Gildess Fe 1/20 and Acne: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Don...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 30, 2015

For Birth Control "As a first-time BC user, I feel Gildess is a good choice. Almost a year on it, no babies, and the only major issue is the few but annoying breakouts. Getting used to it was an emotional adventure, but no major weight gain, and my libido has even increased! I would take this pill over any non-combination pill and feel very lucky that starting with it was not too bad. Everyone's body is different, but this is a good pill if it is a suitable match for you."

• 30y...
• July 23, 2015

For Birth Control "I have been on various birth controls for the past 15 years, and this was my worst experience. I was off BC for 3 years due to trying to conceive, pregnancy, and then nursing. I wanted to start on the pill again after my daughter weaned. I have only taken it for one month, and I can't remember any other pill having such extreme side effects. I immediately got a yeast infection, broke out worse than when I was a teenager, have been exhausted but unable to sleep at night, no sex drive, and extreme mood swings. It has been a horrible experience."

• Mbr...
• October 26, 2015

For Birth Control "So I've been taking this pill for 2 months, and I'm torn. First off, I haven't gained any weight, and I'm not pregnant, which is good. The cons are my moods are heightened. I'm way more emotional and get annoyed/mad a lot easier, and this started right away. My period lasted for a whole week last time, and although it wasn't heavy, I still had cramps. Also, when I'm on my period, I get nauseous, and I'm not sure if that's from the birth control or just me being on my period. My boobs have grown, which is another pro, but my acne has actually gotten worse. If my acne doesn't clear up by the third month, I think I'm going to switch because I really want clear skin... I had mild side effects: increased appetite, some cramps, and mild nausea."

• Bos...
• November 15, 2015

For Birth Control "Like every birth control, my body had to get adjusted to it. At first, I would have irregular periods: some months no period, and some months two periods. After a while, I barely have periods now. I still have some moodiness on my 'off pills,' but I always have moodiness around my period whether I am on or off birth control. With birth control, it just helps to schedule it, so I go on my 'off pills' on a Friday, so the worst emotional part can occur over the weekend, and this helps me not to be emotional while I'm at work or school. By the time Monday comes, I have leveled off a lot. I haven't experienced acne breakouts from it, which is a bonus. Since it has iron in it, I have had my iron levels checked while on it, and they are always good."

• IfI...
• July 17, 2016

For Birth Control "We moved to a new air base, and the horrible doctors here refuse to let me have my Minastrin 24 Fe that I was on for two years. Those two years were spent on cloud nine compared to the seven months on this garbage. On Minastrin, I lost 45 pounds, had clear skin like never before, a good sex drive, was not an emotional hurricane, and never got carsick. In seven months alone on Gildess, I gained 25 pounds and counting (even with a healthy lifestyle), suffering from depression and anxiety, no sex drive, periods are horrid, my face has exploded more than going through puberty, and I am 21. Taking this makes me sick. It's a good thing my husband and I don't want a baby because with the weight gain, breakouts, and no sex drive, it won't happen while taking this trash pill."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 22, 2015

For Birth Control "If I could rate this a zero, I would! Ever since taking Gildess, I've been bleeding. It's been about 3 weeks now, and not just spotting either... I'm miserable. My cramps are so bad, and my acne is ridiculous, I've never broken out this bad before."

• Ano...
• June 8, 2015

For Birth Control "This cleared my acne and prevented pregnancy, but it had way more negative effects than positive. My first period lasted for about three weeks with the worst cramps I have ever had in my life. I had constant headaches, absolutely no sex drive, always felt exhausted, and I was irritated at little things. I'm glad I'm not on this anymore."

• lau...
• May 28, 2016

For Birth Control "I started taking this pill two years ago, and a few months after I started it, I wanted out. I noticed I was gaining weight very fast and was breaking out with acne on my back. I tried everything for the weight gain, figuring it might have been eating habits and the fact that I'm in my 20s now and my body is changing, but nothing helped!! I gained about 20 pounds in the past 2 years and have finally had enough and made my gyno switch me to something else (she also insisted it was my eating habits and not the pill numerous times, which is why I stayed on it for so long). My friend was also on the same pill for years and gained even more than I did."

• jes...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 16, 2016

For Acne "My doctor recommended a Gildess Fe 1/20 when I complained of the water retention I experienced from Ortho Tri-Cyclen (which left my skin clear). Well, this pill does not cause bloating, but my skin immediately broke out terribly along my cheeks, jawline, and chin. I decided to stick it out since, aside from the acne, I had no other side effects, but the breakouts lasted way longer than I anticipated (about 6 mo). I still get the occasional pimple along the jawline, but I'm hoping that they will become less frequent. Taking evening primrose oil (1300 mg 2x/day) along with the pill seems to help calm inflammation and lessen hyper-pigmentation from the breakouts."

