Loestrin 20 pill vs Microgynon 30 pill

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Loestrin 20 pill

Want to switch contraception?

Microgynon 30 pill

£From £0.14/day

Overview

Rated 3.3

43 reviews

Daily

Frequency

91% - 99+%

Effectiveness

Increased

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Rated 2.6

283 reviews

Daily

Frequency

91% - 99+%

Effectiveness

Increased

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Loestrin 20 pill ingredients

Main hormones in Loestrin 20 pill

Androgenic progestogen


Microgynon 30 pill ingredients

Main hormones in Microgynon 30 pill

Androgenic progestogen

Medium oestrogen

What Lowdown reviewers say

Benefits: What this contraceptive can help with

Acne or bad skin

Heavy periods

PMS and PMDD

PCOS symptoms

Period pain

Acne or bad skin

Heavy periods

PMS and PMDD

PCOS symptoms

Period pain

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£From £0.14/day

Check out our latest reviews

Real life reviews from people like you

Loestrin 20 pill reviews

43 reviews

Used for 12 - 18 mo
28 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  22nd Jan 22

  •  Stopped using

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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Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

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

  •  Stopped using

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.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

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

  •  Stopped using

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.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 12 - 18 mo
28 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  22nd Jan 22

  •  Stopped using

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.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

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

  •  Stopped using

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.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

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

  •  Stopped using

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.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments


Microgynon 30 pill reviews

283 reviews

Used for 8+ yr
30 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 days ago

  •  Stopped using

This pill was pretty seamless for me. It did not affect my moods or skin. My periods were very light, lasted a few days with little to no cramps. My libido suffered significantly and this symptom worsened as time went on which is the reason I switched to a non-hormonal method. Other than this, it was a great option for me.


Top side effects not reported

1 helpful

0 comments

Used for 1 - 3 mo
25 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  3 days ago

  •  Stopped using

I have endometriosis and adenomyosis and was put on microgynon by my gynaecologist. I was happy at first because my severe and constant pain disappeared (and only reappeared during my period, and even then it was only 10% of the pain I used to experience. However, the negative side effects unfortunately didn’t make the lack of pain worth it. My mental health (which was already quite terrible as I suffer from OCD and anxiety) crumbled. I was depressed and had CONSTANT mood swings. I was irritable, always in a bad mood and snapping at my husband. I also felt like a zombie, unable to focus on anything and feeling so disconnected and dissociated. I also put on water weight. I’m a small woman who runs a lot, so it was definitely linked to the pill. After doing some research, I asked my doctor to switch me to Eloine, and so far it’s been AMAZING. My mood has stabilised and I honestly feel the happiest and most connected to the world I have in a long time. I think Eloine has balanced out my endometriosis-induced hormonal imbalances and I feel amazing. For context, I’ve tried 4 types of combined pill: microgynon (androgenic), cimiszt (less androgenic), millinette and femodene (also less androgenic). I’ve also tried the mini pill cerazette and I was on the implant for 1 year. All of these made my mental health crumble and I spent 8 years of my life (18-25) battling with deciding between having bad mental health or having endo pain. Don’t try microgynon!!!!! And do research into the different types of combined pill. I never researched and just took what the dr gave me. The Lowdown really helped me research!


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 1 - 3 mo
33 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  3 weeks ago

  •  Stopped using

It gave me constant headaches so I stopped taking it after a month.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 8+ yr
30 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 days ago

  •  Stopped using

This pill was pretty seamless for me. It did not affect my moods or skin. My periods were very light, lasted a few days with little to no cramps. My libido suffered significantly and this symptom worsened as time went on which is the reason I switched to a non-hormonal method. Other than this, it was a great option for me.


Top side effects not reported

1 helpful

0 comments

Used for 1 - 3 mo
25 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  3 days ago

  •  Stopped using

I have endometriosis and adenomyosis and was put on microgynon by my gynaecologist. I was happy at first because my severe and constant pain disappeared (and only reappeared during my period, and even then it was only 10% of the pain I used to experience. However, the negative side effects unfortunately didn’t make the lack of pain worth it. My mental health (which was already quite terrible as I suffer from OCD and anxiety) crumbled. I was depressed and had CONSTANT mood swings. I was irritable, always in a bad mood and snapping at my husband. I also felt like a zombie, unable to focus on anything and feeling so disconnected and dissociated. I also put on water weight. I’m a small woman who runs a lot, so it was definitely linked to the pill. After doing some research, I asked my doctor to switch me to Eloine, and so far it’s been AMAZING. My mood has stabilised and I honestly feel the happiest and most connected to the world I have in a long time. I think Eloine has balanced out my endometriosis-induced hormonal imbalances and I feel amazing. For context, I’ve tried 4 types of combined pill: microgynon (androgenic), cimiszt (less androgenic), millinette and femodene (also less androgenic). I’ve also tried the mini pill cerazette and I was on the implant for 1 year. All of these made my mental health crumble and I spent 8 years of my life (18-25) battling with deciding between having bad mental health or having endo pain. Don’t try microgynon!!!!! And do research into the different types of combined pill. I never researched and just took what the dr gave me. The Lowdown really helped me research!


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 1 - 3 mo
33 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  3 weeks ago

  •  Stopped using

It gave me constant headaches so I stopped taking it after a month.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 3 - 5 yr
24 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  29th Oct 23

  •  Stopped using

Just very negative mood


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 1 - 3 mo
25 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  31st Aug 23

  •  Stopped using

This contraception affected my mood severely. I would feel sad and cry most days for weeks on end (not just PMS) without a reason. My breasts were also very swollen, lumpy and painful. My sex drive was also somewhat decreased. I was only taking it for 2 or 3 months but the symptoms were so bad that I couldn't stand to take it any longer to see if my body would adapt.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
22 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  29th Aug 23

  •  Stopped using

I didn't have any side effects with this pill other than it caused me to develop hormonal acne. When I started the pill and for the first 6 months my skin was clear, but then after that my skin got worse and worse, and I eventually realised the pill was the cause (because it contains levonorgestrel).


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 8+ yr
39 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  26th Aug 23

  •  Still using

I've been on this since I was 17 (20 years). Generally it's been fine. I had a break once for a couple of months as Dr recommended it and found I was emotional and had awful irregular heavy periods, which put me off stopping it again. Have been getting migraines before periods recently, which may be related. Hard to tell, as I've been on it for so long and I can't find much info online on the effects of long-term use.


Top side effects not reported

2 helpful

0 comments

Used for 1 - 3 mo
21 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  6th Aug 23

  •  Stopped using

Honestly not the worst pill on the market. I tried a lot of pills and other sorts of contraceptives and I won’t say this one was the worst. It’s totally bearable but I couldn’t imagine using it long term. Period was perfect but other than that I lost motivation and was quite moody.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 1 - 3 mo
25 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  3rd Aug 23

  •  Stopped using

I started the pill to help regulate mood and lighten periods. It helped with periods but made my mood so much worse. By the end of my 3 month trial I was struggling with suicidal thoughts that hadn't been there at all before I started the pill. I can't believe how negatively it affected me.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
18 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  17th Jul 23

  •  Still using

I went on Microgynon due to painful periods and while being on it my periods became a lot less painful and became lighter as well. I feel like my boobs get more sore than they used to - this is more noticeable if I take the pill without the 7 day break. But overall I’ve got on really well and love that it’s such robust contraception (with condoms) as well as helping my periods


Top side effects not reported

1 helpful

0 comments

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