Balcoltra and Acne: What Users Say

• Cat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 3, 2020

For Birth Control "Started Balcoltra about 4 months ago. I was so scared with all the bad reviews, but my gyno put me on it, so I went with it. Other than a little breakthrough bleeding, I haven't had any major side effects. I noticed the cramps during my period lasted a little longer the first couple of months, but now on month 4, I can say that my period is shorter and lighter than what it used to be. No acne, no bloating or weight gain. I'm happy with it!"

• Yaz...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 8, 2020

For Birth Control "Horrible. Experienced terrible mood swings and increased depression and anxiety, plus cystic acne that I never experienced before this pill. I’ve also been constantly bleeding for the past 4 weeks because of it, wouldn’t recommend at all."

• Kan...
• January 14, 2021

"Literally the worst birth control on the market. I’ve been off birth control for three years and got back on due to irregular menstrual cycles. Back in 2017, I was on Ortho Tri-Cyclen and only experienced minor bloating as a symptom. My gyno gave me this script because of the low hormones, but I highly regret it. When I started the first pack, I started breaking out like CRAZY! I kept going because I figured my body just might be getting used to the pack. Come week three, I have a full-blown period before I even reached the blue pills. Two weeks after that, I have developed insomnia, chronic fatigue to a point where I can hardly stay awake during the day, accompanied by nausea and extreme hunger both at the same time. To top it off, I’m moody as anything and have been super irritable. Let's not forget the huge mountains forming on my chin and cheeks still. Safe to say I’m switching back to Ortho Tri-Cyclen ASAP! Stay away, ladies."

• Bal...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 4, 2022

For Birth Control "I’m usually not one to leave bad reviews, but I’ve been on 3 different pills, and this was the worst experience I have ever had. Cystic acne on my jawline, neck, cheeks, back, and chest. 2 periods every month. Made my suicidal thoughts so much worse. Horrible cramps and super heavy period. MAJOR hair loss and scalp issues (that stopped immediately after I stopped taking it). I took it for 3 months, but I should have listened to the reviews before I started taking it. Everyone’s experience is different, but I would 100% not risk it."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 2, 2021

For Birth Control "This is my first time ever being on birth control. I’m not sure how other brands work, but this brand really works for me. It helped with acne, lighter and shorter periods, less cramps, and everything."

• JTE...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 9, 2019

For Birth Control "Everyone's chemistry is different, and what works for one woman will not necessarily work for another. This is the third hormonal birth control I've tried, and the side effects have been the most manageable on this medication. First, it does what it claims it will do; I've been on it for about a year now and am not pregnant. ;) For me, the side effects have been mild, much milder than other BCs I've tried (generic patches and LO Loestrin FE). I do experience mood swings (generally irritability, sometimes lethargy) and bloating (which goes away during period week). Acne doesn't seem to be affected; it's slightly better than when I was taking nothing, but it does not keep my skin entirely clear. Periods are shorter than normal on this medication, and I don't experience cramping any more or less than typical."

• Lea...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 6, 2019

For Birth Control "I have been on 2 other birth controls, which made me nauseous and feel horrible every day. Balcoltra is the only one that hasn’t made me feel that way. I haven’t had excess weight gain or acne. I feel really normal."

• Mar...
• June 24, 2020

For Birth Control "I had an absolutely awful experience on this Balcoltra pill. I had almost constant cystic acne that abated during the placebo week but returned immediately upon starting the new pack. Nothing improved the acne, and it actually worsened over time. I also experienced weight gain and moodiness. I haven’t experienced such significant side effects on any other pill, so I really cannot recommend it to anyone."

• bir...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 2, 2019

For Birth Control "I switched to Balcoltra because I was experiencing breakthrough bleeding on Sprintec and Tri-Sprintec. At first, Balcoltra was great -- had NO breakthrough bleeding or side effects for the first 3 months. For some reason, at month 4, I started experiencing breakthrough bleeding again, as well as lots of gastrointestinal problems, bloating, mood swings, acne -- you name it. It was very frustrating, but my doc encouraged me to keep with it for a few more months. During these months, the pill was very inconsistent. Sometimes, I'd have a great month with no breakthrough bleeding and short periods. Others, I'd have every side effect in the book. I also gained about 5 pounds, but that could be for a number of reasons, even though I eat very healthily and work out 5 days a week. I've finally decided to switch off Balcoltra and try something else."

