Minastrin 24 Fe and Acne: What Users Say

• Mil...
• March 10, 2015

For Birth Control "I love this birth control. I had lots of problems in the past, but this one works for me. I can successfully skip periods without spotting. Miss the pill by an hour or so without spotting. It did take about 3 months for it all to level out for me. No acne. Breasts got a little bigger. I don't get cramps very often at all, and I haven't noticed a change in my sex drive. Everyone's body is different, but I think it's worth trying for at least 3 months before you decide."

• scu...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 14, 2014

For Birth Control "I'm rating it a 10 for effectiveness because it does what it does. It's birth control. First month, some cramping (during period only), normal bleeding (yet lasted 10-13 days), no headaches, hormonal jawline acne cleared right up. Got my period irregularly still. Second month, no cramps, no headaches, hormonal acne still gone, somewhat still fighting steady acne, yet it's MUCH better, gained a few pounds, breasts got noticeably larger (especially for my boyfriend). Got my period on the first brown pill. I'm looking forward to month 3. Hope this helped."

• CG4...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 20, 2013

For Birth Control "I was on Loestrin 24 Fe for 3 years with no problems. I loved it. My periods lasted less than 2 days, cleared my skin, and I didn't gain weight. Then I was forced to switch to Minastrin, which is supposedly the same pill, but just chewable. It's been a terrible experience. I've had a chronic yeast infection straight through the 3 months I've been on it, and it won't respond to any prescription medication. I've also had severe cramps during my period and acne. There is no way this medication is the same, and I want Loestrin back."

• Ara...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 7, 2015

For Birth Control "I have been on Minastrin for over a year now. My very first form of birth control. The first 2 months were tough to get through, with spotting, bloating, mood swings, etc. But after my body got adjusted to the birth control, everything has been perfect. My periods are lighter and last 4 days. My cramps are still present, but they aren't as bad. I don't have severe acne or weight gain. Anyone who has a bad experience, I say just give it time before you write it off as terrible birth control."

• Ama...
• June 25, 2014

For Birth Control "I've been on Minastrin for 5 months now. The first 3 were horrible. I had every possible side effect: bloating, mood swings, sore chest, acne, spotting, you name it! About my fourth month, my body got adjusted, and I now love it. No spotting, mood swings, and my acne has subsided. For those who are just now on it, push through."

• Gla...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 28, 2014

For Birth Control "This is the first birth control I've ever taken, and I've had a few mood swings, at the same time, I'm still a teenager, and hormones are flying everywhere, so it doesn't truly bother me. I used to have terrible periods where I would have to miss school for a few days at a time, and immediately the medicine fixed it. My period only occurs on the placebo days and is very light, with minor cramps that a few period relief pills help. Last month, I did feel very sick during my placebo days, and I'm sure it's because I was taking it but not eating. I was told that would happen, so I advise you to always eat before taking it. I also had terrible acne, and it has cleared up immensely. Overall, it's great for me."

• tri...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 12, 2014

For Birth Control "I was switched to Minastrin from Loestrin, just like everyone else. But unlike most, I am doing great on it! I was taking Loestrin for over 2 years and loved it. Minastrin has been the same for me, no unusual side effects at all. No acne, which I had when I was a teenager and still use Proactiv for. No unusual headaches or bleeding, etc. I rated it an 8 only because I don't like chewing it, it's gross tasting, but works good for me, so I'm sticking with it."

• Msk...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 5, 2014

For Birth Control "I have taken Loestrin 24 Fe for the last four years. Because of its discontinuation, I was told by my doctor to begin taking the chewable contraceptive Minastrin 24 Fe instead. After taking this pill for 3 months, I have found myself irritated and miserable over the smallest inconveniences. The acne that I had treated and somewhat cured is now back and annoying as ever. I am switching pills ASAP. I want Loestrin back!"

• D H...
• March 24, 2016

For Birth Control "Honestly, I love this birth control so much. I've been on it for almost 3 years, and I've never had any problems. I feel it has actually helped me to not gain weight, though I am naturally thin to begin with. No mood swings, no weight gain, no weird side effects for me. My hair seems to grow faster, like from my scalp... but no weird body hair growth (as I had on a progesterone-only pill I once tried out. Yikes.) No acne. No problems. The only thing I would say is weird to most but really great, in my opinion, is that I haven't had a period on this stuff. I bleed lightly for 1 day once a year. I frequently have unprotected sex with my long-term committed partner, and we've never had a problem. 10/10 would recommend."

