Ethinyl estradiol / ethynodiol and Acne: What Users Say

• Anonymous
• October 12, 2011

Ethinyl estradiol / ethynodiol for Birth Control "I started taking Zovia about 5 months ago, and I could immediately tell the difference after the 1st month. I started gaining weight, my breasts got even bigger than they already were, and they were constantly tender. My periods went from 3-4 days to 7-9 days with horrible cramps. My face became very oily, and I started breaking out. I have never had a lot of acne or breakouts, but after starting this birth control, it got bad. I have been an emotional wreck and cry all of the time, and I'm normally not like that. I think I had every bad side effect a birth control can have, so needless to say, my OB has called in a different birth control! Hopefully, if you decide to use this birth control, you don't have any of the side effects like I have."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 16, 2012

Ethinyl estradiol / ethynodiol for Birth Control "I have been on Zovia for 4 months. I quickly gained 10 pounds, even though I work out 4 to 5 times a week and watch what I eat. I have gone from a B cup to a C cup, and I have developed horrible mood swings. I also experience bad acne about 4 days before and after my period."

• sar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 9, 2018

Ethinyl estradiol / ethynodiol for Birth Control "Horrible spotting, making me so irritable. This OC is ruining my usually great relationship. Look up how androgens in birth control influence your mood and skin. I usually have great skin, and it's breaking me out. Please avoid if you have problems with mental health. Only upside is no migraines, which many pills make worse for me."

• Anonymous
• January 19, 2010

Ethinyl estradiol / ethynodiol for Birth Control "I have been using Zovia for 3 months now to help regulate my period. So far, the side effects have been larger breasts and breast tenderness, slight bloating before and during my period, and immediately after starting it, I have been getting chest acne. I am not prone to body acne and have never gotten it before I started using the pill. Nothing would clear it up either (acne wash, spot cream). My doctor said it was probably because of the high estrogen. Besides the acne and bloating, I don't have any other problems with it. It has started to regulate my period slowly, but not completely."

• Bon...
• July 23, 2017

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I took Zovia, the pink packet manufactured by Watson, for 7 years with no problems. No changes in weight, no acne, and less painful and shorter periods. In early 2017, the manufacturer changed to Mayne, the blue packet. I only took it for 5 days, then immediately stopped because it was causing acne. Now I am on Kelnor, which has the same main ingredients as Zovia, however, Zovia (pink packet) is better in my case. Too bad it is no longer being manufactured."

• Anonymous
• October 25, 2010

Ethinyl estradiol / ethynodiol for Birth Control "I used to be on Yaz and really loved it, but I was worried about all its latest bad reviews. I just switched to Zovia and my breasts are so tender. I thought it would be great to go up a size (I heard this from a friend), but it is really painful. I'm also very bloated, which I'm not used to because you never get bloated or acne from Yaz. I get my period next week, so I'm still unsure if it will be as light as it was on Yaz."

• Anonymous
• February 10, 2011

Ethinyl estradiol / ethynodiol for Birth Control "I have been on Yasmin for a long time but began having breakthrough periods after my third child. My doctor switched me to Zovia, and within 3 weeks, I gained inches on my hips and thighs. I work out twice a week and watch what I eat, so this was concerning. I also developed a lot of acne on my face: big red sores that were painful. I have since switched back to Yasmin, and my side effects have reversed. Thankfully, it may have been due to the increase in the amount of estrogen from the Zovia."

• Ste...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 11, 2018

Ethinyl estradiol / ethynodiol for Birth Control "Everyone please keep in mind that no one will have the exact same experience with birth control. The most important thing you can do is talk to your doctor and perhaps get a hormone panel done to see which pill might be the best option for you. I was on Kelnor for a year, and I’m just about to switch to Yasmin. I have pretty much no complaints, except that my acne has gone back to the way it was before starting birth control. I also gained a bit of weight, but that is most likely from excess eating. Switching to Yasmin to see if it clears up my skin. Other than that, Kelnor made my periods almost nonexistent (I used to have horribly painful cramps that would make me throw up, and would have my period for 8 days). I have depression, but it didn’t seem to make it worse. If you’re about to go on this, stick it out for 3 months, and if it’s not working for you, talk to your doctor about switching."

