Microgestin Fe 1/20 and Depression: What Users Say

• bee...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 23, 2020

For Birth Control "I absolutely hate this medication. They gave it to me because my Junel Fe was on backorder. Horrible mood swings, zero sex drive whatsoever, symptoms of depression, breakthrough bleeding, and lack of interest in things I previously loved. I didn't use this for the purpose of preventing pregnancy, but it didn't even work for the things I needed it for. Everyone is different, but I have never experienced such dark emotions in my life, and this was a horrible experience."

• Ray...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 10, 2019

For Birth Control "I've been on Microgestin Fe 1/20 for about 3 years. I've tried many other brands or generics like Junel Fe 1/20, which is a form of Microgestin. But Junel made me gain weight and get depressed. Microgestin, however, has never given me any problems at all. I start and finish my period on the exact same days every month. My periods are so light and so manageable. I've had no problem with weight gain or mood swings with this pill. I am so sad to see this pill go on back order. I highly recommend. This is the only pill I have completely loved and not had any problems on. I am a 20-year-old girl and in college, so it's very important I'm on a good pill that doesn't get in the way of my mental health for my studies. I love this pill and am sad to see it go."

• Jul...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 17, 2020

For Birth Control "I started Microgestin 1/20 FE last year. I got a year's supply, so I didn't have to worry about switching, and it was one of the most depressing years I have experienced. I didn't blame the pill for my daily super dark thoughts until I switched pills 2 weeks ago, and since then I have had zero suicidal thoughts or impulses. In my experience, Microgestin increases depression and dark thoughts exponentially. One plus is that I did not get pregnant while on it."

• mis...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 30, 2014

For Menstrual Disorders "I have been on Microgestin 1/20 for about three weeks now, and the side effects were not shy. The first two days, I had bad migraines, the third and fourth, I had cramps, and the fifth to seventh day, I was extremely depressed. I cried over almost everything and anything. Starting the second week, it seemed like things were going okay until I started bleeding, and it hasn't stopped. Isn't that the whole purpose? I got over my period two and a half weeks ago, and now I'm getting it again, and there are no signs of it stopping anytime soon. The good thing is I don't have mood swings or anything anymore, but this excessive bleeding is now the problem."

• Som...
• November 24, 2013

For Birth Control "I've been on Microgestin for 2 months now, and I'm loving it. It took me 2.5 years to find a hormonal birth control method that worked for me. While on a different pill, I was having problems with suicidal thoughts and depression, along with massive mood swings and breast tenderness. I was ready to quit hormonal birth control altogether, but decided to give this one a try first. I haven't been having any negative symptoms, I'm very, very happy to have found this. I only wish I could have found Microgestin sooner."

• flo...
• August 3, 2015

For Birth Control "I've been on this pill for 3 months now, and I just stopped it two days ago. I had a pregnancy scare because of the side effects that this pill will give you. It will literally make you feel like you're 1 or 2 months pregnant without actually having a human inside of you. It made me nauseous for the 3 months total, moody (like incredibly), bloated, veiny around the nipples, tender breasts, really sensitive nipples (if I was wearing a bra and a shirt and I slightly rubbed something against them, it would hurt), felt depressed, fatigue, and it even looked like I was 3 months pregnant! I'm not going to say that I don't recommend this pill because everyone reacts differently, but this one obviously did not work out for me."

• mik...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 12, 2020

For Birth Control "This birth control destroyed my mental state. After being on it for a month, I started to spiral into depression and suicidal thoughts, no interest in the activities I used to love, like doing art or going on adventures. I would go into a rage or break down sobbing over the smallest things. Hot flashes all the time, breaking out on my chin and nose. I hate this birth control so much. I'm now off it, and I'm never taking the pill again because of this experience. I'll be finding an alternative BC."

• dev...
• October 1, 2014

For Birth Control "I have been on this pill for 3 weeks and already can't wait to switch to something else. After the first week, I became severely depressed with heavy mood swings and no sex drive at all. I cried at everything. I felt nauseous almost every day."

• Rac...
• January 7, 2015

For Birth Control "I'm 18 and don't like this pill. The first week of side effects was horrible, I couldn't even get up. I've been taking it for 3 months and only got my period 1 time. I don't like that because it scares me. I gained like 15 pounds and have been so depressed. I will be switching soon."

• Mic...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 14, 2020

For Birth Control "My insurance had changed my usual pill to this one, Microgestin Fe 1/20, due to insurance, and it has been terrible. I have constant depression and anxiety. I'm always angry over small things, and it does not even help my heavy periods/cramping, which is what I take the pill for. I will be switching again and paying the difference just so I don't have to go through this anymore."

• Mid...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 15, 2018

For Birth Control "I have endometriosis and am perimenopausal. Had laparoscopic surgery on my endometriosis 15 years ago and had easy periods for years after. In the past year, as perimenopause set in, my periods became unbearable and came every 2-3 weeks, so I decided to try Microgestin Fe to control symptoms and frequency of periods. The first 8 or 10 days were awful: severe nausea, lethargy, deep depression, and bleeding/spotting for 14 days. Someone suggested I take the pill at night before bed instead of in the morning. Immediately, like magic, everything normalized. It's now been 3 months - my moods are stable, no spotting, no bloating, no cramping, no breakouts. Only real side effect is constipation from the supplemental iron. Now I drink fiber beverages each morning and all is well. Every person reacts differently, but I wanted to share that the bad side effects aren't necessarily permanent."

