Microgestin Fe 1.5/30 and Bloating: What Users Say

• Nat...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 23, 2017

For Birth Control "I went on this birth control for two reasons: acne and protection from pregnancy. Have been taking it for 6 months and always have sex with my boyfriend without a condom. I haven't had a single side effect from this birth control. Never any headaches, food cravings, significant loss or weight gain, bloating. Nothing. My periods have been always regular even before taking this drug, and they are still regular now. A day or two before I finish my active pills, I get mild cramps. Then, when I'm on placebo week, my period comes and is there for a good 5-6 days just like my period is if I were not taking the pill. I never saw any changes in my mood, I don't feel tired and have never been pregnant. I feel like my usual self on this pill."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 5, 2015

For Birth Control "Some personal background: I'm 22, no kids, 115 lbs, I work out 3x a week & eat moderately healthy, & my period has always been irregular. After 3 months of rarely using condoms & mainly relying on my bf's 'pull-out game,' I got tired of being paranoid every month about the possibility of being pregnant, so I decided to go on the pill. First month, it was great! No side effects. I loved it. 2nd month, bloated + boobs swelled/tender + constipation. 3rd, all same side effects from 2nd month + mental & emotional instability + gained 15 lbs. Although I never got pregnant & it regulated my period with perfect timing, I couldn't take it anymore! So I quit it after the end of my 3rd pack, & my body + mental health immediately went back to normal."

• Bam...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 23, 2019

For Birth Control "I just finished my first pack of this birth control, and let me tell you, this has been the worst month of my life. The first week was fine until it was time for me to get my period. I expected some light cramping and bleeding, it being the first month. But I was way wrong. My bleeding is still going on, and my cramps lasted for days. Just uncomfortable enough so I couldn’t sleep. To add on top of that, my breasts have been sore every single day. My mood swings and anxiety levels have been unrealistically bad. I’m a happy and outgoing person, so this was extremely hard. Bloating and weight gain have made an appearance. I work out multiple times a week, and it really has done a number on my self-image and mental health. I have decided not to start another pack. I’m going to let my body reset and heal for a month or two before considering other birth control options."

• Sar...
• June 12, 2019

For Birth Control "I started taking this continuously due to horrible heavy periods that would leave me doubled over in pain and changing my tampon every 45 minutes. I spotted and bled every single day for the first six months on this pill. I finally just stopped taking it for a week when I started cramping and bleeding more heavily. I just let my body have a full period and then began taking it like normal, and the bleeding issues stopped completely. It has helped with my acne, and I have never had any noticeable anxiety or depression due to the pill. My biggest complaint is that over the course of eight months, I have gained over 30 pounds, and my diet and activity levels have actually improved since I began taking it. And it isn't just your typical bloating, I've noticed fat in places where I've never had it before in my life. I've found it incredibly hard to lose the extra weight, the only way to lose even a tiny bit is to basically starve myself for a week, and then it immediately comes back."

• 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!"

• Hat...
• January 27, 2016

For Birth Control "This, by far, was the worst experience on a pill. I rated it a 2 because I didn't get pregnant. I was not only bloated ALL of the time but literally craved food ALL of the time. I gained 20 pounds in 8 months (went from my normal weight - 115 to 135 in the blink of an eye). I was out-eating my boyfriend, who is twice my size. I won't even get into the moodiness. I was depressed for months. I would never recommend this pill to anyone, I don't see how it is still on the market. I switched back to my old pill from my teen years (I'm 32 now), which never gave me problems (Levora), and 2 weeks in, I've already lost all of the water retention and 7 pounds. The food cravings are gone also, finding that I'm having to 'remember' to eat."

• ema...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• November 15, 2018

For Birth Control "I've been on this pill for 6 years now, and it's been the best one I've been on. I was a guinea pig for the first year with different pills, but this was the one that worked the best for me. I've only had 1 or 2 breakthrough bleeds (mostly from user error), and periods have been lighter over time with a significant decrease in cramping, bloating, etc. It's gotten my periods predictable down to the day. As far as birth control, I used it for 1+ years as my only form of birth control with no scares."

• Cit...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 30, 2019

For Birth Control "I was on the lower dose of this and had spotting, which is why I was prescribed this higher dose. I still had spotting and am now on a different pill that has been working so much better. On this pill, I did feel a bit sad, had a lot of mood swings, and had a lot of bloating that completely went down once I stopped this pill. I also had no change in my acne. I wouldn't really recommend this pill. A pharmacist told me that this is an older generation pill and that there are newer pills on the market that don't cause these side effects, and I have found that to be true!"

