Reviews

Loestrin 20 pill reviews

3.3

43 reviews

Loestrin 20 pill has an average rating of 3.3 out of 5 stars from a total of 43 reviews when used as a contraceptive. These are self-reported reviews where users of Loestrin 20 pill review their satisfaction with this contraceptive and any side effects they feel they experienced whilst using.
Loestrin 20 was discontinued in 2019. It was a unique combined pill containing a low dose of oestrogen and the progestogen norethisterone. If you're looking for an alternative then check out other low oestrogen combined pills like Mercilon, Gedarel 20/150, Femodette, Millinette 20/75 or Sunya 20/75.

Daily

Frequency

91% - 99+%

Effectiveness

Increased

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Loestrin 20 pill

Reviews

3.3

43 reviews

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Community reviews

Combined pill  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  22nd Jan 22

Loestrin 20 pill  

I used a pill with the lowest hormones available, but I hated taking it because it as difficult to take at the exact same time every day and I felt that it was having some side effects on my mood/weight. I only started taking the pill because I was unaware of other options available to me and had heard anecdotally that IUDs were painful. However, I switched to a hormonal IUD (Mirena) about 6 years ago and have had a much more positive experience. I initially switched when Trump got elected because I was worried about what his administration would do to women's healthcare access, and an IUD seemed like the best, most permanent option available to me. It was not as painful as I thought to have inserted (but everyone is different!) and I still get my periods every month, which I don't mind. It has not impacted my mood/weight the same way that the pill did.

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Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  5th Jul 21

Loestrin 20 pill  

I was offered this pill by the GP after not getting on with microgynon 30 and another combined pill as this was the lowest dose of oestrogen in a combined pill available. I didn’t take it for long as I had similar side effects to other combined pills. Then went on to use the mini-pill for a while then copper IUD which I got on with alright. I now use fertility awareness method (sympto-thermal method) which I cannot recommend highly enough.


Somewhat negative mood

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 8+ yr
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  5th Jul 21

Loestrin 20 pill  

I did like this pill and was on it for a while however they seem to have stopped making it so was unable to get it again.


Somewhat negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 8+ yr
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  18th Feb 21

Loestrin 20 pill  

Really liked this pill and really disappointed it was discontinued. It was a brilliant pill - good contraceptive cover and minimal side effects


Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 5 - 8 yr
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2nd Jan 21

Loestrin 20 pill  

Loved this pill minus the increase in anxiety. Would still be on it if it wasn't discontinued. Tried milinette and levest after this pill and both don't agree with me. Bring back this pill!


Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  16th Dec 20

Loestrin 20 pill  

Since Loestrin 20 has been discontinued I'm yet to find a pill that works for me :(. I've tried rigevidon, microgynon, some others I can't remember, and the implant!! Nothing seems to work the same, I've particularly had problems with my sex drive since going off it and vaginal dryness. Does anyone know a pill like Loestrin 20 in the uk!????


Top side effects not reported

1 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 5 - 8 yr
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  23rd Nov 20

Loestrin 20 pill  

This was the only pill that I’ve taken that has ever worked for me with no side effects. Since it’s been discontinued - I have tried mercilon, femodette and Yasmin, all of which led to excessive bleeding and mood swings. If you are in the USA or can get a prescription from there- there is a generic of this pill called Junel Fe 1/20 that is the exact same as Loestrin 20 - for those missing this pill as much as I am!


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  22nd Nov 20

Loestrin 20 pill  

I didn’t mind this pill and would have kept using it if it was still being manufactured. My spots were much worse at first but got better after 6 months or so and it completely eradicated my back acne. I did have spotting in between periods sometimes, and for a period of about 8 months had spotting every time after sex. I did gain about a stone of weight on this pill after struggling to put on weight on my previous pill (ovranette) which was the biggest downside. My boobs also grew probably a cup size. Almost complete loss of sex drive though, but I generally didn’t have an issue with mood on this one.


Decreased sex drive

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  17th Nov 20

Loestrin 20 pill  

This contraceptive pill was perfect for me - no unwanted side effects, no pain, no periods. Now that it is no longer available, I have been going through a range of different pills and none of them are as good (to put it mildly). In UK there is no alternative with the same ingredients.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  9th Nov 20

Loestrin 20 pill  

I've taken Loestrin 20 for more than 3 years and I was sad&surprise when it went out of production. I never had a problem with it - I'd definitely recommend it.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Loestrin 20 pill FAQs

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Loestrin 20 pill side effects

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Loestrin 20 pill benefits

Some of the benefits that are recognised in scientific research or guidelines for this contraceptive

Acne or bad skin

Heavy periods

PMS and PMDD

PCOS symptoms

Period pain

Loestrin 20 pill ingredients

Main hormones in Loestrin 20 pill

Low oestrogen

Androgenic progestogen

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Possible side effects with Loestrin 20 pill

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