• Pat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 3, 2015

For Birth Control "I have been on this pill since June of 2015, and I so far have not gotten pregnant, but I have pregnancy-like symptoms all the time, which lead me to think I am pregnant, therefore buying tests. I have major migraines, I am depressed, I already had anxiety, but it has heightened, I am moody and nauseous all the time. My body aches. I am worried about what effect this is having on my body. I have also taken the pill at the same time every day and have skipped the week off (period week), but have not had a period since the 2nd month of being on it."

• pet...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 16, 2013

For Birth Control "I have been on this birth control for a while now, probably a year. I love the fact it makes my periods super light and super short. I even skip periods often, which is scary but a relief at the same time. The biggest downfall is the fact I am depressed a lot and have zero sex drive. I blame the birth control because I have gone without it for a few days because I ran out, and I felt like a new happy woman with a sex drive."

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

For Birth Control "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."

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

For Birth Control "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."

• Aan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 7, 2019

For Birth Control "On Microgestin Fe 1/20. Absolutely horrible! Mentally, I was a complete wreck and struggled to feel happy or excited about anything. I was depressed and upset 24/7 and would get angry for the dumbest reasons. I felt so hopeless, I lost interest in everyday tasks and activities. I broke out like crazy on my chin and have always had clear skin. I thankfully switched to Junel FE, which has been great."

• Aan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 7, 2019

For Birth Control "On Microgestin Fe 1/20. Absolutely horrible! Mentally, I was a complete wreck and struggled to feel happy or excited about anything. I was depressed and upset 24/7 and would get angry for the dumbest reasons. I felt so hopeless, I lost interest in everyday tasks and activities. I broke out like crazy on my chin and have always had clear skin. I thankfully switched to Junel FE, which has been great."

• SRk...
• April 10, 2017

For Birth Control "My gyno switched me from Teva (brand name) to a generic. The generic wreaked havoc on my moods. As someone who suffered from bad PMS already, I was led to believe this would help. Did quite the opposite. Triggered months-long depression and anxiety. I had preexisting problems with both that were exacerbated by this pill. After wasting at least $800 seeing a shrink and going off of the pill, I went to see a psychiatrist who put me on Lexapro, which has made me feel a million times better. I know everyone reacts differently to different pills, but I would warn someone with a genetic predisposition to depression and anxiety to be very careful going on this pill. Doctors don't always care enough to listen before they prescribe medicine."

• My ...
• May 23, 2015

For Birth Control "I like the pill now because most of the side effects have gone away. The first month is the hardest, though. My body had a very hard time adjusting to the pill, and I had insane mood swings. I went from insanely angry to sad and depressed, even considering self-harm. I do not feel any of those emotions now, but if you are someone who is prone to depression, try another pill."

• 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."

• Anonymous
• October 10, 2015

For Birth Control "To be honest, the first month I used this medication, it was rough. I fell into a severe depression and started to break out and experienced nausea consistently. After the first month, things got a lot better. Now, after 7 months of taking the pill, my before unbearable cramps are almost nonexistent, my period that used to last a full week only lasts 4 days, and all the side effects I experienced the first month were gone within the second. My breasts did go up a cup size, but I did not gain any weight, so I took it as a positive. Now, since I've switched to another pharmacy, they gave me Junel, and I am very unhappy and want to go back to Microgestin immediately."

• Bcp...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 23, 2012

For Birth Control "I honestly don't like these pills at all. I mean, there are good side effects, but they're all mostly bad. The good thing about it is that I never broke out with acne, and my chest got a little bigger. But the bad side of these pills is that I get sick to my stomach whenever I start a new month, major mood swings, depression to the point where I'm thinking suicidal thoughts, and usually I'm not like that, and they don't even help with my menstrual cramps because they are still pretty severe. Every person's body is different, but if these symptoms don't stop, I'm switching to another brand."

• Liz...
• July 21, 2015

For Birth Control "When I got put on it, 'mild hair loss on scalp' was listed as a possible side effect. Lost half my hair, was scared to go off of it. They do not warn that if alopecia runs in your family, DO NOT TAKE THIS!!! Later, of course, they changed it to just say 'scalp hair loss' and took out the mild. A year too late. Have been on it a long time, and now it turns out that half the hair loss I have accrued is permanent. I am 20 years old. Judging from my family, I did not need to lose my hair until at least 35. This pill gave me migraines, made me anxious, panic attacks (I have lost so many jobs just because I cry in the middle of a workday), the worst, longest depression I have ever had. For a year and a half I suffered. Now I'm bald. Hate it."

• Nik...
• December 29, 2012

For Birth Control "I've been on this birth control for about four months now. My breasts are growing at a consistent rate. My acne stayed the same. My periods are gone, and I do not cramp at all. I have been more depressed and picking out little things to complain about to my boyfriend. He is trying to deal with it, but this pill is slowly making me crazy. I need something else! I constantly feel sick and need to go to the bathroom."

• Wor...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 3, 2016

For Birth Control "This pill made me so crazy and bipolar I have never experienced in my life! I couldn't even take one month of it. I was constantly crying and depressed! I gained over 10 pounds within the last month. I will never ever again use this birth control."