Microgestin Fe 1.5/30 and Acne: What Users Say

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 11, 2020

For Birth Control "First few months, it was great. No mood swings, periods alright. But after the third month, I now have mood swings so horrible I have a difficult time controlling my emotional state. Crying, angry, anxious, depressed. For no reason at all. I’ll cry at nothing! Get stressed over nothing. Anxiety is so bad I can’t even enjoy life anymore. I’ve also had a rash all over my body, and my face has acne since I started this too! I've never had bad acne. I’m getting away from this right away. It’s downright dangerous and scary. Would not recommend."

• MCJ...
• March 5, 2017

For Birth Control "I took this pill for a year and 9 months as I was about to get married. Do NOT take this drug. I have never had so many health problems in my life until this drug was brought into my life. I gained 30 lbs. I am very health conscious. I've always been no heavier than 147 lbs. I'm a 5'5 dense athletic build. I lift weights, run, eat very little to no meat. I eat a gluten-free, dairy-free, pretty much vegan diet. I have NEVER been overweight. I don't have any pre-existing conditions or anything like that. It gave me acne, HORRIFIC mood swings. Bottom line, I've been off of it since 9/16. I had my period the month after, it skipped 3 months, and now I have a period that I've been bleeding with huge blood clots for 3 weeks. You have been warned."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 12, 2012

For Birth Control "I'm 23 and was on Microgestin for 4 years. The only major side effect I experienced was not getting my period at all for the last 3 of those years. My doctor explained that it's not uncommon for Microgestin to thin the lining of the uterus so much that there's nothing left to shed, and although I certainly wasn't going to complain, it was still kind of weird. Zero cramps, headaches, nausea, spotting, mood swings, weight change, or change in sex drive. The only downside was that my face broke out about halfway through my pill pack every month; not really terrible acne, just annoying pimples. I've since switched to Ocella and seen a huge improvement in my skin, although I got my period again the first month I switched."

• Bru...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• April 4, 2017

For Birth Control "I started on this pill 5 years ago (at age 20) due to extremely painful cramps that prohibited me from attending class. 5 years later, and I still love it! I went off it once for a few months at one point to see if the pill had caused weight gain; it hadn't. I do not get acne outbreaks. I've only had a handful of times where I had to take two due to forgetting the day before, and have overall had a positive experience from this pill. Libido has decreased a bit, but that's the cost you pay to not get pregnant. My cramps are significantly less; perhaps every other month I do feel some pain, but it's manageable by over-the-counter meds, which before was not possible. I'll likely stay on this until starting a family/make the IUD switch."

• xne...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 13, 2015

For Birth Control "I had to switch from the patch to this, and that was the worst mistake. This pill had so many side effects that came very slowly for the 6 months I was on it, and acne started developing on my cheeks, my chin, and on my chest. The acne was purple and really nasty. I never had acne in my life before! My periods almost went away with this pill, which honestly was the silver lining, if you want to call it that. The worst part was that I had no interest in sex at all. Zero libido. So glad that I am off this pill. It was NOT for me."

• Ske...
• July 24, 2015

For Menstrual Disorders "I was skeptical of BC pills because of bad experiences with bleeding, weight gain, etc., while on it. My periods started to get extremely heavy and would last for 2 weeks due to cysts. I started Microgestin, and it has been great, no acne, and I have actually lost weight, and it suppresses my appetite. Nothing bad to say about it so far."

• Gum...
• June 14, 2016

For Birth Control "I've been using Microgestin Fe 1.5/30 for a few months, and it's worked really well for me. I've had terribly heavy, painful periods for 20 years - heavy enough that despite using ultra tampons with maxi pads, I'd have to run to a bathroom every 2-3 hours. On one occasion, I ended up in the ER because I was going through super plus tampons every 20 minutes for over 3 hours. I was a little nervous to try the Microgestin, but my side effects have been minimal. A little bit of spotting, a little moodiness, a little acne, but I've lost a few pounds, and the bleeding is finally under control for the first time in over 20 years. I'm thrilled."

• RaN...
• November 29, 2014

For Menstrual Disorders "I have used this birth control for about 3 years on and off now for severe periods. I have no complaints. When actively taking my birth control, I have no signs of my period. No cramps, bloating, acne, nausea, cravings, bleeding, nothing. Glad I started on this, it's made my life better!"

• Ele...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 8, 2017

For Birth Control "I got off the 1.5/30 because I was getting very irregular periods. I'd skip a month, but on that month that I skipped, I would have period symptoms, so I thought I was pregnant. I would experience little cramps and acne for about 2 weeks. Then the next month, I would get an actual period for about 3 days. However, it was very light. I thought this was very weird and thought my body was out of whack, so I went back to the less hormonal birth control. I talked to my doctor, and she told me that 1.5/30 is for people who are usually athletes and want no periods or very little periods, and that is why I had basically no periods. I eventually went back to the 1.5/30 because I do enjoy not buying pads and tampons every month at a ridiculous cost."

