Ethinyl estradiol / norethindrone and Acne: What Users Say (Page 5)

• Nei...
• September 2, 2014

For Birth Control "This is my first month of using this birth control. I haven't had a period yet. I'm broke out in bad acne, having mood swings and depression, which I don't like. I stay angry at everybody. I'm on my last week of the pill. I'll never take this pill again."

• Caz...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 26, 2019

For Birth Control "Obviously, with birth control pills, you need to find one that's right for you, so what's right for some might not work for everyone. That being said, don't be scared off by a lot of the negative reviews. I got on Blisovi Fe 1/20 to skip my period, and it does the job nicely. Aside from spotting in the first month, I've been period-free. I've been on another pill before, I don't remember what it was called, but I have never experienced any negative symptoms with that one or this pill either. No breakouts, no weight gain, no extra hair in odd places, and I haven't gotten pregnant either. Aside from not having a period, literally nothing has changed for me."

• 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."

• lu8...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 21, 2017

For Birth Control "I was extremely hesitant to start this pill based on the terrible reviews. I was prescribed this pill after a ruptured ovarian cyst and mildly elevated testosterone levels, so kind of had no choice but to try it. I am on day 5, and so far, so good! I have not experienced any side effects at all. I was really worried about acne and weight gain as side effects. No acne, and I actually seem to be losing weight, which is amazing. I will update again after 1 month of use, but so far, so good!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 25, 2012

For Birth Control "I've been on this pill for 4 months now. It was my first ever, so I was really nervous! While taking it, everything was normal, no side effects, which was a plus! Before the pill, my period was for 5-6 days, and on the pill, it was only 2-3 days, which was great! In my 3rd and 4th months, I was spotting a lot! On top of that, I was getting my period, which was a pain! No weight gain and acne, my sex drive increased."

• Opp...
• July 4, 2014

For Polycystic Ovary Syndrome "I really liked this birth control. I only experienced light acne about a week before my period, no cramps, stomach pain, or any other period symptoms. My period always came the day I started the brown iron pills. They were so light most of the time I never even used a pad or anything. I haven't used a tampon since I went on the medicine. I ended up going on Yaz because my mom thinks I should have a heavier period and that it's not healthy even though my cycle is regular. Overall, this pill is great."

• Anonymous
• October 11, 2012

For Acne "I started taking Lo Loestrin Fe about 2 months ago, and I am breaking out horribly around my mouth and chin. I have always had acne but not that severe, and it actually cleared up in the past year with the occasional pimple here and there. Now I have cysts and whiteheads all over my chin that are not going away. I am finishing this pack and then calling my doctor to switch."

• Anonymous
• October 11, 2012

For Acne "I started taking Lo Loestrin Fe about 2 months ago, and I am breaking out horribly around my mouth and chin. I have always had acne but not that severe, and it actually cleared up in the past year with the occasional pimple here and there. Now I have cysts and whiteheads all over my chin that are not going away. I am finishing this pack and then calling my doctor to switch."

• NYC...
• February 24, 2014

For Birth Control "I've only been on Lo Loestrin for a couple of months, but I am very pleased so far. With other pills (and I've been on plenty), I break out, gain weight, am extremely moody, but this one has been a breeze. My skin looks great, I haven't gained weight (my breasts are slightly bigger), and my mood is great. I think I finally found a pill that works for me. I also love that they offer a coupon card, which makes my payment $35!"

• Anonymous
• November 12, 2011

For Birth Control "I've been on this pill for 4 months, and I really like it. The first month, I had some breakthrough bleeding, but that has gone away. Now I have no periods at all, which I don't mind. No weight gain or bloating. I have had some acne, but it is minimal. It is worth the $45 a month I am paying."

