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

• hai...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 11, 2014

For Endometriosis "During the first 2-3 weeks of starting this, I had a slight headache, but that's a given when starting a new medication. I've been taking this for 8 months, and I've put on 15 pounds. (Diet and physical activity have not changed.) No more sex drive, I'm more moody about anything and everything, and I get acne really easily. I am only taking this to help my endometriosis, and it gets the job done, so dealing with these side effects really isn't bad at all compared to dealing with endometriosis without pain medications."

• Man...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 2, 2013

For Birth Control "I gained 25 lbs in the 2 months I was on this pill. I also had no sex drive at all. My hubby is not liking that at all. My breasts did go up and for me already being a full D was not good. I will be switching back to the ring! I hope the weight comes off fast!"

• 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."

• Anonymous
• August 17, 2016

For Birth Control "By reading the reviews, I was shocked by all of the negative comments and terrible side effects. I've been on this pill for two months, and I am loving it. I was on Ortho Tri-Cyclen before, and that was terrible. I got off of it due to how bad my mood swings were. Ever since I've been on this pill, I haven't had any weight gain, my face is clear (every once in a while, I'll get pimples on my face and breast), but I think that is because I live a very active lifestyle. My moods have been the same. The only difference that I experienced was my sex drive, it seemed to have decreased a bit, but nothing major."

• seq...
• May 17, 2013

For Birth Control "I was on LoEstrin FE 24 from November 2011 to November 2012. When I moved, my new doctor had no samples of the LoEstrin and moved me to Microgestin FE 1/20. My libido was lowered slightly, but considering on the LoEstrin I was a little oversexual, the lowered drive was a relief. My periods on both pills came every other to every two months. Since I am sexually active, I take a pregnancy test after I finish my inactive pills every month just to be sure, however, it's been effective as a contraceptive. Between the two pills, I have maintained 60 lbs of weight loss postpartum for nearly two years that I had gained while on Depo Provera and during pregnancy. No change in bust size except some swelling before my period."

• 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."

• 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."

• lee...
• August 8, 2016

For Birth Control "This pill is awful. I've been on it for a year now, and my breasts have gone from a B to a D (not fun having to go buy all new bras), and they basically always have a tender feeling. I've gained about 15 to 20 pounds. I live a very active lifestyle and eat very well. I could literally starve myself and can't lose the weight I've gained from this pill. As well, the low sex drive is crazy. Don't miss your pill, whatever you do. You will start spitting ASAP. I thought I was crazy until I read these posts, and I'm so glad I'm not alone. Oh, and I get horrible headaches now due to this pill."

• Joy...
• November 18, 2013

For Birth Control "After being on this for 18 months, I am happy to try something new. Where to start? All seemed fine, then it started to snowball. Mood swings (crying over commercials!), no sex drive, breakthrough bleeding that lasted longer than actual periods (3 days period, and 2 weeks breakthrough) and increased headaches."

• Anonymous
• September 26, 2011

For Birth Control "Pros: very light to practically no bleeding, period only lasts 1 or 2 days, not pregnant (the main goal), clear skin (at first), breasts grow. Cons: decrease in sex drive, tender breasts, lack of energy, blurred vision (like how your eyes are first thing when you wake up in the morning), weight gain, hot flashes at night, breasts growing (I am already a big girl with DD breasts)...less is more, the clear skin I had in the beginning is now not so clear. I started on the pill for 2 reasons. 1.) because I wanted to prevent pregnancy and 2.) because I had constant heavy bleeding. It would go on for months without a break and this pill has made it so that I barely bleed at all."

• SAH...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 8, 2016

For Birth Control "I only took it for a week, but it caused horrible headaches that were borderline migraines. They would start about 30-45 minutes after taking the pill and would not go away until I went to sleep. I was nauseous and dizzy constantly, and I would be very warm and hot. It was also causing heartburn, which is something that I've never had before taking this pill. I also had zero interest in sex."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 23, 2016

For Birth Control "I've been taking BC pills for the past 12 months, and Microgestin is the 3rd type I've tried, and also the worst ever. First month ok, hardly any side effects. By the second month, I started having severe mood swings to the point my BF and I considered counseling. I cried for no reason, got irritated over every little thing. I also gained weight around my waistline, despite being a very, very active gal going to the gym 3-4x a week, plus a super healthy diet. Hair loss and low sex drive were also something I noticed. The worst thing I would say was the anxiety attack, it was getting really bad that I was literally gasping for air and having chest pain on a daily basis. I finally decided I had enough of all this. Definitely NOT recommended!!!!"

• Amb...
• March 12, 2013

"I was on Junel FE 1/20 and randomly got switched to this without any notice. Since it was a bit cheaper, I decided to try it without complaints, but I have had a terrible time with this pill. I'm an emotional roller coaster and find myself mopey a lot of the time. I can't sleep, I have nighttime nausea, I'm on edge and get pissed very easily, and I can't stop eating junk food. My sex drive has dropped also, and my acne has flared up, and now I'm breaking out all over. I've also had headaches, which is unusual for me, I never get headaches unless I slept wrong or am very, very stressed. I'm going to get put back on Junel before it gets worse."

