Microgestin Fe 1/20 and Cramps: What Users Say (Page 3)

• Yam...
• June 17, 2013

For Birth Control "I did a lot of research before selecting a birth control. I have had so many bad side effects from previous birth control methods that I was skeptical, especially after reading the reviews of this one. I am considered a Sunday start, and the first month went smoothly. I didn't get my cycle at the usual scheduled time, instead, it came during the inactive pill time frame. I did get some slight cramping around the time my cycle would have normally come on, and during my actual cycle, I had some painful cramps, but they were tolerable. I think I might have had a few sad days, but I mean we are putting hormones into our bodies, so you kind of have to expect some temporary changes, at least until your body can normalize itself. Overall, I like!"

• pur...
• July 26, 2017

For Birth Control "I have been on Microgestin Fe for about 4 months. I got on it because I was getting the Depo every 3 months, and I stopped shedding my lining completely. So, my doctor put me on this. It has its pros and cons. My biggest problem is how sore and tender my breasts get. Lately, I've experienced nausea, normally at night. My periods come with very heavy cramping. Although it has protected me from pregnancy, which is an upside, this pill just is not for me."

• Tas...
• July 27, 2016

For Birth Control "My first month on this pill, I've had the most horrible cramps I've had in my life. Hands down. This also made my period WAY heavier. I bled through tampons and a maxi pad at the same time. Given the fact that I got on this birth control to get rid of my periods, this was crazy. I know it will take up to 3 months for my body to get used to these hormones, but this experience overall has just been horrible."

• amb...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• February 18, 2014

For Birth Control "Suffered from horrible cramping early in my menstruation (started age 11). To combat cramps and prevent pregnancy, I have been on oral contraceptives for 11 years. Age 17-19 Ortho, 20 Loestrin, 21-29 Microgestin. On this, I have had two very light periods with typical cramping every month for the past 7(ish) years (which I didn't mind too much, and my doctor said if I don't mind, it isn't hurting me). My past two ovulation cycles have been ridiculously hormonal. I have never experienced anything like it before and am going to stop taking hormonal birth control and switch to an IUD. I am not a crazy lady, it turned me into one."

• Mrs...
• January 11, 2012

For Birth Control "My doctor switched me from Loestrin Fe to Microgestin Fe to help my endometriosis. I could not figure out why I have been so miserable (tender breasts, extreme cramping and bloating, weight gain, and depression), but after reading some of these reviews, I can relate. The best oral contraceptive that I have tried is Loestrin 24, but my insurance doesn't cover it! The only positive thing from this experience: I've given up on it, and my husband and I are trying for a baby!"

• 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."

• Ali...
• January 27, 2016

For Birth Control "While it prevented pregnancy, but the side effects actually got worse over time. I started out on Loestrin 24, which was great after I got used to it. Then I went on Gildess, which was okay. Then my pharmacy switched me to the Microgestin. It was cheaper, so I stuck with it. I think I was on it for 1.5-2 years before I couldn't stand it. I just became so insanely emotional and PMS-y. It started 2 weeks before my period. I also had the breast tenderness and sugar cravings like crazy. The awful moodiness went away once I switched birth control. I didn't have a lot of spotting-although I also didn't have a period for the first 3-4 months. I had semi-bad cramps during the inactive week."

• 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."

• cbi...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 19, 2016

For Birth Control "Overall satisfied. Makes periods predictable. I've always had short periods with bad cramps, took away most cramps but still have pain and soreness. I've noticed no weight change, although my appetite changed a lot. Still gives me nausea and headaches. But overall satisfied."

• SWl...
• July 1, 2012

For Birth Control "I've been using this brand for a month and a half now. So far, I like it. I haven't had cramping or bloating, I haven't gained any weight, I may have actually lost about 5 lbs. I've noticed a very high increase in my sex drive, and I've had a couple of mood swings of being very emotional, but your body needs time to adjust to all the hormones! My breasts have had a sensation similar to when I was pregnant, so I get the feeling that they are growing, which I like! So far, so good."

• Anonymous
• March 14, 2012

"I have been on this birth control for about 6 months. I switched from Lo Loestrin because that birth control gave me my period continuously. Since being on this birth control, I have had absolutely no side effects. I get my period for about 5-7 days, moderately heavy, then progressively gets lighter. I had moderate cramps for 2-3 days during my period, but I would get cramps without birth control too. I take it at exactly the same time (9 pm) every day and get my period every month at the same time (during my inactive pills). No weight gain, headaches, moodiness, or anything. This birth control has worked well for me, although everyone is different."

• 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."

• h12...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 7, 2012

For Birth Control "I have been taking it for 5 months (have only been sexually active for the last). The most recent three months, I have always started my bleeding between the 2nd and 3rd week and don't bleed at all on the inactive pills. I have mild cramping and nausea/feelings similar to my menses during the bleeding. I haven't asked my doctor about this yet. Other than that, I have experienced no mood swings, no weight gain, no unpleasant symptoms. My acne cleared up. I do find vaginal dryness to be an issue, but I am not willing to chalk it up to the pill yet since both I and my husband are new at this. Also, my breasts are relatively tender. I did think they had grown a bit even before I read all the reviews, but the change is hardly perceptible."

• 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!"

• JET...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 18, 2018

For Birth Control "I just began taking this medication around Christmas. About 2.5 months. I’m generally not an emotional person, the smallest things have been making me cry. I have no motivation, I’m sad and mad more than usual as well. This was quite confusing since this was a lower dosage than my old birth control. Additionally, I have been having spotting and cramping outside of my regular period. Not my favorite. I think I’ll switch to an IUD."