• Blu...
• March 7, 2012

For Birth Control "I have been on this dosage for about 6 months. 2 positives: 1. I didn't get pregnant. 2. Very light periods lasting 2-3 days. Negatives: I get bad cramps (I didn't get any while on the Depo-Provera shot or before birth control). I get mild acne the last 2 weeks of the month. Mood swings that I never experienced before. Tender breasts. And worst of all, my sex drive died! When I do force myself to be with my boyfriend, I'm too dry to enjoy it. My boyfriend and I are not happy. I will be starting Microgestin Fe 1/20 next week."

• too...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 28, 2014

For Menstrual Disorders "I took this for about a week. ONLY A WEEK. It broke me out right away, and I was absolutely crazy with my moods. I'm still suffering mild hormone imbalance and acne side effects after being off of it for 2 weeks, but I'm just glad to be off. I'm not sure if it would have stopped my periods or not, but I wasn't going to try."

• MTW...
• June 29, 2017

For Birth Control "Got on Microgestin 1.5/30 after getting married (had sex with my husband before we were married, but wanted to start birth control to eliminate condoms or pulling out for him). PERIOD: I had a short but consistent and heavy period beforehand, and now it's VERY light or nonexistent in the off week. Didn't get pregnant, so overall effective. MOOD/LIBIDO: the hard part is being able to determine if my mood, weight gain, what feels like depression (never have experienced depression before), and decreased libido (LEAST cool) have been primarily due to the pill or my life change/transition. Looked here today due to my first acne spike (2 huge pimples a day on my face and chin) since starting to see if this has caused acne for others."

• Pil...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 6, 2018

For Birth Control "I have NOT had a good experience with Microgestin Fe 1.5/30. I am taking it to regulate periods. After my new gynecologist suggested I stop the Depo shot and start this, I began noticing many negative effects, such as weight gain, increased acne, decreased libido, depressed thoughts, and MAJOR headaches and migraines! I can’t stress enough how much I’m missing out on doing when these headaches hit. It has made my quality of life decrease an incredible amount. I would not recommend. I would rather be incredibly irregular and never know when to wear lining than take this horrid pill."

• bro...
• November 27, 2017

For Birth Control "This birth control is horrible. I have been on multiple pills since I was 14 for abnormal and painful bleeding. I've been on Sprintec, Kariva, and a few generics for both of those, as well as Azurette. I switched from Azurette to this pill because I thought it was increasing my feelings of depression and anxiety. This pill is making me so miserable; I cry every single day, my hair falls out when I run my fingers through it, my skin is really oily and I'm getting acne, which I've never had in my life. This is horrible. Maybe it's just the amount of estrogen in these pills and my body just is not having it; I don't know, but I hate this pill and I refuse to keep taking it."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 29, 2020

For Birth Control "I was on Lo Loestrin Fe 1/10, but unfortunately lost my job/health insurance, so I was stuck with generic Microgestin 1.5/30 in the meantime. I loved Lo Lo and barely experienced any side effects on that, so I was heartbroken to have to switch. Had pretty much every symptom in the book within the first month of Microgestin... acne flared up, EXTREMELY bloated and gassy - felt like it took forever for food to digest, also felt like I had an extra layer of fat/water retention in my abdomen area, and omg the mood swings!! Awful... I was beyond irritable and wanted to cry all the time. Had really bad cramping the first couple of weeks too... like cramping comparable to PMS. This is a pretty big jump in hormone dosage compared to what I’m used to, and I don’t think I’ll be taking another month of this, it’s not worth it in my opinion, even short term. I’ll probably just wait until I have insurance again to go back on Lo Lo."

• 23...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 12, 2022

For Birth Control "I've been taking Microgestin for roughly the last 4 years and love it. However, pharmacies struggled to stock it and often gave me generic brands, which gave me the worst side effects. I've gotten to the point where I love my pill, but I can't rely on my pharmacy to give me the correct brand because I've switched pharmacies 5 times over the last few years and even had my doctor write my prescription for no substitutions. Therefore, I'm considering switching to the implant but hate the idea of having horrible side effects and would rather stick with Microgestin. On Microgestin, I still have my period regularly, about 4-5 days. It's light to medium flow and usually only have bad cramps the morning before my period starts, and it's nothing a heating pad and ibuprofen can't handle. I feel like I have acne, but I consider it to be more related to the second puberty we ladies get in our 20s than related to my pill. I haven't gained weight due to the pill and feel like my mood is very controlled."

• B11...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 10, 2017

For Birth Control "I was on Microgestin Fe 1/20 for three months prior to this, I switched because I was getting my period every two weeks. So I switched, and I'm so glad I did. Period is completely regulated again, like it was before I started birth control. No weight gain (actually weight loss), no mood swings, no change in libido. Worst parts of this were feeling nauseous for the first three days I was on it (nausea went away after), one pimple, and cramps the first day of my period. Overall, the pros outweigh the cons by miles, so I would recommend this to anyone!"

