Alesse User Reviews & Ratings (Page 4)

• Cat...
• November 1, 2016

For Birth Control "I've been on this pill for a year, and I think I'm gonna stop taking it. Honestly, not really happy with this pill! For someone who had relatively clear skin, I got the worst acne from using it! Like little bumps all over my forehead and painful zits on my jawline and cheeks. Tried every possible skin care line and couldn't understand how I went from clear skin to a face full of acne... and now some acne scars too. Finally pinpointed it to Alesse being the cause. Also pretty sure I gained some weight while on it. Definitely don't recommend it!"

• Ano...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• May 4, 2021

For Birth Control "I've been on Alesse for 6 years, and I had no negative side effects at first (aside from gaining weight), but then I became severely depressed, and my face broke out in cystic acne. I feel completely numb on this pill. My self-confidence is terrible, and I'm never happy even though I have so many things to be happy about. I just feel dull, and I feel like I have no personality anymore. I took a break from this pill last year and felt like a completely different person. I had my confidence back and overall had a sense of mental clarity and happiness, but went back on for the sole purpose of preventing pregnancy. The positives are that I've never had any pregnancy scares, and my periods are very light and regular, but the impact it has on my mental and physical health isn't worth it anymore. If you're looking to start this pill, I would just say be careful and pay attention to the way you feel. It took a while for me to realize that this birth control was the problem."

• Jen...
• March 27, 2015

For Birth Control "I used Alesse for a few months and had a lot of trouble with it. I was extremely moody, depressed, and felt like a completely different person. Even my mother noticed a huge change. I was crying all the time and overwhelmed. When I told my doctor, he took me off Alesse and started me on Tri-Cyclen Lo. I noticed a change immediately, and I am still using Tri-Cyclen. It's easy to blame mood swings and being upset on other parts of your life, but for me, it was ongoing, and I knew it wasn't normal for me. Glad I got off of it when I did!"

• Zap...
• February 26, 2012

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I started taking this medicine in the beginning of Nov. 2011, mainly to reduce my hormonal acne and to regulate my period. At the end of that same month, I got my period, and surprisingly, the cramps were not severe. In fact, I had never had such a peaceful period in a long time. Since then, my periods have been painless. :) In mid-December, I noticed that the severity of my acne had diminished and my skin had started to clear. At the end of Jan. 2012, I got 5 painful cysts on my face. I was extremely upset, but I decided to be patient and stick with it. My patience paid off. It is the end of February 2012, and my face looks way better. I haven't had any cysts since then. As for the side effects, just nausea when the medicine is taken on an empty stomach. I LOVE IT."

• Tif...
• August 17, 2017

For Birth Control "This is the first pill I've tried as my doctor recommended it as being the safest. My experience was so terrible that I had to discontinue Alesse after day 6. I got bad chest pains, racing heart, anxiety, and GERD. The sharp chest pain in particular freaked me out the most as the medication carried a black box warning for DVT and pulmonary embolism. Please be very cautious before trying any hormonal birth control. I know stats say that the chances to get clots are small, but I feel that reality is different. Threw the rest of the box in the garbage where it belongs and would never recommend it to anyone. This piece of trash could seriously sabotage your health, please be cautious."

• VPg...
• June 4, 2015

For Birth Control "I've been using Alesse for about 2 years now. It was the first BC pill that I was prescribed. I was hesitant to use hormonal contraceptives because of mood swings and spotting. However, with Alesse, I experienced neither of those side effects. I can't say it made my skin any clearer. I don't have severe acne, but it didn't clear up my pimples. One side effect I did experience was weight gain. I am normally about 105 pounds, but on the pill, I gain about 3-4 pounds. I just feel very bloated. However, when I stop the pill temporarily (the week of my period), I go back to my regular weight. I realized I could manage this by just watching what I eat, and I exercise a bit more. Overall, I am pretty satisfied with Alesse!"

