Ethinyl estradiol / levonorgestrel and Acne: What Users Say (Page 3)

• HTR...
• August 21, 2018

For Birth Control "In the last 10 years, I have literally tried almost every single method of BC. No matter what, I always end up coming back to Aubra. This was recommended to me by my Nurse Practitioner when I informed her I wanted a really low dosage of hormones so I wouldn't get high mood swings, weight gain, bad periods, etc. And she was right. Even on top of not getting any bad normal side effects with most BCs, this cleared my skin up AMAZING. My skin seriously glows when I'm on this, it's smooth and literally like baby skin. I hardly ever break out, and when I do, it's around my end of cycle, and it's very mild. It did, however, make my boobs grow a cup - two cups bigger, which can be a good and bad thing depending on you. :p Hope this helps! :)"

• Tin...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 5, 2013

For Birth Control "I had taken Aviane for about 6 months straight, and I did not like it. My periods were a lot longer, my cramps were very bad, and I started breaking out on my face. I also had a loss of appetite and felt more tired every day. I do have to say it did help in preventing pregnancy, but I did not like the side effects. I am going to see if I can change birth control."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 10, 2022

For Birth Control "Been on it for maybe 2 years. No side effects for me. No hair loss. Cramps are rare, periods are shorter. No acne. I’m 19, been using this since my senior year. I encourage you to try it for yourself."

• Ker...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 8, 2018

For Birth Control "I do not recommend using Levlen! I’ve used it 3 times so far over a span of 4 years. First time broke out with chronic acne. Second time, same thing. Thinking it could have been because of another reason, since I stopped, my skin cleared up majorly, as I have never been prone to acne or even pimples in general. Started back on Levlen less than a month ago. My doctor said it probably wasn’t the Levlen giving me the acne, so I decided to try it again (face fully clear at this stage). Turns out it was 100% the Levlen pill. I don’t write reviews on anything, but it’s that bad I am warning anyone else thinking about using it. DON’T!! Yasmin is the best birth control pill I’ve tried yet!"

• Dra...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• May 24, 2012

For Birth Control "I have been on Jolessa for 7 years. I don't take the placebo pills and have not had a period in the 7 years except for once when the doctor's office and mail-order pharmacy my former insurance made me use got their wires crossed. If I don't take the pill at exactly the same time every day, my body lets me know that it needs its dose! No acne, and I have not had any weight gain. Slight spotting here and there, maybe once or twice a year. I don't plan on having any more children (I have a 10 1/2-year-old), but am only 28, so the doctors won't let me get a tubal ligation. I thought of the IUD, but quite frankly, I like never having a period. No ill effects after 7 years without it. Healthy as ever."

• Anonymous
• April 6, 2010

For Birth Control "Was on Aviane for a year with no problem, switched to Ortho for 3 months and gained weight, got acne, and my sex drive died. Back on Aviane for 3 days now and can already tell things are getting better. In my initial experience with Aviane, I felt a bit nauseous at times after taking the pill for the first couple of months, but that went away. I didn't really gain weight, and didn't find it hard to drop some weight when I started a workout regimen. My skin was clear, sex drive great, maybe a little more emotional around period time but nothing out of control, really helped with cramps, and had a predictable and short/light period. I even skipped a period once on Aviane because of a vacation and had no side effects."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 4, 2013

For Birth Control "I am finishing my third pack of Sronyx, and I love it. I didn't really have any problems adjusting. The first month, I did experience breast pain, one week of irritability, and just a couple of days of spotting. I had a couple of zits pop up around my period when I was off of the active pills. By the end of the second month, my skin is fine! I can honestly say this is a really good starter birth control pill. The low dose of hormones makes the transition very easy. My advice: of course, you will most likely experience some sort of side effect because of the hormones. Don't let the fear of a couple of zits or a few hormonal days keep you from trying it. It's worth it."

• Anonymous
• March 21, 2015

For Birth Control "I used to get extremely heavy periods and very severe cramps, and I was looking for a birth control pill that would help with it. My OB/GYN prescribed me Orsythia, and I was a little worried about side effects from what I've read online from others. But, I had none! No weight gain, mood swings, acne, or nausea! Nothing at all! My problems with cramps and heavy periods went away within three months, and there was a definite improvement right when I started taking it. No more cramps or acne, and my periods are now super light! I can't speak for everyone, since hormone pills will affect everyone differently, but this pill was a perfect match for me! I'd highly recommend it for birth control and managing difficult periods."

