Microgestin Fe 1.5/30 and Cramps: What Users Say

• tan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 13, 2019

For Birth Control "I thought I was the only one experiencing such negative side effects on this birth control, but after reading all the reviews, it makes sense to me. I was only on Microgestin Fe 1.5/30 for about three months, but I was the most miserable I have ever been. I had constant mood swings and was always crying. I had low energy, no excitement for anything, and angry for no reason! I would have headaches almost every week. Everyone could tell something was wrong with me, and I thought I was going insane, but really it was the pill. It made my periods more painful, and my cramps were worse. I would stay away from this pill."

• tan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 13, 2019

For Birth Control "I thought I was the only one experiencing such negative side effects on this birth control, but after reading all the reviews, it makes sense to me. I was only on Microgestin Fe 1.5/30 for about three months, but I was the most miserable I have ever been. I had constant mood swings and was always crying. I had low energy, no excitement for anything, and angry for no reason! I would have headaches almost every week. Everyone could tell something was wrong with me, and I thought I was going insane, but really it was the pill. It made my periods more painful, and my cramps were worse. I would stay away from this pill."

• 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."

• 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!"

• kee...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 25, 2017

For Menstrual Disorders "I was prescribed this to help alleviate my PMDD (severe depression associated with my hormones fluctuating around my menstrual cycle) and extreme menstrual cramps. I am at the end of week three of my first pack, and the whole experience has been horrific. CLOSELY MONITOR YOURSELF when taking this if you have a history of depression and anxiety. I've been crying several times a day and have slept a full night in two weeks. I've felt more suicidal than I have in years and came close to checking myself into the hospital because my lows have been so severe. After talking to my SO today, it was confirmed that my mood has been greatly altered since beginning this medication. I have cramps every day and am bleeding sooner and longer than normal."

• 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."

• MDL...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 7, 2020

For Birth Control "My OB/GYN prescribed Microgestin Fe 1.5/30 to me after finding out I had a large fibroid (12 cm). I took this every day for two months to stop my periods before my surgery because I was suffering from uterine fibroids. Heavy bleeding, large clots, painful cramps, and urgency to pee every 20 mins! The first month I skipped my period, it was great. However, the following month I had abnormal heavy bleeding, and I bled every day for the whole month! Not sure if it was caused by this pill or my fibroid getting worse, but it is now 3 weeks post-surgery, and I’ve completely stopped taking this pill. I won’t be taking it again. Thank goodness my insurance paid for it because I feel like it didn’t work for me."

• 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."

• 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."

• Niv...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 6, 2018

For Birth Control "I was prescribed Microgestin 1.5/30 (no breaks or placebos) after Trinessa stopped working for my severe period pain/heavy bleeding. The first month, I had cramps every single day with no period the entire month. Month 2 came along with a period that lasted 21 days with mild cramps. I contemplated stopping the pill, but I didn’t know if it would make things better or worse. I was also extremely fatigued and emotional/depressed. Now I’m in month 3, my breasts are super tender every day, mainly in the mornings, and I’m only a B cup. I haven’t gotten another period, but I experienced very light spotting from skipping a pill for just one day — I ended up doubling up the following day. I have no acne, but I also never had acne, no weight gain, and no headaches out of my norm. So I’m going to continue to give this brand more time to see how my body responds in the upcoming months."

• big...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 10, 2015

For Menstrual Disorders "I am 35 and have had extremely random menstrual cycles for as long as I have had a period. I never know when the cycle will start, end, or if it will be spotty or 5 gallons of blood. I am on the 3rd month of this Microgestin 1.5/30, and I will not be taking it anymore. The Microgestin has seemed to make my menstrual cycles right on schedule and with very little blood flow, however, since week one, I have had the most painful ovarian cysts. I have never had these before, and it started on week one, but the last several have ruptured closer to ovulation. The first time I had to call the ambulance because I thought my appendix had burst. After 2 months, I started forming a belly that looks very similar to a baby bump, but it is not."

• Mig...
• November 4, 2016

For Birth Control "I've been taking Microgestin Fe 1.5/30 for almost 6 months now for the sole purpose of birth control. While it has never failed me in regard to contraception, it has given me crazy mood swings, sharp cramps, and intense sudden headaches that sometimes become migraines. I'm talking migraines so bad that I have to close my eyes and crawl to get anywhere I need to go, if I can even move at all. It has been an emotional and painful 6-month trial, and I'm done with this contraceptive."

• Bea...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 6, 2019

For Birth Control "Not worth it for me with the side effects. Constant headaches, mood swings, and depression, heavy bleeding and clots from half dollar to golf ball in size, accompanied by painful cramps. Made me feel wiped out and killed my sex drive. My doctor put me on a lower dose birth control pill, but I’ve still had constant bleeding and clots for the past two weeks."

• 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!"

• sgh...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 8, 2016

For Birth Control "After being on Depo and two different pills, my gynecologist decided to have me try this one to see if my side effects would be less severe. I mainly got on this because my bf and I wanted to stop using condoms ;) I started this only two months ago (September 2015), and it started out pretty good; no side effects. By October, my bf and I noticed that my boobs were swollen (he enjoyed that), and I am now having painful cramps every other week. Now that it's November, I notice that my sex drive has decreased a little, I have terrible mood swings, and I'm lethargic most of the time :( But overall, the pill is very effective; my bf has not 'pulled out' since I started, and still no pregnancy! Totally worth it if you can handle the changes."

• 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."

• Thi...
• July 29, 2017

For Birth Control "I decided to take birth control just in case I decided to become active in the future. I wanted to start taking the pill before the school year to see how it would impact me and to get adjusted. At first, my acne flared up more than usual. Once I got my period, I experienced horrid and uncomfortable cramps one of the first days, that I had to call out of work for being sick (I was crawling, crying, and threw up once). The period lasted about 2 weeks. I've had slightly bipolar moods before, but once taking this pill, the moods were extremely hot and cold. For two hours, I would be angry, and then I would experience happiness for a bit, just to go into another anger/sadness. Depression was worse with bad thoughts. I'm stopping the pill now."

• bri...
• May 13, 2015

For Acne "I got on the pill to get rid of my acne and regulate my period. I have been on it almost a month, and I'm quitting it now. My acne is the worst it's ever been, I never really get a lot of acne around my mouth and on my chin. The first week was great. My skin was soft, and my acne cleared up a little. Toward the end of the second week, my acne had doubled and was horrible! I also get cramps all the time, and I hardly got cramps when I wasn't on the pill. I have also got a bladder infection in the third week. For 3 days, I would throw up everything I ate or drank. I cramped right under my right ribs, by my belly button, and where I cramp when I have my period. This pill isn't working for me."

• Ivy...
• November 15, 2018

For Birth Control "I started taking this medication 3 weeks ago. I've been struggling with terrible endometriosis pains for years, and I finally decided to do something about it. I take these pills continuously with zero breaks and zero placebos. I have had absolutely no spotting. I have slight cramps occasionally, but they fade quickly. I am slightly more hormonal, but it is barely noticeable. I have gained weight, however, I was on steroids for a week and a half as well, which could be the main contributor there. My skin is completely cleared up. I take this pill at the exact same time every single day."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 19, 2012

For Birth Control "It seems to work well, but I noticed a more tired feeling with it during my first period, and my cramps were worse."