Microgynon is a prescription-only combined oral contraceptive pill (‘The Pill’). It contains the two hormones, oestrogen (ethinylestradiol) and progesterone (levonorgestrel), as its active ingredients. Microgynon has over 99% effectiveness when taken correctly and as instructed by your doctor.

In addition to being a birth control pill, combined contraceptives like Microgynon can sometimes be used to treat and regulate a range of women’s health issues such as:

• polycystic ovary syndrome
• heavy periods
• acne

At Superdrug Online Doctor, we only offer combined pills as contraception and not solely to treat other health conditions.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)

Combined contraceptives like Microgynon have been proven to be an effective treatment for those experiencing symptoms of PCOS. Because of this, the combined pill is one of the main treatment options for PCOS.

Heavy periods

Hormonal combined contraceptives like Microgynon have been proven to be effective if you are experiencing heavy periods that are causing a disturbance to your life. Speak with your doctor if you are affected by heavy periods and they should be able to advise if combined contraceptives are the right treatment for you.

Acne

Clinical studies have discovered that combined contraceptives like Microgynon can improve acne. If you are affected by acne, speak with your doctor and they may be able to advise whether combined contraceptives are right for you.

Microgynon does not prevent STIs

If you’ve had unprotected sex or you’re worried you’ve caught an STI (sexually transmitted infection), take an STI test or speak to a doctor. Alternatively, consultations via a quick online health questionnaire are completely confidential with Superdrug Online Doctor. You can get answers without speaking to a doctor face to face – from the comfort of your own home.

Why do I need to get a prescription?

Microgynon is a prescription-only medication so you will need to get approval from a doctor first. This is because it may react with certain medications, or may not be suitable if you have certain conditions. You can request Microgynon online from services like Superdrug Online Doctor without the need for a face-to-face appointment.

Microgynon contains oestrogen (ethinylestradiol) and progesterone (levonorgestrel). These 2 hormones work to regulate your body’s menstruation process. They prevent pregnancy by:

• stopping the release of an egg from your ovaries
• thickening the fluid in your cervix so no sperm can pass
• thinning the lining of your womb so no fertilised egg can implant itself to grow there

The same effects of these hormones can alleviate heavy periods, usually making periods regular, lighter and less painful. They can also help with premenstrual symptoms (PMS).

Combined contraceptives can also regulate your period if you are experiencing symptoms of PCOS. If you think you may have PCOS and think that combined contraceptives might be a good treatment option, speak with your doctor.

How effective is Microgynon?

Microgynon is over 99% effective if you take it as instructed by your doctor. However, due to people forgetting doses of their combined pills, effectiveness is closer to 92% in practice. This means out of 100 people who use combined pills in a year, 8 will get pregnant. To avoid this, take your pill as instructed without missing doses.

Be aware that the pill’s effectiveness can be disrupted if you vomit or have diarrhoea. Some antibiotics can also reduce the effectiveness of the combined contraceptive pill. You should tell your doctor about any tablets you are taking, are about to take or are thinking of taking before taking Microgynon.

Microgynon comes in the form of an oral tablet. You should swallow each pill whole with water.

When to take Microgynon

You should take one Microgynon pill at the same time each day. You may find it easier if you make a routine, for example by taking the pill in the morning or the evening. Using your phone to set alarms or using pill reminder apps may also help.

How often to take Microgynon

You should take your pills as instructed by your doctor.

Microgynon comes in a 21-day pack and a 28-day pack.

If you are prescribed the 21-day pack (Microgynon 30):

• start your pill marked on the correct day of the week
• follow the direction of the arrows on your blister packet strip, taking only one pill per day until you have finished all 21 pills

Once you have finished the 21 days, you then have 7 days where you do not take pills.

Within 1 to 3 days after taking the last pill from your 21-day pack, you should expect bleeding. If you are still bleeding by the time comes to start your next strip, don’t worry – this is normal.

During this break, you will still be protected, as long as you have taken your pills on time and as instructed by your doctor. Always start your new strip on time, on the same day of the week.

If you are prescribed the 28-day pack (Microgynon 30 ED):

Microgynon ED (Every Day) is similar to Microgynon 30, except they contain placebo or ’dummy’ pills that do not contain hormones. The pack contains strips of 28 tablets.

We recommend this pack if you find it difficult to manage the 7-day break without missing pills.

To take Microgynon 30 ED:

• start your pill marked on the correct day of the week
• follow the direction of the arrows on your blister packet strip, taking only one pill per day until you have finished all 28 pills
• as soon as you finish a strip start your next one, taking one pill on the same day as usual

During the last 7 days of your strip, you will be taking dummy pills and should experience a ‘withdrawal bleed’, like a period. You are protected from pregnancy during this period.

If you follow this pattern of taking Microgynon 30 or Microgynon 30 ED, your pill will remain 99% effective.

If you miss a pill, or if you change to a different contraceptive, speak with your doctor and they should advise the best approach. If you are in doubt, consult the patient information leaflet for Microgynon 30 or Microgynon 30 ED.

How long do you need to take Microgynon for

Microgynon 30 should be taken for 21 days with a 7-day break in-between.

