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Original poster

To ask for your experiences with Microgynon?

61 replies

screamingbanshees · 01/07/2022 09:29

My first time taking the pill was last year - I bought 3 months of Microgynon-30 and only managed a week on it because it was making me completely unable to fall asleep. I would be exhausted and lie there for hours, but nothing would happen. By the end of the week I was practically a zombie. As soon as I stopped taking it, I could sleep again. So I tried it again to see if it was in fact the effect of the pill, and it happened again.

I've been considering trying a new pill but I fear it will have the same or worse effect. Moreover I can't find anything about this side effect online, which doesn't help.

Have you taken Microgynon? If not, what pill do you take, did you try any others before and what are your experiences?

OP posts:
DrNo007 · 01/07/2022 09:46

I took microgynon for just 9 months when I was younger and it messed up my hormones and general health for literally decades after. Please read Dr Ellen Grant’s book The Bitter Pill.

VestaTilley · 01/07/2022 09:49

I think I took microgynon for years, but it gave me headaches so my GP took me off it and I went on the mini pill. That was fine, aside from killing my libido 😂 so it ended up as a very useful contraceptive!

I don’t take any hormonal contraceptives now; women have been taking the pill for years and many of us are waking up to the fact that it’s really not ideal for our bodies. We use condoms instead and when we’ve completed our family DH will have a vasectomy.

rbe78 · 01/07/2022 09:55

I take Microgynon, transferred from Cileste when I moved country and they didn't stock a Cielste equvilent. Had an emotional week or two as I transitioned between the two, but no other problems ever since (getting on for a decade).

Original poster
screamingbanshees · 01/07/2022 09:57

VestaTilley · 01/07/2022 09:49

I think I took microgynon for years, but it gave me headaches so my GP took me off it and I went on the mini pill. That was fine, aside from killing my libido 😂 so it ended up as a very useful contraceptive!

I don’t take any hormonal contraceptives now; women have been taking the pill for years and many of us are waking up to the fact that it’s really not ideal for our bodies. We use condoms instead and when we’ve completed our family DH will have a vasectomy.

Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to use condoms as every one I have tried over the years has caused my chronic cystitis to flare up. But at the same time I’m not confident in the withdraw method myself and DP are currently using.

OP posts:
wonderstuff · 01/07/2022 09:59

I became very depressed on micrgynon. I tried a different combined pill with the same results and have not taken any hormone medication since, not worth the risk to my mental health. I also got very depressed when pregnant, I think some people just don’t deal with hormone changes well.

littlepeas · 01/07/2022 10:02

Weight gain - fell off when I stopped taking it. No libido. It’s crap. They prescribe it because it’s the cheapest.

littlepeas · 01/07/2022 10:03

Shoukd say that I take no hormonal contraception at all now and haven’t for 15 years.

neverbeenskiing · 01/07/2022 10:17

I bled continuously for 3 months on Microgynon. The bleeding stopped very quickly when I came off it. I've been on other pills in the past and didn't have that problem. Its not unusual to have to try different pills before you find one that suits you.

YerAWizardHarry · 01/07/2022 10:19

Microgynon very nearly killed me as a fit and healthy woman in my mid-20s. Wouldn’t recommend estrogen based contraception to my worst enemy

Flederjo · 01/07/2022 10:45

Took it for 17 years, never had a problem. Goes to show how different we all are!

Iamnotanowl · 01/07/2022 10:47

severe depression and restless legs. :(

Babdoc · 01/07/2022 10:49

I gave it up over 40 years ago, as it was causing recurrent thrush and destroying my libido.

SpikeyHatePotato · 01/07/2022 10:54

Microgynon gave me migraines so was taken off it pretty quickly and was on the mini pill for a few years which was much better (although I can’t remember which one).
post baby, I had a mirena coil fitted and have had no issues (although I know many women do).
DH has had a vasectomy now so will be having it out soon. Not looking forward to the return of my periods though!!

aldilemonade · 01/07/2022 11:07

I was depressed and very angry.
I felt like i had no control of my life it was awful.
I was back to normal within a few days of stopping it.

CoffeeDay · 01/07/2022 11:17

Had a disastrous experience and would not recommend to anyone. Took it for 4 years and it gave me migraines that would last for 2 weeks as a time, most of which I was bedridden. It was a miracle I managed to finish university, and many days were just in haze of taking painkillers and triptans.

The onset was so gradual I never associated it with microgynon, but it always happened during the withdrawal bleed week and became progressively worse over the years. After coming off it, my period took over 6 months to return.

I was also diagnosed with lupus during the time I took microgynon though it's difficult to prove whether there's a link or whether that would have happened anyway. However people with lupus are discouraged from using hormonal contraceptions unless with explicit permission from their specialist. Since it affects 90% women, there is a strong theory that female hormones play a role in triggering or worsening the condition.

I had a good experience with the mini pill (progesterone only, can't remember the name). Took it for 6months and it basically stopped my period for the entire duration, but without any hormonal side effects like headaches or mood swings. I stopped as I was bit concerned about keeping my cycle regular as I still wanted to have kids down the line.

HorseInTheHouse · 01/07/2022 11:21

I took it for a few years pre-children and didn't have any problems with it at all.

Used the mini-pill in between children and I felt a bit worse with that - I think it gave me headaches but honestly it's hard to know what is linked and what isn't.

Stabbitystabstab · 01/07/2022 11:21

It fucked with my mental health/anger levels so badly that my partner begged me to come off it within days

Ludoole · 01/07/2022 11:22

It was the only pill that I had no side effects from. Was on it a decade.

tootsierubs · 01/07/2022 11:23

I developed a dvt on this 😳

riesenrad · 01/07/2022 11:28

DrNo007 · 01/07/2022 09:46

I took microgynon for just 9 months when I was younger and it messed up my hormones and general health for literally decades after. Please read Dr Ellen Grant’s book The Bitter Pill.

I took it for a short time when I was in my mid 20s and it messed up my sex drive. Rather counter-productive!

It didn't recover.

Down to a know it all GP saying Cilest was "dated" and Microgynon was better. Well, it wasn't. I switched back to Cilest but the damage was done.

EnterACloud · 01/07/2022 11:43

I was put on it twice, the first time I didn't think I had any side effects but I just so happened to really hate that year at university. Second time I was working and had to stop after a few weeks as was so upset, emotional and angry all the time it was like living in a nightmare.

As others have said I've been told since it's the cheapest so they try everyone on it first and will only give you a better pill with fewer side effects if you hassle. So hassle.

Bettyboop3 · 01/07/2022 11:50

screamingbanshees · 01/07/2022 09:57

Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to use condoms as every one I have tried over the years has caused my chronic cystitis to flare up. But at the same time I’m not confident in the withdraw method myself and DP are currently using.

Show quote history

Withdrawing is not a method.

TheSandgroper · 01/07/2022 11:54

Used it on and off for years. Never a problem.

lurker2003 · 01/07/2022 11:56

I’ve used it for 4 years now, it’s made my periods lighter and shorter.

TheUndoing · 01/07/2022 11:58

I’ve been on it for years with no issues - gives me lighter and less painful periods.

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