Microgestin Fe 1.5/30 and Weight Gain: What Users Say

• Ivo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 18, 2013

For Birth Control "I recently switched from Microgestin 1/20 to the 1.5/30 (gynecologist suggestion). I noticed even less cramping, a less heavy period, however, I did get a few cystic nodular pimples around my mouth. I am not sure if it's because of the increase in hormones or something else, however, I will wait for a few more months (I've been on this new birth control for about 2 months) to see if it goes away or gets better. I may switch back to the 1/20 if the acne doesn't get better. I also noticed a few pounds of weight gain."

• Ama...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• August 27, 2019

For Birth Control "I've been on it for 8 years without any issues. I do not have a period while on Microgestin Fe 1.5/30, but according to my OBGYN, this is okay-plus, what's there to complain about?! It did not cause me to gain weight like previous pills I have been on. If you're looking to clear up your skin, this is probably not the best choice. I did not notice a difference while taking it (as opposed to other pills I have taken that have cleared up skin well). Overall, I am happy with Microgestin Fe 1.5/30."

• NoB...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 30, 2015

For Birth Control "I have taken this pill for 4 years now, and I have loved it. My PMS has decreased significantly, and my period cramps suppressed. Before the pill, those were the symptoms that affected me greatly. While on this pill, my breasts are tender right before my period comes, which lasts about 3-4 days, and it didn't do much to my weight. I gained a little weight (which I wanted), but I believe that just came with age (I'm 23 now). Oh, and lastly, my acne cleared up! I suffered from acne since middle school, and it looks as if I never had a bump on my face. Lol. Well, I give this pill an A+ rating, and I'm sure you will too, and love it as much as I do."

• 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."

• 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."

• Piz...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 26, 2019

For Birth Control "I am going on month 3 of this. I have gained 15 lbs, I am moody and unstable/irrational. I honestly was about to go to a doctor to get put on depression medication until I saw these reviews, because I’ve been through my fair share of stuff, and I have never felt this way in my life. I have no interest in things, and I have zero energy. I’m a registered nurse and am relatively healthy, but I am truly struggling to stay on top of a proper diet and exercise on this medicine. It’s crazy I go from being so nauseated I can hardly eat to binge eating enough for a family of 4. I’ve also never in my life had boobs, my husband can’t believe how big they are, but it’s not even like he’s enjoying them because they’re so sore I want to cry even when our dogs bump or hit them. I haven’t had bad skin since college (poor diet, dorm living, sleeping with makeup), and guess what? My skin is worse than it’s ever been before. I only have 1 week left on this, and it cannot come soon enough."

• 25 ...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 21, 2014

For Birth Control "This is my first birth control pill and have been on it going on 3 months. Aside from the fact that it seems to be working well with lighter and shorter periods, there are some negatives. It gives me terrible lingering headaches, which sometimes turn into migraines. It also makes me very nauseous. I feel dizzy and squeezed at times. With this said, I take it in the evenings before I go to bed, so I'm not awake during the instant side effects. I realized I have also been a bit irritable, gained weight, and I have also been feeling very overwhelmed by things! With all of this said, maybe I will consider changing over. But each one has its new side effects, so maybe I'll stick it out."

• 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."

• br4...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 20, 2015

For Birth Control "I have had the best experience of birth control on this pill. The usual side effects for me on birth control are weight gain, moodiness, no energy, and spotting. I have not experienced any of these side effects on Microgestin Fe 1.5/30. I cannot give it 10 stars due to the fact that I am not as interested in having sex as I was before taking the pill, which brought me down to a normal married person's sex life, really. It has actually made my husband happy on that (guys don't want to have sex all the time, it turns out). Note on acne: no effect. Things to consider: I am 24, I exercise, and I am a nurse, so I am constantly on my feet."

• 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."

• M80...
• September 10, 2015

For Menstrual Disorders "I like that I don't get a period, but I'm having trouble losing weight. My blood pressure is up, and I have 0 sex drive, along with painful sex and vaginal discomfort. I've taken it straight for 2 years, and I'm giving my body a break."

• 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."

