Viorele and Acne: What Users Say

• Mar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 18, 2020

For Birth Control "I've been on Viorele for about three weeks, and I can tell you that this has definitely caused side effects of a big spike in my anxiety, terrible mood swings, and acne. Did not work for me, hopefully, I can find a brand that works for me."

• Str...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 30, 2016

For Birth Control "I've been taking it for over a year now (going on 2). I've really had no adverse side effects. I used to get hormonal acne the week before my period on my chin, and once I took the pills, I stopped breaking out. I didn't gain weight. It also helped extremely for my mood swings that I used to get before my period. I would randomly get upset, and the pill has really helped me control my emotions better. The only thing is you have to be consistent and not skip any days. As soon as I skipped a day, I noticed some side effects (ex. minor breakouts). Overall, I really love it. Not everyone's body reacts the same."

• Mni...
• July 26, 2017

For Birth Control "I'm going into my fourth month taking Viorele, and I'm surprised at how well my body has reacted to this BC. I was on Lo Loestrin Fe (for about 6 months) and Gildess Fe (about two years) prior to switching to Viorele. I haven't had any migraines, mood swings, or breakouts since starting the pill. I usually have all those symptoms when starting something new. Also, my period cramping, bloating, and pain have significantly decreased with the help of this pill. It also helped clear up my cystic acne, and my weight has remained stable. The only negative about Viorele for me was the extreme tenderness and soreness in my breasts. My breasts are the most painful upon waking up in the morning, but then the feeling somewhat subsides. I'm pretty happy."

• Ame...
• November 21, 2016

For Birth Control "My doc prescribed this for endometriosis. I've tried other BC pills, and right away they either made me depressed, nauseated, made my period last for weeks, gained weight, breasts ballooned up and were painful, cramps every day, acne, pretty much every awful side effect you can think of. But thankfully NOT on this pill. There have been zero side effects. Maybe for the first week I experienced mood swings at the same time at night when I took the pill, but it didn't last if that was related to it. I only gave it 9 out of 10 because I've just started the second month, and I'm keeping an open mind in case things were to change. But I'm so thrilled with it so far, and I hope it holds up!"

• 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."

• 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."

• MKa...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 21, 2021

For Birth Control "I dealt with constant bleeding for 2 years. All day, every day. Non-stop for 2 years. I was prescribed Viorele after having a horrible experience with Levora. For about 3 months, I was skeptical because my period never regulated itself, but I did have times where the bleeding stopped. However, I'd have 2-week-long periods, and they'd be HEAVY. My gynecologist insisted I keep taking it to get my body used to it. Here I am, 9 months later, and though my period is still not regulated, I have been 3 months without any bleeding. I have mild spotting about 5 days a month, but I am SO grateful for this pill. I am no longer worried about having to buy a box of tampons all the time because of constant bleeding. And also, importantly, I'm not pregnant, lol. I have had no other adverse effects. Also, my acne has cleared up 100%."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 4, 2021

For Birth Control "I have gained 35 lbs in the last year on this pill. My acne is the worst it has ever been, and acne medication has not helped. This pill has made my periods light, and I have no cramps, but the weight gain is crazy. No matter how hard I try, I can’t lose the weight."

• S97...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 7, 2015

For Birth Control "I will be starting my third pack next week. This pill has given me pimples, my boobs have grown a cup size, but hurt all the time. I can't even jog. No real weight gain, but just general nausea, pelvic, and back pain most of the time. I will give it another month to subside...."

• 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."

• 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."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 29, 2015

For Birth Control "I have been on this pill for probably about 4-5 years. My experience has been overall pretty pleasant. I never noticed it affecting my mood or behavior, and I have never felt depressed due to the pill. I also never gained any weight or experienced acne. My periods last about 4 days, previously, before using the pill, they lasted much longer. I usually experience cramps and bloating the day before and the day I get my period. My cramps have always been pretty bad even before I began using birth control, so I don't think it is caused by the pill. I do recommend this pill for people who are looking to use it as a form of birth control and a way to regulate the menstrual cycle. Unfortunately, I must switch pills due to insurance coverage."

• Wen...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 18, 2019

For Birth Control "This birth control saved me from acne and painful long periods. The only problem is that my sex drive is non-existent. I’m literally dead down there. I feel like a doll every time I have sex with my boyfriend because I can't stand him all over me, which it wasn’t a problem before. We’ve always been very active. Definitely quitting on this pill."

• Hea...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 14, 2017

For Birth Control "I took Viorele for a single month. I have experienced the worst acne I've had in years, my depression has gotten significantly worse, my blood pressure (which is usually spot-on perfect) is frequently high, and my mood swings are horrible."

• Ryl...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 10, 2022

For Birth Control "I’ve been on Viorele for 4 months. At first, all was great. But then I started having severe side effects. First was painful, cystic hormonal acne, and I’ve never struggled with acne. Then, slow sex drive, like zero, which has impacted my relationship with my partner. I noticed I was having severe PMS, depression, anxiety a week before my period. Now it’s turned into full-blown panic attacks, which I’ve never experienced before, and it’s scary. I feel fatigued, depressed, anxious, dizzy, and weak all the time. I do not feel like myself, and it’s really impacted my life. I also gained 15 pounds, even though I eat pretty healthy and work out. I would NOT recommend this BC. It’s horrible. I can’t believe it’s even on the market. Beware!"

• Wor...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 15, 2021

For Birth Control "My GYN prescribed this for endo. Experienced depression, irritability, significant hair loss, acne (never had before), dry skin, and weight gain. Had breakthrough bleeding after about 2 months, then extremely heavy bleeding (two ultra tampons soaked in minutes at times) for ten days with a tennis ball-size clot around day 3. GYN at that point said to stop taking and prescribed meds to stop the bleeding. The worst one yet."

• Aba...
• January 13, 2021

For Birth Control "I switched to this birth control after wanting to see if it’d improve my acne. I experience a lot of nausea, A LOT. No sex drive :( and my cystic acne after 6 months of taking it got pretty bad. I also had random severe abdominal pain. My mood was fine, but overall, it seems there is nothing special about this BC."

• Pai...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 26, 2016

For Birth Control "I started the pill 3 weeks ago. I'm about to begin the 4th week tomorrow. I've experienced breast tenderness since the first pill I've taken, and it's been inconsistent and hasn't stopped yet. Normally, I'd just have breast soreness the week of my period, then it would stop. But when I took the pill, it hasn't stopped. I did get acne the first week, but it cleared up. I have noticed some mood swing change as I got closer to the 2 green pills. But I normally PMS the week before my period. It seems as though my patience is a lot thinner now than it was before. I'm nervous for the yellow pills because my periods weren't ever bad before, and I'm afraid they're going to be longer or something, but I hope not. Overall, I like the pill and would recommend it."

• Ano...
• February 18, 2014

For Birth Control "I was taking Viorele for 2 months. Before taking Viorele, my face was completely clear, but since I've been taking it, my face is COVERED in painful acne. Other than the acne, the pill is great."

• Hat...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 17, 2019

For Birth Control "This medication gives me really bad mood swings, and it also gave horrible blackheads on my chin that I didn't have a year ago."