• Lan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 17, 2013

For Birth Control "First time ever starting birth control, and the reviews on here scared me! So glad I decided to tough it out! I've been taking it for 4 months, and the only symptoms I have had are a little more emotional outburst two days before my period (not that big of a deal, I was always prone to PMS emotional outbursts anyways) and breakthrough bleeding the first month. No weight gain, no acne (actually, less acne). I realize all women are different, but just thought I'd share my mostly pleasant experience with this pill! Oh, and of course...it works! Not pregnant!"

• bro...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 8, 2020

For Birth Control "This pill, Aviane, works as a birth control, and it made my periods super short and super light, and cramps disappeared. That being said, there were a lot of cons associated with this: headaches, nausea, weight gain, acne, acne, acne (my skin was clear before this), and crazy anxiety, depression, and mood swings. I would not recommend. Going to switch back to Ortho Cyclen."

• Nic...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 16, 2019

For Birth Control "DO NOT USE! Not only does this birth control NOT WORK, it has horrible side effects, not just on me, but on my roommates who were also prescribed it. We went together and got prescribed Aviane for birth control. Since being prescribed Aviane, I've been extremely irritable, hormonal, angry, depressed, and I am easier to lash out at people for no reason. I've gained a lot of weight and worst of all, I'm covered in cystic acne all over my face, neck, back, and thighs - sometimes on my bum too - I've never gotten acne before taking Aviane!!! And on top of that, I'm 1 month pregnant, even though I took the pill every day, on time, exactly how I was supposed to. My roommates have experienced all the same things. One of them got pregnant 2 months after they started taking it, another gained almost 50 pounds in only a few months, and don't even get me going about all of our acne problems. Ladies: do not use. Aviane birth control doesn't work, you could end up pregnant!!!!"

• Lib...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 14, 2020

For Birth Control "I’ve only been on this pill, Sronyx, for 6 weeks and am choosing to stop taking this pill. In the beginning, I was nauseous, leg pain, face broke out, and I grew some brown spots that don’t exactly look like moles. I bled irregularly for the first 2-3 weeks and then did not get my period at all the first month. My libido is up, but I have a hard time to orgasm. Then the pain that started in my lower leg slowly crept up to my thigh, it randomly hurts and feels deep, massaging does not help. I am now getting pains in my arms and neck and will no longer take this garbage. WAY too many side effects for me! And I’m scared it could be an embolism and kill me... ABSOLUTELY NOT WORTH TAKING! I read the insert, I read what the website says, and they make many of these symptoms seem incredibly minimal... so why did I get so many so fast? I’m done! Change your birth control!"

• Anonymous
• October 24, 2012

For Birth Control "This was the first pill my doctor prescribed me when I started on birth control, and I only took it for one month because of the side effects. I had spotting the first week, acne worsened, and my moods were absolutely uncontrollable. During the third week of my pack, I cried every day at little things that would normally not faze me. I stopped the pill before I even finished the month because of how out of control I felt. This was not a good first experience for me and made me skeptical to try any other pills."

• Gra...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 23, 2019

For Birth Control "I was switched to Portia after Levora was discontinued. TLDR: It was not a cute look. I experienced wild physical side effects that I had not experienced with Levora. 1) My skin broke out into more acne than it has in years, and my cheeks were constantly red. 2) I started Portia the same time I got back into my old cardio routine and clean diet that typically maintains my weight. THIS BIRTH CONTROL MADE ME GAIN 20 POUNDS in a month. And I'm 23, so it's not because my metabolism is slowing down. 3) I'm bloated ALL the time and hate how this medication gives me a perpetual food baby. 4) I'm constantly nauseous. 5) But I'm also constantly hungry. Now for the psychological symptoms: 6) I got depressed so easily and intensely, in a way that I had never been before and ended up being sent to the psychiatric ward for the first time."

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

For Endometriosis "Levlen is the worst thing that ever happened to me! I was on Norimin-1, but as a result of COVID, they were unable to import the ingredients for it. My doctor then switched me to Levlen... worst thing ever. After 3 weeks of use, I had severe hormonal acne all along my jawline. The pressure from the acne hurts my face (I’ve never ever had any issues with my skin). I thought this may be just because of a hormonal change from trying a new pill. After 3 months, it became worse and worse. Never have I had severe headaches, but daily I now have severe headaches that come out of nowhere. I have severe depression now from this pill, my mood swings are absolutely insane."

• Pea...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 17, 2014

For Birth Control "I got the pills for free at Planned Parenthood. They were effective in the aspect that I never got pregnant, but the side effects were pretty horrible. I had clear skin all my life, but when I got on the pill, I suffered from bad acne. I gained about ten pounds, a full cup size, and I felt constantly bloated. By the third month, I started suffering anxiety and depression. This medicine changed my personality and really messed with my head. After quitting, I've finally started to get my life back, and my anxiety is going away. I personally don't think these pills are worth the side effects."

