Amethia and Acne: What Users Say

• Ano...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 22, 2019

For Birth Control "I have been on Amethia for 2 years now (I am 24 years old). The first 3 months were tough, as your body gets used to it; you will have spotting for about half of that time. After that, it seemed to be working as expected. Do not ever forget a pill in the first 6 months, or you will have another period. Once I hit the 9-month mark, if I missed a day or two, then I would be fine to continue taking them without issue. It is worth the rough patch in the beginning. Going 3 months without a period is amazing; I get to enjoy my entire summer without dealing with one. I never had a problem with mood swings, acne (what I did have went away after taking this), or weight gain."

• jka...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 22, 2019

For Birth Control "The first 3 months of this Amethia pill were rough. I'm on it to control acne, cramps, breakthrough bleeds, skipping periods (while I'm on the copper IUD). I started a whole new regimen of vitamins and various other things because I felt nauseous every moment of the day. It felt like I was pregnant. Going into the second pack, I started to even out and enjoy the benefits that I was hoping for-cramp prevention. I have a copper IUD, and it sometimes throws a random huge cramp at me out of nowhere. This pill put a stop to it, and not having to juggle picking up a new pack every 3-4 weeks was nice-everything neatly tucked into one big pack. However, by the time my nausea subsided, I started breaking out a bit and gaining weight. I've just finished my third pack, and I've certainly put on several pounds since I started. I haven't changed my eating habits (other than eating less of everything). I honestly would stay on this drug if it weren't for the weight gain because cramping and breakthrough bleeds have become a very distant headache."

• All...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 10, 2016

For Birth Control "I'm halfway through week nine on this medication and have no complaints at all. I've had absolutely no spotting or cramping. I had bad hormonal acne before starting this pill (I was not on any birth control prior to taking Amethia), but now I rarely break out except for a few stress-related pimples in the past couple of weeks. I haven't had a period on this yet, but so far my body has taken to this medication very well. No weight gain or mood changes either that I have noticed!"

• Emm...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 8, 2018

For Birth Control "Before starting Amethia Lo three-month packs, I was on ethinyl estradiol and drospirenone for four years. I switched due to increasingly worsened acne/PMS symptoms. I switched in August, it’s now November! At first, my acne got worse, and my face was very greasy for a couple of weeks, but now my skin is clearer than ever, which is a HUGE plus! In the second and third month, I spotted for three weeks straight, then nothing during the placebo week. I haven’t been sleeping as well as I used to, waking up during the night and having issues falling asleep. Now, in the first week of the fourth month, I have been mildly to moderately nauseous 24/7, I’m hoping this goes away! Otherwise, I’ll start taking it during the night rather than the morning, as I've read that can help. I plan to continue using Amethia Lo, but I’m really hoping this nausea goes away!"

• Chi...
• May 12, 2015

For Birth Control "I am new to birth control. I first took it when I was 19 and turned 20 shortly after. My first three months were hell. My nausea was terrible that I could not eat anything, engage in sexual activities without the urge of vomiting, and be dizzy. My period was very off. My body was almost on a whole month of just my menstrual cycle. It was nasty. HOWEVER, I decided to stay on it because those side effects are normal. On my second pack (4-6 months), my acne cleared up!!! Since I had gone through puberty at 11 and had acne since then, now my skin is like a baby again. My period is officially 2 weeks long (I begin spotting and gradually have a heavier flow). I have gained about 17 pounds, but I think that's because I stopped exercising rigorously since graduating high school."