• 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
• May 11, 2016

For Birth Control "I am 19 years old and have been on Microgestin for 5 months. This has been the worst experience of my life. The worst side effect I have had is the weight gain. I have been the same weight and size for years. I've never had to buy new jeans or clothes because of them not fitting me. Over these 5 months, I have put on 15 or more pounds, going up about 3 pant sizes. I have also had muscle aches, low sex drive, hot flashes, major change of appetite, emotional breakdowns, minor anxiety attacks, and so on. I wouldn't recommend this to anyone. Steer far away from this birth control."

• McD...
• December 10, 2010

For Birth Control "I have been on this pill for about 6 months now. The first 3 months, I was sick for the first week of every pack. The first month, I had my period 2 weeks early and skipped the second month completely. Since then, I've had my period regularly. It has become very light and only lasts about 3 days. I experience slight cramps the first day of my cycle. Sex drive decreased the first 2 months but is normal now. I had horrible mood swings, but they are settling down now. Overall, the medicine has not been too bad. A lighter period is great, plus I'm being protected. But I have heard of people having missed periods. I am currently having my 2nd missed period since starting. We use a condom too, but I'm still scared."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 7, 2012

For Birth Control "I was on Microgestin Fe for 8 months. At first, I had no symptoms and it worked great. Then, after about 5 months, I started having irregular bleeding. Almost as if I was having 2 periods a month. I also had a low sex drive. I would hardly have any lubrication during intercourse, which was never a problem before I started taking this. I also gained about 10 pounds during the time I was on it."

• Gul...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 20, 2016

For Birth Control "The pros for this pill are that it did lighten my period, which is what I was looking for since I have fibroids that make my cycles heavier than normal. Also, I didn't get migraines with these pills like I did with some other birth control pills. Now to the cons. Within a few months of taking this pill, I have picked up 14 pounds! My moods are horrible, and my sex drive is low. I tend to feel down a lot more than usual as well. I was also very, very tired all the time. No matter how much sleep I got or how well I ate, my energy was just gone. I decided to switch after the last pack of pills. They just didn't agree with my body."

• Mrs...
• October 16, 2010

For Birth Control "I have been on Microgestin for about six months now. At first, I thought it was great. However, at this point, I have gained 15 pounds since I started it. It definitely does its job, though... I NEVER WANT SEX! I am shocked by how unappealing sex has become since starting Microgestin. I literally have lost all signs of a sex drive. Also, my acne started out great but has gotten worse in the last few months. I am probably going to switch soon. This is miserable."

• Zam...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 7, 2013

For Birth Control "I began taking this after my Loestrin 24 Fe became too expensive. Loestrin always worked really well for me with very few side effects, but you can't beat free. Pros with Microgestin Fe: my skin is mostly clear (I rarely get pimples), and my period is usually light, and I sometimes barely get anything at all if I've consistently taken the pills and don't miss one/take one late. Cons: low libido, lots of breast tenderness, frequent headaches/migraines, spotting between periods, exhaustion, some weight gain (especially in my breasts, which is not a plus if you're already ~curvy~ to begin with). I just started using Reclipsen because I couldn't handle the low libido, breast tenderness, and headaches! Here's to hoping I do better on Reclipsen."

• Anonymous
• September 10, 2010

For Birth Control "I went on this pill because the last pill I was taking made me sick. I've been on it for about a month, and I've had heavy bleeding (this is my second period in 3 weeks). I have NO sex drive, and I am moody. I don't believe this pill is for me."

• Sat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 12, 2016

For Birth Control "I just finished my first pack and haven't had many side effects. I was very worried about nausea, but if you take it with food, you won't have any problems. I have experienced breast tenderness, bloating, water retention (this is where the weight gain comes from), and a little bit of lack of sex drive. I do like it because it has cleared up some of my acne, and I believe that I just got my 'period' this week, which was very light spotting. My insurance covers it also, so it's free for me. I'm pretty happy with it so far, and I'm glad it's reacting fairly well with my body. Good luck!"

• Anonymous
• April 28, 2016

For Birth Control "I have been on this birth control for 4 months. I noticed severe side effects almost instantly, but decided to give it some time to work through my body. I have experienced extreme mood issues, panic attacks, cramping, fatigue, restlessness, no sex drive, and also terrible acne mostly along my jawline and my shoulders. It's embarrassing. I am discontinuing the use of this birth control. I cannot continue to be an emotional mess. I want my happy self back again. I am sick of being overly paranoid, depressed, and angry. My boyfriend doesn't understand what this drug is doing to me and just thinks I'm 'crazy,' but I'm not. :( This drug is awful."

• She...
• November 15, 2016

For Birth Control "This is my first time on birth control. I know they recommend you only being on the pill for 10 years, so I wanted to wait until it was truly needed. I have been on this pill for 4 1/2 years. The first 3 1/2 years were amazing. I lost weight, my skin was amazing, my periods were very light and only lasted 3 days. I am always moody around my period, but I've always been like that. But this past year is totally different. My boobs are massive, I've gained weight for no reason, and I stopped getting my period altogether. I feel I needed to take stock in pregnancy tests because I was always 28 days on the pill, and now I get it every 6 months, if that. My mood swings are crazy, and my food cravings are nuts. My sex drive dropped too."