Apri and Acne: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Hop...
• August 25, 2020

For Birth Control "I do not take any other meds, just Apri. I don’t take vitamins, nothing. Let me tell you what has changed. I have been on Apri for 2 months. I gained 11 pounds the first month. Mainly my fault because I had cravings. I have broken out so bad on my forehead and sometimes on my chin. I thought it was due to stress because lately I have had EXTREME anxiety and depression. Never been so stressed in my life, and I couldn’t figure out why I was stressed. I have no reason to be. I am terrified to go to work, I have missed so much work the past month and a half due to anxiety. I’m up all night stressing, so I call in. Then I’m stressed about calling in, so I shut down and sleep all day. I can’t get out of bed, I’m so depressed, and I have no reason to be. I started doing research on why I would be depressed and saw that BC can cause it. So I will definitely be stopping this pill so I can go back to normal."

• Anonymous
• January 6, 2011

For Birth Control "I have been on Apri for 6 months now. My acne has come back, I have horrible and frequent mood swings. I've gained at least 8 pounds around my hips. I completely lost my sex drive, which is ruining my relationship with my boyfriend. I have horrible cramps the whole week before and during my period, and I get it for at least 5 days. The kicker is, it was the perfect pill for the first couple of months, so watch out. I'm going to the doctor this week to switch."

• nao...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 16, 2019

For Birth Control "So I've taken Apri for about four years now, let me say, I love it. I started taking it for terrible cramps-to the point where I'd puke from the pain and have to pull the car over with each wave. Not only did Apri help calm my cramps 98%, my period only lasts like 2-3 days. I used to have terrible, I mean really bad, skin breakouts. After taking Apri for a couple of months, my skin has been completely clear since. It's like killing two birds with one stone. I never gained weight or felt weird. I'm a college student, so I have enough stress on my plate already, Apri really helps."

• D32...
• June 15, 2015

For Birth Control "I have endometriosis, and my doctor wants me to continuously use this with 3-4 breaks per year to minimize the endometrial growth. I had terrible nausea and bad acne in the beginning, not to mention I spotted for a month straight and then bled a period flow for another month. Taking this pill before bedtime helped with the nausea. I've been taking this pill for 4 months now and have gained 5-10 lbs, the acne is still bad (I'm 34 and no longer had it before Apri). Oh, and my libido is nonexistent since taking this medication. I figured it wouldn't happen to me since I had a very strong libido, but it is now gone. I'm going to ask my doctor to change this medication."

• Anonymous
• December 9, 2012

For Birth Control "This birth control was not good. I gained weight all in my stomach and had horrible, horrible bloating before my period for about 3 days. It was as if I was 4 months pregnant-none of my clothes fit, and I'd feel too uncomfortable to sit in a chair. Acne was worse than it has ever been."

• Jan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 28, 2019

For Birth Control "DO NOT TAKE THIS BIRTH CONTROL! I was previously taking Yaz and loved it, however, I lost a bunch of weight (eating right and exercising), and the pill couldn’t regulate to my new body. I was having a period for 3 weeks, and my doctor recommended I take this as the same hormones, just a different dose than the Yaz. I have been on it for about a week and have had the worst side effects. My mood swings are constant. I could be fine yet crying for no reason. I had diarrhea for 6 days straight, causing me to now have a hemorrhoid. I’ve always had great, clear skin, and now being on this birth control, I have had crazy breakouts on my chin. I’ve gained 10 lbs in one week and feel like I’m going to vomit at any moment. I recommend staying far away from this."

• Anonymous
• August 4, 2011

For Birth Control "I love Apri. A friend recommended Apri, and as soon as I picked up my prescription, that is when my love affair with Apri began. Prior to taking Apri, I had severe PMS (irregular periods, depression 1 week before and 1 week after my period, horrible cramps, acne), so my doctor suggested a birth control to help regulate my PMS symptoms. After taking Apri, my acne has completely cleared up, no weight gain, 3-day periods with light bleeding, and no depression. I haven't noticed increased bust size and no change in my sexual desires. I do have increased discharge. But that would be the only bad side effect."

• gia...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 26, 2021

For Birth Control "I have been taking this birth control for a few years now. I was prescribed this for long heavy periods and bad cramps. I was fine for the first 2 years until my anxiety had spiked, making me unsocial and nervous constantly. It had cleared my skin in the beginning, but I now suffer from breakouts before every period. I am a generally anxious person, but my anxiety and depression have gone through the roof! I gained at least 20 pounds since starting this and have so much trouble losing weight despite exercise and a good diet. I also have been experiencing swelling in my feet and ankles and couldn't figure out the source. I finally found out from research that it was this BC. I am so disappointed in Apri."

