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

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• raw...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 24, 2015

For Birth Control "Okay, so I was on this pill for about 5 months. I have really horrible period cramps to where I couldn't get out of bed. I've tried 2 other pills before this one, and those didn't work, so I tried this one. The only positive thing about this pill is no pregnancy scares and light periods, and my face stayed clear. But as far as negative effects, I was severely depressed all the time and suffering from anxiety attacks daily. Secondary to the anxiety, I would be constantly nauseous, and worst of all, I had no sex drive, just the thought of sex disgusted me, which really sucked because my boyfriend and I are very sexually active. I decided that it was time to switch to the new one that I'm on now, which is wonderful."

• Mbw...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 16, 2019

For Birth Control "This birth control made me a different person. Uncontrollable mood swings, thoughts of self-harm, depression, I could go on. Be cautious if you begin Microgestin, this birth control has by far the most extreme side effects out of any pill that I have taken."

• bou...
• November 3, 2016

For Birth Control "I have been on this birth control for about a month and while I'm aware that it's not long enough for the pill to really set in, I've suffered major side effects that are important to know about. This pill is causing me to have a second period this month, and I'm anemic, so it's making me feel extremely fatigued. It's also spiked very, very severe depression and a loss of appetite."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 21, 2013

For Birth Control "I had been taking Junel Fe for three months until I was switched to Microgestin Fe 1/20 without notice. The first week was fine, my sex drive was normal and I did not feel depressed. However, once I started the second week, I felt extremely depressed and not motivated at all. My breast size has increased, which I am not happy about. I haven't noticed much weight gain, but the depression is enough to make me call my gyno and switch back to Junel."

• 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."

• Dan...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 1, 2015

For Birth Control "I took this method of birth control for about 8 months. I always skipped the sugar pills, so I didn't have my period. I only had spotting once while I was on this pill, and it lasted for about a day or two and was very light. I had no pregnancy scares and am sexually active with my boyfriend. So, everything was good in that department. But I did notice I was starting to have anxiety and freak out about every little thing. My boyfriend noticed as well, and the problem grew worse and worse. I felt depressed, and I was always holding in my terrible mood. I recently got off of the pill for this reason, and it's been 2 weeks and I feel a huge difference. Mood swings are gone. Does the job, but side effects depend on how your body reacts to the pill."

• Mig...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 4, 2016

For Menstrual Disorders "I went on this BC because my insurance stopped covering Loestrin. So far, I am on month 3, and I am trying to stick it out, but it has been terrible. I usually get breakouts right before my period, now I have them constantly. I am constantly depressed and fatigued beyond belief. I also have bloating, gained weight (though I admit there could be other causes as far as the weight is concerned), and I have constant cramping (though it is minor, it is daily and noticeable). I've also had severe migraines, and I only just now put it together that the migraines started when I started this pill. Also, I am 26, non-smoker, and take the pill continuously (no periods)."

• Lya...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 12, 2015

For Birth Control "Pros: Lighter periods, some cramping but much less, no pregnancy scares. Little to no nausea after the first week. No migraines. Cons: Horrible moodiness, depression, anxiety, feeling insecure. Weight gain (though less than other users). Painful intercourse. After a year of being on this pill, I went off for 3 months due to insurance coverage issues. While I was off, I noticed an immediate improvement in mood and energy. After going back on, the depression/mood swings started back up again, and I noticed an extreme drop in libido. Though my experience was not as horribly negative as some others, I will be looking for another birth control."

• Dul...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 17, 2021

For Birth Control "I was prescribed this since they didn’t have Junel Fe at the time. I spoke with the pharmacist, and he confirmed it’s the same as that. I took it for 1 month, and it’s probably the worst birth control I have ever tried. I had mood swings, and it made me feel so depressed. I had constant bloating, and I was throwing up every other day. I ended up finishing the month of it, and right now I’m no longer taking any birth control since I’m just trying to detoxify from the pill. I stopped it in December, and now it’s April, and I still have spotting every day and heavy periods. All bodies are different, but this one was not the one for me."

• ewa...
• April 5, 2010

For Birth Control "I have been on Microgestin since October of 2009. What I have noticed is that with every hair washing, I would pull out lots and lots of hair from my head. At the same time, my chin hairs have gotten lighter, and I don't have to pluck as often (my facial hair was always a real problem - it was dark and stubby and right under my chin). Since being on this birth control, it has gotten softer, lighter, and less noticeable-but I'm going bald. Also, I seem to be depressed a lot and have very little energy and overall good feeling. I seem agitated a lot and raise my voice more often."

