Desogestrel / ethinyl estradiol and Acne: What Users Say (Page 3)

• Elm...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 10, 2015

For Birth Control "Switched from Ortho-Cyclen (Sprintec) because of decrease in libido. Have trialed twice, and both times have had weight gain (10-15 lbs), increased acne (I don't normally break out), and uncontrollable emotions. I literally would cry all month long, not just the week before my period. I have been super irritable and have unpredictable mood swings. After this month (the 3rd month of taking), I will be discontinuing and attempting a non-hormonal contraceptive, as I am prone to depression and this medication is junk."

• Cas...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 8, 2019

For Birth Control "Started this pill 2 weeks ago (pharmacy switched me from the “same” pill, different brand). Since taking it, I have felt crippling anxiety at night. I also am suffering from a huge breakout (not sure if it’s because of the pill directly or a side effect of not getting enough sleep). Either way, I’m getting off this thing."

• Lon...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 27, 2018

For Birth Control "I have been taking this BC for almost 4 months now, and it's been amazing for me. I see a lot of negativity, but everyone is different. I had been previously on several different BC pills, plus before on the Depo shot, and with all the others, I had so many issues: breakthrough bleeding, acne, depression, anxiety, loss of energy, libido, and focus, foggy type feeling. On the last birth control I took, I had severe bleeding for 3 weeks, which caused me to almost pass out several times. As soon as I finished the first pack of Viorele, my symptoms cleared up. I haven't had any issues with this pill except a little acne and gaining some cup size, but I actually lost weight with this pill, which is amazing because with all the others it was impossible. I started taking BC after I had my son and was having 3-month-long periods. This BC has regulated my periods so much, and I have increased energy, focus, and libido."

• zic...
• September 21, 2014

For Birth Control "I've used this birth control for 8 years. I was a late bloomer and didn't have my first period until well into age 16. I'm told it's because I'm small and athletically inclined. I never had cramps or mood swings, but my periods were extremely irregular and would arrive unexpectedly to ruin my favorite pairs of underwear. My doctor selected this initially due to cost, as I was not sexually active and just wanted regulation. Now, at age 24, I'm happy to report its effectiveness at preventing pregnancy, as well as a complete lack of any side effects. No acne, no weight gain, no mood swings, no spotting, no cup size enhancements (unfortunately), and a nice 4-5 day window that I know exactly when and how much I'm going to bleed."

• Anonymous
• June 18, 2011

For Birth Control "My old birth control made me very mean, but when I switched to Apri, my mood has been very balanced. Not only that, the horrible acne on my back cleared up, and now my back is beautiful. My periods are like clockwork, and if you take birth control for mostly preventing pregnancy, take this. My husband and I don't use condoms, and I can't believe I'm not pregnant. (If you know what I mean) I trust this birth control."

• Jai...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 3, 2016

For Birth Control "I took Reclipsen for almost 3 weeks and couldn't even finish out the month. After the first few days, I had pretty bad nausea, so I started taking it at night, that helped. But that's when the headaches started. All within the first two weeks, my appetite went crazy (I am typically a very healthy eater). I've even gained a few pounds, I go to the gym about 4 times a week. I typically have very clear skin, but I started breaking out all over (not just on my face). I've had anxiety pretty bad, and sometimes I want to cry for no reason! My last straw, two days ago, I got my first migraine since I was a kid. I have switched to Minastrin 24 Fe, and I am really hoping it works better for me. I know everyone's body reacts differently!"

• Pai...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 20, 2019

For Birth Control "I’ve been on this Isibloom for a week (not sure enough to judge, but this is what happened so far). I’ve been breaking out? I never used to get acne like this... might be from stress, though. I’ve also had spotting/vaginal discharge. I feel like my boobs have been bigger, but they aren’t sore. This is my first birth control, so I’m going to stay on it and see what happens, but so far, nothing that makes me feel horrible!"

• Rub...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 14, 2019

For Birth Control "I have crazy PMS. I mean crazy. I cry a lot, I'm nauseous (I even vomit some months), get heat flashes, acne, horrible cramps, mood swings, etc. This is why I was not afraid of any birth control side effects because I live with these bad problems regardless. I took birth control (through the pill club and was prescribed this) because of my symptoms and because I've been sexually active for a few months now. I took it a week before my period, and those symptoms seem to have been minimized so far. I have a very high sex drive, however, the pill makes it a little harder to get turned on. I've had okay sex so far and also very great sex (my advice is to use a good amount of lube. It fixes the problem). I've only been on it a week, but so far so good. I will, however, be back to post a review in a few months to see if my symptoms have changed. So far so good, though. (: All bodies are different, but if you're anything like me, I would consider trying this pill."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 13, 2018

For Birth Control "The initial first couple of months weren't pleasant - it worsened my anxiety, I completely lost my sex drive, and I was breaking out like crazy. Being at college out of state, I didn't have time to switch, so I stayed on it. I've been on it for a full 3 months now and all my symptoms disappeared. I guess it just took that long for my body to get used to it because now my anxiety is back to normal, my sex drive is back, and my skin is clear. This medication must just take time."

