Aurovela Fe 1/20 and Acne: What Users Say

• Aly...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 13, 2021

For Birth Control "I see a lot of these reviews sharing depression and anxiety symptoms. I have never been a person to say I struggle with those, and for the most part throughout the 5 months being on it, I didn't notice anything. But looking back on it, I definitely see the correlations. It would come to me in spurts, though, the sadness wasn't throughout my whole experience. But I noticed I was sad about things that I had already gotten over/accepted previously, which was odd. Anyway, my BIGGEST concern is the ACNE it causes. IF YOU HAVE FOR THE MOST PART CLEAR SKIN, DO NOT TAKE THIS. It will ruin your skin so badly. I stopped the pill because of this. Never in my life had I had acne so badly, and within just 5 months. Also, my breasts are huge and so sore, had to get new bras. Got fitted, went from an A to a borderline C, they said. Never in my life... that was so crazy. Either way, the acne was so bad I couldn't stand it. Not even for bigger boobs..."

• isa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 20, 2021

For Birth Control "I started this Aurovela Fe 1/20 birth control the beginning of November, and it was fine until like December 20-something. I wasn’t able to sleep, had major headaches, started to feel really down, and think so negatively. I have random breakdowns multiple times a day, just crying, and have been having to sleep with my mom to keep me comforted. I am just now stopping this pill, hoping it helps, and just to take care of my mental health by exercising, keeping up with my skincare because it caused a lot of breakouts, and focusing on my relationships with others. Please don’t get this birth control! It really changed my life and made me a different person. I’m not the happy person I once was, but hoping to get back to it."

• Anonymous
• January 3, 2022

For Birth Control "I was scared to start this birth control from the reviews I have read, but I have had zero issues with it. I have been on Lo Loestrin Fe for 4 years and needed to switch because of insurance issues. I did not gain any weight, break out, or have any unwanted side effects. My boobs felt a little swollen for the first week or so, but that quickly faded. I got my period when expected, and it was so light for 3 days. I have had no issues, and I am pleasantly surprised with how easily I transitioned to this pill."

• Cai...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 25, 2021

For Birth Control "This is the worst birth control ever. I’ve been on Junel and Lo Estrin for 10 years and never experienced any side effects. Walgreens gave me this birth control instead of Junel in Jan, and I finally called my Dr. to switch me back to Junel. Horrible, horrible acne, breast tenderness, weight gain (I’ve been the same exact weight for 7 years), terrible anxiety and sleeping issues, as well as low energy. Within three days of switching back to Junel, my entire face cleared up, and I’ve been able to sleep again. Hopefully, breast tenderness will go away with time, as well as back to my normal weight. Do not take this birth control as an alternative to Junel. If you use Walgreens, find a new pharmacy that will give you Junel."

• Jan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 10, 2021

For Birth Control "I started taking Aurovela Fe 1/20 a month ago (Sep 2021), and the reviews scared me at first, but so far my side effects have been small pimples on my cheek and forehead, nausea like once a week, and like 2 days where I randomly felt sad and started crying out of nowhere lol. That’s it. This is my first time ever taking birth control, and I mainly got it because of my really heavy periods and TERRIBLE cramps. I started my period 3 days ago, and so far it’s been lighter, and I got very, very light cramps the first 2 days to where they were manageable, and I didn’t need to take any pain relievers. But just keep in mind that everyone reacts differently to these types of things, especially if your doctor or pharmacy switched you from a high dose BC to a low dose BC (which would be Aurovela). As for the pimples, I use Curology, so that’s been helping me, and I drink some ginger ale whenever I get nauseous. I hope my review helped!"

