Microgestin Fe 1/20 and Cramps: What Users Say (Page 4)

• Dan...
• October 14, 2017

For Birth Control "This birth control has been officially retired by me after a little over a month of use. The side effects have been horrendous, and the reason I began taking this was a mess up that my physician made because originally I was taking Lo Loestrin Fe (which is definitely the best for me). So my experience is that I got bacterial vaginosis twice because the pill messed with my pH, and I had my period almost consistently for the month of taking this pill. I'd get 1-3 day breaks and then be back on a heavy, painful period that lasts for a week. I have an appointment with my physician next week to address what is going on and change to maybe an IUD because the pill is such a hit or miss with side effects, plus remembering to take it every day."

• Old...
• March 2, 2018

For Birth Control "I've been taking this BC for over a year (I'm 45), and a lot of the symptoms reported by other users are very similar to what I've experienced. I've had a history of minor depression, but I've noticed over the last year my bouts have increased dramatically and they're MUCH more frequent and last a lot longer. Plus, I've developed severe anxiety, constant moodiness, and rage. To be fair, I've had some events over the past year that have caused some stress and anxiety, but I was perplexed (and extremely disappointed) with my inability to handle these events without constantly breaking down and crying. I'm not averse to crying, but I was/am crying about nearly EVERYTHING. Some days, my depression and anxiety have been so severe that I've been unable to get out of bed and go to work... It IS very effective as a BC, and I think for some women it'll probably be perfect if they don't experience the same side effects I did (which, by the way, also included increased, very painful cramps)."

• Wic...
• September 15, 2016

For Birth Control "Okay, I haven't been on this pill very long, but my doctor prescribed it to me for heavy bleeding and intense cramps. He told me to skip the brown pills and start a new pack instead. Doing that, I wasn't supposed to have a period at all. Well, that isn't the case at all. The last two days have been pure hell with cramps (worse than before), and I'm bleeding heavier than usual (I didn't think it was possible). Not to mention the migraines are unreal."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 17, 2017

For Birth Control "I've been taking this for a month now. I'm 18 years old. I take it the same time every day, but I've missed it once and now I'm bleeding lightly. I feel sick every day, and my face has only had a few zits. Too early to tell if I'll continue taking it, but it does what it's supposed to. My periods used to be heavy and last 4-5 days with bad cramps. I took my first pill on my second day, and my period stopped completely. Had cramps, but not bad. Recommend it :)"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 3, 2017

For Birth Control "I have been on this birth control since September of 2016, and it is now February of 2017, and I am having to switch birth controls. I was having heavy bleeding in my periods and severe cramping. My skin was relatively perfect. I never got acne, besides maybe 1 zit every month or so. When I first started this birth control, I started to get some acne. It wasn't anything too alarming, because I thought it was normal and it would clear up quickly and would be done. But this acne did not clear up. Over the months, my skin has gotten to the point where I don't want to leave my house without face makeup to cover up my acne and scarring. This BC has broken me out severely. My bleeding has reduced some, but my cramps are still severe on most periods."

• ame...
• February 11, 2017

For Birth Control "I took this for a total of three weeks. WORST PILL EVER. In that time period, I gained 10 pounds, was bloated all the time, and had the worst stomach pains and headaches. I have never been hungrier than I was when I took this, except every time I ate, my stomach puffed up and became hard to the point where it was uncomfortable even to lay down. During that time, I think I actually was depressed from the weight gain and pain. When I finally got my period, I was in so much pain that I laid in bed for two whole days and felt nauseous with sharp cramps and couldn't even move to turn in bed. I also lost 10 times more blood than ever before on my period. Overall, I have never felt sicker while taking this pill."

• K10...
• December 15, 2016

For Birth Control "I have a Paraguard. It's great, it also has some big side effects, such as super heavy (HEAVY) bleeding, long periods, and horrible cramps. I think the other side effects were that my body experienced a lack of progesterone due to having the Mirena before, so trying to balance out. Eight months in with no relief, my doctor gave me Microgestin, which I have consistently taken at the same time daily for the past 40 days. I have also been bleeding for the last 39 days. I think everyone is different, and I specifically need a higher dose pill, as this is a low dose, so I just switched over to Chanteal, so hopefully that helps. No relief from headaches and acne on this pill, though, and it made bleeding worse."

• Meo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 11, 2015

For Birth Control "I was previously on Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo but had constant breakthrough bleeding, so I decided to give a monophasic pill a try. Turns out the estrogen dosage was too low for me. I experienced small breakthrough bleeding in the first month, but then terrible breakthrough bleeding in my third month. I had cramps and a full-blown period for 2.5 weeks. When I didn't have breakthrough bleeding, this did shorten my period to about 4.5 to 5 days, and it was lighter. This was great because off the pill I had heavy periods that lasted 7 days. Sex drive remained the same. I gained about 5 lbs, but I'm not sure that was the pill because I started it on my honeymoon and was eating a ton. Acne was bad, and I have good skin. Trying 1.5/30 now."

• Nak...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 20, 2017

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "Been on this pill for about 2 years. First birth control pill I've ever been on, so I have nothing to compare it to. For about the first year, this pill was great. Never gained weight, never had acne. My hormones never seemed to go crazy. However, my periods have seemed to get worse with the pill. On average before the pill, my period came for 5 days. I didn't have major cramping or extremely heavy bleeding. On the pill, I seem to have the opposite. My cramps are so bad that sometimes I get in the fetal position on the bed and hold a heating pad to my stomach. I've had periods skip before, but now for the past 3 or 4 months, I've had spotting between periods. I get a period basically every 2 weeks now, and they last for 6-7 days."

• Anonymous
• March 13, 2013

For Birth Control "I've just started my second pack, and I love it. I don't get my period, and my cramps are gone along with my acne. I'm loving this pill. I'm so happy I found a pill that is right for me!"

• 199...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 10, 2020

For Birth Control "Bled for a very long time, didn't help with the cramps. But did help with pregnancy prevention."

• som...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 17, 2023

For Birth Control "This is the worst birth control I've ever been on. It makes me feel sick and nauseous when taking it, my migraines are ten times worse, my periods are heavier, and my cramps are horrible."

• che...
• July 14, 2018

For Birth Control "Rather than get pregnant, than stay on this bc. 1 month of usage and I’ve been on my period for 8 days straight and counting. Horrible cramps, extreme bloating. Would not recommend."

• Anonymous
• December 10, 2011

"Very tender but increasingly larger breasts. On my 2nd month, side effects such as cramping, headaches, and mood swings are decreasing as my body is getting used to the medication."