Reviewed by Usama Ali, MPharm (GPhC: 2224726). Last reviewed: April 2026.
Microgynon 30 is a combined contraceptive pill containing ethinylestradiol and levonorgestrel. It is the most commonly prescribed combined pill in the UK.
Taken correctly, it is more than 99% effective. It is available free on the NHS through the Pharmacy Contraception Service.
Microgynon 30 is a combined contraceptive pill containing two hormones: ethinylestradiol (an oestrogen) and levonorgestrel (a progestogen). It is the most widely prescribed combined pill in the UK and has been available for decades.
For a full guide to how combined pills work, read our guide on the combined pill. The "30" in the name refers to the dose of ethinylestradiol: 30 micrograms per tablet. Each tablet also contains 150 micrograms of levonorgestrel. This combination is considered first-line because levonorgestrel-containing pills have the most safety data and the lowest blood clot risk among combined pills (FSRH, 2023).
Microgynon prevents pregnancy in three ways. It stops your ovaries from releasing an egg each month. It thickens the mucus at the cervix, making it harder for sperm to reach an egg. And it thins the lining of the womb, reducing the chance of a fertilised egg implanting.
When taken correctly, Microgynon is more than 99% effective. With typical use (where pills are occasionally missed or taken late), effectiveness is around 91%.
Take one tablet at the same time each day for 21 days. Then have a 7 day break during which you will usually get a withdrawal bleed. After the 7 days, start the next pack. The withdrawal bleed is not a true period. It happens because hormone levels drop during the break.
Microgynon has a 24 hour late window. If you take it less than 24 hours late, you are still protected. If you miss it by more than 24 hours, follow the missed pill guidance in the patient information leaflet or use our missed pill tool.
Yes. Microgynon 30 and Rigevidon both contain ethinylestradiol 30 micrograms and levonorgestrel 150 micrograms. They are clinically equivalent. The difference is the manufacturer: Microgynon is made by Bayer, Rigevidon by Gedeon Richter.
| Brand | Active ingredients | Manufacturer | Clinically equivalent? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Microgynon 30 | EE 30mcg + LNG 150mcg | Bayer | Reference product |
| Rigevidon | EE 30mcg + LNG 150mcg | Gedeon Richter | Yes |
| Levest | EE 30mcg + LNG 150mcg | Morningside | Yes |
| Ovranette | EE 30mcg + LNG 150mcg | Pfizer | Yes |
Under the NHS Pharmacy Contraception Service, your pharmacist supplies the best value product. If you are prescribed a levonorgestrel combined pill, you may receive Microgynon, Rigevidon, Levest, or Ovranette. They all contain the same medicine at the same dose.
"People sometimes worry when the box looks different," says Usama Ali, MPharm (GPhC: 2224726), pharmacist at Contraception Direct. "If you have been switched from Microgynon to Rigevidon, the pill inside is the same. The contraceptive effect has not changed."
Common side effects listed in the Microgynon SPC include headaches, nausea, breast tenderness or pain, mood changes including low mood, breakthrough bleeding or spotting, and changes in body weight. These are most common in the first 2 to 3 months and usually settle as your body adjusts.
If side effects persist beyond 3 months, your pharmacist can discuss switching to a different combined pill or to the mini pill. Switching is common and straightforward.
All combined pills carry a small increased risk of venous thromboembolism (blood clots). For levonorgestrel pills like Microgynon, the risk is approximately 5 to 7 per 10,000 users per year, compared to about 2 per 10,000 in non-users (FSRH, 2023). For context, the risk during pregnancy is around 29 per 10,000.
Microgynon has the lowest blood clot risk among combined pills, which is why it is usually the first choice. Your pharmacist assesses your individual risk factors before supplying it.
Seek urgent medical help if you experience painful swelling in one leg (especially the calf), sudden chest pain or difficulty breathing, a severe or unusual headache, sudden changes in your vision, or collapse. Call 999 or go to A&E. Do not wait for a GP appointment.
Microgynon is available from menarche up to age 49 through the NHS Pharmacy Contraception Service. At Contraception Direct, we supply to patients aged 16 to 49. Your pharmacist checks your medical history, blood pressure, BMI, and smoking status before supplying it.
It is not suitable if you have a history of blood clots, experience migraine with aura, smoke and are 35 or over, have a BMI above 35, have blood pressure at or above 140/90 mmHg, or are breastfeeding in the first 6 weeks after birth. If any of these apply, the mini pill is usually a good alternative. Read our guide on combined pill vs mini pill for a full comparison.
Yes. You can take Microgynon packs back to back without the 7 day break to avoid the withdrawal bleed. The FSRH guideline supports this as safe for most people. You may get some spotting initially, particularly in the first few months, but this usually settles.
Some people skip the break occasionally (for a holiday or event), while others run packs continuously all the time. Your pharmacist can advise on what suits you.
Microgynon is available free on the NHS through your GP, a sexual health clinic, or a pharmacy through the NHS Pharmacy Contraception Service. With Contraception Direct, you book a free phone consultation, your pharmacist checks your suitability, and your pill is posted in discreet packaging. Most deliveries arrive within 1 to 3 working days.
Not sure if Microgynon is right for you? Read our guide on which contraceptive pill is right for me or book a consultation and your pharmacist will help you decide.
Book a free phone consultation with a pharmacist. If Microgynon is right for you, it arrives in discreet packaging within 1 to 3 working days.
No GP needed. No prescription charge. The consultation, the pill, and the delivery are all free.