Ocella and Acne: What Users Say

• Kat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 4, 2020

For Birth Control "I've been on Ocella for 2 months now, my period is so light that I think it’s implantation bleeding! My cramps are very mild, and I have no acne. I've been sad about absolutely everything, but it hasn’t affected my life so much. This birth control is so much better than my other ones I have tried! I am 18 years old, I have never had a pregnancy scare. My periods last about 3-4 days."

• pin...
• February 2, 2017

For Birth Control "I LOVE this pill! I was on Jolessa for 4 years and always had constant spotting and bad acne, Sprintec for 4 months and had spotting and awful mood swings and periods, but Ocella is absolutely perfect. I've been on it for 3 months now, and it's cleared up most of my acne. I've had no spotting and no periods, and I've lost 8 pounds! No mood swings, either. I would definitely recommend that anyone who is considering this pill give it a try. Plus, mine is only $9 a month! For the work it does, it is awesome. I cannot speak on effectiveness for pregnancy prevention as I use it to skip periods and am not sexually active."

• Jaz...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 16, 2020

For Birth Control "I’ve been on Ocella for a couple of weeks and lost weight. It has completely changed my life. I used to have severe cramps every single day, and I don’t now. I’m no longer bloated and going to the bathroom good. Acne has gotten a little worse, and I’m a little nauseous at night."

• Lol...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 11, 2019

For Birth Control "Ocella is my second birth control that I've tried in my life. The first one I took gave me acne, and it stuck with me even after I got off of it! So when the time came to get back on one, I was terrified something bad would happen. But Ocella is awesome!! No acne, no irregular periods, no rashes or anything weird, and no weight gain. The only downside is that when I first took it, I was a raging you-know-what, but you just have to learn to control your mood swings better. Other than that, I LOVE Ocella for the fact that it doesn't give me acne or make me gain weight."

• Des...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 27, 2016

For Acne "I am 28 years old and started breaking out severely a few years back. I tried every OTC acne medication and cleanser. I finally went to the dermatologist and was diagnosed with hormonal acne. I was prescribed Ocella and tretinoin cream. I've been using both since April 2015, however, I noticed that as long as I take my Ocella every day, I do not need the tretinoin cream, so I haven't used it in a couple of months. My skin is so much better, and I have to remember to take my pill every day because the hormones wear off after 24 hours, and I'll break out if I miss it two days in a row. Otherwise, this medication has been heaven-sent."

• Aim...
• April 12, 2017

For Acne "First few months weren't great. Had breakthrough bleeding the first month for 2-3 weeks, was very, very moody and irritated. Second month was a normal period, moods were fine, but still had bad breakouts. Third month, normal period and acne started to die down. Fourth month, acne is almost completely gone and normal periods."

• Aim...
• April 12, 2017

For Acne "First few months weren't great. Had breakthrough bleeding the first month for 2-3 weeks, was very, very moody and irritated. Second month was a normal period, moods were fine, but still had bad breakouts. Third month, normal period and acne started to die down. Fourth month, acne is almost completely gone and normal periods."

• YP2...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• August 24, 2021

For Birth Control "Favorite birth control of all time! I originally switched to Ocella when my insurance quit covering Yasmin, and I’ve been on it for 10 years now! After 10 years, I started having some brown spotting, so I may start to look elsewhere, but virtually no problems with anything on this pill. It makes me feel “normal.” I’ve had a really good experience with this pill! Period very regular and light, no mood swings, acne, or weight gain!"

• wyl...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 1, 2018

For Birth Control "Every woman's body is different, so every person has different side effects. The worst side effects I ever had were from Nexplanon (severe depression, weight loss, anxiety, horrible acne, no sex drive), so I decided to switch back to the pill, and Ocella was free under my insurance. This is the best birth control method for my body! No depression, no heightened anxiety, cleared up my skin 100%, I gained my much-needed weight back, and I got my sex drive back! Unfortunately, you won't know how a birth control will affect you personally until you try it out, but this is my favorite one!"

• Kel...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 9, 2016

For Acne "I've been on a few different kinds of birth control pills. Nothing really worked the way I wanted. One brand lowered my sex drive, another brand made my acne worse instead of better. Finally, I ended up trying Ocella even though I was nervous because of all the talk I hear about girls getting blood clots. But I must say, this works. I have mild cramps for a day or so, and it's only off and on. My periods are lighter and usually last about 4 days. My face is the clearest it's ever been. I should have been on this brand in high school. Once in a while, I'll get a pimple. And it hasn't affected my sex drive. It's an A in my book."