• Lyd...
• October 31, 2016

For Birth Control "About two months ago, I had to switch from LoLestrin Fe to Microgestin due to my insurance and pharmacy. Since starting Microgestin, I've noticed insane bloating, nausea, and weird discharge. While on LoLestrin, my periods consisted of spotting and average side effects, nothing too serious, but after one month of Micro, I got my period and it was heavy, and the cramping was so painful I had to leave my class. I've also noticed I've developed bad depression and my mood swings are very intense. My anxiety is bad and my sex drive is very low, if not nonexistent anymore. It helped with my acne, but I'm a lot more paranoid about getting pregnant than I was on LoLestrin. I'm going to be talking to my doctor about possibly getting the shot."

• Anonymous
• January 19, 2016

For Birth Control "I began taking birth control to help control my heavy bleeding and cramping. I was on a lower dose birth control, Norethindrone/Eth 24 Fe, for 8 months, and it was amazing until I started to have breakthrough bleeding. My ob-gyn switched me to this to stop the bleeding. I'm a Sunday starter, and the switch between the two was hard for my body and resulted in a full month of bleeding. The periods lightened and shortened with this pill, but I started getting a ton of side effects I never had before; such as nausea, headaches, constant aching during periods, bloating, weight gain around my stomach area, and constipation. The pill worked to prevent pregnancy (condoms) and in reducing flow, but with the added side effects, it wasn't worth it to stay."

• jlm...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 24, 2018

For Birth Control "I started this pill about a year ago after my previous pill had me spotting. At first, I really liked this pill. My periods were usually 6 days and heavy, and this pill made them 2-3 days and light/nonexistent. I have never been an emotional female, and on this pill... I cry weekly... for no reason. Over the dumbest things. I work out Monday-Friday (running 3-5 miles, elliptical, strength training), count calories and macros, and I cannot lose weight. I drink a gallon of water a day, and I am so bloated all of the time. I never had this problem before. I also have noticed a decrease in libido, like a lot. I just got married, and I was just assuming it was from all the stress, being tired from work, etc., but now that's all over with and I'm still not interested. I came to look if other people have experienced similar issues, and I'm glad it's not just me. In the process of switching pills or to an IUD."

• 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."

• Emi...
• May 17, 2016

For Birth Control "This birth control protected me from pregnancy every time! Sometimes I would take it a few hours later as well, and it would still work. There is a lot of estrogen in it, so it caused me to get headaches. Super light, predicted period every month. No cramps. No weight gain other than your typical bloating."

• Anonymous
• May 20, 2016

For Polycystic Ovary Syndrome "WORST BC PILL EVER!!! First two weeks went great, no side effects, but the third week was terrible! This pill made me super bloated and constipated. It really messed my stomach up, it's so uncomfortable. Will never take this again."

• eir...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 18, 2016

For Birth Control "I was switched to Microgestin after having breakthrough bleeding with Tri-Sprintec (I had been on it for years prior). I noticed way less bloating, which was great! I also was more 'regular,' if you know what I mean. I did feel a little bit moody. I ended up switching to another pill because this one caused my hair to thin out around my hairline. I know that sounds weird, but it was pretty noticeable with my hair in a ponytail. I also noticed my scalp hurt a lot, and I had slight, but manageable, hormonal pimples on my chin. I think that would have cleared up if I stayed on it longer."

• lal...
• April 18, 2018

For Birth Control "I figured I'd share my experience since I've tried so many birth control pills, including this one. This was terrible! The side effects I had were extreme bloating and water retention. Anytime I'd eat, I felt like my stomach was so distended it would pop! In addition, it caused the worst constipation I've ever had for some reason. No mood changes or breakouts, but the feeling like a whale and serious constipation were not worth it! I moved to this pill from the lower dose Microgestin 1/20 because of spotting. No spotting with this pill, but I would take bleeding any day over the other effects! I'm trying Aviane next. I know everyone's body is different. I definitely don't recommend this pill."

• Nic...
• September 12, 2016

For Menstrual Disorders "I have taken these pills for 1 week, but that is all it took for me to know they are NOT for me. My insurance switched me to these. These pills have so many negative effects on me! First, I am STARVING every hour or so. I can even eat a big meal and I will be starving again, and if I don't eat, I will feel weak and shaky. Second, I am bloated all the time, which is really uncomfortable! Third, towards the end of the week, I started to feel really tired for no reason even though I had a good night's sleep. I would suddenly just feel faint and I could barely keep my eyes open. Also, on the 6th day, I felt a heaviness in my chest, which cannot be good. I am going to see if I can switch back to my other ones (Gianvi). I do NOT recommend these!"