Microgynon 30 ED should be taken for 28 days with no 7-day break in between, with dummy pills included in your pack so that you can keep track of your treatment with ease.

Many people take combined oral contraceptives long-term and usually with no issues. If you have any concerns about how long you should take Microgynon for, speak to your doctor and they should be able to give you personalised advice.

What should I do if I forget to take Microgynon?

Microgynon 30

If you forget to take Microgynon 30 and:

• it has been less than 12 hours: Take the delayed pill straight away and the rest of the pills as usual, the effectiveness should not be reduced.
• more than 12 hours ago, or you have missed more than one pill: Take the most recently missed pill right away. Leave earlier missed pills in the strip and take further pills as usual. Use extra contraceptives (such as condoms) for the next 7 days.
• there are 7 or more pills still left in the pack: Use other contraceptives such as condoms for the next 7 days. When you finish the 7 pills, still have a 7-day break before starting your next strip.
• you missed one or more pills from days 1 to 7 of your strip and have had sex in that week: You may not have been effectively protected. Speak to your doctor as soon as possible if you have any concerns – you may need to take emergency contraception.
• there are fewer than 7 pills left in the pack: Use other contraceptives like condoms for the next 7 days. When you finish that strip, start your next strip the next day without a break. If you do not bleed after you have finished the second strip, we recommend doing a pregnancy test before starting the next strip.

Microgynon 30 ED

If you’ve forgotten to take Microgynon 30 ED and:

• it has been less than 12 hours: Take the pill straight away and keep taking your pills at the usual time. Its effectiveness should not be reduced.
• it has been more than 12 hours: Or you have missed more than one active (smaller) pill, the effectiveness will be reduced. Use extra conception (like condoms) for the next 7 days as a precaution. Take the most recently missed active pill, leave earlier pills in the pack and continue to take a pill every day at your usual time for 7 days.
• the 7 pills you have left run beyond the last active (small) tablet: Finish taking the small active tablets, throw away the larger white dummy/inactive tablets, and start a new pack the next day, firstly with the tablet marked ‘start’. You may find that you bleed during the days you take active pills – this is common.
• you do not have a period after the second pack: Speak to your doctor before you start the next one. If you have missed one or more pills from the first week of your strip (days 1-7) and you had sex that week, use a pregnancy test as you may be pregnant.

If you are concerned about how many pills you have missed, contact your doctor. If missing pills is a regular occurrence, it may be best to look into a different type of contraception that you don’t need to take every day.

For more information about missing pills, the patient information leaflet that should come with your medication should give you more guidance on what to do. If you have any specific concerns about missing your pill, speak with your doctor.

Can I buy Microgynon online?

Yes. You can request Microgynon treatment through online doctor services like Superdrug Online Doctor without any face-to-face consultations:

1. Fill out a quick online health questionnaire.
2. One of our doctors will review your answers to see if your requested medication is right for you.
3. If approved, you can choose to have your medication confidentially delivered to your door for free, or sent to your local Superdrug Pharmacy to collect just 2 to 3 hours after doctor approval.

Can I buy Microgynon over the counter?

No, like all combined oral contraceptives, Microgynon is only available by prescription. If you are looking for an over-the-counter contraceptive pill, a brand of the mini pill called Hana is available to purchase. The mini pill contains only progesterone.

Other non-oral contraceptives you can purchase over the counter include condoms, which you can purchase at supermarkets or pharmacies.

Can I get Microgynon on the NHS?

You should be able to get Microgynon on the NHS but you must speak to your local GP to see whether or not it is possible to get Microgynon on the NHS near you.

Like all medications, Microgynon can cause side effects for some people. However, not everyone will get them.

Common side effects:

• headache
• mood changes (feeling low, or depressed)
• painful breasts
• stomach ache
• feeling sick

These side effects should improve over the first 3 months of using Microgynon. If you are experiencing any of these common side effects of Microgynon and they are becoming a daily, bothersome occurrence, speak with your doctor.

Bleeding or spotting between periods has been reported in patients typically over the first few months of taking Microgynon. This usually stops once your body has adjusted to the medication.

Uncommon side effects:

• being sick
• stomach ache
• migraine
• bloating
• breast enlargement
• itchy rashes
• loss of interest in sex

Rare side effects:

• irritation if you wear contact lenses
• weight loss
• increased libido (interest in sex)
• vaginal or breast discharge

If you happen to experience any uncommon or rare side effects and they begin to disrupt your daily life, speak with your doctor and they may suggest that you stop taking the pill and recommend another treatment.

If you think you are experiencing any of the following serious side effects, dial 999 immediately or go to A&E:

• blood clot
• signs of a severe allergic reaction – including swelling of hands, face, lips, mouth, tongue or throat, difficulty swallowing and breathing, or a red bumpy rash

For more detailed information on side effects and signs of serious side effects, see the patient information leaflet that should come with your medication. We also provide additional guidance on the side effects of Microgynon.

How long do Microgynon side effects last?

If you experience any side effects from Microgynon, they should improve as your body adjusts to the medication. This is usually within the first 3 months.