• Anonymous
• December 22, 2020

For Birth Control "I was on this for a month and a half. First month I was so nauseous and had horrible headaches. Also had been super anxious and emotional. Start of my second pill pack I got borderline cystic acne out of nowhere. I just switched back to my old birth control. I googled the reviews tonight and saw that 80% had negative effects, no wonder I feel and look like this. I can’t believe anyone thought to prescribe this to me, I’m actually livid. Four days before Christmas and I have over 25 pimples on my face. When I say last Friday my skin was clean, I’m not kidding. Livid."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 24, 2022

For Birth Control "Aurovela was the first birth control pill I tried. It was not the right fit for me. It caused extremely irregular bleeding, where I would either spot all month or not bleed at all. I have always had above-average skin with no acne. But when I started Aurovela, my skin was inflamed with constant breakouts that looked more like a rash. I am also not an emotional person, but found myself crying at everything when I was taking Aurovela. All in all, not my best experience with the pill, but if it works for others, more power to you!"

• Anonymous
• December 16, 2020

For Birth Control "I know everyone has different reactions, but I was on this birth control Aurovela Fe 1/20 for two months, and it was awful. I have never really struggled with acne before, I’d always get one or two breakouts here and there, mostly when I was about to get my period. However, after starting this pill, I developed cystic acne all over my face. I tried to wait it out because I know it can take some time to regulate, however, it only was getting worse over time. I also experienced the worst depression I have ever had. My period was great at first, normally I have really heavy periods and bad cramps, and I didn’t have any cramps at all, and it was super light. After the first month, I started to experience breakthrough bleeding and had a two-week-long period, which was super painful and heavy. After that, I decided I couldn’t take it anymore and talked to my doctor. I just didn’t feel like myself at all. After being off of it for only about a week, I feel 10 times better!"

• Anonymous
• December 16, 2020

For Birth Control "I know everyone has different reactions, but I was on this birth control Aurovela Fe 1/20 for two months, and it was awful. I have never really struggled with acne before, I’d always get one or two breakouts here and there, mostly when I was about to get my period. However, after starting this pill, I developed cystic acne all over my face. I tried to wait it out because I know it can take some time to regulate, however, it only was getting worse over time. I also experienced the worst depression I have ever had. My period was great at first, normally I have really heavy periods and bad cramps, and I didn’t have any cramps at all, and it was super light. After the first month, I started to experience breakthrough bleeding and had a two-week-long period, which was super painful and heavy. After that, I decided I couldn’t take it anymore and talked to my doctor. I just didn’t feel like myself at all. After being off of it for only about a week, I feel 10 times better!"

• wan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 12, 2020

For Birth Control "If you have a history of depression and/or anxiety, this birth control pill Aurovela Fe 1/20 may make it worse. I have depression and anxiety that I have been treated for for 5 years now and been stable on medication. I have been taking Microgestin Fe 1/20 for about 3 years now, and my pharmacy ran out of everything, and this was their only option. Within 3 weeks, I am experiencing depression and anxiety similar to when I was first diagnosed with depression and wasn’t in treatment for it. It’s awful. I feel terrible. Aurovela Fe 1/20 has given me side effects of me being extremely bloated, my breasts are insanely huge and so sore, I have acne breakouts in 6 places on my face and all over my chest and collarbone area. This pill is absolutely awful, and I hate how it makes me feel. The pharmacist assured me it was all the same active ingredients, and I shouldn't notice a change. Well, when I’m 3 weeks into it and having suicidal thoughts return for the first time in 5 years, and this has been the only change, I beg to differ."

• Mic...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 5, 2022

For Birth Control "The absolute worst thing I’ve ever put into my body. I’ve always been a happy, upbeat person. On this pill, I struggled with extreme anxiety, depression, weight gain, acne, uncontrollable anger, insomnia, and mood swings since being on this pill. I was great on Junel. Never once had a suicidal ideation until a few months being on Aurovela. It took me a while to connect the dots. I thought my anxiety and depression were outside factors until I took a few months off from taking the pill and felt like my normal happy self again. Then going back onto it, I felt the anxiety, depression, and anger kick in and take over my life. I’m an actual lunatic on the pill. I highly recommend staying as far away from Aurovela as possible."