• Col...
• October 19, 2016

For Birth Control "I've been on this pill for almost a year now, and I have no complaints! Used to have cramps that were so bad I fainted or threw up, and it was miserable. Was on Tri-Previfem before this, and it was mild and didn't help with cramps that much. This pill is higher in hormones, I believe, and I actually lost weight when I switched. My only reason I'm not giving it a 10 is I do break out before my period, a bit more than I used to, but it's worth feeling so much better."

• Jor...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 2, 2018

For Birth Control "I was on Quasense for five years, starting when I was 14. I should’ve switched a long time ago. It gave me horrible nausea every time I started a new pack, to the point where I started to stop eating the night I took the first pill along with a nausea pill. It gave me acne, weight gain, and depression. It did NOTHING for my abnormally heavy and painful periods. I switched to Isibloom only a week ago, but I already love it. No nausea, I’ve lost 2 pounds and gained a cup size. I’m giving it a 9 because I haven’t been on it long enough to see what it does for my acne or for my periods!"

• Anonymous
• March 8, 2019

For Birth Control "Since the time I have been taking Apri, I have been facing various problems like intense chest pain, problems in concentration, nausea, headaches, extreme mood swings, acne, dizziness, fluctuations in the quality of vision."

• Rsa...
• March 10, 2014

For Birth Control "After my first month on this pill, I have had nonstop acne on my chin like I have never had before. Also, I had my period (5 days) and then continued to spot for another 7 days. I don't weigh myself, but it is obvious I've gained weight as well. Don't even get me started about my over-the-top mood swings. I never had these problems when I was on Orthocept. Even though it has been only one month and it may balance out after a few months, I do not think I will wait to find out."

• amy...
• May 20, 2019

For Birth Control "I switched to Isibloom (ethinyl estradiol 0.03 mg, desogestrel 0.15 mg) when I ran out of the birth control I got abroad that was called Marvelon. Marvelon was amazing, but they don't sell it here. My gynecologist said Isibloom is the generic of Marvelon, though she was hesitant to prescribe it because it came with an unusually high risk of blood clots. I've had a very negative experience with most types of birth control (NuvaRing, Yaz, IUD). While the Isibloom one isn't the worst, I still have severe mood swings, lots of gross cystic acne (which I never had), and am exhausted all of the time. My breasts also fluctuate about one cup size each month. Symptoms seem to get particularly bad during the last week of taking it. I heard it's supposed to ease up after three cycles, but I'm close to the end of my third cycle, and if anything, it's just more intense. Now, I'm always angry and covered in zits. I'm 29. I definitely wouldn't recommend it, but I also don't think they make an alternative in the US that isn't a nightmare. I'm giving it one more month."

• Anonymous
• September 7, 2010

For Birth Control "Apri is the first birth control I have tried, and so far, I'm very impressed! I have only been taking Apri for 3 weeks, but I've had almost no side effects. I had some light spotting for the first 2 weeks, but it has completely stopped now. My breasts have gotten slightly larger, and my sex drive has increased. I randomly threw up once, but I think that was because of what I ate, not the pill. I've had no increase or decrease in my appetite or weight, hair seems almost thicker, and I had no acne breakout. So far, I LOVE THIS PILL!"

• ale...
• October 20, 2013

For Birth Control "I was on this birth control for a month and a half. I experienced terrible bloating. I've been thin my whole life, always very active and able to eat whatever I wanted. With this pill, I constantly felt tired and had to monitor what I ate so I didn't gain weight (I gained about 5 pounds, still working out, although not as intense as before due to being tired, BUT I was eating less!) Also, this pill affected my mood a lot - it was a subtle change, but then a month and a half later I realized I never had the energy to do anything. I was sad quite often. My acne didn't improve at all, if anything, it made it worse. Breasts were tender. But, no decrease in sex drive and did prevent pregnancy."