• Mus...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 7, 2016

For Birth Control "PLEASE TAKE MY ADVICE!!! I started on Minastrin 24 Fe in February of 2016 because my fiancé and I were going to be getting married in April 2016. We both were virgins, and I had never been on a contraceptive before, but we both wanted to wait a while to have kids in our marriage. Well, at first things didn't seem too bad. However, I started noticing acne breakouts, and I was surprised at how I was easy to cry... however, I thought it was due to wedding planning and not birth control. However, after a month and a half into our marriage... about a month ago, I started developing extreme mood swings, depression, weird thoughts I couldn't seem to cope with, suicidal thoughts, emotional about everything, losing feeling for my husband (who believe me, I adore and love so very much), 15 to 17-pound weight gain, panic attacks, depression, anxiety, fatigue, swelling in my legs and feet, and even one of my big toes started to go numb. I even started thinking the worst things about my husband and losing loss of feeling for him. I was scared to death! I was usually full of life and happy and carefree, and a very energetic and outgoing young woman who loved her husband and her life! I was always active and tried to be health conscious. My husband has been extremely gracious and patient through all of this, and believe me, you do not want to start your marriage out like this!!! So he and I decided to stop the pill about 2 weeks ago (mid of June 2016). My acne has cleared, my swelling has gone down, and physically I am feeling better each day. My emotional swings are slowly lessening, and I haven't had any panic attacks lately. I am still struggling, but each day I feel more myself and am getting back to the real me. SO PLEASE TAKE MY ADVICE FOR YOUR SAKE AND THE SAKE OF THOSE YOU LOVE AROUND YOU!!! Stay away from this pill! These hormones are synthetic and fake, and they aren't natural for our bodies. It may work for some people, but it is not worth the risk of going through what I have to see if it will work for you as well."

• New...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 10, 2015

For Birth Control "I have nothing bad to say about this pill. I had the Mirena for almost a year, and it was the worst BC ever. I had bad acne, weight gain, not able to lose weight, and stomach pain. I am very active (even had a trainer and ate healthy), and once I got the Mirena, I was not able to lose a pound and felt bloated all the time. It also made my migraines way worse. About a month after I got it out, I lost 10 lbs. Then, after a couple of months, I got Nexplanon. I have PCOS, so BC helps with my bleeding and cramps. I only had that in for a month, and it caused weight gain (4 lbs), water retention, migraines, and acne on my neck. I have been on Minastrin 24 Fe for a month, and it is a savior. No acne, no weight gain, and it has helped my migraines. I highly recommend."

• msb...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 6, 2014

For Birth Control "I was switched over to Minastrin 24 Fe from Loestrin 24 with no control over it. At first, I thought I was doing alright, but now I am not. Because at the age of 42, my whole face is covered in blemishes and acne. I have not had this problem since I was 25. I have not changed anything that I am taking or any products that I am using or what I am eating. This is the only change in my routine. I am going to try to switch to something else."

• Wor...
• September 26, 2015

For Birth Control "I agree with the girl that said if she can rate this any less than a 1 she would. My doctor put me on it to stop my migraines after switching from Yaz. I'm 24 and have been on the pill since I was 16. I've struggled with depression in the past, and this gave me such bad mood swings that I have not felt this depressed in the longest time. Still getting migraines. Skin is breaking out. I've always struggled with that, but Yaz is the only one that helped apparently. I'm supposed to start my 3rd month until I see my doctor again, but at this point, I decided not to take it and wait until my visit."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 11, 2015

For Birth Control "Within a day of starting this, I started experiencing horrible side effects-my skin started to break out, and my appetite was fluctuating drastically. But the worst part was the terrible mood swings. I became terribly depressed and was crying for an hour a day for no reason. Couldn't finish the month."

• Run...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 1, 2016

For Birth Control "I am 20 years old, and I was prescribed Minastrin after being diagnosed with PCOS. I can say I am definitely very happy with it! It made my periods very light, and over time they eventually stopped (sometimes they occur for about 5 hours on the last day of the placebo pill). I have been on this pill for about 2 years now and have not experienced any acne, weight gain, or nausea like other people have. Sometimes I get very moody before my period, but it is not extreme. The only thing I noticed for a period of time was constant yeast infections, which was pretty miserable. But after getting through that, I am perfectly fine on this pill (and haven't gotten pregnant, so that's a plus too)."