• M_D...
• December 25, 2014

For Birth Control "I've been taking Orsythia for almost two weeks, and my emotions are all over the place. I get very upset at my boyfriend for no reason, and I tend to cry a lot. I have also had a little more acne than usual."

• efa...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 22, 2020

For Birth Control "It's important to realize everyone has different experiences! I started this Larissia pill before traveling abroad for a few months, so I was extremely nervous about taking it while handling such a drastic life change. But I noticed no mood swings, no change in weight, no acne, and, above all, I actually had increased libido! I went off of it for a month because I considered getting an IUD, but I did notice that after going off of the pill, I had a bit more hair loss, and my libido went back down. I'm contemplating going back on because I realize I might not find another BC that works as well for me."

• Rai...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 8, 2012

"I've been on Seasonique for a little over 6 weeks. I was previously on Depo-Provera on and off for the last 8 years (used NuvaRing on the breaks from Depo), and I was on Depo for the last year non-stop. Seasonique is a lifesaver. On Depo, I had crazy mood swings, uncontrollable crying fits, and severe depression. Within 2 weeks of starting Seasonique, I was a normal person! I didn't realize that Depo had created those side effects. I just thought I was crazy, but Seasonique changed everything for me. My acne even subsided dramatically, and I'm finally losing ALL of the weight I gained on Depo. I really believe Seasonique saved me. I have recommended it to every female I know."

• Ray...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 15, 2020

For Birth Control "This was the worst birth control I have ever been on. I am honestly stopping birth control because this stuff gave me the worst mental breakdown of my life. I stopped taking it and immediately started bleeding after. I have gotten acne where I have never had it before, and I have had the worst flare-up of BV in my life... not even antibiotics helped. Now I suffer from severe cramps and stuff, and this made things worse... I have never been laid out in bed because of cramps before this medication... 100% do not recommend!!!!"

• Lau...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 22, 2019

For Birth Control "I love this pill! I only had spotting the first week of taking it, and my hormones were a little whack at first, but they went away very quickly. My period is very regular, and this helped with my acne a lot. I’ve been on this for almost a year, and I’ve never considered switching to another pill."

• Not...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 2, 2020

For Polycystic Ovary Syndrome "I was really hesitant to take this birth control after reading the reviews on here. I have been on a variety of BC, including Aviane and a bunch of others, but none have stabilized my moods as much as Falmina. In the first month, I definitely had an increase in breast size and a little bit of weight gain. Acne hasn't been that extreme except for one zit on my chin (spironolactone helps with that), but that's minimal in comparison to PCOS symptoms in general. I've had a really good response to the medication, and I have had the most emotionally stable month I've had in a long time. Please try it for yourself before freaking out about the comments. I know how anxiety-provoking it can be to be switching hormones up."

• Anonymous
• September 24, 2011

For Birth Control "I had been on Lutera for several years and never had trouble with it. My pharmacy switched my medication to Orsythia. I have only been on it for 2 weeks, and I am unbelievably bloated, my clothes hardly fit, I have gained weight (probably due to the bloating), and my skin has broken out. My husband thought I was going through puberty again! I hate to see what the third week is going to bring. I had an appointment with my doctor and told her about my symptoms and told her about the pharmacy switching my medicine. She wrote another prescription for Lutera and told them not to substitute. I want my Lutera back!"

• MsI...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 10, 2020

For Premenstrual Syndrome "I’m starting my 3rd month on this pill and am using it to treat PMDD. I take the pills continuously, only the active ones. The first two weeks I had a few mood swings (nothing like PMDD, so manageable), chills, and nausea rarely. I used to get menstrual migraines every month and still do, but am hoping those go away as my body adjusts. I’ve been spotting for 2-3 weeks and hope that will go away too. Most importantly, I haven’t had PMDD in two months!! This is life-changing, and the side effects of spotting and one pimple here and there are 100% worth it to me."

• Jan...
• December 21, 2020

For Birth Control "I started taking Larissia last month, so I’m on my second pack. I took it to help with spotting, which is a symptom of the Nexplanon. I haven’t noticed any change in my mood and behavior. I haven’t gained any weight, I’ve actually lost some weight. It also didn’t do much for my acne, I still get some acne, but it’s nothing I’m not used to. Overall, I like the birth control. All I will say is everyone’s body is different, and just because someone had a bad experience on birth control, it doesn’t mean you will."