Microgestin Fe 1/20 and Acne: What Users Say (Page 5)

• vsl...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 2, 2018

For Birth Control "Let me just start off by saying I never break out, I’ll get the occasional acne around my period that goes away within a couple of days. While on this birth control, it made me get painful acne on my chin and jaw area. It also made me extremely depressed, anxious, tired, and hungry. I was prescribed this particular brand when I communicated to my doctor that birth control made me moody. I’d also like to add that I had painful cramps during it. The only pros were that I did not get pregnant and my period was extremely light. With that said, I wouldn’t recommend this birth control."

• oli...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 22, 2017

For Birth Control "I mainly chose this brand because it is 100% covered by my insurance. I have been using it for about 10 months now, and I have absolutely no issues. No side effects at all (knock on wood). No weight gain, no breakouts, no nausea, no babies."

• hey...
• February 21, 2012

For Birth Control "After being on Microgestin Fe 1/20 for only a few days, I noticed I had gained 2-3 pounds. As I was told by my doctor that this is a normal side effect and would go away in time, I tried not to panic. Considering I am a very active person, I own a horse, and I compete in hunter jumpers and ride 5-6 days a week, I figured the weight gain would be temporary. However, after being on it for 3 months, I had gained 15 pounds and was breaking out on and off, like a prepubescent teenager. No matter what I did, I couldn’t drop the 15 pounds."

• Rac...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 19, 2018

For Birth Control "I switched to Microgestin FE after my insurance removed the patch from their list of covered medications, which made me sad because Xulane worked really well for me other than having a low libido. This one was not a good fit for me. I've been taking this for almost 3 months to see if the side effects would go away, but they're only getting worse. I've been experiencing insomnia, especially during the first two weeks of taking the pill, and I also get super itchy on my arms, back, and legs, which is a side effect I've never had with any other birth control. The cystic acne has only gotten worse, and I've just contacted my doctor to switch to something else because this pill makes me feel horrible. My moods are also off the wall, and I get upset/easily irritated very often. The very idea of sex annoys me. I am not myself on this pill... I can't wait to switch!!"

• Anonymous
• June 15, 2016

For Birth Control "I've been on this pill for about a month. Since then, I've been feeling very lightheaded at times. Also, I noticed that my appetite has increased drastically. I feel more tired than usual, and the mood swings are terrible. On top of all that, the acne won't go away! This pill is okay, but I wouldn't suggest it for long-term use."

• Cck...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 28, 2016

For Birth Control "Birth control-wise, this pill does the job. At least I assume so. I wasn't hardly sexually active during my use. I hoped that it would make my cycle more consistent and help with my acne. My cycle was consistent for the first two months, then my period began to start a week early even though I took the pill at the same time every day without missing. As for the acne, it's still the same. The most noticeable thing that has happened is weird weight distribution. I've lost a few pounds, but have gained chubby cheeks in turn, making people think I've gained weight. It hasn't helped with issues I've wanted to address, but merely as a birth control regimen, it gets things done."

• New...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 23, 2015

For Birth Control "I'm 21, and this is my first experience with oral contraceptives. It's only been 7 days on this pill, but I'm impatiently nervous about it. I take it at 8 a.m. every morning, and I get bouts of nausea all day. I'm bloated, and I retain water like crazy. I've always been prone to the occasional breakout, but this cystic acne is out of control, and it has made my skin very sensitive to touch. On the plus side, my sex drive is great, and my mood hasn't changed much. I suppose only time will tell whether my weight and acne will sort themselves out."

• Gir...
• April 18, 2017

For Birth Control "I was on the pill for 5 years. The first 4 years were good - lighter periods, face was clear, not super hormonal for the most part. However, at the end of the 4th year, things started to get bad! I was breaking out like crazy! I have never had cystic acne, but sure enough, with this pill, I was getting them. And not just one or two, I'd have like 5 on my face all the time. They were mostly on my cheeks and chin. They were big, red, and very painful. At first, I wasn't sure if it was the pill causing the acne, so I continued taking it. Months later, I stopped and now my face has finally cleared up. I wouldn't recommend this pill to anyone! Stay clear away if you want clear skin!!"