• Lov...
• February 1, 2021

For Acne "I’m 25 years old, and I’ve been on Ocella for 6 months. I would take my pill every single night at 9 pm to reduce any side effects. I’ve been on birth control as a teen for acne and thought I’d try it again for acne and pregnancy prevention. CONS: This birth control has caused my acne to worsen, headaches, sensitivity emotionally (I don’t cry easily, by the way, but with this birth control, I would cry easily), and lowered my sex drive. I gave it the benefit of the doubt to stick it out to see if my acne would clear up. In my case, the acne cleared up on my forehead but moved from my forehead to my cheeks. The acne Ocella has caused are red pimples that are painful but not cystic because they have a white head. I wouldn’t ever break out on my cheeks but mainly on my forehead and jawline. PROS: works well for skipping periods, no breakthrough bleeding. No nausea. No weight gain. Fuller breasts. Prevents pregnancy for my husband and me."

• Amb...
• May 9, 2019

For Birth Control "This birth control has overall worked very well for me. I originally started birth control for acne and extreme cramps when I was 14 (I’m 26 now) and had first tried Tri Cyclen Lo, which gave me a 3-month period, and then tried Lo Estrin Fe, which gave me a lot of cystic acne on my neck. Ocella, I think, helps my acne by balancing my hormones (I’m high in testosterone) and has made my cramps nonexistent. My period now only lasts around 3 days and is very light. The only downside is I think it’s made me gain about 10 lbs since restarting it after a few-year break at 22 (I’m 26)... but weight gain may be from age as well."

• Anonymous
• October 21, 2011

For Acne "I got Ocella solely for the reason that I don't want to get pregnant, and I got it for free with my insurance. With starting my first pack, I was nauseous the first three days or so, but not so bad, I guess. Now I'm on my last week of my second pack, about to be on my third pack, and my acne has gotten a lot worse, unfortunately. I'm going to wait a couple of months to see if that changes, though, because other than that, I love it."

• Cal...
• January 15, 2015

For Acne "I have been on Ocella for about 2 months now. I originally was on Zarrah and had the BEST skin - my light acne cleared up within the first 2 weeks and remained absolutely flawless for almost 2 years. I ended up having a 2-week period - nightmare, I know. I went to my gyno who had then switched me to Ocella. I explained to her that I loved the way Zarrah affected my skin and didn't want to break out on a new form of birth control. I'm almost finished with month 2 and have been breaking out with whiteheads all over my forehead, along with a few painful zits around my face. I use Clarisonic every morning and night and eat healthy and workout. My moods are great and I lost a few pounds, but I may not continue Ocella for this reason... remaining optimistic!!"

• Cal...
• January 15, 2015

For Acne "I have been on Ocella for about 2 months now. I originally was on Zarrah and had the BEST skin - my light acne cleared up within the first 2 weeks and remained absolutely flawless for almost 2 years. I ended up having a 2-week period - nightmare, I know. I went to my gyno who had then switched me to Ocella. I explained to her that I loved the way Zarrah affected my skin and didn't want to break out on a new form of birth control. I'm almost finished with month 2 and have been breaking out with whiteheads all over my forehead, along with a few painful zits around my face. I use Clarisonic every morning and night and eat healthy and workout. My moods are great and I lost a few pounds, but I may not continue Ocella for this reason... remaining optimistic!!"

• Cal...
• January 15, 2015

For Acne "I have been on Ocella for about 2 months now. I originally was on Zarrah and had the BEST skin - my light acne cleared up within the first 2 weeks and remained absolutely flawless for almost 2 years. I ended up having a 2-week period - nightmare, I know. I went to my gyno who had then switched me to Ocella. I explained to her that I loved the way Zarrah affected my skin and didn't want to break out on a new form of birth control. I'm almost finished with month 2 and have been breaking out with whiteheads all over my forehead, along with a few painful zits around my face. I use Clarisonic every morning and night and eat healthy and workout. My moods are great and I lost a few pounds, but I may not continue Ocella for this reason... remaining optimistic!!"

