Lo Loestrin Fe and Acne: What Users Say (Page 4)

• Anonymous
• March 30, 2012

For Birth Control "The first few weeks on the pill, I found an increase in breast size as well as an increased sex drive. However, after two months of being on the pill, my breasts shrunk back to their normal size, my sex drive was completely gone, and my face broke out in horrendous acne. I have whiteheads and dark spots everywhere, and my skin really hurts. I have also become more depressed, and during the times of PMS, I have experienced severe thoughts of suicide. It has definitely affected my everyday life. I was on the pill for about five months. This is not the pill for me, and I have just switched to Apri. Best of luck, and I hope this has been helpful."

• You...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 12, 2016

For Birth Control "I've been on Lo Loestrin for about 5-6 months, and my periods are either light or non-existent, which is great! My cramps have even lessened, and I don't have to take anything for them anymore, which is fantastic! However, I've been bloated for 6 months, so much so that my clothes are tight, and it's embarrassing as I work out 4 times a week and am very healthy. My face breaks out all the time now with painful, cyst-like red dots that never form into a pimple, and my face has always been clear. My loved ones are complaining about my short fuse and major crankiness, which isn't like me at all. My sex drive is gone, and I'm in my early 30s, it like happened overnight. I'll be switching to something immediately, as I was hoping all this would go away."

• Kar...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 23, 2019

For Birth Control "For the first 3 months, this pill gave me acne, but it cleared up and now my skin looks better than before I started the pill. I also haven’t had a period since I started Lo Loestrin Fe, which is a major plus for me! But most of all, I was extremely surprised that this pill has actually improved my mood. I’ve had depression since I was 12, and antidepressants helped a little bit, but I was still struggling. After taking this pill, I started noticing a significant increase in my mood and quality of life! I’m amazed, I never thought I’d be able to feel “normal”! I was hesitant to get on birth control in fear of worsening my depression, but it turned out to be my solution. The only negative side effect I have is frequent headaches, about 3 days a week. But they’re mild enough, and the pros outweigh the cons."

• ber...
• June 6, 2014

For Birth Control "I took this pill for 8 months and had zero side effects except no period. I stopped taking birth control for 4 months, then started again with the same pill. Have been taking for 4 months now. For the first two months, I broke out a little and didn't get my period. In the third month, I had very little spotting for 4 days, and I'm about to end the fourth pack. I've had very minor side effects. I personally enjoy not having a period to worry about every month, instead just light spotting every 2-3 months. I haven't broken out since the 2nd month, I guess my body was getting used to the birth control."

• Har...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 31, 2016

For Birth Control "WORST BIRTH CONTROL I'VE HAD TO ENDURE. I started this pill in August of 2015 after not having been on the pill for several years. I read that it would give me lighter periods, and since it was low-hormone, it wouldn't have many side effects. Do NOT always take what you read as true. The first 3 months I was on this, my face broke out horribly. I never had problems with acne, even in high school. This pill caused me to have severe breakouts on my chin. Not just pimples or a blackhead here or there, but severe welt-like acne underneath the skin's surface. To add to that, from August 2015 to March 2016, I gained 30 pounds. There has been no significant change in my diet OR activity level. Triphasil-28/Trivora-28 never caused me these problems!!"

• Har...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 31, 2016

For Birth Control "WORST BIRTH CONTROL I'VE HAD TO ENDURE. I started this pill in August of 2015 after not having been on the pill for several years. I read that it would give me lighter periods, and since it was low-hormone, it wouldn't have many side effects. Do NOT always take what you read as true. The first 3 months I was on this, my face broke out horribly. I never had problems with acne, even in high school. This pill caused me to have severe breakouts on my chin. Not just pimples or a blackhead here or there, but severe welt-like acne underneath the skin's surface. To add to that, from August 2015 to March 2016, I gained 30 pounds. There has been no significant change in my diet OR activity level. Triphasil-28/Trivora-28 never caused me these problems!!"

• Not...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 7, 2013

For Birth Control "I have been on this pill for 5 months, and it was fine until I started breaking out all over my face. I didn't have a period until one random week when I wasn't even on the white pills. It did NOT make me gain weight or increase my appetite. This just isn't for me."

• Anonymous
• October 24, 2011

For Birth Control "I started Lo Loestrin Fe two months ago and am having the worst acne breakouts I have ever had! I am waiting to finish up my third pack and then going to try and switch. I am getting married in three weeks, and nothing will work to clear up the acne."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 22, 2014

For Birth Control "I have been on this BC for 3 months, and it's been the worst 3 months of my life! I had pretty clear skin before taking this, but now it's awful! I have tons of small pimples all over my forehead and chin, and big pimples on my back. It has also left bad scars on my face. As far as weight goes, I haven't gained any weight. I've lost weight, if anything. I am switching at the end of my pack because I just can't handle the awful acne!!"