• unh...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 11, 2019

For Birth Control "I have only been on this birth control for two weeks, and within the first day, I began experiencing cramps. I switched from my previous BC (Junel Fe) because I get very painful menstrual cramps, and Junel Fe was not getting rid of them. My OBGYN recommended Viorele to fix my cramps. I cannot even wait to find out if my period will be better because of the awful side effects I have been experiencing. I have the worst acne to the point where I couldn't look at myself in the mirror without crying, random cramping, back pains, and awful mood swings. I have already emailed my OBGYN to switch back to my previous BC, where I had no side effects. I will just suck up my cramps and take Midol and some Aleve. Do not recommend."

• Wou...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 29, 2014

For Birth Control "Although Apri was very effective in doing its main job, preventing pregnancy, the side effects were very bad. I had perfectly clear skin prior to going on Apri, and about a month after starting, I started having very severe breakouts. I had noticeable mood swings that were not present before going on Apri. After being on Apri for 5 months, I have now switched to Sprintec, which is a pill with a higher dose of estrogen. After being on Sprintec for a month, I have noticed my skin clearing slightly and no crying spells before my period. Works better for me and would recommend it over Apri!"

• Jjs...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 3, 2018

For Birth Control "I’m 23 years old. I’ve switched from Viorele to Kariva because my pharmacy decided to switch it, and I just ended up taking it. I definitely do feel a bit more emotional than usual, but I don’t know if it’s casually linked to the Kariva. I realized a small rash of white pimples next to my mouth- which I’m hoping is not a side effect and is nothing serious. I’ve only been on this new pack for a week now, but I don’t really have any complaints. I liked my previous BC, Viorele, and they have the same exact active ingredients... so far I’m okay with the switch."

• Meg...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 15, 2015

For Birth Control "This pill put me in pretty deep depression. I was extremely emotional and cried about everything all the time. I didn't gain weight, but it didn't really help with acne, and it caused me to get my period about 2 times a month. I had to stop taking it because I was so sad all the time and couldn't stand it."

• sar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 29, 2018

"Started on this birth control after 2 years of heavy periods and extremely painful cramping, and other pills I've tried before could never numb the pain of these cramps. My doctor put me on the continuous dose of Isibloom, and for the first 2 months, it was fantastic. Clear skin, no periods, and no pain whatsoever. The third month became absolute bad for me. Within a week, I had put on 6 pounds, then by week 3, it was 15 lb. My mood was a rollercoaster, and every small inconvenience had me either in tears or livid to the point of getting into screaming matches with my own family. My skin broke out with awful cystic acne in areas I have never gotten acne before. The pain in my neck and lower back has made me have to cancel plans and even stay out of classes. Do NOT take this if you have had bad experiences with similar hormonal birth controls because this is definitely the worst one I've ever taken."

• Ale...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 18, 2016

For Birth Control "This will be my 4th month using Kariva. The only thing it helped with (besides preventing pregnancy) was making my period shorter. I went from 8 long, heavy, and painful days to only 2 very light, no pain days! Other than that, I've been miserable. It hasn't helped with acne at all; it actually started to cause body acne, which I've never had. Also, a huge issue that I have: I'm VERY dry down there; causing it to hurt during my period when I want to insert a tampon AND painful sex. I can't even begin to describe how painful it is; it's like my insides are being torn apart, and the pain doesn't go away for hours after trying to have sex. It's taking a huge toll on my relationship. I would not recommend this pill. I will have to talk to my doctor soon."

• Ale...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 18, 2016

For Birth Control "This will be my 4th month using Kariva. The only thing it helped with (besides preventing pregnancy) was making my period shorter. I went from 8 long, heavy, and painful days to only 2 very light, no pain days! Other than that, I've been miserable. It hasn't helped with acne at all; it actually started to cause body acne, which I've never had. Also, a huge issue that I have: I'm VERY dry down there; causing it to hurt during my period when I want to insert a tampon AND painful sex. I can't even begin to describe how painful it is; it's like my insides are being torn apart, and the pain doesn't go away for hours after trying to have sex. It's taking a huge toll on my relationship. I would not recommend this pill. I will have to talk to my doctor soon."

• Kat...
• September 29, 2015

For Birth Control "This birth control made me extremely depressed and suicidal. I also had mild cramps, tender breasts, and acne. No spotting so far, but I am going to finish this month and stop taking the pills. I probably will not try any form of hormones for birth control again after this experience."

• har...
• April 4, 2016

For Birth Control "Out of the 15 years I have taken birth control, this one has been my favorite. It made me have regular, light periods and toned down my mood swings. Didn't gain any weight and never got any pimples. I'm extremely sad my new insurance doesn't cover it anymore, and I am devastated. I am now on the hunt for a new bc and have had no luck with one that responds well with my body."