Nextstellis and Acne: What Users Say

• Ann...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 23, 2021

For Birth Control "I am a really odd case, so I can’t comment on the effectiveness of the birth control in terms of spotting/breakthrough bleeding, but here’s what I can say. I have always had horrible acne as well as a migraine disorder. This medication does wonderful with both of those. I did, however, find that I have terrible uterine cramps seemingly randomly through the month. The very first month on this medication was terrible, the pain from cramping was 7/10 every day! Second month in, and cramping only happens about once a week now. The other side effect I notice is definite breast swelling and tenderness, they are almost always sore to the point I don’t wear a bra anymore."

• lal...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 21, 2022

For Birth Control "Started this because I have painful, long periods off of birth control. On every birth control that I've tried, I bleed at least twice a month for around 10 days. The first month was great. I was hopeful because my bleeding held off until about 3 days before the inactive pills. Period lasted long, but I was fine with it. Second month started, and I began bleeding again. On the positive side, I have noticed way less mood swings/PMS compared to what I experienced on other OCPs. No major increase in acne or weight gain so far either. Only main complaint is the constant breakthrough bleeding and irregular periods."

• Cma...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 6, 2023

For Birth Control "I was on Junel Fe for years, but recently switched to Nextstellis because of the vaginal dryness the Junel caused. That was the only downside of the Junel, but it was making intercourse uncomfortable. The Nextstellis works wonders for the vaginal dryness, but it caused many unwanted side effects for me. I have a history of bad acne, and the Junel kept it under control for years, but when I started the Nextstellis, I began to have breakouts. They were mild at first, but by month 5, it was all over my face, back, chest, and shoulders. I haven't had breakouts like that since middle school. It also caused breakthrough bleeding, terrible cramps, sore/painful axillary lymph nodes, and hair loss during my placebo pills/period. These symptoms seem to have worsened month to month, never getting better. So, I will be trying a different pill, it just sadly wasn't for me."

• apr...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 2, 2026

For Birth Control "I started this birth control to prevent pregnancy. My OB-GYN said it would also help with hair growth and reduce acne. The first 2 months I had extreme nausea - I usually eat a lot because I work out intensely, but I had to force myself to eat, which never happens. The 3rd month I started getting small acne spots on my butt. The 4th month I started getting acne on my neck and forehead. I rarely ever break out, and I did not want to continue taking it because I was worried it would worsen. Other than that, I didn’t gain weight, no bloating, no mood swings, no hair loss, and it made my boobs fuller. I also felt more stable overall in my mood. It would also make my period extremely light, I only had light spotting during the placebo pills. I was only on it for 4 months, I wish it didn’t cause acne for me. It might work out for you!"

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 3, 2026

For Birth Control "I had high hopes for this pill, but my body did not agree with it. I took it perfectly for 6 months (always at the same time every day, never accidentally missed a day or attempted to skip a period), but I still experienced breakthrough bleeding every single cycle. My period was also so strange, there was almost no actual bleeding and instead just really dark (almost black) chunks of tissue. It felt really unnatural, which is ironic when the estrogen in this pill is “natural.” It also made my acne worse. Normally I’d get maybe 1-2 pimples per cycle (sometimes even none), but with Nextstellis I was getting maybe 4-6 each cycle. I also developed a closed comedone for the first time in my life, which sat there for a couple of months before rupturing and leading to the biggest, angriest cystic pimple I’ve ever had (and that’s coming from someone who suffered from severe cystic acne and has done 4 rounds of Accutane). So yeah, Nextstellis is a no from me. Back to Yaz I go."