• Oh ...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 29, 2020

For Birth Control "I started this birth control 3 months ago, currently on my 2nd pack, 1st month of it. I will be switching. My first 3 months I spent pretty much spotting and having a period every 2 weeks. I had one period (spotting large amounts) come and stay for 19 whole days, and I thought I was going to bleed to death. I hated it so much. I’ve gained 15 pounds since starting it. My breasts are so tender to the point I can’t really touch them. My acne got so bad, and I’ve stayed pretty nauseous. Even after changing it to taking it at night, I’m still so nauseous with it. I’m always tired, and very, very cranky and angry on it. I’d much rather have a regular period with regular BC pills and have one monthly than this."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 5, 2016

For Birth Control "I have endometriosis and was put on Camrese so I could have fewer periods and hopefully lessen the severity of cramps and pain. The first six months were rough, with spotting almost every other week and a two-week-long period weeks eight to nine, but once I started the third pack, symptoms subsided and improved. However, in January, insurance decided to switch me from Camrese to Amethia. I have since gained 20 pounds and am very moody. My acne has stayed fairly clear, though cramps and pain are still managed better than they were with one-month BC pills."

• Mee...
• February 16, 2017

For Birth Control "I have nothing but great results from these pills. I was put on Amethia when I was 15 for very heavy and extremely painful periods, so bad I would live on a heating pad for a week and miss school or work a few days each month. I've been taking it for 8 years now and have not had any noticeable side effects: no spotting, moodiness, weight gain, or acne. My periods are much lighter and shorter, much more manageable. My only complaint is the price, normally, my insurance covers it fully, but between coverage when my deductible resets, I end up paying close to $300 for a 3-month cycle pack."

• Ede...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 10, 2021

For Birth Control "Absolutely the worst birth control I have ever taken. I was on Jolessa for years to regulate my heavy periods and help with cystic acne, I never had any issues. Light period every 3 months and clear skin. When I switched jobs, my doctor prescribed this because it’s cheaper without insurance, and I had to wait 90 days for insurance to start. The side effects have been horrible. I started bleeding the second week of taking this pill, and it has not stopped, it has been almost 2 months. Supposedly “spotting,” but it’s heavy and requires multiple pads/tampons daily. Forget sleeping, having sex, or wearing any nice pants. Also, the cystic acne that was treated with Accutane years ago and Seasonique has kept at bay is back, worse than it has ever been. I have at least 5-7 large, painful, cystic pimples on my face at any given time. So, in conclusion, if you want your period 365 days a year and horrible acne, this is a great choice. I stopped taking it, it’s not worth it."

• Ede...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 10, 2021

For Birth Control "Absolutely the worst birth control I have ever taken. I was on Jolessa for years to regulate my heavy periods and help with cystic acne, I never had any issues. Light period every 3 months and clear skin. When I switched jobs, my doctor prescribed this because it’s cheaper without insurance, and I had to wait 90 days for insurance to start. The side effects have been horrible. I started bleeding the second week of taking this pill, and it has not stopped, it has been almost 2 months. Supposedly “spotting,” but it’s heavy and requires multiple pads/tampons daily. Forget sleeping, having sex, or wearing any nice pants. Also, the cystic acne that was treated with Accutane years ago and Seasonique has kept at bay is back, worse than it has ever been. I have at least 5-7 large, painful, cystic pimples on my face at any given time. So, in conclusion, if you want your period 365 days a year and horrible acne, this is a great choice. I stopped taking it, it’s not worth it."

• Jay...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 10, 2015

For Birth Control "I decided to switch to this from Reclipsen (Apri) because I liked the idea of only four periods a year. Big mistake. This birth control made me break out like I never have before. I also gained about 25 pounds while on this. Being a young woman, those are the two biggest things I look for in a birth control pill, besides effectiveness, obviously. The chemical difference between the two pills obviously did not agree with my body, and I switched back to Reclipsen after about 6 months. I will be sticking to Reclipsen for a long time."

• wil...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 12, 2021

For Birth Control "I started taking Amethia because I was working a summer job in a remote part of the county. I would have limited period products and didn’t want to deal with a monthly period in general. I had never taken BC before Amethia. I didn’t have a horrible experience, but I wouldn’t necessarily recommend it. I had breakthrough bleeding for about 8 weeks. It would almost never get on my panties, but it was noticeable if I wiped. Before Amethia, I hadn’t had acne besides the occasional pimple or two for years. After starting it, I was almost constantly broken out on my cheeks. Overall, I’m changing to a “monthly” birth control, partly because of the negative side effects and the fact my job is over and I’m more comfortable having a regular period."