Gildess Fe 1/20 and Acne: What Users Say

• Tar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 23, 2016

For Birth Control "I have been on Lo Loestrin Fe for the past 4 years. My gyno prescribed Gildess when I switched health insurance. I was against switching since my skin was clear and I was content with Lo's mild side effects. I am so glad that I did not read user reviews before switching as I probably would have never tried it. Since switching to Gildess BC, I no longer have breakthrough bleeding, my sex drive is improved, no breakouts have occurred (which was a big concern), but the best part is that I've lost the bloated abdomen! I tried everything for the past 4 years to lose my belly roll. Because BC does cause yeast, I stay on a good probiotic, but even that never made my belly flat. Give it at least 3 months for your body to adjust."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 12, 2016

For Birth Control "I have been taking Glidess for a few years to control heavy periods and have been very happy with it. No more periods, no headaches or cramping. My pharmacy switched to Blisovi when Glidess was recalled. I am seeing terrible reviews/side effects that people are having. I used another generic in place of Glidess in the past when my pharmacy ran out of it, and I had terrible acne and felt sick while taking it, so I'm afraid to take another generic version. I hope the issues with Glidess are resolved and it comes back on the market. Not sure what is the closest match to it, as it seems Blisovi is not it."

• Ale...
• August 9, 2014

For Birth Control "I've been on the pill for more than two months, and all I can do is complain about it. I started taking it to regulate my periods, but all it's done is make me have no periods at all- which doesn't help much either. It made me break out so much, and I'm always moody and angry, as if I'm PMSing all the time. Not to mention, I get all the lousy pre-period symptoms, such as backaches and cramps, but no bleeding."

• MJ_...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 25, 2016

For Birth Control "This is the only birth control that doesn't make me crazy. It does take at least 3 months for your body to get used to it, and you have to take it at the exact time to prevent spotting and/or breakthrough bleeding. I don't gain any weight while on it, and it clears up my acne. Once my body became used to it, my periods were not painful, lighter, and shorter. Everyone is different, but the key with this one is you must take it on time!!"

• Chl...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• January 5, 2016

For Acne "I am 39, and I used to have crazy acne that kept getting worse and used to get a period for 15 days a month! Yes, 5-6 days of regular flow, with a few days of spotting before and a few days after. Also, terrible stomach cramps, bloating, and pain in my breasts before having the periods. After starting on this pill, my acne went away, and my periods are spot on every 28 days and last for 3 days. And no more PMS! I would recommend it. Try it before getting discouraged by negative reviews. This pill has been good for me."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 29, 2015

For Birth Control "Had breakthrough bleeding the first three or four months and acne. Went to the dermatologist about the acne, and she said the birth control is a good brand and it would help with acne over the next few months. She was right. Acne cleared up, and my periods are regular, lighter, and shorter, which is fantastic. I have no complaints with the pill now that those small things have been resolved. I like this pill a lot."

• KAT...
• January 10, 2015

For Acne "First time taking birth control, and as soon as I started taking this pill, I immediately broke out. Under my chin, I had constant pimple after pimple show up. It's been a month in, and I still have breakouts!"

• Kel...
• February 13, 2016

For Birth Control "I felt the need to write something because it seems like this gets several bad reviews. I will say the first few weeks were pretty bad. Spotting and cramps, but that's it - once I got used to the hormones, it's been smooth sailing ever since. Expect to spot on this (like every other BC, I'd bet), but doubling up for a few days stops that. No mood swings and cleared up minor acne, so I recommend trying it for yourself! Everyone has different reactions, I did."

• Tak...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 19, 2016

For Birth Control "This has to be the worst birth control I have ever taken. I have never experienced so many side effects on any medication. This pill makes me so nauseous that I wake up out of my sleep!!!! My acne is usually controlled, but not on this! Gildess has wrecked havoc on my entire body. I get breakouts on my chest (ew, gross, I know), and I have gained so much weight on it. I'm talking about like 20 lbs., and let's not even mention how emotional I am. I cry about EVERYTHING. The only plus side to this was the huge cup size increase: 34B to 34D. If I hadn't already been to my gyn, I'd think I was pregnant. Nope, it's just this damn birth control. Oh, and my GYN says my blood pressure is also elevated. You are better off being pregnant!"

• Gh2...
• June 26, 2016

For Birth Control "This is the only birth control since the depo that I have found that works for me. I get terrible cramps, mood swings, tender breasts, and acne when I'm not on BC or on any other BC. After the first month on Gildess, after my body was used to it, I had ZERO PMS side effects!! I am so happy I finally found something that takes away those terrible debilitating cramps!! I have had absolutely NO issues with this BC!! So grateful to have found this..."

• Gil...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 28, 2015

For Birth Control "I'm almost done with my 2nd month. I honestly was scared to take this at first after reading the reviews, but it really isn't bad at all. The symptoms are very mild for me, I get some breakouts, but it's not that bad. I notice some slight change in mood. I can get irritated easily, but I notice it and don't let it bother me. The only thing that bothers me is pretty much having another period mid-cycle, it wasn't really light spotting either. It was done after like 4 days, but I know I'm about to start my actual one in about 6 days, so that is annoying. I'm going to keep on this for another couple of months since the symptoms are so mild, and I'll just get more used to them. All I can say is I love free birth control!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 15, 2016

For Birth Control "This BC took some getting used to, the first month I had an extremely long period. Some irregular bleeding here and there, but only 3-pound weight gain. Anxiety got better, then got worse, and now I have pretty much no sex drive, and I'm always angry. My emotions seem to be x10. I have random periods throughout the pack, looks like I'm having two periods this month. Some periods were really light, now they're getting heavier and longer. My acne has cleared up, and I have not gotten pregnant or gained much weight."

