day, and I still cramp and get acne. I didn't get pregnant, though, and my periods were super light and short, but this pill just doesn't work with my body, I think."

• Rac...
• April 23, 2010

For Birth Control "I started taking Microgestin Fe 1/20 because my doctor was no longer prescribing Yaz. I gained 15 lbs, started breaking out with acne like crazy, was weepy about nothing at all or very angry, did not have a period for 6 months and then became pregnant. I was taking the pill exactly as prescribed. I even set an alarm on my phone to take it at the same exact time every day."

• Kk9...
• February 2, 2015

For Birth Control "Been on this pill for three weeks. The first week, I had headaches and nausea and almost quit taking it due to the side effects, but my body adjusted. I have a lot of digestive tract issues, but this works for me. I have grown almost a cup size and, on certain days, have tenderness. My sex drive is a lot higher than normal. I had some spotting and a few minor breakouts during the second week. So far, so good. I'm 19, and this is my first birth control. No complaints so far, it's worth trying."

• Col...
• August 11, 2013

For Birth Control "I started taking Microgestin about a year and a half ago. I've never taken any birth control before this. The first couple of months I either missed my period or had little to no bleeding. As the months went by, my period started to actually feel like a period, and what I mean by that is light bleeding but lasting a few days. I've noticed I feel tired and hungry more often than before. Put on a few pounds, breasts felt sore. I broke out with horrible acne when I had to double up on the pill."

• Meg...
• October 3, 2016

For Birth Control "Awful, swore I was on this before and was miserable but gave it a chance because I switched doctors and we didn't have old records, but I had the horrible flashbacks instantly as soon as I switched to this birth control. I had the following symptoms: lowered sex drive; my boyfriend even noticed, it became embarrassing. Breaking out, weight gain, intense headaches, nausea all the time; felt like I was car sick 24/7. Severe cramping; never wanted to crawl in bed and cry so much as I had with this med. Heavy periods, interrupted sleep, tender boobs. Ugh, needless to say this has been a nightmare; do not do this to yourself."

• Jet...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 6, 2012

For Birth Control "So far I can say I've been pretty happy about this birth control. I had taken it 1 month, then I forgot to pick up my other pack, so I had to wait another month to get back on it. The first month, I was super hungry and just ate everything. Gained like 5 lbs. But this month, I don't feel any diet change, and I have lost those 5 lbs. My period was strange: 2 days of brown discharge. Can't really complain though. I get less of those really huge balls of acne (the ones where nothing will come out, but it's the size of 5 pimples). My breasts do feel bigger, and I think I'm more emotional, but it's hard to tell because I've been dealing with a lot lately. I'm fairly happy so far."

• Ive...
• December 5, 2011

For Birth Control "I really like this pill. I'm 21 and been on it since I was 19. I haven't experienced any weight gain, nausea, discomfort, mood swings, or acne. And periods are a breeze! Mine lasts for 2 days and is so light! My skin actually cleared up since I've been on it, and I have even lost weight. (This was due to a change in diet, not the actual pill. I just wanted to show that it's possible to still lose weight on this pill.) I also have not lost my sex drive AT ALL. When I'm with the right person, I'm always in the mood. And yeah, obviously, each pill will affect everyone differently, so choose one that is right for you!"

• nut...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 4, 2017

For Birth Control "No. No, no, no. I was on birth control for 6 years with no problem until my gynecologist switched it on me, and the new one gave me cystic acne. I then decided to try the IUD and hated it. Then I decided to give this a go because I wasn't getting my period. I gained 12 lbs, at least 5 from bloating, 5 from feeling hungry all the time. I'm so tired, can't get out of bed, feel sad all the time, no motivation, can barely shower without wanting to sit down, can't bear to look in the mirror or do my makeup. I'm 20 years old and was completely happy 2 months ago. If you are sensitive to weight gain or pills, don't take this pill. I stopped it 2 days ago and hope I can lose the weight quickly."