• Ash...
• October 14, 2013

For Birth Control "Loestrin Fe did a lot better than the 'Lo Loestrin Fe.' I only got this prescription because my insurance covers it, and it's similar to what I was taking before-just less hormones. (They apparently discontinued the birth control I used to take.) Since I've been on this one, I've been a little moodier, more acne, breast tenderness, and cramping without periods. I've lost weight and my cup/bra size actually got smaller. Honestly, it's starting to freak me out a bit because I haven't been this tender with a birth control, only while pregnant with my two children. I take it as it's prescribed-same time, every day, never skipping a dose. Hitting my 3rd month on it, no periods or spotting at all."

• Sun...
• August 27, 2020

For Birth Control "I'm not too sure how to rate it, so I'm going with a 7. I am taking it for HRT and severe moods with PMS. It has helped my moods immensely! I am so pleased with this. However, I have acne now, and I never have acne, so I know it’s from this. I am on my second month. I am also finding it hard to lose weight, but this could be from drinking alcohol. I’m not fully sure. I will stick with it though, and I'm really hoping the acne and weight issues go away."

• Mon...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 13, 2020

For Birth Control "I’ve been on this pill, Taytulla, for 1 1/2 months. After 2 weeks, acne was becoming present. The acne started to get so bad that I didn’t want to leave the house. I started noticing I was tired all the time, my mood swings were frequent, I wasn’t myself. I missed my period entirely, which I was told by my doctor may happen. Two days ago, I was feeling light-headed, I got hot flashes, I didn’t have an appetite, and I felt extreme anxiety for no reason. I was terrified because I didn’t know what was happening to me. I had been on another birth control for 14 years (no issues) up until I had a baby two years ago, then I got on this. Worst decision. I stopped taking this halfway through the pill pack. The side effects are horrible. Based on my experience and these reviews, I would never recommend."

• cra...
• September 28, 2017

For Birth Control "I've been taking this pill for five months. I wanted a contraceptive pill that would control my acne and that would have a lower dosage of hormones as well (I was taking Yaz before). I happen to be very sensitive to hormones. With this pill, though, I got cystic acne on my forehead, on my temples, on my cheeks, on my chin, and on my neck. I have acne-prone skin, but I have never had such bad acne since I started this pill! Also, my mood swings are a rollercoaster, and I can feel sad and cry for no reason in the middle of the day and feel happy again right after that. I am done with this pill and am going to find another birth control solution."

• fai...
• March 29, 2012

"I love Junel. I was switched to Junel after my previous birth control had me bleeding for 3 weeks at a time every month, and I got really depressed and gained a bunch of weight. Now I am on Junel, and I LOVE IT. I have lost 10 pounds, my headaches and acne are gone, my depression has decreased, no more fatigue, and I have yet to have a heavy period. I only have 3 days of light spotting, and I must say my sex drive has finally come back since my last birth control completely diminished it."

• Mae...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 2, 2017

For Birth Control "Severe acne, low sex drive, vaginal dryness, extreme nausea and vomiting at the start of each pack, turned me into a raging psycho most of the time (literally felt like a different person on this pill, it was amazing getting off this and feeling like a cloud of anger and anxiety had been lifted off my shoulders). But the real kicker was when I started experiencing random shooting pain in my right front thigh, followed by right leg numbness. Fast forward a few more weeks and both legs started going numb, and I got shooting pain that would travel up to my chest and arms. Doctors couldn't determine what was going on exactly (my BP was normal) but advised me to get off the pill, which I gladly did. Craziest BC experience of my life by far."

• mik...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 12, 2020

For Birth Control "This birth control destroyed my mental state. After being on it for a month, I started to spiral into depression and suicidal thoughts, no interest in the activities I used to love, like doing art or going on adventures. I would go into a rage or break down sobbing over the smallest things. Hot flashes all the time, breaking out on my chin and nose. I hate this birth control so much. I'm now off it, and I'm never taking the pill again because of this experience. I'll be finding an alternative BC."

