Microgestin Fe 1/20 and Weight Gain: What Users Say (Page 5)

• Con...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 4, 2016

For Birth Control "On my 5th month of Microgestin. For the first 3 months, I experienced some side effects. I gained 5-10 lbs and felt 'headachy' at times. After 3 months, my weight has returned to normal and no more headachy. No changes to libido or any other side effects."

• CH1...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 24, 2014

For Birth Control "I'm 17, and this is my first birth control pill ever, and I've only been on it for 4 weeks. I'm currently experiencing my first period on the pill. Before I was on birth control, I had extremely terrible cramps, as most people in my family do. However, this period has been GREAT. No cramps, and my flow is extremely light and easy. The only downside is that when I gain weight, it sticks and stays, which is abnormal because my weight used to fluctuate, and my attitude is a little bit more raw and sensitive. With that being said, this pill was a great fit for me, I'd recommend it!"

• Cal...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 28, 2018

For Birth Control "I used this prescription for 6 months, and I'd say overall it was okay, but more negative than positive. During the first two months, I had very bad acne, which I don't usually have a problem with. I was able to control it by taking vitamin B supplements every day, but some days were worse than others. I do believe that this brand causes weight gain. I had extremely bad fluctuations with weight and gained 10 pounds despite not changing my diet. I was able to lose this 10 pounds in the last couple of months by eating less. I switched to a new brand last month, and I've noticed I'm actually losing weight being back on my normal diet before taking Microgestin. The only pro was its effectiveness at period cramping. It was practically non-existent, and the flow was very light. After 3 days of being on the sugar pills, my period usually stopped early."

• oli...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 22, 2017

For Birth Control "I mainly chose this brand because it is 100% covered by my insurance. I have been using it for about 10 months now, and I have absolutely no issues. No side effects at all (knock on wood). No weight gain, no breakouts, no nausea, no babies."

• Amy...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 30, 2022

For Birth Control "I took this for 6-12 months when I first married. I didn’t get pregnant, but I did gain weight and get depressed. Cried a lot for no reason and felt hopeless. And my sex drive dropped completely, which was really sad since I was newly married. This pill did not work well for me. A positive blood type. Not sure if that is relevant."

• jwa...
• August 3, 2018

For Birth Control "I have been taking this birth control for a while now. My skin is super clear. I have gained weight. I am 5'8" and weigh 145 lbs., but I work out and live an active lifestyle. I probably gained 15 to 20 lbs. while on this because previously with other birth control I remained a cool 120-125 lbs. This was a beneficial thing to me because I have used the weight gain to my advantage and turned it into muscle. Mood swings... eh, honestly, I have no idea if that is from the pill or just from my personality, but I usually don't think my mood switches too often. For whatever reason, I'm not sure if it is my body or just the pill, but I always spot for a solid week either on the 2nd or 3rd week of the pill cycle, which I hate and don't understand. Pretty sure it's just me. I feel like I'm hungry ALL THE TIME. I think it's because I work out though. I would recommend the pill for people who want to have a weight gain."

• hey...
• February 21, 2012

For Birth Control "After being on Microgestin Fe 1/20 for only a few days, I noticed I had gained 2-3 pounds. As I was told by my doctor that this is a normal side effect and would go away in time, I tried not to panic. Considering I am a very active person, I own a horse, and I compete in hunter jumpers and ride 5-6 days a week, I figured the weight gain would be temporary. However, after being on it for 3 months, I had gained 15 pounds and was breaking out on and off, like a prepubescent teenager. No matter what I did, I couldn’t drop the 15 pounds."

• Lis...
• August 6, 2018

For Birth Control "I switched to Microgestin Fe 1/20 back in September 2017 because I wasn't happy with the one I was currently on at that time. I had been on Microgestin Fe 1/20 before when I was a freshman in college eons ago, but for some reason, I stopped. After being on this pill for almost a year, I remembered why. THE WEIGHT GAIN! I've gained almost 40 pounds since I started taking this pill, which really didn't help since I was already on the heavy side to begin with. I also felt like my sex drive went down once I started this pill, not really liking that, of course. Outside of these 2 issues, I don't have any other complaints. It was REALLY good on my skin. I only get breakouts around my cycle, and once that's over, the bumps are gone. It definitely shortened/lightened my menstrual cycle. I never really had severe cramps before bc, so they're practically non-existent. I do plan to change my pill at the end of this pack, in addition to adding some gym time to my schedule!"

