Microgestin Fe 1/20 and Mood Swings: 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."

• A R...
• May 10, 2014

For Birth Control "I have been taking these pills for the past two months. Usually, I'm a very rational person, but after taking them, I have extreme mood swings, and minor disagreements turn into week-long fights. I stopped taking them last night due to it almost ending my relationship. No pill should be able to cause such a drastic difference in personality. I also have irregular bleeding between periods, but hey, at least I'm not pregnant."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 13, 2013

For Birth Control "Whenever you start birth control, you're supposed to give it a three-month trial before you determine if it's garbage or not. The reason being is that your body is adjusting to the new birth control, and of course, you're going to experience breakout bleeding, common birth control side effects, and of course, being overly emotional. On the other hand, despite the breakout bleeding and the mood swings I get from time to time, I love Microgestin! It's a reliable birth control if used correctly, so if you're forgetful, forget the pill and find another form of birth control! Within the past nine months I've used it, I had lighter periods, didn't break out as much, and I didn't feel any weight gain. I recommend this product to anyone!"

• Syd...
• July 27, 2015

For Menstrual Disorders "Ladies, please realize you are putting synthetic chemicals into your body. It is completely normal to have side effects, your body won't regulate the pill until after about 3-4 months of consistent pill taking. I have been on Microgestin for about 2-3 years, and it lightened my period, helped my cramps, and helped my mood swings. However, the success of the pill depends on how it reacts with your body. Give these pills a chance (3-4 months), otherwise you won't find one that works. You can't expect it to work within a month."

• Ver...
• July 10, 2010

For Birth Control "I was very scared about all the side effects of birth control. However, I recently got married, and we had used abstinence during our year and a half of dating, and I needed a birth control for after we got married, and this is what I was given. I am going on my fourth month now and have experienced none of the side effects. I eat healthy and live an active lifestyle and don't ever work out, and I haven't gained any weight. I had mood swings before I got on any birth control, usually right before my period, and that is kind of the regular for me even with this pill. My skin is a lot clearer. My boobs did get bigger for a little while there. My periods are either light or nonexistent. I take this pill every night at 10 so I don't experience nausea as I'm asleep."

• 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."

• AUN...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• July 25, 2018

For Birth Control "I've been taking this pill for years. I have never had a problem. No mood swings, no pregnancies, no long heavy periods, no nothing. I feel great. I have short light periods. I was surprised to see so many negative reviews. Everyone needs to keep in mind everyone's body is different and responds to things differently."

• Ven...
• June 23, 2019

For Birth Control "I switched from Tarina Fe to Microgestin after starting to see a new doctor. This doctor told me the two brands were generics of each other, i.e., comparable. I had zero problem on Tarina for multiple years. This new pill gave me severe side effects. I was on it for 5 months and started having side effects immediately. I was always bloated, gained weight, broke out, had drastic mood changes, abdominal pain, no periods, and consistent yeast infections, which was new to me. Finally, I just couldn’t handle it anymore, I stopped taking it. I had stabbing pain in my uterus for about a week while detoxing from the pill. It’s been 5 months off, and my body has had a tough time readjusting. My periods are still inconsistent, and my hormones are trying to balance themselves out. My mom had issues on this pill too, severe headaches that were a sign of a near stroke. Thank goodness she went to the doctor just in time and got off the pill and is feeling better now. I do not recommend this pill to anyone."

• Anonymous
• June 13, 2010

For Birth Control "I see a lot of bad comments about this birth control and have no idea why. This is because I have been on this pill for 2 years, and I love it. It made my boobs a whole cup size bigger, and I did not gain any weight. I have also noticed I have no more mood swings and barely have a period. It is very good, and I recommend it, also, it is cheap."

• Sap...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 21, 2013

For Polycystic Ovary Syndrome "I have been on Microgestin Fe 1.5/30 for 15 months. My doctor prescribed it when I was diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. My cycle would not stop for more than two days, then it would start again. As soon as I started the Microgestin, my cycle regulated the first week. After taking it for about a year, my periods are extremely light and very short. The side effects I have experienced are acne, oily skin, and terrible mood swings the week before my period begins. I get very angry and irritable for about two days the week prior to my period. In spite of these side effects, this pill has been great for me. I have lost 40 lbs with diet and exercise that I was unable to lose before taking this pill. I highly recommend giving it a try."

• 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."

• mit...
• July 14, 2014

For Menstrual Disorders "I love this pill. I have been on it for 3 years. It regulates my period, and the loss of appetite has helped with weight loss. In February 2013, I weighed 282, it is July 2014, and I weigh 236. I'm more emotional to movies and everything, but that's fine."

• Anonymous
• December 1, 2011

For Birth Control "I have been on Microgestin for a few years. For the most part, my experience has been very positive: I have not experienced unusual mood swings, weight gain, or changes in sex drive. The pill also regulated my period, which had been very irregular before, and my cramps became much less painful. After long-term use, my period became lighter and finally disappeared, which makes me paranoid about pregnancy, so I use an over-the-counter test every couple of months. At the same time, I also became drier and drier until sex became very difficult. However, I have been able to combat the vaginal dryness pretty effectively by making sure to stay very hydrated all day long and especially where exercise or alcohol are concerned."