• Afr...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 6, 2016

For Birth Control "So when I first started taking birth control, I was 15. It was my mother's idea, and it was supposedly to minimize cramping. Anyways, I started gaining weight and immediately stopped taking the pills. Zoom forward to 23 years old, and I'm recommended by my gynecologist to take these pills. Well, I've been on this pill for 3 months now and just realized I gained a whopping 20 lbs in those 3 months!! And I know for certain I've consciously made better food choices in regard to some modeling events coming up. On top of that, my acne has gotten awful in my adulthood, but this pill made it worse! I started getting large, painful cystic acne on my forehead. I also experience a decrease in sex drive, fatigue, and an increase in vaginal discharge. BEWARE."

• Anonymous
• May 24, 2010

For Birth Control "I've been taking the pill for about 26 days. It's my first time taking birth control. My doctor put me on it to help regulate my estrogen bursts before my period. So far, I've gained 3 pounds every 2 weeks, my face has exploded with acne, my hair seems to be falling out, I get mood swings, I get teary-eyed over everything, and I get horrible period-like cramps. The only good part is my period is much, much lighter. It lasts a little longer, but I don't mind."

• Man...
• March 3, 2016

For Acne "Absolutely terrible. I got cystic acne, and I now have scars. I was never prone to acne before, just the occasional pimple. My breakouts now cover a part of my cheek that contains about 10 pimples at once. Terrible."

• Bum...
• June 20, 2016

For Birth Control "This birth control was pretty terrible. I should preface this by saying I only took it for a month and not the 3 months that is recommended for your body to adjust to a hormonal birth control. However, there was no way I was going to subject myself to 3 months of this pill. The first two weeks, it caused me to have insane mood swings. I'd get extremely mad at virtually nothing. The two times I accidentally took the pill a few hours late, I immediately started spotting and would continue to spot for a few days. It also made my skin break out, despite the fact that I have a good skincare routine and rarely experience acne."

• K11...
• March 21, 2016

For Birth Control "This birth control made my face really clear. When I get my period, I get tiny pimples here and there, but it's nothing serious. Before the birth control, my menstrual cramps used to be so painful! Now I barely have cramps. The con of this pill is low sex drive. I rarely have sex with my boyfriend, and when I do, it burns afterward. That never happened before the pill."

• Roc...
• March 28, 2016

For Birth Control "I took this pill for about 3 years with little side effects (some weight gain). About midway through 2015, I noticed the manufacturer changed. They must have not stuck to the original formula because I gradually started to break out in hormonal chin acne for the remaining year, which I never had when the manufacturer was Watson. I eventually got desperate and changed birth control for this problem, and the breakouts have minimized considerably. If anyone has struggled with bad skin, I suggest taking Sprintec, as that helped for the acne this pill caused."

• xal...
• November 28, 2016

For Acne "I have never in my life had acne, including during puberty. I've been on this pill for 3 months, and I have the most intense acne all over my chin. I have a very thorough skin care routine, but nothing works. Aside from the acne, every time I start a new pack, I get an intense headache and physically feel sick, like I'm coming down with the flu. This pill has been nothing but issues for me, and I just made an appointment to change pills entirely."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 7, 2016

For Acne "As we all know, birth control has different effects on everyone. As for myself and the 2 other people I know who have taken this pill in the past, it has been nothing short of miserable for all 3 of us. I've never related to others when they talk about mood swings during menstruation until I took this pill. Except now my mood swings can happen at any point, and I constantly have anxiety. On top of this, I am constantly nauseous, have random chest pain, and I've developed the worst acne I've had in my entire life. It's a good day if I have one or fewer breakouts appear on my chin area. As stated before, this pill has different effects on everyone, but as for me, I can honestly say it has impacted my life and not in a good way."