• Mad...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 24, 2019

For Birth Control "I was encouraged to take this BC by my OBGYN to prevent breakthrough bleeding. The only positive things I can say about this pill are that it has prevented pregnancy and breakthrough bleeding. However, from the beginning, I noticed severe breast tenderness, cystic acne, stomach cramps, headaches, and, worst of all, mood swings. I’m currently home for the holidays, and my mother brought up the fact that something is off with me emotionally, which really opened my eyes. Everything in my life is going well, so I have no doubts it’s the birth control messing with my anxiety and depression. My doctor encouraged me to test it out for a few months, but I’m so miserable that I’m getting off of it immediately."

• Ann...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 10, 2022

For Birth Control "I needed to get on BC, and this was my first-ever prescription. Week 1 of the pills, I didn’t notice much-just tiny little pimples. Week 2 was absolutely horrible. Nauseous, always bloated, no motivation to do anything, weight gain, and the worst of all, dizzy all day, every day, and bad chest pains. I stopped taking the pill due to these side effects. Do not get on this BC!"

• Jan...
• July 22, 2019

For Birth Control "Balcoltra has caused my acne to go from mild to severe in a matter of 6 months. Previously, I was on Yaz for 7 years. My acne on Yaz was mostly mild. It also made me lose weight. But, over time, I started experiencing migraines and increased acne, so I talked to my gyno, and she switched me to Balcoltra. She explained that my body could have changed and the hormones in Yaz just weren't working the same. Boy, do I wish I never made that switch. I have always been the type to say birth control does not make you gain weight, but in 6 months, I've put on almost 10 lbs, and I really haven't made any changes in my diet. But the worst is the horrendous cystic acne that's now covering my jawline, cheeks, and chin. I tried not to believe that this was the culprit and that it's just because I've been under a lot of stress, but I can't hold out any longer. I'm coming off completely. For now, I'm just praying that my acne gets under control."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 11, 2022

For Birth Control "DON’T use this! I’m 26. I’ve been on birth control (Ortho Tri-Cyclen) since I turned 20 with no major issues. I switched because of predisposition for heart conditions and blood clotting disorder, and Balcoltra is supposed to be lower in hormones. Gyno gave me 2 free packs. I don’t have insurance, and I quickly realized the pharmacy wanted to charge me $240 a month! I had already started taking them, so I figured I’d finish the free packs. Within maybe the first weeks, I had become extremely depressed and unmotivated. I’m usually a happy person, and I’ve never had issues with my body. I developed some sort of body dysmorphia. I lost my appetite and often skipped meals and somehow still managed to gain weight and had bloating. I started having severe acne, and I think I might be losing my hair too. I didn’t think it was the pill until the second month on it. I’m done with it now, but my recommendation is to save yourself the mental strain!"

• Nik...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 23, 2023

For Birth Control "Not worth the stress. I’m in my second month of taking this birth control. I was put on this to help shrink an ovarian cyst. So far, I’ve had nonstop bleeding. I’ve been bleeding/spotting for a month straight, literally. I normally have a cycle of 4 to 6 days, so going from 4 to 6 days to a whole 30 days nonstop is insane. I’ve experienced abnormal mood swings, weight gain, increased anxiety, depression, random crying, and acne for no reason. I get off work, shower, and get right in the bed because I’m so depressed, and I have no reason to be. My life is great, I’m a mother, wife, and business owner, but taking this birth control just has me feeling depressed. Having acne as a side effect makes depression even worse. Now I’m depressed and feel ugly. Ughhhh."

• Ros...
• December 5, 2019

For Birth Control "I was on Balcoltra for a total of 4 horrible months. This was the first BC I’d ever been on-recommended by my OBGYN to treat ovarian cysts. Now, my cysts were painful, but nothing compared to this BC’s side effects. I was nauseous every single day. I woke up nauseous, I went about my day fighting the urge to vomit, and I’d go to bed sitting upright until I’d fall asleep and wake up at 3 a.m. with food coming up my throat. I’d also get frequent migraines, definitely gained some weight, have episodes of depression, and I’d developed acne that I hadn’t had since my teenage years. The only upside is that my period would last about 3 days when prior to it, it would last about 7-8 days. I know it was this BC doing all of this because I switched to Blisovi and have yet to have any side effects. My acne cleared up within days, I sleep through the night, and I’m losing some weight. I know every body is different, but this one was so intense I really wouldn’t recommend it to ANYONE."

