Gildess Fe 1/20 and Acne: What Users Say (Page 3)

• Mad...
• January 28, 2016

For Birth Control "I was switched from Genress Fe, the birth control I was on for 5 years, to Gildess Fe 1/20, the pill my insurance would agree to cover. Before starting on Gildess, I had no mood swings, no acne, and no spotting - even when switched to generic Genress. As soon as I started Gildess, I began to get angry over silly things just prior to my period beginning. I also began to break out in acne - a problem that I had not had for about 4 years. Then today, I had random spotting even though I've been on the pill for 4 months and am extremely moody (something that was never a problem when on the other pill). To say I'm dissatisfied would be an understatement. I will be calling my OB/GYN to switch the pill tomorrow morning."

• rac...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 6, 2016

For Birth Control "I started this birth control about 3 months ago, and I personally think it's awful! The first month, I had really bad nausea, car sickness, and breakouts. I still continue to break out all the time, randomly have nausea, especially in the mornings, and being out in the heat makes me nauseous and gives me migraines (not sure if that's from the medicine, but it started about the time I started taking it). I also have lost 10 pounds and cannot seem to gain it back, which is abnormal for me! I absolutely hate this medicine and will be switching here soon!"

• ano...
• March 25, 2016

For Birth Control "The amount of hair I lost scared my granny. She would always tell me how much hair I was losing was 10x more than she is losing, and she's in her 80s!! (I'm only 19) The pill does prevent pregnancy, but tbh I can't wait to get off of it. I was on Loesterin, but my insurance gave it a high deductible, so I switched. I should have just paid the 210 and kept Loesterin and been perfectly fine right now. My hair loss and severe dandruff (I had dandruff before, but like it got soooo bad) and my acne was enough to beg my gyno to switch me to something else. I'm not even gonna bother finishing the month's pack, I'd rather get my period than lose my hair."

• GGB...
• April 21, 2016

For Menstrual Disorders "I take birth control for severe menstrual cramps, and this did the job! No cramps and a very light period. HOWEVER, I was extremely emotional and drowsy all the time! I didn't feel like myself, I didn't want to be around anyone, and the littlest thing pissed me off. As soon as I was on the period, I felt SO different. That's when I knew I could not take it again. I also got bad acne, but it may have been due to the stress of knowing I was not feeling like myself. I only took it for one month. If you do not feel like yourself when taking it, please talk to your physician. When I told mine, he mentioned that this drug is known to make some patients depressed."

• Sub...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 21, 2016

For Birth Control "I am 44 years old and had to get an emergency refill at a pharmacy in New Orleans. I received this brand, and within a week, I felt the effects. Acne was the first to come. Then the bloating and feeling excessively heavy. Worst was I became very sensitive to odors. I smelled everything very intensely. This birth control is not beneficial to women. I was happy to finally complete the pack!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 6, 2016

For Birth Control "I get so dizzy and nauseous on this pill. With headaches. No weight gain or decreased libido. Just terrible cramps and tons of spotting and mood swings and depression. I've also broken out more. And gotten terrible yeast and BV infections. Don't take, please."

• Shu...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 15, 2016

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I was prescribed Loestrin to get my irregular periods regular, and Gildess is the generic that my pharmacy carried. It did a really terrible job of regulating my periods because they are crazier now than they were before. The first month, I spotted almost the entire month, but my period was on time, short, and light. When I didn't spot at all the second month, I figured it would be smooth sailing. Nope. My period was really early that month and longer than usual. I either had an extremely early period the third month or heavy spotting accompanied by bad cramps and no period at all. It didn't affect my sex drive, but it did cause me to have vaginal dryness for about the first six weeks of taking it, although thankfully that side effect did go away after a while. I found myself to be incredibly short-tempered after starting this medication, but I think that side effect subsided (ask my friends, I guess haha). I also became alarmed at the amount of hair that was falling out, but a call to the doctor assured me that the hair is falling out faster, but also growing back in faster. I haven't noticed a change in the fullness of my hair, so I'll take her word on it. I have noticed myself having more pimples in the last month, but this could be related to stress because I hadn't noticed it the first two months. Bottom line, I'm giving it a six because while it served me well as birth control and I didn't get pregnant while taking it, and most of its side effects subsided for me, it has served me poorly for the reason it was prescribed, to regulate my period."