• rai...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 24, 2017

For Birth Control "So far, Alesse 28 has been a pretty good experience! I've only been on it for over a month, but the good outweighs the bad! This is the first birth control I've tried. I was very nervous this birth control would increase my breast size, just because I have naturally big boobs (38DD) and don't want them bigger. Haven't really noticed an increase in breast size, maybe just made them a bit fuller. The first two weeks on the pill, I started to break out, which freaked me out because my skin was perfect pre-pill, and I've read reviews where it ruins some people's skin! Breakouts cleared by week 3. The only negative side effect I've been noticing a lot is I'm always hungry! Haven't gained weight because I eat pretty healthy and go to the gym regularly."

• Ano...
• February 3, 2016

For Birth Control "I was taken off of Yaz and put onto this because it was causing me migraines with aura. I have been on it for a couple of years now, I'd say. I never really noticed it until my boyfriend mentioned to me how I never am 'in the mood' anymore. We used to have a very steady sex life together, and now maybe 1 time a month. I went to the doctor a while ago, and she ran blood tests on me, and they came back that my iron is severely low. I've never had that before until I started taking this pill. I also seem to get angry very easily and upset easily. I'm not saying that's the pill's fault, but I was never like that before I started taking it. I started getting regular headaches again, so my doctor switched me to a different brand that I have yet to try."

• Lei...
• October 6, 2018

For Birth Control "I am a first-time user of birth control, my doctor prescribed me Alesse. I’ve now been on it for two months. It has given me acne, which I have never suffered with before. Two months ago, my skin was flawless. Now I have pimples on my chin and a couple on my forehead that bleed. It gave me horrible nausea for the first two weeks to the point where I couldn’t eat. This pill sucks. Would not recommend to anyone. Two months in, and I’m not waiting the full three."

• Why...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 7, 2018

For Birth Control "Okay, so this is the first time I have read these reviews because I was wondering why my sex drive has been unbelievably low, and I just figured it's this birth control. I have been taking it for months. I had extreme nausea anytime I thought about food, and I sincerely didn't think it was this birth control, but since other women are having the same problem, I think I've come to my conclusion. Do not take this birth control. Their website doesn't even have any information on the pill they sell."

• Kat...
• January 30, 2016

For Birth Control "I have been on Alesse for 8 years. This birth control is great for preventing pregnancy and regulating my menstrual cycle. It also helped my menstrual cycle be lighter. Unfortunately, this birth control does lower your sex drive. I went off it, and my sex drive came back full force and plan to go off it permanently."

• Bdo...
• December 17, 2015

For Birth Control "I've been on Alesse for 2 months, and my experience with it has been absolutely horrible. Cramps every day, breakthrough bleeding, acne, sore breasts, frequent urination, back pain, nausea, bloating, anxiety, and depression. Probably the worst birth control someone could possibly go on!!"

• Ano...
• March 7, 2016

For Birth Control "I've been on this birth control for about 2-3 years, I would say. It is great for preventing pregnancy, but it has made my period weird. It stopped my period for 5 months and stressed the hell out of me. I do feel incredibly tired taking this pill, and my sex drive isn't as high as it used to be before this pill. I'm deciding I'll probably be going off this pill."

• Anonymous
• December 1, 2013

For Birth Control "I have been on Alesse 21 for three years. When I started taking it, I realized I snapped way easier than usual. But my period is now super predictable and much more mild. I went off it briefly and lost about ten pounds and had a ton more energy, so I believe it causes me to be a little lazy. Even with that, I find it fairly reliable."

• Gab...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 8, 2018

For Birth Control "I’ve been on this birth control for just over a year, and while it is a good birth control, the symptoms are not letting up for me. Before starting the pill, I had zero acne, but after starting and to this day, I have cystic acne all over my face, and it left scarring on my skin. I have waited for over a year for this to calm down, but it shows no signs of stopping. I’m getting really fed up. It makes my periods regular and pain-free, which is wonderful, but the acne is really making me insecure. Other than the acne and mood swings, I have no other complaints."