• Aan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 9, 2018

Ethinyl estradiol / ethynodiol for Birth Control "Okay, so I started this pill two months ago, and I’m currently going on my third month. I have yet to stop bleeding, and I developed acne when I didn’t have any before. My cramps also have gotten worse. I also have terrible back pain, worse than ever before. I also have moods of irritability, where I’ll snap at people if they are doing something even remotely annoying. I wouldn’t recommend this pill at all."

• Bir...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 18, 2019

Ethinyl estradiol / ethynodiol for Birth Control "This was my second pill that I was put on, and for the two years of taking it, I’ve felt my mental state completely switch. I’m now so insecure and anxious all of the time, and the PMS I experience is insane. I have to cry multiple times on my period and before because I get overwhelmed and feel literal pain like a buildup if I don’t. The PMS cramping is ridiculous, and it hasn’t done anything for my acne except for make it worse. It helped to regulate my period, but I also sometimes would start on Mondays and other times I’d start on Tuesdays. Also, I would bleed like insane amounts of blood one day, and the next I won’t even need a tampon."

• pis...
• December 4, 2011

Ethinyl estradiol / ethynodiol for Birth Control "I've been on Zovia for only two months. Since then, I have been breaking out massively on my face. My breasts are extremely tender. It makes it very difficult for me to exercise due to the pain. I bloat before and during periods. I was told by doctors that this helps pimples, but it has done the total opposite. I am thinking about going back to Lutera."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• May 25, 2016

Ethinyl estradiol / ethynodiol for Birth Control "I have been on Zovia for more than 5 years because I have had irregular menses due to a medicine I take for seizures. At first, when I started Zovia, my periods were regular, my skin was clearer, and my hair was long. Only during these last two years have I had at least one month during which my periods were longer than a week. My skin also has been breaking out, and my hair has been breaking off. Now, I'm on my period, and it will be the longest period I have ever had. I have been melancholy, and I have lost my temper at people I love the most, which is not like me. I think my body is tired of Zovia. It is time to switch over to something else."

• Jen...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 3, 2014

Ethinyl estradiol / ethynodiol for Birth Control "I've been using it for a month, and so far I like it. I switched from Mononessa because Mononessa was making me break out, and I still would bleed heavily on it. My doctor switched me, and now my periods are so light. My first period on it started a couple of days ago, and I was actually scared that it was implantation bleeding because it was so light. My acne has decreased, so that is definitely a bonus. I do feel like my breasts are bigger (and being only 120 lbs, this was a plus for me). There is one thing I'm worried about. My weight fluctuates between 117-123. I have felt like my lower abdomen is full but not bloated. I'm active, but the full feeling in the bladder makes me feel a little self-conscious. Maybe that will go away soon though."

• Jen...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 3, 2014

Ethinyl estradiol / ethynodiol for Birth Control "I've been using it for a month, and so far I like it. I switched from Mononessa because Mononessa was making me break out, and I still would bleed heavily on it. My doctor switched me, and now my periods are so light. My first period on it started a couple of days ago, and I was actually scared that it was implantation bleeding because it was so light. My acne has decreased, so that is definitely a bonus. I do feel like my breasts are bigger (and being only 120 lbs, this was a plus for me). There is one thing I'm worried about. My weight fluctuates between 117-123. I have felt like my lower abdomen is full but not bloated. I'm active, but the full feeling in the bladder makes me feel a little self-conscious. Maybe that will go away soon though."

• Via...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 16, 2012

Ethinyl estradiol / ethynodiol for Birth Control "This is my first birth control. When I first got on, I got acne really bad on the side of my face, and also I got cramps really bad. But now, about 3 months later, that does not happen anymore, and it keeps my face pretty clear, except when my period is about to start, I sometimes get a pimple or two. But what I did notice is that I have really, really bad mood swings every time my period is about to start. I don't know why. Just try it for yourself!"