• Tk6...
• November 16, 2017

For Birth Control "I was on this pill for about a year in 2013, and my doctor took me off of it because it made me bleed twice a month. However, when I'm not on birth control, I tend to bleed twice a month anyway, and my periods are horribly painful and heavy. With this pill, at least they were light and only lasted 3 days at most. This is the only pill I've ever taken that kept my face completely clear the entire time. I just switched back after a month on Sprintec, which was causing nodules on my face that scabbed over and made me look like a meth addict. All BC causes side effects, unfortunately. You just have to pick which ones you can live with."

• est...
• November 14, 2017

For Birth Control "Worked fine the first five months of taking it. Around month six, I started getting horrible, heavy, crampy, clotty breakthrough bleeding with cramps that were up there in terms of the worst I've ever experienced. It started giving me horrible migraines that made me unable to function. However, it did do its job as a contraceptive. I never got pregnant the six months I was taking it, so three stars for it!"

• bro...
• August 9, 2016

For Birth Control "I took this birth control for 7 months straight, and my periods continued to get less and less each time. Every month they would come 2 weeks early during the white pills, and my period has still not regulated. On the 7th month, I had no period at all!!! Lots of cramping and feeling like I was pregnant, but I was not. Horrible!!! I have not lost any baby weight at all because of this pill!! Do not recommend!!!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 29, 2016

For Birth Control "Terrible. I remember being extremely moody, tired, nauseous, and got headaches when I first started. It eventually evened out; however, my face broke out, and if I missed a pill and had to take two, I would vomit profusely. Also, I got spotting mid-cycle. I finally decided to go off it, and just after stopping it, I got awful cramps and nausea. Weeks later, I'm finally starting to feel like myself."

• ray...
• December 3, 2015

For Birth Control "I just read most of the reviews, and half of them to me are ridiculous: anxiety and depression? Your period gives you mood swings, being a girl, you get mood swings! I've been on this pill since I was 15. I am 22 now. Never had a problem unless I miss a few pills. I have never been pregnant, very light blood, no cramps, very little pimples. To anyone with bad acne and bad cramps, I highly recommend this pill. I used to throw up because of my bad cramps, and now I rarely even get one."

• jan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 27, 2018

For Birth Control "Don't be discouraged because your body will react to medications differently, just like how I did as it is my first BC pill and method! I was informed and waited 2-3 months for my body to adjust to the hormones along with side effects to subside before considering switching. - Started using on Jan '18, finishing on Apr '18. - Switching to my new prescribed birth control pill called Aubra on May '18. Pros: - No pregnancy! - Period lasted 3 days & starts on the same placebo day. Cons: - Little to no change for my little acne. - Horrible mood swings. I started getting mad over little things or for no reason. It would end up causing unnecessary quarreling and huge arguments with my special other. But I'm very lucky and loved to have a very patient and understanding guy like him. - HUGE increase in appetite causing 15 lb weight gain. - Have no motivation to want to do anything. - Unbearable painful cramps leading to intake of Advil every month on the first day of my period."

• Anonymous
• August 2, 2011

For Birth Control "I just started this pill a few weeks ago after going off the NuvaRing, which had terrible side effects as well. At first, the pill was fine, I didn't notice anything off. And then about a week after taking it, the bloating, nausea, and cramps came back. It is summertime, and it's not a time anyone likes being bloated. I don't know why I get this side effect, but I wish I could find a form of birth control that didn't have these side effects for me."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 20, 2018

For Birth Control "I started taking Microgestin Fe specifically to regulate my periods since I was getting mine every two weeks. It definitely has regulated it and has also made them much lighter, but since I’ve started, my skin has broken out in cystic acne, and it hasn’t started healing at all. I’ve been on it for two months now. Also, I’m having horrible cramping every single day. And when I’m on my period, it’s 100x worse. Not to mention my moods... I cry often now. And I'm not a big crier, so I know it has to do with this medication. If you have a history of mental illness, you should stay away from this drug. I’ve been heavily debating on stopping this medication and just dealing with my irregular periods because that seems less stressful than what I’m going through now. I will be in contact with my doctor shortly, I can’t take this anymore."

• Bri...
• September 20, 2015

For Birth Control "I am stopping this pill today. I used to take Ortho Tricyclen Lo. Took it from age 16 to 27, but Planned Parenthood decided to stop carrying it, so they told me this one was the next best thing they carry. I expected my body to be a little out of whack the first month or two, but this is ridiculous. I've held out for five months hoping I would eventually adjust. Every month my periods have been all over the place, starting anywhere from a week early to three weeks early, with every single pill taken at night right on schedule! Also, heavier bleeding, intense cramps, intense breast tenderness, breakouts on chest and shoulders, no sex drive at all, lethargy. I am done. I'll pay more to get Ortho from a regular pharmacy. I cannot do this to myself anymore."

• Per...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 1, 2018

For Birth Control "This birth control gave me very painful cystic acne on my chin, especially during the time of the month. I would get painful cramps, and my periods were light but would last about two weeks or half a month. I used to break out here and there, but a little bit this pill gave me PAINFUL acne, and it started to get around my lips. I usually felt so angry, it was affecting my relationship sometimes. I switched, and it made me gain weight! Thankfully, now that I switched, I started losing a lot more!"