Microgestin Fe 1/20 and Nausea: What Users Say

• Anonymous
• December 30, 2009

For Birth Control "I am taking Microgestin FE 1/20 for a month now. I took the first pill and then decided to just read up on it. I was scared out of my mind after reading reviews. I tried to calm myself down by saying that people usually only give reviews with a bad experience. Rarely do people seek these sites out to give a positive one. Nevertheless, I was scared. I thought I was going to gain weight, be an emotional crazy person, suffer from bad eyesight, etc. I was especially scared because I would take the pill at noon and at 5 pm every day I would feel nauseous. I changed my time to 5 pm, and hey, problem solved. I am usually in bed by the time the nausea would start. Other than that, no weight gain, no headaches, no loss of sexual interest, and no breast tenderness. Everyone is different, and their bodies react differently. I would say I am very satisfied with this birth control."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 21, 2014

For Birth Control "I've been on Microgestin for 3 weeks. I started taking it on the 1st day of my period, and it made my (normally VERY regular period) last for 8 days (it usually lasts 4-5)! For the entire time, I have been very moody, bloated, retaining water, have had cramps, nausea, acne, breakthrough bleeding, EVERYTHING. THE WHOLE TIME. I literally feel like I have been on my period for 3 weeks. I keep hoping that eventually, my body will get used to these hormones. My doctor said it will take 1-3 months to regulate, but I don't know if I want to live like I'm on my period for 3 full months."

• 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."

• Dil...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 8, 2014

For Endometriosis "I was experiencing long and heavy periods to a point of becoming anemic with a hemoglobin of 6.1. This pill was recommended by my nurse practitioner. It stopped my period on my first dose. So far, the only side effects I have experienced are mild nausea for about an hour after I take it (so I take it at night), constipation (I incorporated intake of 5 prunes to my daily diet), and sweet cravings (instead, I drink black unsweetened coffee or tea, and it makes my sweet cravings go away). My mood is positive!"

• 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."

• 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!"

• Pai...
• July 6, 2014

For Menstrual Disorders "I've been on this for two cycles, and I hardly have any side effects! No weight gain or nausea like some others have experienced on it. I'm a little more sensitive and get more upset over things, but overall, it's been great. Just keep yourself in check and remember that you're on hormones when you start getting overly sensitive. I would recommend this."

• Jen...
• October 27, 2019

For Birth Control "As a 21-year-old woman, I’ve taken this pill for some four years now after becoming sexually active and truly have had little to no problems. I exercise about 4 times a week and don’t have the best diet given my age. But while on this pill, I have stayed the same weight, give or take 5 lbs depending on my diet and exercise. I never had acne-prone skin, even in my teens, but the pill didn’t make it worse. I never had headaches, nausea, or other common side effects. My period was always pretty light with minimal cramping, and after taking this pill for some years now, I haven’t gotten my period in maybe two years. IT IS AWESOME. My insurance even covers it so that it’s free for me. The only con with this pill is my lowered sex drive (though I was never really an animal anyway) and vaginal dryness. Definitely would recommend."

• wes...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 29, 2016

For Menstrual Disorders "I got my tubes tied about 8 months ago, and it ruined me. Extremely painful heavy periods. I mean to the point where I could not walk. Painful ovulation, and for the first time ever--- my skin broke out like a teenager. I have never, ever had skin issues. My doctor put me on hormone therapy. Started with Junel, but that did nothing. My insurance changed it to Microgestin, and I was a little apprehensive. I started taking it to try it out, and I love it! My skin cleared up in a matter of a week, no weight gain, no mood swings, and very light periods! It did make me nauseous at first, but that went away. It also increased my breast size a bit. I read the reviews and was nervous to try it, but I must say, I love it!"

• on...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 16, 2013

For Acne "After 2 1/2 years of horrible acne, during which I was on antibiotics and topicals that never ended up working, my dermatologist and doctor suggested I should try birth control. I went to Planned Parenthood and was put on Microgestin Fe 1/20. After about 6 months on this pill, I actually lost weight (due to nausea at first), breasts grew, lighter periods every month, and no change in everything else. As for my acne, it probably got better about 40%, but still had at least 3-5 pimples/cysts all the time and no reduction in face oiliness. Trial and error, now trying Ortho Tri Cyclen."

• 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."

• dan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 30, 2015

For Birth Control "I'm 18. I've been on the pill for a month now and love it. The first pill I took, I did get very nauseous, but nothing water and a nap couldn't fix. Breasts have gotten a cup size larger, more sexually active, but my boyfriend doesn't mind. Haven't had any pregnancy scares, but I have not had a period yet. I switched from the Depo shot to the pill, and I like the pill a lot more. Just need to remember to take it every day around the same time."

• 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."

• Emi...
• May 5, 2014

For Menstrual Disorders "I was put on Microgestin because I have awful cramps at the start of my period and ovarian cyst ruptures that would put me in the hospital. Microgestin took the cramps away, as well as my period! I was on it for 7 months before I began to realize that it was giving me some bad side effects. I felt nauseous, had blurred vision, shortness of breath, and felt tired all the time. I also experienced hot flashes and some mood swings. Today is my first day off the pill, and I can already feel the cramps. Guess I will have to decide which one is worse, the cramps or the side effects."