• Cri...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 18, 2015

For Birth Control "This pill did tremendously help with my cramps and lighten my period. But I have thought I was losing my mind since I started it. Very depressed all the time, extreme highs and way more extreme lows, my skin has never broken out like it has since starting this pill. I've gained almost 40 pounds. No matter how I cut back and exercise more, I can't get rid of it (something I've never had a problem with). My hair is literally falling out. I'm so achy and sore all day, every day, and I don't even know what sleep is anymore. Funny enough, I didn't connect any of these symptoms to this pill, even though it all didn't start until after I started this pill. It was just another sleepless night on the net. I'll just deal with the cramps, not worth it."

• Anonymous
• December 15, 2015

For Birth Control "I have never written a review in my 21 years of life, but I feel I should share my experience. About a little over a month ago, I got on this pill. Not to brag, but I have a decent, happy life. The first couple of days, I noticed no symptoms and was so happy. Out of nowhere, I started waking up with migraines and breaking out. I figured, okay, no big deal. I didn't connect it with the pill. Next thing you know, I get upset and mad about literally EVERYTHING: work, family, boyfriend. My life was going downhill every day, with depressing thoughts. Finally, my boyfriend and I put it together and figured out it was the birth control. I IMMEDIATELY stopped, and thank God I am feeling better as the days go by. Not to mention, everyday spotting! NOT WORTH IT."

• Lea...
• November 19, 2015

For Birth Control "I'm 32 and have been taking Gildess for 3 months. My period has been light, although my acne spikes a little mid-cycle. My breasts are sore about half the time (which is typical for me). I otherwise really like this pill and don't feel any different than when I'm not taking birth control."

• OMF...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 19, 2015

For Birth Control "Oh, eff this pill. First, my Dr. put me on Provera to do a medicinal D&C vs. a surgical one. That was a mess. So we discussed BC pills instead because that should have a more standard response. Well, my body gave me two giant middle fingers. I've been bleeding for 19 days. I'm not just talking spotting. I use the Diva Cup, I'm shedding 1/4 oz - 1/2 oz every day. Pretty sure I'm anemic at this point. Oh, and my acne is atrocious."

• Dis...
• November 11, 2016

For Birth Control "I definitely don't recommend this pill if you already have anxiety. It made my anxiety attacks much worse. Plus, it gave me horrible acne, and I've never struggled with acne. Everyone reacts differently to BC, but just be aware when you decide to go with this one."

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

For Birth Control "RUN THE OTHER WAY! I started on Gildess because the mail-order pharmacy chose it as a substitute for my normal brand. I've been on it for 2 months, and I'm up 9 pounds so far despite doing the 21-day fix over the past month. Called my gyno, and she asked me to come in immediately. Rapid weight gain like that is apparently not good. Other unpleasant side effects seem to be alternating between rage and depression, acne on my face, neck, and chest (oh baby!), zero libido, long, heavy periods with a decent amount of cramping, and migraines. Having another kid wouldn't be as bad as another month on this pill."

• jes...
• June 5, 2016

For Birth Control "I just finished my first pack and didn't have a pleasant experience on this pill. My period typically comes around every 3 months and lasts for about 5 days, but I bled the entire time I was on this medication. I also never typically have cramps, but boy, did I have cramps. I also didn't have a problem with acne until I started this pill."

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

For Birth Control "I started taking this birth control 4 months ago. I immediately developed acne all over my face, gained 20 pounds over the course of 2 months, suffered from debilitating cramps, and experienced intense mood swings. I do not recommend this birth control for anyone who is estrogen dominant."

• KfK...
• March 30, 2016

For Birth Control "Gildess has been awesome for me. I've always had heavy periods that lasted at least 7-9 days. When I started Gildess, my periods have become light-normal and only last 3-4 days. I get breakouts every now and then, like I always have, so Gildess hasn't helped or made my acne worse. Overall, I have no complaints."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 8, 2016

For Birth Control "I have racked my brain trying to remember the name of this birth control. Sad it is discontinued. My favorite out of five brands I have tried. Made me lose 5 lbs/mo without changing anything in my lifestyle. I never got pregnant, and I never had acne."

• I...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 30, 2015

For Menstrual Disorders "I had my period three times the first month, two on the second, and two times again on the third. While this BC did not make me gain weight, I don't believe it helped with my acne much. I called my doctor after the third month and she switched me to something different... just hope this won't be as bad as this pill... expect to be on your period the whole three first months, really.."

• Lis...
• October 7, 2015

For Birth Control "I've been on birth control since I was 16 to help with my cramps and PMS. I'm 21 and recently switched to this birth control because of insurance coverage. I gained 20 pounds, extreme drowsiness, always tired, a lot of spotty and terrible acne, which I've never had before. The estrogen levels are too high, and I don't recommend this pill."

• Kir...
• July 23, 2014

For Birth Control "I was on this for 6 months, and it was awful. I had the worst mood swings. Then they switched me into Junel Fe for another 6 months. It was just as bad. I had acne. Awful moods. And I understand everyone is different. But for me, it was just awful."