Ortho Micronor and Headaches: What Users Say

• Myr...
• February 9, 2012

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "After multiple surgeries, office procedures and tests done on me, the results show low progesterone. My doctor put me on this pill. For the last two months and now going into my third pack of pills, I no longer have heavy, long periods. I do recall that missing a dose or taking my pill late caused me to have a period, spotting, or long, heavy periods. Now, I make sure I take them every day at the same time. So far, it works and I have not had a period or spotting in about 35 days. I am not pregnant; occasionally, I get a light headache or feel a little dizzy and realize that I need to eat something. After I eat, the light headache and slight dizziness go away. I've lost weight instead of gaining weight from the pill."

• Jen...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 29, 2020

For Birth Control "I’m reaching out because I’ve been experiencing a really weird side effect symptom when taking progesterone-only BC. Overall, side effects have been minimal... light cramping, nausea, and headaches, but nothing I can’t handle. The issue is insomnia. I had the same problem when I tried a hormonal IUD. I don’t know why, and I can’t find any literature on the issue, but it seems an increase in progesterone blocks my ability to fall and stay asleep. I was taking different sleep meds to try to help, but after about a week and a half, I had to go off of the Micronor. I just can’t function without adequate sleep. It’s very frustrating because otherwise, this pill would work. Has anyone else had this issue? Does it go away?"

• Can...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 20, 2014

For Birth Control "I started taking this because my doctor said that this pill uses a hormone similar to progesterone (what the human body produces). The other pills I've tried (Tri-Cyclen, Yasmin) use estrogen, which is more likely to cause blood clots, heart attack, high blood pressure, and stroke. I had minor spotting, and then no period at all. I have had a few headaches, but I am not sure if they're related. I've also had WAY less of an appetite, which was usually the opposite when I took birth control in pill form. I'd love to have a more natural form of birth control, but at this point, I'm happy with Micronor as a solution."

• Mom...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 6, 2017

For Birth Control "I love Micronor. I have been on it for 2 years, and I'm about to get off it because I want kids. For the first 3 months, I had some side effects (tender breasts, bloating, cramping, breakthrough bleeding). But after those 3 months, it was PERFECT! No symptoms, no mood swings (unless PMS), and sometimes, I would just not have my period, which was fun in summertime. I had tried Alesse, Yaz, NuvaRing, all of them giving me the worst headaches and weight gain. On Micronor, no weight gain, I was dieting, so I managed to go from 130 to 115 pounds in two years on that pill. :)"

• ama...
• May 11, 2015

For Birth Control "I was on a combo pill for years before Micronor, and it was the worst. I had terrible mood swings, weight gain, an increase in appetite, and low sex drive, and the headaches were TERRIBLE. Once I started getting aura migraines, my doctor made me switch. I thought Micronor would be just as bad or worse. Thankfully, however, everything has been good! I've only noticed around an 8 lb weight gain, and it pretty much all went to my chest, I went from barely a B to a full C. Can't complain about that, lol. My only real complaint is that my face, which has always been clear even throughout my teenage years, now breaks out every so often. No mood swings, decreased appetite, up sex drive, bigger boobs, regular periods, and no babies. Go Micronor!"

• Anonymous
• October 30, 2011

For Birth Control "Started taking this 10 days ago, and feel terrible! Headaches, acne (and I have amazing skin normally), urine smells funny, and emotionally very unsettled. Will be going back to see the doctor ASAP, and exploring other options! Do your research before taking this pill."

• Hol...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 3, 2013

For Birth Control "So far, so good. I've been taking this pill for almost 2 months (I know it's kind of a short time to claim results), but it's been treating me well. I made sure I put an alarm on my phone to ensure that I take it on time every day. So far, I have experienced headaches from time to time. About two times, I took the pill about 2 hrs late and had light bleeding from then up until a week, which is a pain. I know more time will tell for real results, but I just wanted to give a review of beginning side effects for me."

• Nic...
• August 9, 2015

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I have taken the pill for 26 days. The 27th, I have decided to stop! I have been bleeding heavily for 26 continuous days, plus cramping, headaches, absolute lack of libido, bigger sore breasts, need to sleep 5 extra hours per day (naps all the time), extreme sadness, vaginal dryness despite the bleeding, heavy legs, general growing fatigue, and incapacity to function normally! I switched to another pill (Lolo from Actavis), and so far, so good. I am thankful for the reviews here because I did not feel alone or getting crazy with such painful side effects. The extreme sadness was really odd. Lolo is not a mini-pill, but it has a low amount of estrogen. I am hopeful. I could not move with Micronor despite being very active normally."