• Aan...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 3, 2018

For Birth Control "I started taking this birth control, and almost immediately my skin started to break out, and it made my breasts extremely sensitive. After 3 months, my skin went back to normal, and my breasts increased from a size C to a DD. My periods were days shorter and much lighter, with little cramping. Although it completely destroyed my sex drive, and I got extreme depression and anxiety from it. I had never had anxiety before, and now it is so bad I have anxiety attacks regularly. It also caused a severe skin rash, perioral dermatitis all over my entire body."

• Man...
• October 6, 2015

For Birth Control "I took this birth control for a little over a year. At first, I experienced every listed side effect, but after about 2 weeks or so, everything went back to normal. I had never had regular periods until Apri, but the entire time I took them, I was regular with no complications or increased pain. I gained at least 8 lbs, and my acne increased a bit. At the end of a year, I started getting really weird back and side pains for about 3 weeks. I complained but didn't know what to do. Soon, the pain became worse, and it was painful to walk. I went to the ER once but was sent home. Within a day, my left leg started to swell, and the day after that, I couldn't stand straight, much less walk, so I went to the ER. Turns out, I had a DVT in my left leg and PE's."

• All...
• July 13, 2013

For Birth Control "I've been on Apri for about three years now, and it has been great. I've never had any problems with it. It regulated my period and also kept it really light. The only thing I've noticed is that it made me gain a few pounds. Other than that, it's worked well. The best part: I'm not pregnant. It has kept my acne under control as well. Overall, it has a few side effects, but I recommend it."

• Ccc...
• August 29, 2013

For Birth Control "I have been taking this pill for several years. My periods went from being extremely heavy for unhealthy lengths of time, which occurred frequently (heavy 2-4 week periods every 2 weeks or so), to having regular periods all around. They only last for 4 days and are much lighter compared to what I was experiencing before, but are still slightly heavy. It has cleared my acne almost completely, but my cup size has gone from a D to a DDD (I am not a big girl, so this was quite extreme and I would say the only side effect that has bothered me. I experience no pain though). Weight gain is a lot easier, but like anything, it can be controlled with extra effort. I am quite happy for the most part."

• Cbk...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 9, 2019

For Birth Control "I’ve been on Apri for a year and a half, and honestly, it’s so-so. Hasn’t put weight on me (+) and hasn’t depressed me or made me incredibly lethargic (+). However, it’s not perfect. I take it 3-4 months continuously- that helps some with the pain, but I still have acne flare-ups all the time, and even ovarian cyst ruptures still (more rarely). My hair continues to fall out like crazy. I’ve reduced my spironolactone to 100 mg a day (doctor’s orders), and despite the THREE medications, I still experience androgen-related symptoms like acne and thinning hair. Been thinking about changing, but apparently, Ortho-Cept has a weak/low androgenic effect, so I don’t know WHY I’m having the exactly opposite side effects. I don’t want weight gain or lethargy, but don’t want to lose my hair either :(. I even take vitamins, proteins, and use special shampoo. I’m at a loss. Just tired of the acne and thinning hair."

• T-7...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 7, 2015

For Birth Control "Made acne worse! If you already have issues with acne, I strongly recommend avoiding this medication. I only took it for 6 days, and my breakouts got much worse. In addition to that, I gained at least 5 lbs in that short amount of time and had mood swings. I specifically asked my doctor for a birth control that would also help with acne. I'm going to ask to be switched to a pill that is an anti-androgenic."

• Anonymous
• September 2, 2011

For Birth Control "I started Apri in November of 2009, and it was the first birth control I ever had. I was a size 4 when I started and am now a size 8. No matter how hard I try, I can't seem to lose weight. In the last year and a half, I have had no sex drive. Sex isn't fun anymore. I never really related it to my pill or wanted to. Also, the first month of my pill was miserable. I was so depressed, I broke out everywhere (chest, back, face), and my period was so, so heavy and painful. Luckily, after the first month, my acne completely cleared up, my depression went away, and my periods are always on the same day and super light and short. However, I'm really starting to debate if the no sex drive is worth it. I haven't gotten pregnant, but then again I'd have to want to have sex."

• I...
• March 23, 2011

For Birth Control "I have been taking Apri for about 2 years now, and I am definitely a fan. I had awful acne before, and it all went away after a few months of taking the pill. I have cramps and a little acne right before my period starts, but it's usually no big deal. My sex drive has decreased slightly, but I won't let that put a damper on my nights. I, unfortunately, forgot my pack of birth control when I traveled home from college and missed four pills, so now I am stuck waiting until my next pack starts up again. My mood has become wild this past week, not to mention getting my period again because of getting off of the pill. My acne has also been a huge problem since getting off of the pill. I strongly recommend the pill, just don't stop taking it."