• Lin...
• December 21, 2013

For Birth Control "I am about halfway through my 2nd pack of Lo Loestrin Fe. The first month, I had minor spotting on one day, no big deal. I also noticed that I had a couple of pimples, but since there were only a couple, I figured it could have been my normal hormonal changes during the month. However, halfway through this second month, my chin/mouth area has never had such acne! I had occasional acne, like many people, but 90% of the time my skin was clear before. Now, I feel like I wake up every day with a new batch of red spots. I want to stop this pill now (mid-pack), but don't want to give myself menstrual issues at the same time, so I'm trying to stick it out until the end of the pack."

• Ale...
• September 20, 2014

For Birth Control "While this birth control did its job by being a good contraceptive, I have a lot of symptoms with it. I gained 15 lbs in the first 2 months, had so much acne, and just felt like complete crap. I couldn't do it anymore after the 6th month, so I stopped taking it. Everyone is different, but it is definitely not for me."

• Anonymous
• March 8, 2012

For Birth Control "I have been taking Lo Loestrin Fe for about 3 1/2 weeks; I've completely finished all of the blue pills for my first pack and take the first white one tonight. The only physical side effects I've experienced are moderate breast tenderness and yesterday I noticed a small patch of acne on my face. I am not really prone to acne, and if I do get it, it's just one pimple on my nose, forehead, or chin, but this time it's a patch of a bunch of small pimples on my cheek/nose, almost like a rash, but not. I feel I cannot rate this pill 100% efficiently because I'm only on the first month, but I thought I'd write one anyway."

• Run...
• July 25, 2013

For Birth Control "I have been on Lo Loestrin Fe for about 7 months now. I take it on the dot at the exact same time every day and have never missed a pill. I started out getting two periods a month. I'd get (what felt like a period) a week after my placebo pills, and then I would bleed lightly a week before my placebos. As the months have gone by, though, my 'periods' have been getting lighter and lighter, and this month (month 7) is the first month I haven't had my light discharge and cramps after the placebo pills. I'm hoping this is a good sign. Even though this pill is unpredictable, I don't have headaches, breast tenderness, or acne like my last pill."

• Bra...
• November 17, 2016

For Birth Control "I have been on Lo Loestrin Fe for over 2 years now. I must say the beginning was awful, I was told to stick it out for 3 months, which most birth controls you should try to do. I spotted and got my period multiple times within the first 3 months, way more than normal. After 3 months, it has been golden ever since. No periods, no scares, no concerns. I have had absolutely no problems. I love this birth control, I feel great on it, and haven't gained any weight or got acne from it. If you are considering this birth control, don't give up after a few weeks, stick it out for a few months and then decide. My friends have had the same experience, and they love it and have been on other kinds but would never switch back."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 19, 2012

For Birth Control "I experienced bloating, depression, acne. No breast tenderness and no weight change. I had very little breakthrough bleeding and 2-day 'periods'. I didn't have mood swings, although I was freakishly mellowed out. I quickly fell into a deep depression complete with suicidal thoughts, and I have never had either of these before. My acne was intense, especially on my back. I also had a strange sensation of having out-of-body experiences (for lack of a better description). I was 'there,' but I felt like my mind wasn't, but I know and understand this is a rare side effect."

• Pyp...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 7, 2020

For Birth Control "I have taken this birth control before, and I was not a huge fan, so I decided that when I need to start taking it again, I would. After about 6 months, I decided to get back on birth control. This time around, less than a week later, I started experiencing horrible mood swings. I have depression and multiple anxiety disorders, and since starting this pill, it made them all so much worse. I also got really bad sweats, and my acne got worse. I didn’t notice any weight changes. I also experienced spotting this time around, which was odd. I would not recommend this to a friend."

• SMQ...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 20, 2019

For Birth Control "Took Lo Loestrin Fe for 5 months, wanted to regulate my periods. First few days of taking it, I was getting bad headaches and got acne on my face only, period stopped coming till the 3rd month and was followed by bleeding for 2 weeks. By the 4th month, acne was gone, headaches continued, had extreme anxiety and depression, was getting moody, lost weight, appetite was almost gone. By the 4th month, I had gotten my period, which lasted a week with painful cramps, a week and a half later again with breakthrough bleeding and this time was very heavy with passing blood clots. Felt very weak and miserable, I took it exactly the same time every day and never missed a dose, still had headaches and vomiting, breakthrough bleeding was getting heavy and was not stopping at all. I could barely make it through the 5th month, I felt weak and tired also, so I spoke to my doctor and told her that I’m stopping this pill. Been a week now since I stopped taking this pill, and I still feel weak and shaky. This medicine is not for me at all."

