Microgynon 30 - 3 month course

Order Microgynon Contraceptive Pill Online

You can request to buy Microgynon online from our UK registered online pharmacy and doctor service. If you are already taking this contraceptive, you can use our service to order a repeat prescription. After completing an assessment, our doctor will assess whether we can issue a prescription online. If approved, our pharmacy team will then dispense and deliver your medication.

About Microgynon

Microgynon is a popular and effective contraceptive pill. This works in the same way as Rigevidon and Logynon. It helps by preventing ovulation and making it harder for sperm to reach the uterus and fertilise an egg.  

The active ingredients are Levonorgestrel and Ethinylestradiol. These are synthetic hormones which mimic the effects of naturally occurring hormones in the body.

Like any medication, there are risks involved when taking it. You should have all your regular check-ups with your own GP each year. This ensures it is safe to continue taking the medicine.

Taking Microgynon

Microgynon is taken once daily, at around the same time each day. It is a 21-day pill pack, meaning you take 21 tablets consecutively (starting on day 1 of your menstrual cycle). This is followed by a 7 day, pill-free break.

There is also a version of Microgynon with 7 inactive pills in the pack. Some people find this useful in helping keep track of their cycles and dosing. This version is called Microgynon ED.

Alternatives

There are a number of different methods of contraception available. The advantages and disadvantages vary between methods. See the Contraception Choices website for further information.

It's best to discuss options in detail with your nurse or GP. Below we have listed some of the possible options you have:

• Implants - these are placed below the surface of the skin and release hormones into your body to prevent ovulation
• Injections - a regular contraceptive injection reduces the need for remembering to take your pill daily, and many women find this a convenient option
• IUD (intrauterine device) - inserted into the uterus to prevent pregnancy. Some women find these devices are best suited to their needs.

Content Reviewed: 16/12/2020

• What is Microgynon?

  It is a combined oral contraceptive pill. It is a commonly prescribed combined pill that is used to prevent pregnancy. 

• What is in Microgynon?

  Microgynon contains two synthetic hormones, oestrogen and progesterone.

• When do I take Microgynon?

  You should take one Microgynon pill at the same time each day, every day, for 21 days of your cycle. A different product, Microgynon ED, comes with an additional 7 inactive pills which can be taken to help keep track of your pill-free days.

• How does Microgynon work?

  Microgynon works by tricking the body into thinking an egg has been released, by keeping hormone levels high. This prevents an egg from being released by the ovaries each month. The hormones also work by thickening the mucus lining of the womb, making it more difficult for sperm to pass through.

• How long after taking Microgynon are you protected?

  If you started taking it on days 1-5 of your period, you will be protected immediately in your next cycle. If you started taking Microgynon after day 5, you should use an additional contraception method for SEVEN DAYS, until Microgynon will offer protection against pregnancy.

• What do I do if I miss a Microgynon dose?

  If you miss a microgynon pill, you should take this as soon as possible, even if it means taking two pills at once. Depending on how many tablets you have missed, you may need to use additional contraception for a number of days. For a more detailed look at scenarios, see our missed pill guide.

• Are Microgynon and Levest the same?

  Yes, both Microgynon, Levest, Rigevidon and Ovranette pills, all contain exactly the same hormones at the same strength, and work in the same way.

• What type of pill is Microgynon?

  Microgynon is a combined oral contraceptive pill. To see instructions on what to do when missing a day of a combined oral contraceptive, read our post here.

• What are the side effects of Microgynon?

  Commonly reported Microgynon side effects include headaches, nausea, painful or tender breasts, mood swings, stomach aches, and weight gain.

  
  There are other possible side effects that are less common. For more information, speak to your doctor or pharmacist or see the patient information leaflet.

• Can Microgynon make you gain weight?

  Weight gain is a commonly reported side effect of Microgynon and can be a side effect of other oral contraceptive medicines. A common side effect means that it can occur in more than 1 in 100 women who take Microgynon.

Side Effects of Microgynon

As with any medication, there is always the potential to experience side effects when taking them. Listed below are some of the potential side effects associated with taking Microgynon. For a full list of side effects, please read the patient information leaflet.

Common; (contact your doctor is these persist or are uncomfortable) 

• Headache / Migraine
• Depression or mood changes
• Nausea
• Breast pain
• Bleeding between periods / Change in vaginal discharge

Uncommon side effects of taking it include (contact your doctor is these persist or are uncomfortable):

• Vomiting / Diarrhoea
• Breast enlargement
• Weight changes
• Vaginal infection
• Severe itching
• High or low blood pressure
• Acne
• Fluid retention

Rare, serious side effects include (stop taking and contact your doctor):

• Hearing impairment
• Blood clots
• A slight increase in the risk of breast and cervical cancer
• Liver problems
• Severe allergic reaction

Before taking any medication, it is important to read the Patient Information Leaflet. You can find information leaflets for your medicines by typing them into the search bar at medicines.org, or by contacting us.

• Microgynon PIL

Directions

The Microgynon packaging is marked with the days of the week. Each pack contains 21 tablets. You should take one pill every day at the same time every day for 21 days. After finishing the pack of 21 tablets, you should have a seven-day break.  
There is a different product called Microgynon 30 ED. Each pack of this product contains 28 tablets and a pill should be taken every day without a break between packs.

Microgynon is not suitable for certain people to take. This includes people with the following:

• A history of blood clots (e.g. deep vein thrombosis)
• A blood clotting disorder
• A history of stroke or heart attack
• Current or previous angina or transient ischaemic attack (TIA)
• An allergy to any of the ingredients in Microgynon
• A history of breast cancer or current breast cancer
• Previously suffered with ‘migraines with aura’
• Liver problems 

For more detailed information on who shouldn’t take Microgynon, see the patient information leaflet. If you are unsure whether it is suitable for you to take, speak to your GP.

Blood Clots

Taking combined contraceptives pills, like Microgynon 30, can increase the risk of developing blood clots. The risk is higher in women who take combined oral contraceptives than in women who do not. This is why women who have had a blood clot in the past should not take Microgynon.

It is important to be aware of the symptoms of a blood clot when taking Microgynon. A blood clot can cause symptoms such as pain in the leg or arm. The affected leg/arm may feel hot and swollen and could become red.

A blood clot in the lungs can cause a number of symptoms. This includes sudden chest pain and breathlessness, and a cough that can bring up blood.

If you think you are experiencing symptoms of a blood clot, seek medical attention immediately.

Cancer

There is a slightly increased risk of breast cancer and cancer of the cervix in women who take a combined oral contraceptive pill. Further research is needed on this. Current research suggests that the increased risk of these cancers returns to normal within 10 years of stopping the pill.