Side effects
Marvelon pill common side effects
Data is taken from self reported Lowdown user reviews
53% of Marvelon pill reviewers reported vaginal discharge
48% of Marvelon pill reviewers reported breast enlargement
47% of Marvelon pill reviewers reported period like cramps
43% of Marvelon pill reviewers reported tender breasts
38% of Marvelon pill reviewers reported vaginal dryness
Marvelon pill rare side effects
Data is taken from self reported Lowdown user reviews
5% of Marvelon pill reviewers reported pelvic infection
4% of Marvelon pill reviewers reported migraine with aura
1% of Marvelon pill reviewers reported hair loss
Possible Marvelon pill side effects
Data is taken from self reported Lowdown user reviews
- Vaginal discharge (53%)
- Breast enlargement (48%)
- Period like cramps (47%)
- Tender breasts (43%)
- Vaginal dryness (38%)
- Nausea or vomiting (33%)
- Sweating more than usual (27%)
- Lower back pain (27%)
- Thrush (18%)
- Headaches (15%)
- Cystitis (13%)
- Dizziness (10%)
- Migraines (10%)
- High blood pressure (10%)
- A latex allergy (8%)
- Discomfort wearing contact lenses (6%)
- Body hair getting darker (6%)
- Body hair increase (6%)
- Pelvic infection (5%)
- Migraine with aura (4%)
- Hair loss (1%)
Reviews
3.2
79 reviews
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Community reviews
Used for 1 - 3 mo
18 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 4th Aug 24
I went on the pill for acne and painful periods. My acne hasn't really gotten any better, if anything I've slightly noticed more cystic acne coming up. I feel nauseous quite frequently, no vomiting though. One thing I noticed is my anxiety is definitely higher since going on the pill. I also feel quite moody and sometimes emotional.
Somewhat negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
26 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 7th Jun 24
I came on this pill after being on Lucette for many years but I didn't get on with anymore. I did a lot of research as I originally used Lucette to help my acne, which it did but eventually turned me into a crazy emotional monster. Marvelon was a welcome change! I felt so in control of my emotions and actually felt like a normal human! I had no real major side effects apart from one. Around month 2-3 of taking this pill, I developed a hive like rash on my neck/chest that eventually spread to my whole body. I was so self-conscious and taking anti-histamines like tic-tacs. I consulted my doctor and pharmacist but they didn't really care, just told me to keep taking anti-histamines, so I did. Around month 5 I randomly had a brain-wave and realised the timing on my hives was extremely suspicious considering at this point I'd been covered head to toe for about 2 months. Sure enough, I checked the leaflet and 'hive-like rash' was a rare symptom. I stopped taking this pill and within a month my hives had disappeared. Really weird - but that was my only issue. I'm really sad about it too because everything else about this pill was amazing for me.
Gained weight
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
21 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 13th May 24
Overall, i have had very limited side effects on this pill though i have noticed increased mood swings.
Somewhat negative mood
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
19 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 7th May 24
The only reason I came off marvelon is because my boobs were so sore whilst using it. I had some mild cramping when starting this pill but that soon resolved. The sore boobs were a dealbreaker for me unfortunately, so I switched to mercilon, the same ingredients just less oestrogen and now no boob pain!
Somewhat negative mood
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
31 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 24th Dec 23
I have been using marvelon for 3 years to manage severe period pain from 2 large fibroids when all NSAIDS didnt work. The pain reduced but not very much. Still the period affecting my QOL. So the doctor asked me to change to yasmin but after only one tablet of yasmin i got very severe nausea disturbing sleep and rapid heart beat and anxiety attacks ( feeling my heart is crushed) so i went back to marvelon immediately to stop these weird side effects of yasmin. But it managed my periods only 30%.
Somewhat negative mood
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
31 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 24th Dec 23
I was taking marvelon to reduce period pain that was very severe before starting it bcz i have 2 large fibriods, but still the period pain didnt improve much on it. So the doctor told me to skip placebo pills to skip my period. But it was completely impossible on it to skip periods more than 40 days. So if i skip periods more than 40 days i have very terrible side effects of mild nausea and breakthrough bleeding and cramping and PMS (aka period) so the doctor asked me to change to yasmin.after the first pill of yasmin i have very severe nausea distrubing my sleep and panic attacks ( feeling that my heart is crushed) so immediately i went back to marvelon to restore my hormone balance.
Somewhat negative mood
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 8+ yr
48 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 25th Oct 23
I was recommended “marvellous” Marvelon by an NHS women’s health nurse when I was 23 and looking for a pill that would t leave me moody with breakthrough bleeding. 36 years later (!!) I’m still taking it. I now run it on every month so zero bleeding. Every few months I’ll skip a day to see if I still ovulate (and I do). After 10 years (age 33) I stopped it to conceive. Ovulated the first month (I get distinct ov pain) and resumed regular cycles immediately. I conceived 2 months later. After my second baby I had a Mirena which was fine but couldn’t get the little wire sitting there out of my head so had it removed and went back on Marvelon. So all up about 5 years off. Hairdresser noticed my hair thickened up (after loosing lots postnatal).again I noticed no side effects apart from no ov pain. I’m planning to stay on it until my early 50s or so and will then consider HRT options. So I’m very happy with my oestrogen topped up! I’ve had zero negative symptoms and am a very well, fit, optimistic and thriving GenXer!! Marvellous.
Very positive mood
1 more effect
1 helpful
1 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
30 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 21st Jun 23
As someone who has never got along with hormonal contraception, I’ve tried many pills over the years and Marvelon is definitely one of the best. Sadly I have to come off this pill due to depression (which was non-existent before starting) but the other side effects were more manageable and gradual: tender breasts, nausea, acne. Really gutted it’s caused such low mood as I would have happily continued otherwise.
Very negative mood
2 more effects
2 helpful
0 comments
Used for 8+ yr
47 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 20th Jun 23
I was on Marvelon from the age of 14 until 30 when my GP took me off it. I really didn't want to to cover off it but as a smoker I had no choice. I was so lucky that the first pill I tried was perfect for me, no side effects except bad headaches for the first six months.
Very positive mood
0 helpful
0 comments