• Anonymous
• March 30, 2010

For Birth Control "I've been on Apri for 3 weeks now, and I feel that I've been eating a lot. It is non-stop eating, all day long. I'm always hungry, and I haven't checked my weight. I've been on 3 different birth control pills in less than 3 months, and I think that Apri is alright so far. No mood swings, some acne, though. I was nauseous on the very first day I took the pill, and I am still sensitive to smells. It made my period lighter and shorter so far."

• Anonymous
• April 23, 2012

For Birth Control "I started on Tri-Sprintec, and I hated it. It made me break out with huge pimples when I previously had nearly perfect skin. I switched to Apri, and the acne got a lot better but is still present when it never used to be. I don't think I've gained weight off this pill, my weight fluctuates on its own, but I have noticed (for me) a significant increase in breast size, which my boyfriend and I love. I haven't noticed a decrease in sex drive, but I haven't seen my boyfriend as often as usual, so when he moves back, I guess we'll see. I'm a very moody person and get terribly emotional around my period even without birth control, so I haven't noticed a difference there either. Overall, I'd say this birth control has been a good experience!"

• Nik...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 21, 2019

For Birth Control "Please stay away from this brand. After one week of taking Apri, my relatively clear skin started breaking out like crazy all over my face. It made me so, so depressed and constantly hungry. I stopped taking it after two weeks. Thank goodness I realized what it was doing to me early on, so it didn't get worse."

• dec...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 22, 2017

For Birth Control "Apri has been my first and only birth control experience; it has been pretty fine, but I'm considering switching to see if there's anything that works better for me. Pros- ~Little to no acne! (better than before I was on it) ~Light periods of 4 days during the sugar pill week (prior to the pill they used to be 6-7) ~My boobs inflated a little, went up a cup size ~No weight gain! (managed to lose 10 lbs- that was through diet & exercise though) ~Minimal cramping Cons- ~3-4 really heavy days of bleeding during the 2nd week regularly. Maybe it's just a me problem, I don't know. ~Have been super depressed, anxious, and moody, but who knows if the pill is the cause or my life in general ~Sex drive dropped a ton ~Blood pressure rose ~Slight nausea during period"

• Anonymous
• January 12, 2012

For Birth Control "I just switched to Apri a few months ago because my insurance would not cover my other generic birth control. Literally, within 2 months, I put on about 15 lbs without changing my diet or exercise routine. I have been trying to get the weight off, but it seems impossible. I also have had worse acne and have been tired quite a bit. I also have lost my sex drive. To me, I would rather live my life feeling better about myself and have a better sex life than to be on this. To me, the cons outweigh the pros."

• Mag...
• August 11, 2017

For Birth Control "Apri was awful. My periods before I started taking the pill were 4 to 5 days, then when I started, my periods became 16 days long. I was depressed. I gained a lot of acne when previously my skin was clear. I was on it for 5 months, but the negative side effects were so clear. It absolutely wasn't worth it. With that said, it is an effective birth control option, just not for me."

• Abe...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 12, 2015

For Birth Control "I've been taking this pill for almost a year now. I've tried two other different brands prior to this, but due to insurance issues, I had to switch to this. It has been my worst experience with birth control! I've gained about 10 lbs since being on this pill, even though I work out and eat healthy, I can't lose the weight. My period is very irregular, I have awful cramps, and my acne came back. But I think the worst side effect is that my sex drive is non-existing, which is affecting my relationship. I will be going off this pill soon, and would rather pay more than keep taking it."

• kai...
• October 6, 2010

For Birth Control "I've only been on this for about a week, and I have already gained 7 pounds! My acne started to clear up, and then today, all of a sudden, my face broke out in several huge pimples. I'm more tired than usual and get severe cramps on and off. I think I might be going back to the doctor's soon and seeing what else I can take."

• Ann...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 17, 2015

For Birth Control "I'm a regular user of my old birth control for 5 years, but went to a new doctor for my annual exam, and she had me take this. HORRIBLE. First week on this stuff and my face is just COVERED with pimples, my face is itchy/irritated, and I feel awful. Never experienced this with my old birth control. I know it's only been a week and to give it time and whatever. Yeah, no way. I'm just going to finish this month and go back to what worked. I'm writing this review to confirm that I experienced acne as a side effect of this pill."