• use...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 12, 2022

For Birth Control "I took this birth control for a year. Positive Effects: For about 11 months, it made all my acne and pore congestion completely disappear. This was really why I remained on the medication for so long despite the bad side effects. It also made my period disappear during placebo week starting at the 3rd month. It did reduce my libido a tiny bit, but not to the point where it made me not want sex or my boyfriend. Negative Effects: At around 12 months, my skin began breaking out. Not extreme breakouts, but I no longer had flawless skin as I had for 11 months. I experienced extreme bloating for the first couple of months. Extreme like intense discomfort. This did get 'better', but I was always bloated the entire year of taking this medication. I did realize that my mood swings got worse while taking this pill."

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 11, 2021

For Birth Control "I was on Aurovela Fe 1/20 for a year, and it definitely made my period a lot lighter, and I never had issues with cramps or anything. The downside is that I used to stay around the same weight for years, but after being on it, I gained 10 pounds. I also used to never really have issues with acne until I started Aurovela. I've now been off of it for a month, and my skin has already gotten so much better!"

• LJS...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 9, 2022

For Birth Control "If you struggle with mental health, this birth control is definitely not for you. It was prescribed to me by my gyno after a 2-minute conversation with her, and she essentially rushed the conversation because she was very busy and told me that this is what she starts all her patients on. So I took her word for it and took the birth control for about 6 months. My mood stability went out the window and I became very reactive, acting like I was PMSing all the time. I was irritable, sensitive, emotional, and just feeling down all the time. Even after a week of not taking it, I feel so much better mentally. I’m hoping as my body comes back to normal before the BC I feel more like myself again. Additionally, I used to suffer from acne but have had relatively clear skin for the past year. Taking this BC has made my skin flare back up with hormonal acne, and it’s been very frustrating. Not a fan at all of this BC."

• Lei...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 18, 2021

For Birth Control "This is the worst birth control I have ever been on. I have gained 7 lbs, had uncontrollable crying, very irregular periods (early and 2 weeks long), awful acne, and lots of cramping/diarrhea. I really do not recommend this birth control. I've been on it about 5 months now."

• Hey...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 4, 2022

For Birth Control "This was my first birth control I’ve ever taken, and my experience was just plain awful. I’ve dealt with cystic acne my whole life, and this pill has simply worsened it. A week before my period, I would get huge, I mean the biggest painful nodules I’ve ever dealt with. I gained about 8ish pounds, which is normal for most pills, but I would also have so many pregnancy symptoms, which led me to take countless tests. Not to mention it would wake me up in the middle of the night with nausea at least once every week. I know everybody's different, but personally, I had an awful experience, and I would recommend another pill far different from this one. (I was on this for about 4 months)"

• Str...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 16, 2020

For Birth Control "The only good thing about this Aurovela Fe 1/20 pill is that I haven't experienced any bloating or weight gain, but it has been giving me bad breakouts and very dry skin, and my Junel had never let my skin feel tight at all."

• Kat...
• December 16, 2020

For Birth Control "I am currently on week four of taking Aurovela because my pharmacist couldn’t get my normal birth control in (Junel Fe 24). I am still new at taking birth control. I have been taking it for about 8 or so months now and haven’t had a problem until now. After switching, I have been experiencing horrible breast pain, and I can also feel lumps. I know it’s normal to experience breast tenderness and develop some acne when starting or changing birth control, but this exceeds breast ‘tenderness.’ I have had breast pain for the entire time I have been taking Aurovela and have had acne breakouts here and there. My anxiety has also picked up as well."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 22, 2021

For Birth Control "Before going on this medication, I had, for the most part, clear skin and was actually happy with it! I've been doing a nightly skin routine every night to keep it this way! But when I started this birth control, almost instantly, I got acne all along my chin line and lower cheeks. My face is so sore and tender, along with my boobs! And they are also 2 sizes bigger and are constantly sore. I am going to get it switched, as my face looks terrible now. Mood swings come and go as well..."