• Pba...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• December 4, 2014

For Acne "Prescribed Ocella for PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome), which can cause severe cystic acne that I had. Have been on it for 10 years. It was a miracle, acne is gone. To prevent the mood swings and acne flare-ups during the inert week each month, I had my OBGYN write a prescription for 3 months straight. Now I only have my period and mood swings 4 times per year instead of 12. Other pills caused anxiety attacks, I have felt most normal on this pill. The downside is I have no libido, but I am 40, so I guess I should expect some decrease at my age anyway."

• Anonymous
• March 14, 2010

For Birth Control "I've been on Ocella for over a year, and I don't mind it. It does its job. Negatives: It kills your sex drive, horrible cramps, acne around your period time; but that's with anyone. Positives: Emotions have been under control, and periods only last about 4 days. Overall, I would recommend this birth control. I don't have spotting, emotional breakdowns, or any of that."

• Sdo...
• May 1, 2014

For Birth Control "I've been using Ocella for a few months. I don't use condoms, and I've had zero scares so far. I have hormonal acne, and it's getting better slowly. My periods are amazing now. I have no cramps whatsoever. My moods are great. Not on birth control, I am a crazy monster. My cramps are unbearable for days. I have not had much weight gain, and my cravings are less than normal. So far, I like this."

• Anonymous
• December 11, 2009

For Birth Control "I LOVE OCELLA! I was on a generic form of Seasonale and it was HORRIBLE. I had the worst depression/mood swings ever and breakthrough bleeding EVERYDAY. So I switched to Ocella and love it. Acne hasn't really cleared up and I do have some weight gain, but my eating habits aren't the best either, so I won't blame it on that. I don't like that the price went up, but I'm not going to switch because I feel so normal now and never want to experience anything like my first birth control. I definitely recommend Ocella!"

• Hot...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 24, 2018

For Birth Control "I had the Mirena for 3 years and hated it! I developed cystic acne, and my periods were at least 2 weeks long each month. I got it removed and immediately started Ocella. It's been great. My periods are not longer than 5 days each month, and my skin looks amazing! I rarely get breakouts; but if I do, they go away MUCH quicker than normal. The only negatives are that I'm moody, bloated, and have heavy cravings during my cycle. The normal PMS effects, I guess."

• Fin...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• November 30, 2014

For Menstrual Disorders "When I first started taking birth control, I was only 13. I started it because I used to have two-week-long heavy and horrific periods every two weeks! I first started out on Yasmin, but later was switched to Ocella for insurance reasons. I'm now almost 19, have been on birth control for 5+ years, and I NEVER want to go back. It helps keep my skin clearer and softer (I only break out about a week before my period now), and my periods are much better now! I used to have issues with my period ending when I started a new pack, but eventually, my body got used to it, and now my periods are light with little to no cramps and only last around 3 days! I seriously could not be happier."

• Ton...
• October 11, 2010

For Birth Control "I'm 23 years old and started birth control on Ortho Tri-Cyclen. I stopped for about a year or so, then when I went back to the GYN, she put me on Ocella. I haven't ever had problems with my period, but it did lighten it up for me quite a bit. I've been on it for about 2 years, and it has just recently brought me from a 5-day period to a 3-day period. I was a bit surprised, but I don't mind at all! I have never detected any differences on and off birth control, except it's easier to pinpoint when things will happen throughout the month. I usually get a very mild acne breakout right before, as well as some cramps, which don't last very long. I have occasional emotional breakdowns, but they are so rare that I don't really contribute it to Ocella."

• Kri...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 8, 2014

For Birth Control "This may be premature, I've only been on it for a week, but I have been super moody. Irritable, cried 3x in the past week and have developed a lot of pimples on my forehead and nose. I usually never break out, only when on my period and not as much as this. I also am highly anxious... I'm an anxious person to begin with, but with the pill for this week I've been near panic attack a lot, and that hasn't happened in a decade. I'm hoping my body gets used to the pill and these awful side effects will go away. Will update after the month."

• Anonymous
• November 15, 2012

"I'm not going to say this is a bad product because everyone is different. But I was on this for about 6 months. And the last couple of months, I had noticed myself having horrible thoughts and also helplessness. I would cry all the time and freak out over nothing. I was suffering severe depression. People all around me started noticing I was acting different. My face also broke out, and my sex drive was very minimal. I am an emotional person to start with. All around, the pill did what it was supposed to, but it was just way too much estrogen for me. I am now on the NuvaRing, and I love it."