• Bme...
• June 25, 2015

For Birth Control "I've been on Microgestin Fe 1/20 for a month and a half. The first month was hell, I got really depressed and broke out with acne on my face, so I wanted to switch. However, I'm still not pregnant, so that's really good. My period has regulated, which is awesome, it got irregular from being on the depo shot. My breasts haven't grown any larger, like many of you are reporting. I would recommend this birth control if you don't get depressed easily. I haven't gained any weight, only bad mood swings, acne, and cravings. I really like this birth control, and my doctor recommended being on it for 6 months so that my body can get completely used to it."

• sam...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 13, 2015

For Birth Control "I'm using this pill for birth control. I was scared to use it at first because of all the bad reviews, but I didn't have any symptoms at all until about a week and a half in. I started spotting like crazy, I was nauseous and didn't want to do anything, also, it made me a little depressed, and I started getting a little more acne than usual. So, I called the doctor, and they said to switch to taking the pill at night. I take the pill as close to 10 pm as possible, and I haven't had any more spotting or nausea. Also, I just had my first period while on the pill, and even though my periods are never heavy, this one was even lighter and didn't last as long as my normal period would. So far, it's doing its job for its intended use."

• Anonymous
• September 15, 2015

For Birth Control "I'm finishing up my first pack, and I can honestly say I love it. I only experience minimal side effects, but with putting hormones in your body, that's to be expected. I take the pill at 9 pm every night, and about an hour later, I get a little bit nauseous, but it's not that bad. I also had a little (barely noticeable) acne, sore boobs, light dizziness, spotting, and increased appetite, but mind over matter! Of course, if you freak, it'll feel worse than it really is. Overall, this pill is great, and I'm not pregnant, so it's doing its job!"

• hai...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 11, 2014

For Endometriosis "During the first 2-3 weeks of starting this, I had a slight headache, but that's a given when starting a new medication. I've been taking this for 8 months, and I've put on 15 pounds. (Diet and physical activity have not changed.) No more sex drive, I'm more moody about anything and everything, and I get acne really easily. I am only taking this to help my endometriosis, and it gets the job done, so dealing with these side effects really isn't bad at all compared to dealing with endometriosis without pain medications."

• Zab...
• August 3, 2009

For Birth Control "I am 19 and weigh approximately 112-117 lbs. Doctor changed from Microgestin FE 1.5/30 to 1/20 because of weight loss experienced due to diet change (can't eat well in the GA summer heat >.>) anyway. I began spotting on day 2, and by day 5, I was having a period. I decided to wait another week before calling my doctor, and the bleeding was consistent with a 'normal' period. I believe it was too light for me. I was also a bit emotional, crying jags over the silliest of things. Did not improve acne. Hope this helps."

• Ava...
• October 30, 2016

For Birth Control "I began this pill a little over a year ago, and the only positive thing it did was prevent pregnancy. This pill gave me breakthrough bleeding, and I consistently missed a period every other month even when I took the pill religiously. I began to realize that the pill has been the reason for my extremely bad acne (that began when I started this pill), depression, and mental fog that I always seem to be caught in. I do not recommend this pill because a lot of my friends who have tried it have experienced the same side effects. Please be careful with this pill."

• Saf...
• March 14, 2015

For Birth Control "I'm 18, and I've been on Microgestin for a little over a year now. In summary, it is a good contraceptive, and it cleared up my acne, but it is completely ineffective at regulating my menstrual cycle. Although it is an effective method of birth control, my periods have been all over the place since I have been on this pill (and they used to be pretty regular), and I had a pregnancy scare a few months ago because I missed my period and only had some light brown discharge the week prior to when it was supposed to come. Ever since, my period has come 5-12 days earlier than it's supposed to. Because of this, I have no idea when I'm more fertile. I have never missed a pill, but this still happens :("

• hea...
• January 13, 2016

For Birth Control "I switched to this pill about five months ago because my insurance no longer covered Minastrin. Although my periods are very light with no cramps, I don't recommend this pill at all. I am very active and work out almost every day. I have gained a solid 8 pounds from this pill (I believe it is mostly water retention and maybe some fat). I am extremely emotional on it and even have chest cramps. Not to mention my acne has gotten worse. This pill is awful! So many other brands out there that will do much better without these side effects."