• Kav...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 1, 2022

For Birth Control "I have been on other generics for this birth control... Larin Fe 1/20 and Microgestin Fe 1/20. I had a great experience on BOTH of those medications and was on them for about 3 years. No weight gain, clear skin, light/no periods. Then I went off BC for a few years, which brings us to the present. My OB/GYN prescribed me Larin Fe 1/20 again, but my pharmacy couldn't get Larin, so they gave me Aurovela Fe 1/20 instead. Worst. Experience. Ever. Now, I know that it takes time for your body to adjust, but I know my body on this medication in other brands, so I know Aurovela is causing trouble. The worst is the chin acne, bloating (constant), and trouble with constipation. My lifestyle habits haven't changed. I still work out 3-4 times a week and drink plenty of fluid and have a fairly healthy diet that includes fiber. I am not on any other medications either except this pill. I called my pharmacy to switch me to a different brand. If Junel Fe 1/20 doesn't work, I'm switching pharmacies."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 15, 2021

For Birth Control "I am on my second pack of Aurovela, and so far it has been the worst experience. I used to take Microgestin and never had any side effects. I took a 4-year break from BC as I was single, but recently wanted to start up again due to bad PMDD. Since Microgestin was discontinued, my doc started me on this. I've been in such a funk with depression, anxiety, awful cystic acne, yet I wasn't attributing it to the birth control because I just had COVID, so I thought my body was still recovering. After reading the reviews, though, I know it's the BC. You know when you start your period and you feel ugly for a few days? (i.e. bad complexion, bloated, tired, sad, etc.), well, Aurovela has made me feel like this for over a month. I know BC affects everyone differently, however, I feel like this one is universally terrible, especially if you're already struggling with mental health. For reference, I'm a 26-year-old Latina."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 1, 2021

For Birth Control "I took this for a month before I immediately got off of it. I originally had been on Lo Loestrin Fe for over a year before my insurance stopped paying for it. Then switched to Microgestin for a few months, which was fine except I was getting occasionally cystic breakouts. Switched to this, and for the first month, I had never been more emotionally unstable. I had the worst mood swings and cried hysterically for no reason (and I don't cry very easily either). It got to the point where I had some rather-dark-thoughts. As soon as I switched back to Lo Loestrin Fe, the depression, mood swings, and frantic crying subsided. I had some 2 months left of the Aurovela Fe, but I would literally never give it to my worst enemy."

• Reb...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 12, 2021

For Birth Control "Not as bad as all the reviews say, but still not great. It completely got rid of my period and cramps, which I don't mind, as my periods were awful before. However, it did nothing for my hormonal acne, but also didn't make it worse. I also recently found out I have high blood pressure despite living a healthy, active lifestyle, and I'm convinced it's due to this birth control. I plan on switching off of it."

• mug...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 28, 2022

For Birth Control "I have been on Aurovela for over a year, I really like it. I started with Blisovi and Junel, but like others have said, my pharmacy substituted it with Aurovela. I honestly see no difference at all. I’ve been on the birth control pill for 6 years, and I never experienced any severe side effects like others have talked about. I do get some hormonal acne, but I’d rather have that than a kid. I did not gain weight or experience increased depression or anxiety (which I am diagnosed with prior to birth control use). I would highly recommend this, as some high-dose pills my friend was on caused hair loss. This medicine is fine, if it affects you badly, just switch!"

• MSa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 7, 2020

For Birth Control "I was wary of taking Aurovela Fe 1/20 at first as I normally take Junel 1/2 FE until my pharmacy had to give me this one due to shortage. During the first month, I hadn't had any problems with bloating, weight gain, or sudden mood swings, but at nearly the third week, I did experience some bad chin acne till the end of my days."