• Kel...
• August 1, 2014

For Birth Control "I was on Microgestin for about 3 years. Over the past year, I started to get extremely bad headaches during the sugar pill week. I took extra strength Tylenol the entire week, twice a day, and it still didn't make my headaches go away. I also would feel very lightheaded and nauseous. I had to leave work early, it was bad. The only good thing was I've had the same box of tampons for the entire year. I barely had a period. Oh yeah, I also got high pigmentation right above my lips. They call it a 'pregnancy mask,' but you can get it with certain birth control. It is very dark, and it is difficult to hide with makeup! I'm not a big fan of having a weird skin mustache, so I went off it."

• Agi...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 27, 2015

For Birth Control "I switched from Safyral to Microgestin. After reading the horrible reviews of this pill, I literally cried. I wanted to share my good experience with taking Microgestin over the past ~2 months. I have noticed no spike in appetite, except around the week before my period and at times while I'm on my period, which is not unusual for me. I have not noticed any extreme bloating, and I've experienced little to no nausea. I have no cramps, no spotting, and my period is now extremely light, to the point where I forget I have it at times. I only experienced one patch of skin on my face that became almost unnoticeably darker, but it faded in a week. I exercise daily, eat reasonably, and I have not gained weight. This pill is not bad in my experience."

• Jam...
• October 12, 2013

For Birth Control "I'm going on my second month of Microgestin. I was on Seasonique before pregnancy, which I had no problem with, but I have a new doctor now. The first couple of weeks, I had light spotting and nausea, but it has decreased. I had my period right before the placebo week. I have gained about 4 lbs so far, and my breasts have gone up a cup size, but that is a plus for me. I have also experienced a huge increase in sex drive, which is unusual. I have no complaints so far, I just hope my periods are predictable."

• Jul...
• January 10, 2014

For Birth Control "I switched to this pill from Mirena due to severe cystic acne (from the Mirena). The last pill I had taken was Yaz, which I did great with. After my first month on Microgestin Fe, my cystic acne started clearing up. The first couple of days I was nauseous, but that went away. Taking it right before bed helps. I've been on it for about 3 months now, and I've gained about 10 lbs. I'm the heaviest I've ever been! I'm always hungry and have developed an intense sweet tooth! My breasts did get larger. I'm a 34 C, and I can still wear the same bra size, they just look fuller. No extra sensitivity with them, though. My libido didn't really change. Just my weight."

• Mad...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 14, 2014

For Birth Control "I'm currently on a mood swing, so forgive me. Although I've just started this pill 3 weeks ago. Every other day, I cry for no reason. Then I get angry and mad and just lose my appetite. And I'm sick to my stomach. I feel bloated daily and just annoyed. I have my good days. I was so much happier, though, before the pill. And the only great thing is my breasts grew like 2 sizes, haha. Other than that, I'm making an appointment tomorrow. I'm fed up with these strange mood swings."

• Sar...
• March 1, 2016

For Birth Control "I've been on this pill for a little more than 2 years (can't remember exactly when I started it). Only birth control I have ever used, and I have no problems with it whatsoever. No mood swings, no weight gain, no increased acne, and so light of periods that I only need a liner which lasts for 2 to 4 days. My sex drive is the same as it was before the pill, and I haven't had a single pregnancy scare, which is great because I've had unprotected sex with my boyfriend the entire time I've been on the pill. I, of course, take the pill like you are supposed to (every day at the same time), other than not bothering with the sugar pills. I recommend trying it for a few months because when I first began the pill, I had nausea, but it stopped after a few months."

• 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."

• Nan...
• September 17, 2015

For Birth Control "So amazing. I have currently had the IUD Mirena for 3 years and recently realized how much I miss Microgestin Fe 1/20 and want it back in my life. Recently, I had a new guy complaining he can feel it. The Microgestin pills had me with the finest body (lost weight); no acne, light/no periods, and no pregnancy. I would take it every day, on time (at 3 pm), until a nurse (funded by my [different] school health insurance) encouraged me to get the IUD because you don't have to remember something every day; it 'prevents pregnancy better.' That is why I switched. Yes, this pill made me feel bad at first, but the nausea goes away. I want it back."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 3, 2013

For Birth Control "Switched because my old pill was crazy expensive. This pill personally just does not agree with me! No weight gain, but sore breasts constantly, lack of periods, nausea, shortness of breath. Been on it since December (now it's May), and I've had about enough. My sister was on this pill also, and she said she would also go months without a period (which is just getting on your nerves)."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 6, 2015

For Birth Control "I am finishing up my 4th pack of this pill, and I am seriously considering switching pills. The first two months weren't too bad, I had mild side effects, but they were manageable. It wasn't until the third month that I started getting constant nausea like all day, every day, and even worse at night, headaches, sore boobs, frequent urination, and absolutely no sex drive. The only good thing is my period is like clockwork, and I'm for sure not pregnant, but the side effects make me feel like I am!!!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 29, 2015

For Birth Control "I'm about to start my third month of Microgestin Fe 1/20, and it's great. I have to say that the WORST symptom I experienced was very mild nausea/loss of appetite, and even that would only last for an hour or two after I took it, then I would be fine. I found that it helps to eat something small (like crackers) before taking it. I'm a Sunday starter, and I take it at 7:30 each morning. Also, my breasts have gotten a little bigger (next size up), and my acne hasn't changed much, even though it wasn't bad at all before I started this. My hair hasn't fallen out, and I've actually lost a few pounds due to loss of appetite. My periods are now more like spotting but last the full 7-8 days. I can get away with just a panty liner though."