• hal...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 24, 2021

For Birth Control "I was given this brand of BC to help with my sexual drive in my relationship and because of weight gain. It was a lower dose than what I began with. I was on Lo Loestrin for about 5-6 months, and it led to even more weight gain. It also caused my acne to get worse than I’ve ever had, even worse than when I started puberty. I have cysts in places I’ve never had acne before (back/forehead) - I usually have breakouts on my chin. I don’t recommend this brand. I heard stories about its aftereffects when coming off the pill as well. I now have a copper IUD. I’m still experiencing issues from taking Lo Loestrin. It’s great for those it works for, but it was a really bad experience for me."

• hal...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 24, 2021

For Birth Control "I was given this brand of BC to help with my sexual drive in my relationship and because of weight gain. It was a lower dose than what I began with. I was on Lo Loestrin for about 5-6 months, and it led to even more weight gain. It also caused my acne to get worse than I’ve ever had, even worse than when I started puberty. I have cysts in places I’ve never had acne before (back/forehead) - I usually have breakouts on my chin. I don’t recommend this brand. I heard stories about its aftereffects when coming off the pill as well. I now have a copper IUD. I’m still experiencing issues from taking Lo Loestrin. It’s great for those it works for, but it was a really bad experience for me."

• RDa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 28, 2019

For Birth Control "I am a 45-year-old who for 20 plus years was on Ortho Tri-Cyclen, but the manufacturer, Janssen, stopped producing this pill. The insurance company tried putting me on several different generic pills with awful side effects. The doctor put me on Lo Loestrin Fe. Just finished my second month. Since the start of this pill, I have not gotten my period, my moods have maintained relatively the same except for the week I should get my period. This is normal for me. I have noticed that I have gotten back acne. Hope this improves. The best part is I have lost 10 pounds. Now just to get the insurance to cover this pill."

• tb ...
• August 17, 2015

For Birth Control "I have been on this pill for 2 years. Side effects experienced lasted about 4 months, and then everything went back to normal. This included going from a C cup to D cup. Eventually, went back down to C. Did NOT experience weight gain in other areas except the chest. Breakouts pretty bad in the first 4 months, but calmed down after my body got used to it. I'd recommend doing facials during this beginning period to calm the skin. I still get occasional breakouts, but nothing like the nightmare stories reading on the reviews. I'd suggest sticking through it for at least 6-8 months before you throw in the towel. Your body is going to react to new hormones entering your body. I get my period sometimes not at all and sometimes 2-5 days."

• 031...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 13, 2014

For Birth Control "I have been on Lo Loestrin Fe for 2 years. Prior to taking this pill, I suffered from horrible periods that would last up to 2 weeks, go away for a week, then return. They were incredibly heavy with severe clotting. After trying numerous other birth control pills, Lo Loestrin was the only one that stopped the bleeding altogether. For the first time in my life, I have no bleeding other than occasional spotting every couple of months. I also lost 10 pounds, going from 128 to 118. All of that has been extremely positive, except it gave me horrible acne, which I have never had, ever. I now use a Retin-A, which helps, but I still have very large pores when before I had beautiful porcelain skin. My hair has also thinned dramatically."

• mad...
• February 24, 2013

For Birth Control "I am 18, and I started taking Lo Loestrin Fe about 3 weeks ago. I have horrible acne (on my face, back, chest, and shoulders). Since I have been taking this birth control, my acne is little to none, thank God! I did get my period while on the pill, and it was already lighter and shorter compared to my usual 6-7 day hell. I did have spotting the first 2 weeks, then it stopped. The only thing that is a bummer is breast tenderness (especially in the morning), my breasts are swollen, but I don't think they will get bigger than my already 34D. My Gyno gave me 2 packs, and my insurance is not going to cover."

• Mel...
• October 2, 2014

For Birth Control "I'm nearing the end of my 4th month on this pill. It was the first birth control I've been on. Prior to taking this pill, I always had acne problems. My first month on Lo Loestrin Fe was absolutely horrible acne-wise. I even developed a large cyst on my forehead (yikes!). It went away in a few weeks. I'd say after the first 2 months, my acne was back to normal and now it's beginning to get better. I see a lot of girls talking about how horrible it makes their acne, but my dermatologist said give it 6 months and see. Try to wait it out, it will probably get better. I had no side effects aside from the acne. 2 periods last month, but I'm assuming my body is still getting used to it."

• Dev...
• March 31, 2013

For Birth Control "I'm 41, using for cramps and excessive bleeding. My doc gave me 3 months of samples. First and second month, spotted for about a week, then got actual period, for a total of about 10 days bleeding, granted it was lighter, but still had some cramping. Also, it all started during the third week of the pills, not the fourth. Terrible mood swings, fatigue. Now halfway through the third month, terrible acne. It's like puberty all over again."