• Moo...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 7, 2015

For Birth Control "This medicine is effective and does the job of 'birth control.' However, I still have cramps, and I have emotional breakdowns the few days before my period comes. I turn into either a sad or extremely angry person, and I cannot take no for an answer. I am considering switching medications if this does not change. It is beginning to ruin relationships."

• Che...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 5, 2014

For Birth Control "Good pill, does what it's supposed to-protects from pregnancy. Clears acne. Regulates periods. BUT mood swings were definitely noticed, and a small weight gain (10 lbs or less). I had always weighed around 130 and have been 140 with the pill, and extremely moody-extremely happy or extremely sad-no medium. Every person will have different reactions, obviously, just sharing my own experiences."

• cla...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 24, 2014

For Birth Control "I've been on Microgestin for almost three months now; I switched over from Previfem. During the first month or so, my sex drive decreased a bit, and I was nauseated in the morning sometimes. I did notice some mood swings, too. Since I've been on it for a while, though, the symptoms have let up. My withdrawal bleeds only last for about 3-5 days, and they're light. I do have backaches and cramps periodically throughout my cycle, but they're manageable with a little ibuprofen. My breasts swell a bit and get sore around my placebo week, but that's not really a big deal. Overall, I'm happy with Microgestin. I haven't gotten pregnant, so that's awesome, and the side effects are minimal. Also, my skin is looking good!"

• Dor...
• July 5, 2014

For Birth Control "I have been on Microgestin Fe 1/20 for almost 9 months, and I have to say that I can't complain. This birth control has worked very well with my body, few days or no periods. I do actually notice I get really emotional. Haven't noticed any difference in sex drive. Overall, great pill."

• hap...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 6, 2013

For Birth Control "Months 1-2 = no cramping, came right on time, incredibly light, period lasted 1-3 days, no weight gain, no acne. Month 3 = crazy mood swings, not myself, didn't feel motivated, hurt my family/boyfriend's feelings a lot. Months 4, 5 = felt normal again, happy in my relationships, acne normal, no weight gain still, period came a week early both months with lots of brown discharge and then bleeding the week of my period. Month 6 = period came right on time, mild cramping, no mood swings, acne normal, period not heavy but not as light as months 1-2. Overall, stick with this pill. It can be rocky, but I think I've gone through everything and am leveling out."

• Anonymous
• October 29, 2009

For Birth Control "Before getting on Microgestin Fe 1/20, I was on Yasmin. I never had any problems with Yasmin, although my period was slightly heavier than desirable. I have been on Microgestin now for four months and literally go through two full period cycles in a row each month. It is awful and inconvenient. My doctor actually put me on the pill because of the reports of shorter periods. I know that all bodies react differently, but be cautious of this problem if you do not want to chance it. I have also experienced severe mood swings, but I cannot discredit it regarding actual birth control. Just remember to take it at the same time, daily."

• 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."

• Iss...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 29, 2017

For Birth Control "I hate this pill. The first three months went by smoothly. Suddenly, my face began breaking out and leaving horrible dark marks. After that, my mood began to change. I'm now 5 months into these pills, and I feel like a completely different person. I can't sleep at night if I take these pills, but I sleep perfectly if I skip a dose. I cry or get upset over small things, which is very unlike me. I don't feel like doing anything anymore. It's a chore to get out of bed. I'm gaining weight like crazy, even though my appetite hasn't changed. I was a very happy and energetic person before taking these pills. I don't recognize myself. I plan to either switch brands or get off of birth control completely. I need to find my happiness/sanity again."

• Kel...
• May 15, 2017

For Birth Control "This is the only birth control that I have used, and it was recommended to me by a friend. I have been on it for over two years now and have had virtually no side effects at all. During my first month on it, I spotted almost every day, but after that, I did not have a single issue with this pill. My periods are extremely light to the point where I have not even needed a pad or tampon in two years. I have not experienced any acne, mood swings, weight gain, or libido changes whatsoever."

• Cat...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 22, 2014

For Birth Control "My OBGYN switched me to this pill because she believed the Necon 0.5/35 I was previously on contained unnecessary amounts of hormone for me. About 3 months in, my libido decreased, but I wasn't having any other side effects, so I decided to wait it out and see if things got better. Around month six, I missed my period three months in a row, wasn't pregnant, thank God, and started breaking out like crazy. My periods have resumed, but I've got no sex drive, really bad skin, and have become emotionally unstable around my time of the month, which is very unusual for me. I am 24 years old, 125 lbs., and have a pretty active lifestyle if anyone wants those statistics for their reference. I'll be switching at the end of this month's pack."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 4, 2012

For Birth Control "I was very hesitant to try this birth control after reading so many negative reviews. I decided that I would go ahead and try it anyway, since everyone reacts differently. Personally, I absolutely love this birth control. I have been on it for approximately three months now and have not had any bad side effects whatsoever. I used to be on Yasmin for three years and would get headaches almost daily. Ever since I switched, I rarely get headaches. I have had no weight gain, no mood swings, no acne, and no change in breast size (unfortunately). I have noticed my periods are much lighter, and I have had no spotting. Overall, I give this birth control an A."

• Tal...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 26, 2014

For Birth Control "I've been on Microgestin Fe 1/20 for 4 months. Gained weight, mood swings, horrible cramps, and bleeding in between periods. I don't feel like myself at all. I've been bleeding for 7 days now. The only thing this has done for me is heighten my sex drive. I've decided to stop taking it. Going back to condoms."