• Anonymous
• August 27, 2020

"I have been on multiple birth controls in the past, but this Microgestin Fe 1/20 birth control I have been on for 2 months, and it has made me crave EVERYTHING. I am a runner and try to eat healthy and exercise, but I feel like I cannot shake the bloat and cravings no matter what. I also have never been so tired on this pill and unmotivated. I feel like my anxiety has been worse and that I could cry at the drop of a hat. It sucks. I don’t recommend unless you want to crave everything in sight and gain weight and have increased anxiety and crying, ha."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 25, 2013

For Birth Control "I have been taking this pill for almost a week now, and I am experiencing very bad headaches, stomach aches, drowsiness, moodiness, and depression. I have tried the BC shot and about four other different kinds of pills. Birth control pills make me ill, to say the least, but I will keep taking Microgestin for a month to see if it will magically not make me feel sick. So far, not so good. My family already thinks I should quit taking it because I'm feeling sick, and they don't want to see me go through that again. I'm 18, just graduated from high school in June, and for prom and grad night at Disneyland, I was completely sick from the pills, stomach hurt BAD. So I'm hoping my body adjusts well to these new pills, praying. Everyone has different side effects."

• Eli...
• August 15, 2016

For Birth Control "Switched to this from Lo Loestrin FE due to insurance only covering generics. There's no generic form of Lo Loestrin FE, so I was given what I was told would be the most similar pill. Unfortunately, it didn't work out. I've gained weight, feel bloated often, started getting acne again at age 32, feel tired/moody/depressed with less interest in sex... but the worst is the headaches. They start at random times with no apparent trigger and can last as long as 48 hours. They do not respond to any over-the-counter medications. They can be very severe and often make it impossible to work, sleep, and enjoy life. I had no side effects with Lo Loestrin FE, except positive ones like lighter periods, so I think I'll be switching back despite the cost."

• Sha...
• October 21, 2013

For Birth Control "This birth control gave me cystic acne. I never have had acne-prone skin. I was on this for one year, and I started feeling depressed and always tired. Zero sex drive. No pregnancy scare and no weight gain, though! But I just switched to the ring, and I feel like I am my old self again. I don't think I would take this again."

• Cam...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 6, 2016

For Birth Control "I am 20 and have taken this pill for a little over a year. I have yet to get pregnant, so it does its job as far as I am aware. I haven't personally had the side effects of low sex drive or acne; my skin actually has cleared up a lot since starting it. I did, however, gain about 10 lbs after starting Microgestin (thankfully losing 5 lbs since the initial gain). Additionally, I noticed dramatic mood swings and depression. I feel like I cry over minor details, and I never used to cry about practically anything. It's the only birth control method I have tried, and my insurance makes it free."

• Anonymous
• August 4, 2020

"I had intense weight gain, acne, and depression while on this Microgestin Fe 1/20 pill. I was 19 when I was on this pill, and I had a very healthy and active lifestyle while on this pill, but still gained 20+ pounds. I had never been very acne-prone in my life, but while on the Microgestin Fe 1/20 pill, I had severe breakouts weekly. I would not recommend this pill if you are worried about either of these things."

• Blo...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 27, 2018

For Birth Control "If you have any history of depression or anxiety, please avoid this BC. Yes, it gave me a light and short flow with no breakouts, but is that worth your mental health? Some months on this pill were fine or okay, but after about 9 months, I started developing horrible mood swings and eventually severe depression. I know my body very well, and there is a definite link between BC and depression."

• Nic...
• September 15, 2017

For Birth Control "This pill worked wonders for 6 months for my endometriosis until it, mixed with anxieties about going off to college and being an adult, triggered a horrible depressive and anxiety-fueled episode that lasted 2 weeks. I couldn't bear to get out of bed, showering felt like running a marathon, I hated looking at myself, and I cried daily over nothing. I have never had an episode that bad and once I got off of it I felt slightly better, but I ended up having to go on Lexapro! Be careful taking this if you have a mental health condition!"

• Hel...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 19, 2017

For Birth Control "This was the first birth control I was ever on. The first 4 months on it were fine. My sex drive was normal, my moods were normal, then it all changed. I noticed I started to become depressed. I had emotional outbursts, I was moody all the time. Not to mention my sex drive became nonexistent, and I was so dry down there it was too painful to enjoy intercourse. I felt like a completely different person, and not in a good way. In July I went off the pill and stuck to condoms. I'm starting a new brand called 'Lutera' and hoping it's better than Microgestin Fe 1/20 was. Pros: No pregnancy scares. Periods were on time. Cons: depression, anxiety, mood swings."

• Daa...
• January 27, 2018

For Birth Control "I have been on this pill for about 5 months. I am a student and have found I am all of the sudden lacking motivation to study or spend time with my friends. I have all of the sudden become very moody and irritable. I cannot wait to get off this pill. Pros: more regular periods, no cramps or acne. Cons: horrendous mood swings and depression symptoms."