• MWZ...
• May 17, 2017

For Birth Control "Was on Lo Loestrin FE before, which was great, but this has been horrible! Insurance was not covering Lo anymore, so the doctor suggested this. Three months, and I've had 12 lbs of weight gain and feel bloated ALL the time. Acne for the first month and then it cleared after that, but weight gain continued. Shortness of breath, indigestion late at night (even not having anything to eat within the last four hours). Did not notice a decrease in PMS symptoms either, like I did on Lo Loestrin. Getting off this pill for a while to regulate and going to bite the bullet and pay for Lo Loestrin $$$."

• Anonymous
• August 17, 2016

For Birth Control "By reading the reviews, I was shocked by all of the negative comments and terrible side effects. I've been on this pill for two months, and I am loving it. I was on Ortho Tri-Cyclen before, and that was terrible. I got off of it due to how bad my mood swings were. Ever since I've been on this pill, I haven't had any weight gain, my face is clear (every once in a while, I'll get pimples on my face and breast), but I think that is because I live a very active lifestyle. My moods have been the same. The only difference that I experienced was my sex drive, it seemed to have decreased a bit, but nothing major."

• 26 ...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 26, 2013

For Birth Control "I've been taking Microgestin Fe 1/20 for seven months. The first week, I felt nauseous and had no appetite, but that subsided. No changes in my breasts. I weighed 142 when I started taking the pill, and I now weigh 132 with zero changes in my diet (and I love junk food). I have had blackheads on my chin the entire time I've been on this pill. I wanted to take birth control to get rid of facial and body hair, but this pill has not helped in that regard. My moods felt stable for the first two months, but then I started crying at everything: happy and sad. Yesterday, I realized that my moods are interfering with my relationship, so I will try to find a different pill that does not affect my emotions. This is a fairly stable pill. No extremes."

• LRH...
• July 24, 2014

For Polycystic Ovary Syndrome "Not a fan of this pill. Throughout my teenage years and twenties, I took either Ortho Tri-Cyclen or Yasmin. After the birth of my second son, my doctor switched me to Microgestin as I was searching for a lower dose option. Over the past several months on this pill, I have begun to experience acne, breakthrough bleeding, mood swings, and, just recently, intense cramping and lower back pain. The pain was so out of place that I requested an ultrasound and was diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. While I certainly don't believe that Microgestin caused me to develop PCOS, I do believe that it has done a very poor job in controlling the symptoms and has left me with multiple, undesirable side effects. I will be going back to Ortho Tri-Cyclen."

• You...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 7, 2018

For Birth Control "This is the worst birth control I've ever been on. I asked my doc for Loestrin 24 since it's worked for me perfectly in the past, but this generic Microgestin was so, so bad for me. Only 7 days in, I have horrid acne. Migraines every day, all day. My depression has gone from mild to severe. I'm fatigued, mood swings, on day 7 of bright red bleeding with no end in sight. I'm not taking any more of this medicine. I do not recommend."

• BB1...
• April 23, 2017

For Birth Control "I really like this birth control because it's a very low dosage. For everyone who says it makes them feel sick, take it at night! I had the same problem and take it at night, typically between 8:30-11 pm, and I don't feel sick. My skin has fewer breakouts. I still get the occasional pimple or two. I haven't had any mood swings, no problems with libido, my emotions feel more balanced, and I don't have PMS. I do get bloated for a few days in the middle of the cycle. It's my 5th month on them. And when I do get my period, my cramps are nonexistent. I used to have the curl-up-in-a-ball-and-cry cramps, but they've been nonexistent with these pills. There's also a lot less blood loss. I'm also a regular exerciser and have no issues there either."