• txp...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 9, 2012

For Birth Control "I just started using this birth control, and so far, I love it. This is my first month, and I did not gain any weight, and my period is very light, which I love! I have had an acne problem for about almost 1 year. I started using Proactiv a couple of days before I started the Microgestin Fe 1/20, and I wasn't seeing a big difference in my skin until I started to use the birth control. I would recommend this to everyone!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 16, 2012

For Birth Control "I've been on birth control for over 5 years. After my original was recalled, I got started on this. I got my period 2 times a month, which was normal to me because my old birth control did it to me at the beginning. Well, I'm 5 months into it, and I'm now getting my period almost 3 times a month. It doesn't last as long as a normal period, but it's enough to give me bad cramps. Not only that, but I'm ALWAYS tired and have mood swings. The only good side effect would be I haven't had any acne on my back (it might also be because of the weather now). Overall, I'm quitting this birth control."

• Noe...
• February 19, 2012

For Birth Control "I have been on my birth control for a month now, I've been eating a lot lately and breaking out. Before I started the pill, I had read other reviews on it, and I was worried about some things. Now that I have been on it, I want to change it already. I have had my period for three weeks straight now, and it is very heavy. Everyone's bodies are different, but I am 134 pounds and 5'3."

• kai...
• November 19, 2010

"Okay, I just finished my first month, and in that month, there has been maybe 2 days that I have gone the whole day without bleeding heavier than my normal period. My hair is like 3 times thinner and getting progressively worse. I'm calling my doctor on Monday to switch. I would never recommend this to anyone. Also, every time I eat, I feel awful, like my stomach hurts, my head hurts, and I'm always tired with absolutely NO sex drive. My breasts got a little bigger, but my acne got worse. Overall, this pill is miserable."

• ste...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 19, 2019

For Birth Control "I changed from Trinessa to Microgestin because I was feeling depressed and very dry. But I have been taking Microgestin for 5 months, and I feel the same, I cry and get mad over nothing, and I am always in a bad mood. I just realized, reading the reviews, that the reason for this is the pills. The only good thing is that I weigh the same, and I have no acne. I am definitely switching after I finish this package."

• Aim...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 19, 2017

For Birth Control "I gave it two stars, only because it keeps me from getting pregnant. My gynecologist suggested this birth control for me because I asked her for something that can help with my acne. First of all, it made my acne worse. I haven't seen my face this bad since my teenage years. I would also like to note that this is my third month on birth control. I had Aubra before that was given to me at Planned Parenthood. I haven't gotten a period since I started birth control, but I think that's because my body is still trying to get used to the hormones. I also do get cramps on the week I don't take the pills. They feel so bad. Sometimes, I can't do anything because it hurts really bad, and I don't even bleed when I get them!"

• Ash...
• February 23, 2016

For Birth Control "I took this pill for three months. That's all I could take as it completely ruined my skin! It gradually got worse and worse, and now I have horrible scars that make me want to just cry. I will say, the acne was my only downfall with this pill. It prevented pregnancy, and I felt completely myself and non-hormonal - but it ruined my skin in three months. My acne stopped as soon as I quit the pill."

• Jen...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 30, 2016

For Birth Control "Terrible! Never again! I switched to this pill after being on the mini pill because I stopped breastfeeding. This was the worst mistake ever! Since being on this pill (for 6 weeks), I've gained 10 lbs, I'm so incredibly moody that I'm constantly fed up with everyone, crying, stressed to the point I can't handle basic everyday things without breaking down... My skin looks horrible, I never have acne, and my face, back, and chest are covered... I wouldn't recommend this to my worst enemy..."

• Mrs...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 1, 2016

For Acne "I was on this prior to my third son and had no trouble. Now I'm back on it and it has been a solid two months of straight acne. Horrible; it's all around my mouth and under my eyes. I've never had issues prior to this, and I'm hating it. I've also put on around 5 pounds since starting this. I'm a healthy and very active 32-year-old."