• Ste...
• February 9, 2017

For Birth Control "I actually really enjoyed taking Microgestin! I was on Loestrin for about 7 years when my insurance stopped covering it, so I had to switch. I went through Gildess, Yasmin, Yaz, etc., and hated them all until I got on Microgestin. I never really had any side effects, no cramping, no breakthrough bleeding. I did have some very mild weight gain and anxiety throughout the time I was taking the pill, but I don't attribute it to Microgestin. The one thing I will say is that once I started this pill, I stopped having periods, which can be a bit unsettling for some women who like that reassurance, so just thought I'd put that out there. For me - as someone who had very heavy and painful periods in the past - not having periods was a godsend."

• ave...
• October 1, 2015

For Birth Control "I have been taking this pill for over 6 months now, and I gained like 7 lbs, which makes me cry every day because I work out a lot and everything I eat is healthy. I take the pill every day at the exact same time, and yes, my breasts are bigger. I haven't been pregnant, so that's a."

• ell...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 18, 2016

For Birth Control "I didn't think this pill was that bad, nor was it my favorite. My doctor stopped carrying Lutera, which I'd been on for about a year and loved, and they said Tarina was basically the same. I don't like it as much-my skin isn't as perfect as it was on Lutera, and some months I have spotting for 2 weeks straight-but I have not experienced any weight gain or nausea on this pill. It also hasn't affected my mood the same way Lutera did-I was so angry on Lutera, any little thing sent me into a rage! But because of the spotting, this pill is kind of a pain. I tried to skip my period on Tarina by skipping the brown pills and going straight to white, and that seemed to wreak havoc on my period, so I don't suggest doing that."

• qwe...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 18, 2016

For Birth Control "I've been on Microgestin for about four months and wanted to look up what other people have said about the drug because of potential side effects I've seen. I've gained a solid five pounds since I've been on the pills that I'm having a lot of trouble shaking. That's after being at the same weight for three years. I also have zero sex drive, which is annoying as hell. I'm on the pill to not get pregnant, but if I don't want to have sex when I'm on the pill, what's the freaking point? I've had really bad mental and emotional reactions to other birth control pills, so I'm sensitive to that issue, but have not experienced it on this pill. Still adjusting and haven't gotten into a period cycle on these yet, but I've had no period on others before."

• Afr...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 6, 2016

For Birth Control "So when I first started taking birth control, I was 15. It was my mother's idea, and it was supposedly to minimize cramping. Anyways, I started gaining weight and immediately stopped taking the pills. Zoom forward to 23 years old, and I'm recommended by my gynecologist to take these pills. Well, I've been on this pill for 3 months now and just realized I gained a whopping 20 lbs in those 3 months!! And I know for certain I've consciously made better food choices in regard to some modeling events coming up. On top of that, my acne has gotten awful in my adulthood, but this pill made it worse! I started getting large, painful cystic acne on my forehead. I also experience a decrease in sex drive, fatigue, and an increase in vaginal discharge. BEWARE."

• Anonymous
• May 24, 2010

For Birth Control "I've been taking the pill for about 26 days. It's my first time taking birth control. My doctor put me on it to help regulate my estrogen bursts before my period. So far, I've gained 3 pounds every 2 weeks, my face has exploded with acne, my hair seems to be falling out, I get mood swings, I get teary-eyed over everything, and I get horrible period-like cramps. The only good part is my period is much, much lighter. It lasts a little longer, but I don't mind."

• Roc...
• March 28, 2016

For Birth Control "I took this pill for about 3 years with little side effects (some weight gain). About midway through 2015, I noticed the manufacturer changed. They must have not stuck to the original formula because I gradually started to break out in hormonal chin acne for the remaining year, which I never had when the manufacturer was Watson. I eventually got desperate and changed birth control for this problem, and the breakouts have minimized considerably. If anyone has struggled with bad skin, I suggest taking Sprintec, as that helped for the acne this pill caused."