• Aly...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 19, 2016

For Birth Control "NOT WORTH THE SIDE EFFECTS!! Seriously. My GP gave me Alesse because she had some packets that were sent to her for free. I thought, 'Hey, why not' and took them. Well, the second month was the worst. Gained probably 10 lbs because I was constantly hungry. Became lethargic, and it made me more depressed. That went away in the third month. Then the acne started. As someone who was on Accutane and had relatively pimple-less skin, this pill brought up old wounds. Turns out this pill, which is often prescribed to treat acne, is one of the worst BC that causes acne. My skin is now 10x more oily, and I have painful zits on my cheeks, chin, and lips. Also, my boobs have gotten bigger, which I hate. The pill also causes me really bad cramps, and my period was off."

• Ell...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 22, 2012

For Birth Control "I started taking Alesse about 3 years ago. It has no effect on my mood, I never gained weight on it, and I basically feel pretty normal when I take it. Of course, I don't think anyone is a fan of actually getting a period every month, and mine usually lasts 7 days, sometimes even longer. So, my doctor just prescribed me Seasonique, and I start that next month. It will be interesting to see if it really only makes you have a period every 3 months. As for Alesse, it is great if you don't mind having a period every month."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 1, 2018

For Birth Control "Feel like vomiting every day, nausea, worsening period cramps, weight gain, vaginal dryness, decreased sex drive. I’m 18 and have been taking it for 3 months. The side effects are only getting worse and worse the longer I take it."

• Ale...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 4, 2018

For Birth Control "Took Alesse for 2 years because I never bothered to get a new pill, and I’d always hope the side effects would stop. Became an emotional wreck, gained a lot of weight, however, the little acne I have cleared up. Had insane nausea, vomiting at work, home, school... gave me a lot of anxiety, etc. I’m sure that there are better options out there. Do not take this birth control."

• Adr...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 23, 2019

For Endometriosis "Been on Alesse for 3 years, have a bit more acne but no hair loss. I’ve had a really good experience, no spotting if I take it properly and at the same time every day, was only ever nauseous the first 3 days on it ever, know a lot of people on this pill who have had pretty good experiences!"

• Sar...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 14, 2018

For Birth Control "Took Alesse for about 9 months. The only good thing is that it made my period less painful, but besides that, it gave me bad headaches, completely lost my sex drive, and made me irritable (mood swings). Most recently, it caused me to have depression, which I had never experienced until now. So I stopped taking it and felt like my normal self again within 2 days of stopping it."

• JoT...
• November 8, 2017

For Birth Control "I was on this pill for probably around 4 years when I got a pulmonary embolism. I am 18 years old. The doctors have no idea what the cause was other than me being on birth control. I could have died. Pulmonary embolisms are very serious, and I would tell all girls to rethink if they really want to risk their life for BC pills."

• Anonymous
• July 27, 2009

For Birth Control "I have been on Alesse for a long time, and it never works as it should. My period was unpredictable in the sense that even if my pack said my period wasn't due for a week, it could come any time. Sometimes it would come a week early, sometimes a week late. I did not get pregnant on this (but we do use condoms)."

• Ale...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 20, 2015

For Polycystic Ovary Syndrome "I've been on Alesse for five months now, and I had every side effect. Crazy acne (I've never had until I started taking Alesse), mood swings, weight gain (I was 120 lb before starting Alesse and not five months later 145 lb - I am a petite woman, and I don't eat very much, my food intake and exercise have not changed, thus, the weight gain is depressing), chest pain, swollen breasts, and no sex drive. The pro about Alesse is that it regulates. I had regular periods for five months. The only reason I was put on birth control was to maintain my polycystic ovarian syndrome. I'm 23 and was diagnosed with PCOS last year. I am now switching to a new birth control (Tri Cyclen Lo), and hopefully, this one is better. Fingers crossed!"

• ann...
• October 31, 2016

For Birth Control "This is my first birth control pill, and I have been using it for 1 year and 3 months. Some info: 5'4, 120 pounds, 22 years old. I started using Alesse 28 on the recommendation of my doctor because I have had irregular periods since I was 12. After several tests, I am confirmed to have polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), which basically gave me major cystic acne, a mild increase in body hair, and irregular periods (occurring 2-4 times a year). This pill has worked great for me: no pain, no depression/anxiety, no weight gain, light nausea a couple of times a month, no cystic acne (only occasional small pimples, but this is normal for me as I have very oily skin). I get a light period and light discharge sometimes seven days before I stop taking the pill."