Microgynon Side Effects

Microgynon is the European brand name for a combination-hormone birth control pill. In the United States, it is marketed under the name Allese. As with all birth control pills, Microgynon does have side effects, some of which may have serious consequences. If these or any other symptoms occur, you should stop taking Microgynon and contact your health care professional.

Neurological

• Microgynon may cause you to start having or increase the frequency of migraine headaches. It can also cause or increase the frequency of non-migraine headaches.

  If you suffer from a seizure disorder such as epilepsy, Microgynon can cause an increase in seizures.

Circulatory

• Microgynon can cause the formation of blood clots. In addition to being dangerous and possibly life-threatening, especially if they travel to the lungs, heart, or brain, blood clots can cause thrombophlebitis, an inflammation of the veins.

  Symptoms that a blood clot may be forming include coughing for no apparent reason, becoming dizzy or suffering a fainting episode, and feeling sudden weakness or numbness on one side of your body. Blood clots may cause unusual pain or swelling in your arms or legs; sudden, sharp chest pain; shortness of breath; and a marked increase in your blood pressure.

Emotional

• Microgynon can cause severe depression, even if you've never suffered from depression before, or it can worsen symptoms of depression that already exist.

Sensory

• You may experience sudden changes to your vision, hearing, speech, and sense of smell, taste or touch.

Other

• Microgynon may affect your liver. Symptoms include yellowing of your skin, also known as jaundice, being diagnosed with hepatitis, severe pain or swelling in your upper abdomen, or itching over your entire body.

  If you have a condition that worsened during previous pregnancies or worsened when you were previously on a birth control pill, Microgynon may cause the same problems.