Microgestin Fe 1/20 and Weight Gain: 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 1 to 6 months
• February 4, 2014

For Birth Control "I have been on Microgestin FE 1/20 for a couple of months now, and it's absolutely fantastic! I switched after 6 months of Lo Loestrin, which caused me to gain 10 pounds, constant spotting, and worse acne. With Microgestin, my periods are actually regular and even lighter. I had horrible cramps that I used to have to miss school and work because of, and now, they're almost nonexistent! Zero weight gain, I've actually lost 7 pounds, and my acne is gone! Love this pill!"

• Anonymous
• November 4, 2009

For Birth Control "I'm 21 years old and have been on this birth control for almost a year now, and I absolutely love it. No weight gain, no headaches, no acne, no side effects really, except I no longer have a period at all. Just to be cautious, I take a pregnancy test every month, but so far there hasn't been a need for it. My sex drive is the same and hasn't changed at all. The pills are easy to swallow. I would never switch birth controls!"

• 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."

• 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
• July 16, 2010

For Birth Control "I am 5 months postpartum and started taking this pill a couple of months ago. I had lost 15 lbs of my baby weight before starting this pill. After taking Microgestin Fe 1/20, I gained back 10 lbs in the first month. I eat right and exercise 3 times a week and also take my son on walks every day. I should be losing weight, and so far, after gaining back the 10 lbs, the scale will not budge. It made my breasts larger and actually gave me pregnancy symptoms, which I was not a fan of. I have completely lost my sex drive and motivation for anything. My husband has noticed a change in my moods and asked if I'd consider changing birth control because he wants the old me back. I'm completely frustrated with the weight gain."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• Rac...
• January 7, 2015

For Birth Control "I'm 18 and don't like this pill. The first week of side effects was horrible, I couldn't even get up. I've been taking it for 3 months and only got my period 1 time. I don't like that because it scares me. I gained like 15 pounds and have been so depressed. I will be switching soon."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• 197...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 31, 2013

For Endometriosis "I started Microgestin 1/20 at age 38 for painful periods due to endometriosis. The first two days, I was so sick, but it went away. I think my situation is unique because I was put on this pill to reduce periods. I skip the placebo pill week and continue onto the next pack of active pills to avoid a period. It's amazing! My 'gut' finally feels great! A few not-so-great things: 5 LB weight gain almost immediately. GAS. I became really gassy. Not cute. Not sure how to deal with that. SWEET TOOTH. Never had it before. Now I've got one. Overall, I'm pleased."

• 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."

• Anonymous
• December 12, 2012

For Birth Control "I am 19 years old, and this is my first time on birth control. I chose this one because it is fairly inexpensive if I didn't have insurance to cover, as well as fitting my body. I have no bad experiences with it at all, no weight gain or anything, and it does its job! Needless to say, I love this pill!"

• Mem...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 7, 2020

For Birth Control "Personally, I love this contraceptive! I think it is a great help for women with extremely painful cramps and a heavy flow. I have not experienced any weight gain, thankfully, but sadly no weight loss either."

• cam...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 15, 2014

For Birth Control "This is effective in preventing pregnancies, but I've had some other unpleasant side effects. I've been on this for 9 months. During the first three, I would always break out real bad around the time of my period. Then for a couple of months, the acne stopped, but other symptoms began popping up: spotting, sometimes an early period, extreme mood swings, weight gain (20 lbs). The last two months, when my libido began to suffer, I decided to switch. No sex drive. None. It's killing me. Even if I want to have sex, which is rare anyway, my body says no. The end of this pack is it for me."

• Van...
• December 18, 2015

For Birth Control "This birth control is the worst kind I've ever taken in my life. I thought I had a bad experience with Seasonique solely because of the weight gain, but Microgestin Fe was 100 times worse. The first month I was totally fine, then after a while, I started getting really emotional. I cried at the most absurd things, and I'm not usually a crier. It made me so irritable and cranky with my family, my boyfriend, and even his family. Not to mention it caused me to get a yeast infection, which I never had before and haven't had since I got off the pill. And the worst part, it made me go from someone with an extremely high libido to someone that cringed at sex. Getting off it was the best decision I've made."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 16, 2019

For Birth Control "I have been on this birth control for a month now. I was never really the type of person to get a lot of acne, but ever since I started on this pill, I’ve got super bad acne and hate my skin. I was “light bleeding” for over 2 weeks. I have gained a little over 10 pounds since I started because I'm constantly wanting food. Before I started this birth control, I weighed 115, now I weigh 127 in one month. Another thing is I'm always tired, no matter how much I sleep. The only “plus” side is that my cramps aren't as bad anymore."

• Jen...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 1, 2019

For Birth Control "I have been on this pill for almost 1 year. It’s the first BC pill I’ve ever taken, and it regulated my periods. I used to only get my period about 6-8 times a year, and this pill helped with that. I took it every day on time, and it’s very effective at preventing pregnancy. I didn’t get any bad side effects, which is great. I did, however, gain 10 lbs, and I’m not complaining because I needed it, and now I’m at a steady weight. I just switched to Junel Fe, and now I’m sad because Microgestin changed my life and made me feel more confident."

• Anonymous
• December 6, 2011

For Birth Control "This is the 2nd birth control I've tried to balance out my hormones, and it works! No weight gain (other than the breasts one cup size), my mood is calm, and I only cry once a month, if even (compared to every day), and I'm not depressed or anxious anymore, and sleep is better. It does make your energy lower, however, and depending on your meal schedules, if taken on an empty stomach, it raises your acids throughout the day, so hunger is increased. I believe you gain weight if you give in to all the cravings. For the first 5 months, I had light periods, and now for the last two, it stopped altogether. I LOVE this pill. For once, I'm NOT CRAZY, sex is still the same, and I finally have clear skin!"