Desogestrel / ethinyl estradiol and Acne: What Users Say (Page 5)

• Kan...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 11, 2019

For Birth Control "I started taking Kariva for irregular periods after being on another pill. At first, it was fine because my periods were lighter, but after a few weeks, I started getting terrible cramps, bloating, and my acne got awful. It also completely changed my mood, and my sex drive is absolutely non-existent. Will definitely be switching."

• Ann...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 5, 2019

For Birth Control "To anyone looking to get on birth control for the first time, I would recommend Isibloom, but that’s just based on my experience. I’ve taken it for the past two and a half months. I would say that even before BC, I had slight pains during intercourse, so if you’re reading all the reviews that included that like I did, keep an open mind. I did not have the worst acne nor cramping before BC and still do not on Isibloom. Regarding mood swings, however, I used to have just horrible mood swings on my own, and I would say since Isibloom, I really haven’t. I wouldn’t say they cured them, but I just wanted to note that. So if you’re looking for a cheaper starter BC, I would definitely recommend. But everybody reacts differently, so good luck, ladies!"

• 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."

• Hat...
• November 2, 2016

For Birth Control "I haven't taken any BC in 5 years since the birth of my daughter. Before that, I was on Ortho Tri-Cyclen, which was great, and I never had any symptoms. My doc recommended Reclipsen since it's the same amount of hormones each day, and the other one I mentioned has different hormone levels each week. I've been on this pill a total of 2 weeks, and I feel nauseous, no appetite, exhausted, stomach cramps, boobs are sore, and weak. I get a weird chest pain sometimes, and my anxiety is crazy high. I also feel so moody. Everything bothers me, and sometimes I feel like I can't breathe. My face has been breaking out more than when I wasn't taking the pill. I AM NOT TAKING THIS PILL ANYMORE! I barely feel bad side effects like this with medications."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 28, 2021

For Birth Control "I have been on Isibloom for around four months. I didn’t experience weight gain, and my mood actually was improved. However, I got horrible hormonal acne for all four months, so I think I need to switch to a different birth control."

• She...
• August 4, 2019

For Birth Control "I have been on this birth control for about 2 weeks. It was substituted at the pharmacy for my normal Apri. I figured it would probably be similar and be just fine. Not at all. I called off work this week because the nausea and diarrhea were so intense I thought I had a stomach bug. I have GI discomfort 24/7, it literally feels like someone is wringing out my intestines with all the cramping. My acne has flared up pretty badly, and I generally feel achy, weak, and sick all the time. Going to discontinue this ASAP. This is literally the worst experience I have ever had on birth control."

• bri...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 26, 2019

For Birth Control "Well, my experience is a mixture. I've been on this BC for almost a month. Just started the green pills 3 days ago, but I haven't started my period, and I never not have my period. Anyone have this issue? I haven't missed a pill or been late taking them at all. But the first week of this BC, I was extremely moody, especially day 3. I was mean and grumpy really badly. But then the next day I was fine. I haven't had any other mood swings except I've been a little emotional lately, but I figured it was because I was about to start. My acne has gotten a little worse starting last week, but again I figured it was because I was about to start my period. Other than that, it's been great. Boosted my sex drive tremendously! :) No nausea or diarrhea. So far, I recommend this BC."

• All...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 16, 2018

For Birth Control "I've been on this birth control since September, and I haven't noticed too many side effects. I would get maybe a couple of zits a month before I started this, and it's about the same now, if a little better. I haven't gotten any increases in appetite or decreases in libido. One alarming (and EXPENSIVE) side effect I've noticed is that I've been hardcore spotting for the past almost 4 weeks. If it doesn't stop soon, I'll have to go in and switch to something else."

• 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."

• Pai...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 25, 2021

For Birth Control "I have been taking this BC for almost 3 months now, and let me tell you, this is terrible. I have had constant breakthrough bleeding for over a month now and so much acne. The only plus side I got from taking this pill is that I’m not gaining weight and no pregnancy."

• ELC...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 29, 2021

For Birth Control "I loved Viorele. I switched to it after having bad side effects with 2 other pills that were 30 mg of estrogen. Viorele is amazing because I feel absolutely nothing, no nausea, have lost weight since I began taking it, no cramps, although I have been breaking out some, but it could also be due to wearing a mask. 10/10 recommend if you are coming out of a higher estrogen pill."