• L C...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 30, 2016

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I want to start by saying thank you, ladies, for sharing your reviews. I have a rare blood disorder that causes me to bleed easily, especially during my cycle. I've tried many, many different ones for years, but Gildess seems to do the job. My first month, I spotted for about a week, my next month was light and no cramps, just cravings. Now this is the third month, it seems to have changed. The day I get my period, I could tell because when it comes the second month. The only complaints I have are I've been having severe cramping the closer to my period, weird sharp pains in my temples, and a bit of soreness, but nothing that's not manageable. Good luck, ladies. Oh, and a bit of acne that's easy to manage. Works really well, though."

• Ras...
• October 26, 2016

For Menstrual Disorders "I've been taking this for about four years now, and it's been great. I only get my period when I forget to take the medicine. It alleviates acne and cramps. I recommend asking your gynecologist if this is right for you."

• Kar...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 24, 2016

For Acne "I have been on this pill for almost a year now, and it has been pretty good! In the beginning, my periods were still very heavy and cramp-induced. I also had mood swings and got depressed for some time, but not sure if that was entirely due to the pill. About 3-4 months into the pill, my body adjusted, my periods regulated, and are much lighter and shorter. I had moderate acne, and this pill has improved my skin. Still get a breakout every now and then, but I'm grateful. I'm just a bit scared for when I come off the pill (will my acne return with a vengeance?)"

• Kar...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 24, 2016

For Acne "I have been on this pill for almost a year now, and it has been pretty good! In the beginning, my periods were still very heavy and cramp-induced. I also had mood swings and got depressed for some time, but not sure if that was entirely due to the pill. About 3-4 months into the pill, my body adjusted, my periods regulated, and are much lighter and shorter. I had moderate acne, and this pill has improved my skin. Still get a breakout every now and then, but I'm grateful. I'm just a bit scared for when I come off the pill (will my acne return with a vengeance?)"

• Not...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 27, 2016

For Birth Control "I was on this pill for a year, and it was my first birth control, so I wasn't sure what side effects to expect. My periods were about 2 weeks every month (mostly spotty, but still had to wear a pad or tampon-annoying!). I had very low sex drive. My skin felt so oily, and my chin felt almost like it was bloated. I got big cystic acne on my chin and my forehead regularly-I never had acne as a teenager at all! I loved my period week because my skin cleared up slightly, and when it came time to take the pills again on Sunday, I could feel it in my face the next day. I've only been on a different type of pill for 3 days, but I cannot believe how much better I feel overall."

• JTa...
• August 6, 2016

For Birth Control "I'm 18 years of age, and this is the first birth control I've ever been on. I've been using it for a month and a week now. Ever since I started using it, I've been feeling very skeptical, anxious, and worried. I've been experiencing bloating and pelvic cramps here and there. My acne is all over the place, but that isn't surprising because my face always broke out even before the birth control. Within the last month, I spotted for about 2 days. I've been taking my pills every day at the same hour. Within the first month, I've used condoms as well. I just hope everything is okay."

• Vic...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 3, 2016

For Birth Control "For a year, this birth control caused the worst acne/period of my life! I would have extremely heavy/painful periods lasting up to two weeks. They would make me nauseous/dizzy and double over from sharp pains. If I forgot to take it for half a day, the period would start all over again!! I went to my doctor to find out if I had endometriosis and ran a bunch of tests, even ultrasounds, but nothing was present. Eventually, I couldn't afford the health insurance increase, so I went without the birth control for a year plus. During that break, all my acne went away and I no longer had pain/issues with my period. I went back on Gildess Fe a few months ago, and everything came back! Worst BC ever! I use Microgestin Fe 1.5/30 now. Light 2-3 day periods, no pain/acne!"

• Des...
• October 21, 2016

For Birth Control "I have never suffered from acne, but after 3 months of taking this birth control, I started breaking out with cystic acne, pimples, and whiteheads. I also bought Proactiv, and it didn't help me from breaking out. I have been off this BC for two days."

• Des...
• October 21, 2016

For Birth Control "I have never suffered from acne, but after 3 months of taking this birth control, I started breaking out with cystic acne, pimples, and whiteheads. I also bought Proactiv, and it didn't help me from breaking out. I have been off this BC for two days."

• Des...
• October 21, 2016

For Birth Control "I have never suffered from acne, but after 3 months of taking this birth control, I started breaking out with cystic acne, pimples, and whiteheads. I also bought Proactiv, and it didn't help me from breaking out. I have been off this BC for two days."