• km8...
• February 2, 2016

For Birth Control "Awful experience. NOT the same as Loestrin 24 Fe, which worked perfectly for me. This medication caused pains in my stomach, severe shoulder and back acne, bloating, and cramps. My mood swings were crazy, and I felt awful on this birth control. I gave it 3 months, and it didn't regulate. I developed the worst acne I have ever had, and it is painful."

• AYa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 12, 2015

For Birth Control "I've been on this birth control for 3 months: I haven't had a period, I've gained 10 lbs, my face is broke out, my hair is falling out, I have no sex drive, more frequent moods of depression. This is the worst, and I'm getting off it ASAP."

• Dan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 29, 2016

For Birth Control "I switched onto this pill from Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo. The reason I switched was because Ortho was making my acne increase and started making my periods very, very painful. Minastrin started off okay for me. If you despise having a period, this is for you. This pill was fine until about 6 months in. It started to make me nauseous and moody and so anxious. At first, I was worried I was pregnant and ended up going crazy and taking about 10 tests. I'm switching to another pill, but basically, my biggest issue with this pill is the side effects I got at the 5/6 month point. I never had a period after the first pack, which also added to my constant anxiety and paranoia. It was brown the first period and then nothing."

• Iii...
• November 27, 2016

For Birth Control "1/10 does not even begin to describe my awful experience with this pill. I was on this pill for almost a week and had to stop it due to extreme mood swings and massive depression and anxiety. I have been on SSRIs for 7 years now and my depression and anxiety are relatively under control. From the minute I started this BC, I started gaining weight, breaking out, and having intense mood swings to the point where I thought I needed to go to the hospital. My breaking point with this BC was one night when I went through the cycle of angry/violent thoughts to intense anxiety to feeling completely normal. That cycle happened about 5 times in an hour. After this experience, I am now terrified to try another birth control method besides condoms."

• MH7...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 11, 2016

For Birth Control "I was only on Minastrin a total of two months after switching from Beyaz (I only switched because my body was no longer reacting well to the Beyaz after having taken it for 8 years - I had increasing breakthrough bleeding). With Minastrin, I have been getting regular migraines and had headaches every day. I gained 7 lbs in the first month even though I'm active and eat very healthy. I've never had problems with my skin breaking out, and since I've started taking this medication, I've had constant breakouts all over my face. I normally have no stomach issues, but this also gave me random stomachaches. Everyone reacts differently to medications, but this one was certainly not right for me. My doctor has me trying Sprintec now (fingers crossed)."

• Oho...
• February 10, 2015

For Birth Control "I've always had extremely painful periods to the point where I would throw up from the pain. I decided to try birth control pills to see if it would help. So far on this pill, I've had short, light periods with very minimal cramps. My acne has even cleared up a great deal. So far, so good."

• Ms ...
• August 25, 2016

For Birth Control "I have been on many different forms of birth control, and this has been the best. I'm 33 years of age, and I've been on this a little over a year. At first, I had experienced a heavy period on and off the first year, but starting January 2016, it became lighter and lighter to now I don't have one. I've taken the depo shot as well as other birth control pills, and this tops them all. I have very bad acne, but since on this birth control, little to no breakouts at all. I love it!"

• Tba...
• August 19, 2014

For Birth Control "This is the first birth control I have ever been on, and it's awful. I only gave it a 10 because it does what it's supposed to. I've been on the pill for 6 months. The first three months I had severe acne. I've never had an acne problem until then. Spotting is a severe problem, I have to wear pads the majority of the time (two weeks at the most with no spotting). Periods are very irregular, one day I'm good, the next few days I'm not. I've experienced mood swings and cramping. Not a good experience at all."

• try...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 28, 2015

For Birth Control "After having an IUD, my Dr. gave me this to try. Periods were very light. No cramping or pimples. Didn't care for the aftertaste of chewing the pills, so I just swallowed them. Every time I refilled my Rx, there were problems getting my insurance to work. They were able to cover it for a while, but now my insurance won't cover it at all. At over $150/month, I will be finding another medication."

• Shl...
• November 30, 2015

For Birth Control "I wish I could rate it -100. I have always had anxiety and depression, and it's worsened everything. Plus, it's made me break out more and has made my periods spotty rather than regular. I know everyone's body handles things differently, but if you have existing mental health conditions, I would especially suggest staying away from this medicine."