• Kat...
• July 16, 2015

For Amenorrhea "I have never reacted well to hormonal medication. Even on Mirena, I had serious reactions. I expected horrible things from Micronor. I was wrong. After 3 weeks of headaches and sore breasts, I felt better than normal. My skin has cleared up, I've lost 10 lbs, gained a cup size, and my libido has increased. Most importantly, my periods have become regular, lowering my cancer risks. While I wish it didn't function as birth control, it's an acceptable side effect for me right now, as there are no medications for this that aren't birth control!"

• Ale...
• August 11, 2015

For Birth Control "So I have been taking this for about 5 days now, and I felt compelled to write a review. I have taken tons of different birth control methods consisting of both hormones of estrogen and progestin. I am pleased to say that so far, this has been working well for me. I think it is worth a shot to try, but as you know, every woman is different. I am still thinking this is too good to be true, but it has been a blessing so far to not wake up dizzy, fatigued, with headaches, or nausea. The only things I have noticed so far are some bloating, light spotting, very little fatigue (nothing compared to other birth controls), and a slight stomach cramp before my alarm goes off to take the pill (perhaps when it's almost run out?). Worth a try."

• def...
• March 31, 2015

For Birth Control "I haven't been on this pill long, but so far I haven't gotten any migraines, which is the main reason I switched to Micronor. I was on Gildess (hate that pill) and had horrible headaches. I haven't gained weight, and haven't bled at all either. The only problem is that I've broken out on my chest, but that's a lot easier to deal with than headaches. Like this pill so far."

• Ban...
• June 27, 2019

For Birth Control "I like this 'mini pill' way better than the combo pills. A week after switching, I had a long period that lasted for about 12 days. However, after that, I didn't have a period again for about 5 months! When college finals stress came around, I got my period again twice, six weeks apart. Since then, things have calmed down and I don't have a period again. As far as other side effects go, when I first switched to this pill, I had some headaches and cramping for the first month, but those went away as my body adjusted. The only lasting side effect is that my breasts are swollen and tender a lot more, but it's not too bad. Plus, they look more full, which is not a complaint. I don't think this pill is helping my skin like the combo pills with estrogen, but it certainly isn't hurting it either. I do use condoms with this pill to prevent pregnancy, as it's not as effective as the combo pill."

• Cam...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 19, 2019

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I've been on Ortho Micronor for two weeks now, it's been an absolute roller coaster. I've had strange sensations in my legs, severe depressive episodes, mood swings, heart palpitations, headaches, and am currently experiencing what seems to be another period exactly one week after having my last one. I think if this continues, I'm going back to the GP for a new prescription."

• Pri...
• November 23, 2009

For Birth Control "I thought that this medicine was doing good for the first week, till I got really sick. I had horrible headaches and abdominal pain. I looked up the side effects one day on a hunch, and all my symptoms were serious side effects. I immediately stopped taking the medicine."

• Mis...
• January 12, 2017

For Birth Control "I was put on Micronor 4 months ago because I had a headache with previous pills. I am about ready to stop this, also, last month I had breakthrough spotting for 2 1/2 weeks. This month, 4 days prior to the end of the pack, I developed abdominal cramps, I mean really bad, and a lot of breast tenderness. Now I've been bleeding very heavily with terrible cramps for 3 days. This is the worst!!! Confused."

• Anonymous
• March 31, 2012

"I started this a month ago and have had very little side effects. If I take it an hour late, there's some spotting, and I've lost 10 pounds (not that I'm complaining)! Plus, I've gone from a D to DD. It's a pretty effective pill! The only downside is the occasional headache."

• Ice...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 8, 2022

For Birth Control "I have chronic migraines, which are all hormonal, and the doctor told me this was the way to go. SMH. Don’t do it. I didn’t have a period for the first 2 months, then boom - for the next 6 months, I bled EVERY SINGLE DAY, brown mucky thick sticky blood!! It ruined my relationship. I ended up with so many damn daily headaches I had to get the heck off it. I felt better within 4 days. Awful pill method, and I think it’s because NONE of these generics are worth a damn. These packages look like fake cheap meds."

• JFR...
• May 11, 2016

For Birth Control "I have been off of Micronor birth control for a little over a year now, and I still do not have regular periods. I had to go off of it because it was giving me headaches, gained a lot of weight on it (even though my eating habits stayed the same), I was extremely forgetful while taking it. It's heartbreaking for my husband and me as we are TTC currently, but I only get my period maybe every 4 months since stopping Micronor."

• Jaz...
• May 2, 2016

For Birth Control "Nothing but spotting, headaches, and dizziness! Hate it, can't find anything suitable other than the implant."