• jes...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 16, 2016

For Acne "My doctor recommended a Gildess Fe 1/20 when I complained of the water retention I experienced from Ortho Tri-Cyclen (which left my skin clear). Well, this pill does not cause bloating, but my skin immediately broke out terribly along my cheeks, jawline, and chin. I decided to stick it out since, aside from the acne, I had no other side effects, but the breakouts lasted way longer than I anticipated (about 6 mo). I still get the occasional pimple along the jawline, but I'm hoping that they will become less frequent. Taking evening primrose oil (1300 mg 2x/day) along with the pill seems to help calm inflammation and lessen hyper-pigmentation from the breakouts."

• Hap...
• May 1, 2016

For Menstrual Disorders "I've been on this pill for 2 years. When I first started using it, I didn't see immediate change right away, but I continued to use the pill gradually and started to see great changes. I do not have breakouts, and I used to have extreme, unbearable cramps where I could not walk nor stand. Now my cramps are very tolerable and last for half a day with the help of Tylenol strength. My period comes on Wednesday and is off by Friday every month. This pill is really good, and I will continue to use it."

• Eri...
• September 8, 2016

For Birth Control "The first time I took this medication was last month on the 1st day of my period. Had bad side effects within 3 days like always angry, acne along the side of my jaw and mouth, swelling boobs, and heavy bleeding. I stopped taking it after the 1st week. Told my OB-GYN about it, she said to take it again and give it another chance for a whole month, so I did, and I'm now on my 2nd week and have not experienced any side effects so far, which is good. The only good side effect is swelling boobs, who wouldn't want that, lol."

• Meg...
• November 30, 2015

For Birth Control "This birth control had its pros and its cons. With this birth control, I knew exactly when I would start my period and what day I would get off my period. It was like clockwork that never seemed to fail. My period was a tad shorter, and it was definitely lighter overall (aside from the first day). This BC didn't do much for my cramps. I didn't have any side effects such as moodiness or weight gain that I seemed to notice. My reason for getting off this BC, though, is because it made me break out like crazy. Before, I rarely had so much as a pimple. With this BC, I didn't feel comfortable going out without makeup because my complexion got so bad."

• Not...
• June 18, 2016

For Birth Control "I've been on this BC for 2 months now. Anytime I eat, I throw up about 30 mins later. It also has given me very bad acne. I used to not have any, and now I get cystic pimples on the regular. For the first month, it made me feel crazy because I was having mood swings, but that got better. But I am switching BC now because I can't take the throwing up. I know that it could be great for someone, but it wasn't for me."

• ebh...
• June 16, 2016

For Birth Control "I am 19 years old and have been on this pill for 4 months. Before starting this birth control, I had no acne and relatively heavy periods with no cramps and slight bloating. Since starting this pill, I have developed acne and severe mood swings and gained about 10 pounds. I also bleed almost constantly, about 3 weeks per month, very lightly, and now experience cramps when on the placebo pill. I visited my gyno, and he told me to finish the 3-month subscription I had possessed to see if my symptoms improved, and they only worsened. Worst decision ever going on this pill, and I would not recommend it to anyone."

• MRY...
• September 27, 2016

For Acne "I was on this medication for about 3 months and was curious where my fits of rage / severe depression came from. Finally, my doctor switched me to a new medicine, and later switched me back when they stopped carrying the second medicine. I have now been giving it a second shot for about 6 months but plan to switch to something new today. I've been battling cystic acne all over my jawline for about 3 months now, and in this time, I've gained nearly 30 pounds. I've remained a certain weight most of my adulthood - for nearly 10 years. Suddenly, after quitting soda, sugars, changing my diet, working out more - still no losses in weight. Do NOT listen to your doctor and do NOT go on this medicine. I would rather risk no birth control over taking it."

• Bla...
• July 1, 2016

For Birth Control "I am a 19-year-old white female who has been on this pill for approximately two months. In the beginning, I couldn't tell a difference in much of anything. I started spotting, which just turned into my period that lasted like normal and wasn't too heavy. I haven't had any cramps to date, but cramps were never bad before the pill anyway. Acne has always been a struggle for me, but the pill seems to have mellowed it out just a tad bit. But here is my number one complaint (with two parts, lol): I experience so many UTIs within my first month. So many! Once I got those under control, the emotions went haywire. I would get very angry with people, and my temper became very short. This side effect has yet to wear off. Very annoying."