• Via...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 16, 2012

Ethinyl estradiol / ethynodiol for Birth Control "This is my first birth control. When I first got on, I got acne really bad on the side of my face, and also I got cramps really bad. But now, about 3 months later, that does not happen anymore, and it keeps my face pretty clear, except when my period is about to start, I sometimes get a pimple or two. But what I did notice is that I have really, really bad mood swings every time my period is about to start. I don't know why. Just try it for yourself!"

• lol...
• January 10, 2018

For Birth Control "This is the 6th pill I've tried. I just finished my 3rd pack and plan on continuing this. So far-no weight gain I'm aware of, no spotting in between periods, periods are about 4 days long and pretty mild. I'll get one small pimple on my chin during the period week, but that's about it. I do get pretty moody during the beginning of the period week as well. Throughout the month, my moods are pretty stable. And I do feel a bit hungrier on this compared to past pills. But I work out and try to eat healthy, so I don't gain weight or give in to cravings. This is a HUGE improvement from past pills. I used to be moody, spotted in between, had awful cramps, and broke out insanely on the majority of the other pills I was on. Let's hope this keeps working!"

• Ale...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 20, 2021

Ethinyl estradiol / ethynodiol for Birth Control "I was on Kelnor 1/50 for several years. At first, it was the only birth control that kept my skin clear 100% of the time, and I loved it. After a while, I just got sick of being on birth control in general and thought going off might improve my mental health. After 6 months off it, I never got my period back and have an ovarian cyst. I gained weight, and I have so much acne. I’m definitely going back to birth control, but this time I’m getting on the patch so I don’t have to take a pill every day. If the patch doesn’t work for me, I will be going back on my beloved Kelnor 50. Honestly, I didn’t have too many symptoms on it, and it worked well for years."

• Mam...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• July 29, 2013

Ethinyl estradiol / ethynodiol for Birth Control "Demulen 1/35-28 day pills were my 1st birth control pill ever! I took them from 1991-1996, and honestly, it wasn't a bad pill. I remember I had occasional breakouts (made my skin oily), PMS was okay, but I had a heavy period, and that I hated."

• Dif...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• July 18, 2017

Ethinyl estradiol / ethynodiol for Birth Control "Was on Zovia 1/35 for 7 years, and the experience was great, and that rating would have been a 10. However, the manufacturer used to be Watson (pink packet), but now it is manufactured by Mayne (blue packet), which I give a 3 rating. I only took the Zovia pills manufactured by Mayne for 5 days. I stopped taking them because I started to get acne, and each day I was getting more pimples. I am not acne-prone, and the previous Zovia pills by Watson did not break me out. Now I am on Kelnor, which is supposed to be similar to Zovia (both are generic for Demulen), however, now my periods last about 8 days, and I get small bumps on my face that clear up for a few days then reappear in different locations. So Kelnor is rated a 6."

• Dif...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• July 18, 2017

Ethinyl estradiol / ethynodiol for Birth Control "Was on Zovia 1/35 for 7 years, and the experience was great, and that rating would have been a 10. However, the manufacturer used to be Watson (pink packet), but now it is manufactured by Mayne (blue packet), which I give a 3 rating. I only took the Zovia pills manufactured by Mayne for 5 days. I stopped taking them because I started to get acne, and each day I was getting more pimples. I am not acne-prone, and the previous Zovia pills by Watson did not break me out. Now I am on Kelnor, which is supposed to be similar to Zovia (both are generic for Demulen), however, now my periods last about 8 days, and I get small bumps on my face that clear up for a few days then reappear in different locations. So Kelnor is rated a 6."

• Anonymous
• January 27, 2012

Ethinyl estradiol / ethynodiol "While taking this pill, I became an emotional wreck, my face broke out, had spotting between periods, cramps got worse, and developed fibroids. The list goes on."