• acn...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 11, 2019

For Birth Control "I switched to Balcoltra after Tri Lo Marzia when I began getting periods over 12 days long. 3 months in, my period is back to normal, and nothing else is. I am on birth control (BC) to help my acne, and I now have huge cystic breakouts when I've never had cystic acne before. Ever since starting the medication, I've had severe mood swings, which continued to get worse and spiraled into full-on depression. Like many other commenters, I tried very hard to believe it wasn't the birth control, but I have experienced nearly every side effect of this medication at this point. This was my fourth birth control I've tried, and I am officially done with BC altogether. Thanks for nothing!"

• cca...
• January 16, 2021

For Birth Control "I am coming up on the last pack of my 3-month supply. I would not recommend this brand to anyone. I got on birth control because my periods were incredibly irregular. Does it help regulate it? Yes. Balcoltra contains iron in it. Because of all that iron, you will feel bloated and have digestive issues. My acne was never bad, but after I started it, cystic acne started to show up. I thought birth control was supposed to reduce acne? After I’m done with this pack, I’ll be using a different brand."

• mar...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 19, 2022

For Birth Control "This is truly the worst possible birth control ever. I started this when I was 15, and I immediately noticed poor acne on my face that I never got before. It made me really depressed, anxious, and angry at small things. I had terrible period cramps on this pill, I even had an ovarian cyst, which was extremely painful. This pill was awful for me, and it's different for everyone, but it did not help me at all."

• Bro...
• April 23, 2022

For Birth Control "I switched to Balcoltra from Isibloom about 4 months ago. Since then, I’ve gained over 15 lbs, have had severe bloating, migraines, tender breasts, and horrible mood swings. Not to mention my acne is the worst it’s been since I was a teenager! It is awful! I’m on the verge of quitting birth control altogether because I’ve tried everything under the sun, and my OB said this was my last option! They said to finish my current pack and see if anything improves, but honestly, I would rather die than take it again."

• Jes...
• July 27, 2021

For Birth Control "At first, I felt that it definitely helped, light to normal bleeding, minor cramping, and my period start day was always on the same day of my pill pack and lasted 3-4 days max. I did have a week-long panic attack when I started it. Recently, I’ve been noticing some changes in myself mentally and physically. For instance, I’ve always been a bit paranoid, a big hypochondriac, moody, and short-fused, but for the past 2 years, I want to say it’s been pretty excessive, my stress level is horrid. I have never had anxiety, and I’ve recently been so anxious. I have noticed that I have been getting recurrent yeast infections since starting this. Another thing I have noticed is my start day has changed from the first placebo pill, now it’s the fourth. Along with this, it’s starting to last longer, about 5-7 days, with bad cramps and heavier bleeding. My skin has been having cystic breakouts. Lastly, I feel like this prescription has made my lower abdomen extremely bloated, not just during my period."

• Lot...
• June 29, 2021

For Birth Control "Strong headaches the first 2 months. I NEVER get headaches. Random cramping here and there, easy to manage, no breakthrough bleeding. My period became longer and less painful, but the mood swings and cravings intensified. I started getting acne and bad scars, but I found that 10% benzoyl peroxide helps! I skip the bottom row of pills, so my period is sometimes longer and less noticeable bleeding."

• Ada...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 25, 2019

For Birth Control "The worst birth control I have ever taken! I went on birth control a few months ago because I had the worst cramps ever. I went on Balcoltra without much consultation because I just wanted that pain to be over. I have been on it for two months, and my cramps have barely improved. It hasn’t done much to help that aspect but has also made me break out much more than I normally do. So disappointed, and please, this is a warning to all: do not go on it! Find a better one, this one sucks."

• Don...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 4, 2022

For Birth Control "I’ve gained 8 pounds, and I haven’t even been on this for two weeks. My acne is worsening!"