If the side effects you are experiencing do not go away after 3 months or become unmanageable, you should contact your doctor. They may advise that you stop taking Microgynon and suggest you take an alternative contraceptive pill more suited to your personal health needs.

What to do if you get Microgynon side effects

If you get any side effects that are persistent and disruptive to your everyday life when taking Microgynon, you should speak with your doctor.

If you experience mild, common side effects, you should be able to manage these symptoms at home and they should soon go away.

For this, we recommend:

• take painkillers – for headaches, as directed by your pharmacist
• stay hydrated – this should ease symptoms of nausea and headaches
• keep active – light stretching and exercise (such as yoga) can ease cramps

Remember that symptoms should ease within 3 months after starting Microgynon as your body adapts to the medication.

You should tell your doctor about any medications you are taking, are planning to take, or have taken before taking Microgynon.

If any of these apply to you, tell your doctor before taking Microgynon:

• a close relative with heart problems, circulation issues, or high blood pressure
• a close relative who has problems with blood clots
• Crohn’s disease
• lupus
• haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS)
• sickle cell anaemia
• pancreatitis
• varicose veins
• diabetes
• overweight or obesity

You must always check the patient information leaflet and speak to your doctor about any health conditions before starting Microgynon.

Blood clots

When taking a combined pill like Microgynon, there is a slight increase in your risk of a blood clot. It’s important to note that the overall risk of having a harmful blood clot due to Microgynon is small.

However, this is why you must tell your doctor your family history before taking Microgynon, so they can see if it is right for you.

There are many alternatives to Microgynon. It is important that you choose the best option for you.

Combined pills

Other combined oral contraceptive alternatives include:

• Gedarel – available in two doses so you can also keep in control of your side effects
• Clique – also recommended to treat acne or heavy periods
• Levest – often recommended by doctors for acne
• Yasmin – also recommended to treat heavy periods and acne

Mini pills

Mini pills are oral contraceptive tablets that contain only one hormone (progesterone), instead of a mix of two (progesterone and oestrogen). These include:

• Hana - recommended if you are over 35, or if you are overweight
• Desomono - recommended if you have painful periods or are a smoker and over 35
• Cerelle - often recommended if you have high blood pressure
• Cerazette - recommended if you can’t take pills that contain oestrogen

You can find more options for combined and mini pills on our Contraceptive Pill Treatment page.

Patches

We stock Evra, which can simply be applied to your skin once a week. They’re also 99% effective when used correctly.

This may be a great option for you if you struggle to take pills on time every day.

Non-hormonal birth control

If you are looking to control your period without hormones, there are also a range of options, for example:

• caps or diaphragms: Dome-shaped devices made of silicone that can act as a barrier to stop sperm from getting past
• contraceptive coils: A small coil device that is inserted into the uterus to prevent pregnancy
• condoms (male or female): Available at pharmacies or supermarkets

Choosing which contraceptive is right for you can be difficult, especially when there are so many options available. Check out our guide on non-hormonal contraception for more information.

If you are still unsure about what option is right, you can start a contraceptive consultation with one of our doctors. After you’ve completed the online questionnaire, they’ll review it and send you a message in your patient account with some suitable options based on your answers.

Does Microgynon stop periods?

Microgynon can stop periods, but you may still get breakthrough bleeding. You can avoid the normal pill-free week when you would usually get a withdrawal bleed and go straight to your next pack after finishing your 21 days. But, before doing this, you should talk with your doctor or a pharmacist.

If you are just looking to delay your period, you could consider requesting period delay treatment online. You cannot use period delay treatment if you’re already on the combined pill.

Does Microgynon increase your risk of blood clots?

When taking Microgynon, the chances of developing a blood clot are small, but there is a slightly increased risk.

About 5 to 7 out of 10,000 people using Microgynon will develop a blood clot, compared to 2 out of 10,000 people not taking Microgynon. Your risk is typically higher if you:

• have a close relative who has had a blood clot
• are overweight
• need to have an operation or are off your feet for a long time due to an injury
• are over age 35
• have given birth less than a few weeks ago

Make sure you tell your doctor key information like this and about any personal family medical history so that they can see if Microgynon is right for you.

Can Microgynon cause acne?

Acne is a known side effect of Microgynon. But, Microgynon can also cause hormonal changes that are known to improve acne. If you are concerned about whether Microgynon may cause acne, speak with your doctor.

Can Microgynon cause weight gain?

There is no clinical evidence proving that Microgynon causes weight gain. However, some women do experience weight gain or weight fluctuations while taking Microgynon. In rare cases, some reports have found that Microgynon has made people lose weight.

What’s the difference between Microgynon and Rigevidon?

There is no clinical difference between the two and their effects, only the branding and pricing. Both Microgynon and Rigevidon contain the same active ingredients at the same dosages, 30 micrograms ethinylestradiol and 150 micrograms levonorgestrel. The only difference is the manufacturers and pricing.

Can I use Microgynon as emergency contraception?

No. Microgynon is taken regularly to prevent pregnancy, it should not be used as a ‘Morning After Pill’. There are emergency contraceptive pills such as Levonelle, ellaOne, and levonorgestrel that you can also order through Superdrug Online Doctor.