• Bau...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 25, 2017

For Acne "I've never had to fight with acne in my life, because, fortunately, I was blessed with good skin. I started getting large amounts of deep-set acne all over my chin and neck once I started this birth control. Also had about two weeks of breakthrough bleeding each cycle, as well as severe mood swings. Would not recommend to anyone."

• Cai...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 25, 2021

For Birth Control "When I first started this pill, it was due to spotting off of my period and hormonal changes. I was switched to a higher dose of Microgestin after taking the lower dose for a year or two. On the lower dose, my skin was the clearest it has ever been after a few months, but I started getting bad migraines and terrible hot flashes on my period, and so my doctor switched me to this form to see if it would help. I've been on this higher dose for probably almost 2 years now, and it has gotten so bad, I've gotten the worst headaches I've ever gotten, and I started getting acne on my jaw and neck where I never got it, so it is solely hormone-related. I wouldn't recommend taking this pill for people starting out on their first birth control. Overall, I think it is a really high dose, and it might've helped with my spotting off of my period, but it made everything else worse, like my headaches and acne. Yet again, birth control affects every person differently, this is just my experience."

• Nat...
• July 31, 2015

For Birth Control "I started this birth control because I wanted something low hormone. I was on it a few years ago then stopped, and when I started again a year later, my doc put me on the same one. This time it has caused a lot of problems for me, though! I gained about 8 pounds in the first month, all in my midsection (boobs and stomach!). After working out and eating better, I have lost most of it, but because of the fluctuation, my boobs have started to sag, and I'm only 24! The biggest issue is that it has CAUSED acne in places I've never had it before, most noticeably my neck. Not just my jawline or near my face, big cystic pimples on my neck and throat which are impossible to cover up! I am switching to Yaz now and am hoping it will fix my skin."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 13, 2016

For Birth Control "I was on Microgestin Fe 1/20 for around 10 months due to migraines. I was constantly having breakthrough bleeding, mood swings, horrible anxiety, which I had never had before, and my acne had come back. I switched to Glidess Fe 1.5/30 because it was free through my insurance, and all of my symptoms cleared up. After going back to school, where I do not have my normal pharmacy, I got put on Microgestin Fe 1.5/30 because they do not carry Glidess. My doctor did not clear this, but the pharmacist told me that I should have no problems. WRONG! My anxiety came back full swing, and that is not helpful being a college nursing student. I am constantly tired and I am eating like crazy. I am switching back to my old medication ASAP."

• MsG...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 26, 2015

For Birth Control "I got put on this BCP after I had surgery to remove ovarian cysts on both ovaries. BCP is supposed to stop cysts from coming back. I didn't notice any weight gain while I was on this pill, however, I worked out 3-4 times a week to avoid possible weight gain. I have back acne and occasional pimples on my face. I didn't notice it did anything to make it better or worsen it. I have some hair growth on my chin :'( which this didn't do anything to help or worsen my condition. Did not notice many side effects overall while on the pill. Once I stopped taking it, I noticed heavier periods, cramps (didn't have them before BCP), pain in my ovaries, and headaches. Wasn't able to go back to see if it helped my cysts because I lost insurance coverage."

• MsG...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 26, 2015

For Birth Control "I got put on this BCP after I had surgery to remove ovarian cysts on both ovaries. BCP is supposed to stop cysts from coming back. I didn't notice any weight gain while I was on this pill, however, I worked out 3-4 times a week to avoid possible weight gain. I have back acne and occasional pimples on my face. I didn't notice it did anything to make it better or worsen it. I have some hair growth on my chin :'( which this didn't do anything to help or worsen my condition. Did not notice many side effects overall while on the pill. Once I stopped taking it, I noticed heavier periods, cramps (didn't have them before BCP), pain in my ovaries, and headaches. Wasn't able to go back to see if it helped my cysts because I lost insurance coverage."

• Car...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 26, 2019

For Birth Control "Overall, this was not the birth control for me. I am super active and always felt really good about my body. I’m 18 years old, and Microgestin Fe 1.5/30 was my first BC. I gained weight, broke out, experienced horrible mood swings (I honestly cried all the time), and my periods felt worse than before. I was on this pill for 5 months, and it was not great. I felt so sad, and the mood swings were causing me to ruin relationships with those around me. I’ve been taking Taytulla for 4 months now, and I have been having a great experience with it. I know everyone’s body reacts differently, but I just thought I should share my experience with this pill. My new gyno also said this was too high of a dosage for me and I should’ve never been put on this BC."

• Jj5...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 20, 2018

For Birth Control "This has been pretty great. I no longer have heavy periods, and it is now much shorter. At first, I was worried I was pregnant, but the same thing kept happening each month. I do still feel a little moody and depressed, but I couldn't tell you if it's the same as usual or not. It feels manageable, and my mood swings during my period and pain levels are now much better. I got a little bit of acne, but hey, I haven't gotten pregnant, and the acne lessened by the third pack. That's all I have to say."