Microgestin Fe 1/20 and Sore Breasts: What Users Say

• Kat...
• May 10, 2017

For Birth Control "If you're here looking for reviews of this pill that your doctor gave you like I was almost a year ago, I would advise you not to read through them and just try it out yourself. I read these reviews and was terrified of this pill but, for me, it honestly has made no difference in my life besides not being pregnant. The first couple of weeks I felt a little bloated, had some heartburn, and breast tenderness but these symptoms were not by any means terrible and 100% went away. Other than those first 2-3 weeks, I have experienced nothing aside from a normal day-to-day life and highly recommend this pill! Everybody is different though, so seriously, don't scare yourself reading reviews and just try it out yourself :)"

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• did...
• August 30, 2009

For Birth Control "This is my first pack of Microgestin Fe 1/20. I asked two of my coworkers if they liked being on this pill, and they said it was okay. Unfortunately, I get headaches like crazy. I'm finding that for every pill I take, I also take an Advil! The only positive thing from this pill is that it's making my breasts grow (I'm on the smaller side). My breasts do hurt and are tender all the time. Not sure if I want to continue this pill because the headaches are really interrupting my lifestyle. Not to mention, I get super moody. I tell people not to take it personally, that it's my hormones. Definitely, more negative than positive."

• 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
• September 22, 2015

For Birth Control "I am a 20-year-old, and I started taking Microgestin in August of this year. I started gaining weight, breasts getting bigger, retaining a lot of fluid, and mild hair loss. I didn't notice any of this until now, I'm in my second month, and my mom told me she can tell I have a lot of fluid in my body. My feet swelled up and all. My breasts are really tender most of the time, which I hate. My sex drive has increased, which is a plus, and my periods last about 4 days. As far as the acne, it is crazy. I went to the dermatologist, and she told me this birth control is prone to acne, but maybe it might go away after a few months. I will come back and update you guys! As everyone said, side effects are different for everyone."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 29, 2012

For Menstrual Disorders "I've been taking this for a week and a half. So far, two different times I felt alarming numbness in one arm and dizziness - thought I was having a stroke. But it passed. Also, my breasts feel very tender, sore, and heavy. They have not grown, that I've noticed, though. I have also broken out (acne) more than usual. So I have experienced side effects. I'm going to try this pill out for a whole pack before I switch. I haven't experienced moodiness, which I was concerned about, because I am prone to melancholy. I would recommend that you try this pill and don't back out because of the negative reviews. Give it a chance. That's what I'm doing."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 29, 2012

For Menstrual Disorders "I've been taking this for a week and a half. So far, two different times I felt alarming numbness in one arm and dizziness - thought I was having a stroke. But it passed. Also, my breasts feel very tender, sore, and heavy. They have not grown, that I've noticed, though. I have also broken out (acne) more than usual. So I have experienced side effects. I'm going to try this pill out for a whole pack before I switch. I haven't experienced moodiness, which I was concerned about, because I am prone to melancholy. I would recommend that you try this pill and don't back out because of the negative reviews. Give it a chance. That's what I'm doing."

• Kil...
• July 24, 2011

For Polycystic Ovary Syndrome "I was terrified of taking this. I had been on Lo-ovral in the past and had a terrible experience with it (mood swings, lack of sex drive, constant hunger, weight gain, etc.). This was pretty much off the bat. Plus, I have seen some scary reviews about Microgestin. But after getting diagnosed with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), I had to do something. I have had pretty much zero side effects after a month of use. Breasts grew a little bit and were tender at first, but other than that I feel fine. I am typically hypersensitive to medicines. It could be that I am used to high hormone levels due to the PCOS and this just balances it out. With birth control (and anti-depressants), it is important to really shop around until you find one that works with your body."

• 9...
• July 20, 2010

For Polycystic Ovary Syndrome "I have been on this pill for 9 months. I was put on it to stop the growth of ovarian cysts. I take no other medicines. I eat well and exercise regularly. Only in the past 3 months have I experienced headaches, a bit more moodiness, and super tender breasts, which have grown a cup size, so I don't really mind. I could do without the tenderness, though. As far as weight gain, I always am up and down 5 lbs a month. I was actually kind of hoping that this particular pill would keep me on the lower side, but I guess not. Also, after reading others' reviews, I am now thinking that perhaps I have more upset tummy issues due to the pill."

• sar...
• August 4, 2011

For Birth Control "I started taking Microgestin about 5 months ago. Before that, my periods were already very light and now almost nonexistent. My breasts do get sore, but I have no mood swings and never get cramps. The only thing I've noticed different about this pill is that for the past 2 months, I've started my period a week early (before the placebos). I talked to a doctor, and they said it was fine and may eventually even itself out. Other than that, no bad side effects."

• Col...
• August 11, 2013

For Birth Control "I started taking Microgestin about a year and a half ago. I've never taken any birth control before this. The first couple of months I either missed my period or had little to no bleeding. As the months went by, my period started to actually feel like a period, and what I mean by that is light bleeding but lasting a few days. I've noticed I feel tired and hungry more often than before. Put on a few pounds, breasts felt sore. I broke out with horrible acne when I had to double up on the pill."