• Dis...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 6, 2021

"I started taking this about 3 years ago. At first, it was great. For about a year, things were wonderful. No headaches, anxiety, or moodiness. I take it continuously due to headaches and fatigue. I am a very active person, walking and weightlifting 7 days a week. I weighed 131 when I started on the pills, now up to 166, and no matter what I do, I seem to just keep gaining. My moods, anxiety, fatigue, and headaches are worse now than before starting the pills. We have bounced around with doses, and nothing helps. I CONSTANTLY spot. Acne is horrible on my face, chest, and back. My skin on my cheeks down to my neck has changed colors, gotten darker. I know a lot of people have great reactions with this med, but it seems when you get side effects from it - you get them ALL."

• 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."

• col...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 14, 2018

For Birth Control "Been on this birth control for about a year and a half and never really had any notable side effects until about 4 months ago when I started to notice something was different. My acne came back and was worse than it was before I even started the medication, I’m always stressed and have the worst anxiety, constant migraines, mood swings, complete loss of sex drive, depression, bloating and cramping, loss of motivation, you name it, I’ve gotten it as a side effect. More recently (these past couple of weeks), I’ve been constantly nauseous and have been throwing up almost nonstop. It’s been so bad I’ve had to call out of work. I do not recommend this birth control. DON'T TAKE THIS."

• Reb...
• February 19, 2015

For Birth Control "I took Reclipsen for 2.5 years. It was wonderful! Only now that I haven't been taking it have I had acne and weight gain. I just refilled my prescription for it! I do a 9-week cycle. 9 weeks of active pills, then a period week and repeat. Wonder, wonderful. Also, it did not decrease my sex drive in any way. Maybe it even boosted it? Works amazingly. No pregnancies and much better periods. Mine were 13-16 days long and so heavy that in the first few days I would often fall back down after standing. With it, they were about a week long and manageable."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• ZBS...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 29, 2018

For Birth Control "I have been on this birth control for two months now. At first, it was crazy. Constant mood swings. Bad acne. I was not having it. I don’t mind Cyred right now because it’s not like other birth controls I’ve taken where I’m constantly hungry all the time and gaining weight. But I don’t like how I still get acne as if I wasn’t on it, even with my skin care routine that I’ve had for months and I’ve never had a problem with. I don’t like how I PMS way worse than ever before, and honestly, I don’t like how my breasts got bigger, it honestly made me worry, and now my bras don’t fit. This isn’t a birth control I would suggest, I’m only on it because I can get it through Planned Parenthood and I can’t afford anything else right now."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 2, 2017

For Birth Control "Worst experience was given as generic for Viorele. Headache, nausea, vomiting, lightheadedness in 2nd week. First week increased acne, like acne I've never had before in my life. Had to stop. Also increased my mood swings. Must have been an inactive ingredient because I had no problem with Viorele except wearing contacts, and they have the same active ingredients. Worst experience to date with birth control."

• 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."

• Sta...
• July 18, 2016

For Birth Control "Kariva definitely had its ups and downs for me, but the downs were so horrible I had to go off. Pros: I never got pregnant. I stopped getting cystic acne on my chin, and my skin was way clearer than it had ever been before (other birth control had been ineffective in doing this). My sex drive was not decreased at all. Cons: My boobs went from a C to spilling out of a DD and tender. I gained 10 lbs, and NONE of my clothes fit anymore. My feet and ankles got so swollen that some of my shoes stopped fitting. For the first three months, I spotted like crazy. After that, my periods were regular and not too bad of flow, but other birth controls had made me have a 2-day 'barely there' period or not get a period at all, which was way better."

• Jg9...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 17, 2020

For Birth Control "This birth control ruined my life. I developed extreme anxiety that went away after stopping it. I would break out in pimples that looked like hives under my eyes, got worse every month. I gained a dramatic amount of weight. Stay far away. It’s a generic brand, and according to a doctor I spoke with, it has inactive ingredients that cause all the side effects. Apri is the only one that works for me."

• Moo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 4, 2021

For Birth Control "I absolutely LOVE this pill! I kept having to try different types of combination pills, and they were all making me extremely hormonal/emotional and break out the worst I ever have. Finally, I’ve found the pill that works well with my body! I highly recommend it."

• Did...
• November 4, 2016

For Birth Control "Pt. 1: This birth control started ruining my life. I only took it for 3 weeks because I couldn't stand it anymore. Literally, on day 3, I started getting powerful migraines, I couldn't sleep from them, my eyes would tear up, I started taking at least 4 Advil daily for them to be bearable. Then, I started feeling like pure rubbish, even more depressed than before. I wanted to slap everyone around me. You couldn't even talk to me. Now, on to my face. My face broke out like pure hell. I've been off of it for a week, and the breakouts on my jaw (and even around my nose, which never happened) are plentiful and so red."