• pos...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 7, 2019

For Birth Control "I’ve been on this Larin Fe birth control for five months after being traumatized from Depo-Provera. I literally begged my doctor for the BC pill with the lowest complaints and dosage. It’s been a miracle. So the Larin did clear up my skin (maybe one to two zits a month), my periods are lighter but now consistent, no weight gain, no severe mood swings except right before my period... the only complaint is I cramp most of the month on it, light cramping but still kind of obnoxious. I still am very happy with this birth control thus far."

• Ell...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 6, 2018

For Birth Control "I’m on my third month of Loestrin, and so far I can’t complain much. It’s definitely improved my acne. I still get a few breakouts right before my period starts, but this is still a dramatic improvement from the pizza face I was dealing with before starting this pill. I’m also still spotting the week before my period, but it seems to be going away slowly. Other than that, no mood swings, my weight is still the same, and periods are lighter and shorter with minimal cramping. If things keep going the way they are, I’ll probably stick to this birth control."

• Mfe...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 17, 2021

For Birth Control "Ok, so I’ve been on Blisovi Fe for about a year and some change now. Never experienced so much anxiety in my life. Every day I would wake up anxious, stomach issues, etc. I finally came to the realization I’m not the only one who has felt this. I stopped a few days ago, and I’m feeling mentally better. I didn’t experience any weight gain, nausea, acne, or anything other than anxiety. This BC may not be right for everyone. I would have stayed on if it wasn’t for the increased anxiety."

• Bro...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 30, 2013

For Birth Control "I am in my last week of the 2nd pack. First, my period this month was only 3 days, which was awesome. I've never had a 3-day period before, EVER! However, the next week I had breakthrough bleeding for 11 straight days. The cramping was bad, and I had acne like crazy. I was supposed to have gotten my period yesterday, and it hasn't come yet, and I am never late. I know I'm not pregnant because I couldn't have any sex since I was bleeding nearly the whole month. I know I have to wait another month for everything to get normal. So let's just hope and pray for better results in the 3rd pack. Will update soon."

• Tak...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 16, 2017

For Acne "Most people that are complaining that they got acne using it are most likely in their first/second month of using it. I'm almost at my fifth month of taking Microgestin, and I rarely break out now. I've definitely been noticing that my skin looks better. Also, I have been weighing myself and have not gained weight from it. My advice is, just keep on taking it because most symptoms (mainly the acne part) get worse before it gets better."

• dee...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 25, 2020

For Birth Control "On Junel Fe 1/20 for one month so far. My face acne cleared up, but then I got back acne, hoping it will go away. Losing my appetite, feel like I'm eating just to survive. No weight gain yet. It hasn't affected my emotions like other pills have (yet), although I eat healthy and exercise 4-5 times a week. I think this helps with how your body responds to the pill's hormones. Three periods in one month, that sucked. Mostly spotting. Hoping next month will be better. I will update this review. I think the pill is worth it so far."

• Ali...
• January 10, 2014

For Birth Control "I read a few of the reviews on this page, and many said that in the first month or so, they had terrible acne! This is also true for me, but this is the only birth control I've been on where my skin is 100% clear after about month three! I also always suffered from severe mood swings with other birth control-crying over nothing, bouts of rage, extreme insecurity-but this is so much better. The only downside is that, for some reason, I am very tired, especially in the morning-it's almost impossible to wake up, even with 8 hrs. But the changes in my mood outweigh the tiredness! Great for people who have a lot of bad side effects with other birth controls!"

• Anonymous
• January 3, 2022

For Birth Control "I was scared to start this birth control from the reviews I have read, but I have had zero issues with it. I have been on Lo Loestrin Fe for 4 years and needed to switch because of insurance issues. I did not gain any weight, break out, or have any unwanted side effects. My boobs felt a little swollen for the first week or so, but that quickly faded. I got my period when expected, and it was so light for 3 days. I have had no issues, and I am pleasantly surprised with how easily I transitioned to this pill."