• CN8...
• July 20, 2014

For Birth Control "I only tried this pill for barely under 3 weeks because I couldn't take the side effects anymore! I might have been allergic to something in the pill. The final time taking it, itched my legs for 10 straight minutes, causing me to break out in hives. Among the other issues I experienced on Microgestin was chest pain, body soreness, breast tenderness, and moodiness. This pill was a nightmare for me. Except it caused my period to be very light, which was awesome. Switched to Tri-Sprintec and so far (1 week) it's been fine."

• Lee...
• April 24, 2013

For Birth Control "I have been on this birth control pill for about 1 month and a half, and so far I like it. No weight gain, and I haven't got my period. The only problem is my breasts have become really sore. That's my only downfall, but other than that I like it."

• Lor...
• April 25, 2014

For Birth Control "I was on Microgestin Fe for about 2 years. Even in the beginning, I never had any bad or abnormal side effects. With it, I experienced a small amount of weight gain, tender breasts every month around my cycle, an increase in my breast size, and my monthly periods lasting 2-4 days with minimal cramping. The only reason I switched was because I wanted fewer periods. I switched to Amethia-Lo and I've been on it for about a week now. I'm hoping it works well with me, but if not, I'll definitely switch back to Microgestin Fe."

• Meg...
• October 3, 2016

For Birth Control "Awful, swore I was on this before and was miserable but gave it a chance because I switched doctors and we didn't have old records, but I had the horrible flashbacks instantly as soon as I switched to this birth control. I had the following symptoms: lowered sex drive; my boyfriend even noticed, it became embarrassing. Breaking out, weight gain, intense headaches, nausea all the time; felt like I was car sick 24/7. Severe cramping; never wanted to crawl in bed and cry so much as I had with this med. Heavy periods, interrupted sleep, tender boobs. Ugh, needless to say this has been a nightmare; do not do this to yourself."

• dkj...
• November 3, 2015

For Birth Control "I was on this pill for the past 5 years, and I really, really liked it up until recently. I barely ever get a period, which is awesome, but I've been noticing the past year or so that my headaches have become almost daily, and it's shooting pains above my right eye. My hair has started shedding so bad, it's really disgusting, and my boobs always feel so sore, even from just wearing a bra. I think my body has changed, and the pill does not work the same way anymore."

• Anonymous
• September 15, 2015

For Birth Control "I'm finishing up my first pack, and I can honestly say I love it. I only experience minimal side effects, but with putting hormones in your body, that's to be expected. I take the pill at 9 pm every night, and about an hour later, I get a little bit nauseous, but it's not that bad. I also had a little (barely noticeable) acne, sore boobs, light dizziness, spotting, and increased appetite, but mind over matter! Of course, if you freak, it'll feel worse than it really is. Overall, this pill is great, and I'm not pregnant, so it's doing its job!"

• tas...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 2, 2013

For Birth Control "I've been using Microgestin 1/20 now for 2 weeks, I'm going into my 3rd. At first, I noticed that my breasts were very sore, but within the past couple of days, I haven't noticed it as much. I also know that I have one week left of this pack, and I've already started my period, as well as the cramping. And I haven't been as hungry as usual. I can live with all of these 'side effects,' as I guess you would call it. But the one that I haven't gotten used to, which happens to be the worst one for me, is dizziness. It's not an everyday thing, but it's happened twice now in 2 weeks, twice in a week. The first time, it lasted for most of the day, the second time, it was just in the morning. I have a doctor's appointment at the end of this week, so we'll see."

• Pat...
• July 5, 2017

For Birth Control "Great so far! I have used this for four months and only experienced slight breast tenderness in the beginning. I am taking this for BC (of course), but also for stage 1 endo. It has been a godsend in that regard-my periods are so light, I can get away with just a pantyliner when I used to have to do a tampon and pad. My cramps are slight on day one and then gone for the rest of my period. I cannot describe how wonderful that is in comparison to the excruciating pain I used to have. It would have been great to get bigger boobs from this, but alas, nothing is perfect ;) Try this for sure if you have very heavy periods, very strong cramps, and endo in its beginning stages."

• Anonymous
• August 16, 2016

For Birth Control "Was prescribed this form of birth control for the horrendous period cramps I've struggled with since first starting my periods back when I was 11. It has always been a major issue, no solutions were able to be found regardless of all the 'natural' means I had tried. Very effective in eliminating cramps and lessening the flow, I am not left only to lay in bed in agony. I often forget that I'm having my period now. No real side effects besides muscle cramps at times and very sore breasts off and on, along with mood swings, but it has been very worth it. I wish I had gotten on these pills sooner, the quality of life is much better. Highly recommend trying them, it has been life changing."

• Anonymous
• March 16, 2011

For Birth Control "I have been taking this birth control pill since November 2010. Best pill yet. I've taken a few others. I even tried the Depo shot, and that's what caused my irregular period. I guess you stop bleeding after the 3rd shot, and each shot lasted for 3 months. Now I rely on pills to keep my cycle regular. Anyways, so that's why I say this pill is the best for me, everyone is different. I don't have mood swings anymore, don't break out, my sex drive actually increased, my libido is sky high, my boyfriend can't even keep up. But no growth in the breasts. Sometimes they get a little tender, not too crazy."