Desogen and Acne: What Users Say

• Ari...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 21, 2013

For Birth Control "I've been taking Desogen for a year now after not being happy with Lutera. As birth control, it works well (i.e., not pregnant). I don't have any breast tenderness like I used to, and I have gone up a cup size. I had mild to moderate acne before taking the pill, and it has helped it clear up a lot! I only break out right before a period. And my periods are very predictable and only last 3 days (versus the usual 7 I had experienced before). However, when I first started taking it, I noticed a prolonged time of spotting, but it did eventually go away, and I am pleased overall with this pill!"

• Joa...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• September 15, 2019

For Birth Control "I was on Desogen for about 7-8 years. Started at 17 till around 25 years old. Took it as prescribed, hardly missed a pill. It did its job at preventing pregnancy. Lightened my periods. But during this time, I had yeast infections every other month and acne near my periods. Now that my tubes are tied, and I haven't been on birth control in 10 years, I realize what a libido killer this pill was for me. I had little desire, and when I did, I couldn't produce natural lubrication and had trouble with the big O. After having kids and even after passing my 30s into my early 40s, I have no problems in that department. I just wish I had asked my doctor about changing brands and finding something that worked better for me. Back in the day, there weren't a lot of methods. I missed out on a lot of fun. Ask about different brands or other methods if this kind doesn't work for you."

• Kel...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 18, 2015

For Birth Control "I have been taking Desogen for almost a month and a half. I get dizzy, have severe headaches, cystic acne, extreme cramps, and the worst part of it all is my moods are awful. I get so angry and emotional at the drop of a hat. So I stopped taking it because I was tired of getting angry all the time and taking it out on my boyfriend. Luckily, he's very understanding. My moods and acne have now practically vanished once I stopped taking it."

• TLF...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 26, 2019

For Birth Control "Been on this Desogen about 3 months, and the cramps are unreal. I'm bleeding 5x heavier than normal. I've gained almost 15 lbs while on this pill, and my poor boyfriend has to deal with my severe mood swings. I have constant headaches, and I'm breaking out worse than I ever have all over my body. I'm using facial cleansers, toners, special foundation, but every day there is a new breakout. I'm getting off this pill ASAP."

• Ray...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 31, 2020

For Birth Control "I started taking this birth control, Desogen, about 5 months ago and ended up switching from pill club to Hey Doctor to order my birth control. I thought that the pills were the same, but I have had side effects that are unreal. My first period was extremely rough, as I don't normally have bad cramps, but this time was intense. The cramps lasted about three days and everything seemed fine. I was getting acne here and there, but nothing too serious, but then the mood swings started. I have never experienced mood swings like this before, every emotion that I would feel would be heightened x10. I would burst into tears at even the thought of something unpleasant. It hurt my relationship tremendously because my bf didn't understand the change. I just hope it works better for anyone else that takes it!"

• Anonymous
• June 6, 2011

For Birth Control "Helped with my cramping and had no spotting, but gave me large cystic acne. It took me several months before I realized Desogen was the cause of the acne, but once I stopped taking it, it went away."