• Kon...
• August 20, 2016

For Polycystic Ovary Syndrome "I am 31, and this is my first time taking birth control pills. This thing is giving me acne all over my face! Big ones that I have never seen before because I have never had acne in my life. I'm extremely tired and sleepy all day, but I am losing weight. I will have a talk with my GYN at my next appointment, I want something else! But I'm stuck between choosing to lose weight or keep getting acne."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 9, 2016

For Birth Control "I'm 30 years old and have been on the birth control pill since I was 14 years old due to endometriosis. I've had slight side effects from different pills I have taken, but this one by far is the worst. I'm on a higher dose of my antidepressant to counteract the mood swings, but it sure isn't helping the weight gain or acne. Also, I've had two full-blown periods since starting this pill 2 months ago. For me, the weight gain and acne aren't worth it. For my husband, he was looking forward to 'no periods,' but that ain't happening! Don't take this pill."

• Er ...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 7, 2016

For Birth Control "I take birth control to help treat my ovarian cysts. Normally, I take Junel, but I decided to switch to Gildess because it was cheaper, assuming they were the same drug, they are not. I have constant cramping, I became depressed, I've gained 15-20 pounds, had numerous anxiety attacks, and am plagued with paranoia, had the worst breakouts of my life. Oh, and the whole reason I'm taking birth control, you know, to treat my ovarian cysts, guess who just got discharged from the hospital with prescribed pain medicine because of their frickin' ovarian cysts? I don't care how cheap this drug is, it shouldn't be legal. I've never been depressed, but on this, I was starting to feel suicidal. Just don't do it."

• Emo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 22, 2016

For Birth Control "I'm so all over the place with this birth control. I'm 19 years old, and currently started on my 2nd month. During the first month, I had severe mood swings with extreme bouts of depression and rage. To the point, if someone accidentally bumped into me at the store, I wanted to engage in a physical altercation. My acne was also increasingly horrible for about a week. However, now my mood has stabilized (except I'm still susceptible to depression easily), as well as my acne. BUT I HAVE STARTED LACTATING! Yes, lactating. I have had breast tenderness throughout being on the pill, but yesterday I actually started noticing milk out of one of my breasts so far. I'm so concerned. This is not something I was warned about... I'm not sure what to do."

• LBM...
• September 12, 2016

For Birth Control "I just started this 6 days ago. I have been dizzy, had headaches, and nausea since day 3. Also, just like other reviewers have noted, I have cystic acne on my forehead and even some on my back. I have never had a pimple on my back, and I am over 40! I am switching to another pill right away."

• Hap...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 31, 2016

For Birth Control "I'm in my teens struggling with very oily, acne-prone skin since I was 10, so I was given this birth control as a last resort to clear my skin before my junior year. I am on the 4th pill of the third row of the pack (this is my first pack), and once I finish this pack, it will be the last time I go on birth control. Definitely wasn't the wonder drug I expected. I was very nauseous the first two weeks when I would wake up in the morning. I'm glad it was during the summer because if it was during school, I wouldn't have felt good enough to go. It most definitely wasn't worth feeling like garbage. It cleared up cheek acne but caused painful breakouts along the jawline and mouth. I did numerous things before to combat acne, such as change my diet to plant-based (vegan), use topical treatments, and drink the amount of water I needed daily, so I assumed it was my hormones. My period was very regular, which should've been a sign that I was balanced and didn't need this junk in my body. I knew exactly when it would come, but now on my 3rd row of the pack, I am spotting? This is an issue for me because I always had a regular period. I'm going to solve this the organic way. I've decided to ditch this poison. My message to everyone is that if you're going on this just for acne, it's not worth it. Try taking out dairy or gluten first from your diet to see if that's causing you to break out. Acne killed my self-esteem, but I realized I must accept and love what I cannot change. Best wishes to everyone!"

• Ell...
• June 14, 2016

For Acne "Wish I had read these comments before starting this pill! I switched to it from LoLoestrin FE because I was bleeding every two weeks. And now I wish I hadn't...literally 2 days in, I broke out with HORRIBLE deep, cystic acne. I'm now about to finish my first pack and it hasn't subsided in the slightest. Worse than puberty and all my teen years combined. I used to never wear any kind of foundation or facial makeup, now I can't leave without it on because I'm so embarrassed. I only gave 3 bars because it did help my period...no cramping and it came when it was supposed to."

• Thr...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 24, 2016

For Birth Control "I just wanted to start taking this BC because I have a bf. But this pill is giving me all sorts of symptoms. 1. I spot every morning. 2. I get really sad and confused or irritated. 3. Gas... 4. Acne is taking over my face. 5. Worst nausea after I eat anything. 6. And occasional headaches. I am getting off this pill ASAP. If you want these symptoms, this is the pill that you are looking for."