• hol...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 31, 2016

For Birth Control "I was on Gildess for 3 months, it was my first experience with hormonal birth control. For one thing, I didn't get pregnant while taking it, so it does its job! I did have some unpleasant side effects, though. I had constipation and gas while I was on it, along with some mood swings, although I can't be 100% sure that these things were actually caused or worsened by the pill. The pill did cause nausea (mostly during the first month), swollen and sore breasts (mostly during the 3rd month), and a bit of acne. My periods were extremely light on this pill. During the first month, I had cramps (usually very mild) every day, then a normal period 2 weeks into the pack, followed by spotting with mild cramps until I finished that pack."

• Jes...
• September 8, 2015

For Acne "This was my first birth control experience. I am a 22-year-old female with no previous history of bad acne problems. The first few months, I had breakthrough bleeding and cramps during ovulation time. My periods were shorter and less painful, but the mild cramps continued through the full week, which they had never done before. My main complaint is that during the first month of using this birth control, I broke out in cystic acne all over my chin! My forehead, where I used to get the occasional random pimple, has completely cleared, but I cannot get rid of the hormonal cystic acne on my chin. My chin is red and bumpy constantly. I would not recommend this birth control."

• aye...
• November 9, 2015

For Birth Control "I have been on this pill for about 6 months, and my first period after taking this pill was absolutely terrible. It progressively got better, and now I get it very lightly for four days. This pill has not helped my acne at all, however. Plus, I am slightly bloated."

• Ang...
• March 28, 2016

For Birth Control "I am only on my second month of this medicine. My experience so far, the medicine is easy to swallow, it's a small white pill. The dosage is all the same, so if I get a day ahead (take Tuesday's pill instead of Monday's), I am still putting the correct dose in my body. I have always had terrible periods lasting up to 7-9 days with several very heavy days. Not this time, my period was what I would call normal, lasting 4 days only, with one day heavier than others. My mood was a little out of whack at first, but seems to have leveled out. Pimples so far seem about the same, I still get some. Normally I would have super cravings, didn't seem to have them when I started my period. I had no breakthrough bleeding."

• IC ...
• June 25, 2016

For Birth Control "As I had only started 6 days ago, I expected this to be a more easygoing time, read all the labels, making sure everything was alright. During most, if not all, of those 6 days, I became very dreary, tired, and dead-like, not wanting to do anything. The pill slightly helped my acne but did not prevent new acne from coming. During the pill, I experienced weird heat and then ice-like needle feelings around my ovaries, but that was only for the first 2 days. As I proceeded with the pill, when I sat or walked, not while I was laying down, I would experience this sharp pain around my heart. I was thinking it could be high blood pressure, I checked, it isn't. I'm worried it might be a blood clot, so I need to check. For now, I am going off the pill."

• Tra...
• February 5, 2016

For Acne "I'm 34 years old. I've been on this pill for a little over 4 months. I've never had really bad acne my entire life, just the occasional zits here and there. I guess you could say I was lucky. When I started this pill, I completely broke out on my forehead and still have tiny little pimples that will not go away. I also didn't realize it until now, but I've also had mood swings. I literally cry at the drop of a dime. Lastly, I also never really gained weight while I was on birth control, again, I guess I was lucky, but I've definitely put on some pounds. The ONLY thing that I like is my breasts are big and perky."

• Lex...
• October 2, 2016

For Birth Control "I was on this pill throughout high school and don't quite remember the initial side effects. But what I will have to remember for the rest of my life is the cystic acne it has given me since stopping this pill. I didn't want to be on birth control anymore, but now if I want to ever have decent skin again, I will have to get back on the pill- but not this specific one ever again. Cystic acne is the worst, most hard-to-treat acne that is underneath the skin. I hate Gildess for creating a mess with my hormones."

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 26, 2016

For Birth Control "I have been on this pill for a little over one year. When I first started this pill, my appetite doubled. Therefore, I gained about 7-8 pounds. The next six months were great, and I had no issues. My acne went away, and I did not experience any cramps. When the seventh month came around, I had my period for two weeks straight, followed by extremely painful cramps. The cramps would return every period for 2-3 days. The next month, I started spotting in between my periods for the first time. I also developed cystic acne every time my period came around. In addition, I started getting very emotional."