• Anonymous
• March 14, 2012

"I have been on this birth control for about 6 months. I switched from Lo Loestrin because that birth control gave me my period continuously. Since being on this birth control, I have had absolutely no side effects. I get my period for about 5-7 days, moderately heavy, then progressively gets lighter. I had moderate cramps for 2-3 days during my period, but I would get cramps without birth control too. I take it at exactly the same time (9 pm) every day and get my period every month at the same time (during my inactive pills). No weight gain, headaches, moodiness, or anything. This birth control has worked well for me, although everyone is different."

• Anonymous
• January 27, 2010

For Birth Control "I started taking this pill when I was 18, and I'm now 22. I have had no really awful side effects... no weight gain, no bloating, bad eyesight, etc... but one thing I did notice right when I switched from Desogen is that the skin on my face, especially around my eyes, began to develop some red splotches. At first, I thought it was acne because they were like little red bumps. Those eventually went away, but now I have to admit that the skin on my face is pretty significantly discolored... lots of dark patches, as the possible side effects listed tell you. But I've heard that there are skin lighteners that can be applied, and with proper sunscreen use (which I'm bad at), the dark patches will go away and won't come back."

• Anonymous
• October 10, 2012

For Birth Control "This was the first pill that I've been on, within the first month, I experienced terrible mood swings and gained 10 pounds within the first three months. I had to get off the pill. Now I've switched to the brand name Loestrin."

• Anonymous
• March 24, 2010

For Birth Control "I am on my second month of taking this pill, and I am not sure I will continue. I have noticed weight gain and serious bloating. I eat pretty healthy and work out, so gaining weight was pretty obvious to me. I went on this pill to save some $$, but I plan on going back on YAZ - my mood was better, periods were light, no weight gain, skin was better. Plus, my pills don't come with the sugar pills."

• Lil...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 22, 2016

For Birth Control "This pill caused me to gain 10 lbs, stripped me of my natural lubricant (dry during sex), caused abnormal discharge, and caused irregular periods (I wouldn't have a period for 3 months straight). There were two pros to this pill, which prevented me from pregnancy 100% and cleared my skin of acne. I did stop taking this pill because of the amount of cons, I switched to a higher dosage BCP and dropped 5 lbs so far :)"

• HW1...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 11, 2016

For Birth Control "I started taking this after being on Lo Loestrin Fe for a year. I have incredibly painful periods and wanted some relief. However, after starting this birth control, I have gained about 7-10 pounds and gone up a couple of clothes sizes. NONE of my clothes fit, and my breasts have gone up a cup size. On my small frame, the weight gain is significant! It looks like I am 4 months pregnant, and considering I have been on this pill for 3 months and not gotten my period, I've been freaking out. Pregnancy tests say I'm all clear, but I am having all the negative pregnancy symptoms. I also have had decreased sex drive, and it is causing strain in my relationship. I'm getting off this pill and never looking back!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 14, 2017

For Birth Control "Yes, everyone's body is different, but while taking the Microgestin pill, I had a lighter period, which was a plus. But I also felt really nauseous at times, tender boobs, bloating, weight gain, and a very low sex drive, which was the main reason I stopped taking it."

• Con...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 26, 2017

For Birth Control "I've been on this pill almost 8 months, and I have to say, I also have mixed reviews. I haven't gotten pregnant, so it has proven effective in that sense. I've also gained weight, experienced the migraines and nausea others have mentioned, now have lighter periods, and get frequent bacterial vaginosis. It is definitely as bad as it sounds. I've also had some trouble with moisture down there during sex. Being that my cycle was irregular before, I wanted something to prevent pregnancy but also allow for a monthly menstrual cycle. This was more than I bargained for. I think I'm going to stop taking the pill and look into other options."

• Jen...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 30, 2016

For Birth Control "Terrible! Never again! I switched to this pill after being on the mini pill because I stopped breastfeeding. This was the worst mistake ever! Since being on this pill (for 6 weeks), I've gained 10 lbs, I'm so incredibly moody that I'm constantly fed up with everyone, crying, stressed to the point I can't handle basic everyday things without breaking down... My skin looks horrible, I never have acne, and my face, back, and chest are covered... I wouldn't recommend this to my worst enemy..."

• hap...
• June 11, 2016

For Birth Control "You will gain weight instantly on this pill. I've tried many BC pills, and this is going in the trash. Try LoLoestrin if your insurance covers it (mine doesn't, which is why my Dr. tried this one). It's amazing, but there's no generic yet."