• thi...
• February 10, 2017

For Birth Control "NOT WORTH THE LITERAL MIGRAINE YOU GET!!! AND I DON'T PAY ANYTHING FOR IT!!!!! Worst BC I have EVER experienced! Terrible mood swings, horrendous weight gain (because if I don't eat every hour, I get sick, shake, and headaches - even after switching to taking the pill at night AND eating healthy alternatives - fruit, veggies, hell even crackers). How is it I actually LOSE weight (5-10 lbs) when I start my period? Oh, because I'm not taking this Godforsaken pill. You're better off being pregnant with how sick this awful BC will make you and how much weight you will put on. At least then you will have an excuse to look like a heifer. I have been on this for 3 months as I wanted to give my body time to adjust to it, and it's been consistent. AWFUL"

• Eri...
• June 27, 2017

For Birth Control "I hate this pill. Been taking it for 1 year and went to the doctor to switch yesterday. In the past year, I've gained almost 30 pounds, which I CANNOT seem to drop regardless of how hard I try to eat well and work out. I've always been health-conscious, so I'm baffled at this weight gain. When addressing it with my male doctor yesterday, he basically laughed in my face, saying it's absolutely not the pill. I'm also experiencing daily anxiety where I shake and sweat for no reason. I haven't had a good night's sleep in months. My mood is usually negative, and I want to cry all the time. I was switched to another pill. But I'm considering Miena because the doctor said it's directly inserted in your uterus so the rest of your body is not receiving."

• 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."

• 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."

• pur...
• November 1, 2010

For Birth Control "I had a slight decrease in libido. Nice light periods. Cleared up my acne slightly - I have cystic acne. No noticeable weight gain. I do wear contacts, no trouble with those. Overall, I was happy with it. Was on since I was 15/16 years old for about nine years straight. Switching to Yaz to see if that helps better with my acne."

• Lex...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 5, 2021

For Birth Control "I’m switching to Azurette, not sure it will help. I’ve been depressed, weight gain, and have the worst mood swings. I can’t control my mood. I cry about everything, and something so little can set me off. I don’t feel like myself anymore. I hope this works, because if not, I might just stop."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 5, 2019

For Birth Control "I’ve been on this pill for a month now after getting off of Depo. I finally feel like me again and have control of my life. It makes me feel amazing, and I never feel sick from it. When I was on Depo, I was living a nightmare, and now I’m my happy and careful self again. I haven’t had any weight gain nor breakthrough bleeding. I’ll give another update after 3 months."

• 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."

• ano...
• March 4, 2018

For Birth Control "I’ve been on this pill for about 5 months now. I started taking it to control my acne and, of course, prevent pregnancy! I didn’t experience any major side effects (nausea, headaches, weight gain, etc.), but my boyfriend and I have both noticed that I’ve been extremely moody since I started, and I have been more emotional. For the acne, I see no difference at all. It hasn’t made it worse, but it also hasn’t gotten better. It has helped my cramps, and my period is so light now, too! On the first week of the month, I’m usually ALWAYS hungry, but now I've learned to control it and just eat how I normally do and drink more water to ease my hunger. I’ve read a lot of reviews that women’s sex drives have decreased on this pill, but I think mine has definitely increased! I’m switching to a new pill because I’ve been struggling with acne for years now, and this wasn’t doing the job. I love this pill, just not as satisfied as I wish I could have been (acne-wise)."

• j12...
• October 10, 2016

For Menstrual Disorders "I have been on this birth control for a little over a year now. It does help menstrual cramps by a ton, but it will take a couple of months before the cycle starts becoming a rhythm. I also gained a lot of weight after starting this birth control. Nearly 10 pounds over the course of the year. It also contributes to very high mood swings and anxiety, but overall these things are worth it to stop the pain that came with regular cramps. I used to have to miss school certain days when they were bad, but now I hardly notice them."

• Dan...
• January 29, 2017

For Birth Control "I originally started birth control around the age of 17-18. I had very heavy periods through high school and would miss a day of school every month due to the awful cramps/diarrhea I would get. I was put on a higher hormone pill that helped my periods lighten up but made me gain 10 pounds or so. Long story short, I got switched onto Microgestin and was happy on it for 5-6 years. I didn't have any problems with acne, weight gain, or heavy periods. I actually would only get a very light (just spotting pretty much) period once every 3 months or so, which my doctor said was normal with this birth control. I had no issues with pregnancy on the pill either, and my boyfriend and I do not use protection since I'm on the pill. I recommend it!"