Ethinyl estradiol / norgestimate and Acne: What Users Say (Page 4)

• Kay...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 15, 2019

For Birth Control "I really like this birth control! It’s my first time ever using any type of birth control. In the early months, I did experience some pretty bad breakouts. They would be large red bumps that weren’t pimples but right under the skin. Once that bump would go away, another bump would pop up. This went on for a month or so. Now my skin is flawless, I would totally recommend this birth control. You do have to give it some time to regulate with your body! I often have sex while on this birth control and have not experienced any pregnancy scares. My period cramps are less intense but still there, along with my period. I don’t experience any super bad mood swings. I have been able to lose weight with the help of diet and exercise while taking this birth control."

• SKR...
• June 23, 2019

For Birth Control "If I had rated it during my first 1-3 months, it most likely would have been a 3 or 4 at best. I had weight gain, increased acne, moodiness, and bloating, oh, the bloating! I stuck with it, and I am really happy I did. Over the last six months, I’ve dropped the weight, my skin has cleared, and although I still get a little moody before my period, I think that’s pretty normal whether on BCPs or not. I take it religiously, and it is the only form of birth control I use in my committed relationship. I have had no pregnancy scares. Bonus: FREE on my insurance, which is truly a blessing because I was paying $150 a month for Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo (which was a horror story for me). If this pill gives you problems in the beginning, consider waiting them out, because for me, it truly did get better each month."

• Kat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 30, 2014

For Birth Control "I've been taking Mononessa for a little over 2 months now, and I love it! My periods used to be absolutely horrible (dreadful cramps and heavy bleeding), now they're not bad at all! I only had minor cramps on the first day. The flow was so light I never even needed a tampon. It hasn't affected my mood at all, coming from my fiancé. No nausea or headaches. The only reason I give it a 9 instead of 10 is I feel like my acne is a little worse around my chin area :/"

• Jes...
• December 15, 2014

For Birth Control "Before I had another birth control, and my hormones were through the roof and made me depressed really bad. I switched to this brand because of a lower dose of hormones. So far, this brand is working for me! (NO baby yet.) I have been using this for about half a year, if not a year already. I had missed periods, very late periods, and mild mood swings (nothing major) though. Acne is pretty bad, which I don't like about it. My appetite decreased majorly. I lost so much weight because of it. (Even if I eat regularly.) I'm 21 years old and was 123 lbs, now I'm 116.5 lbs exact. My sex drive increased a little bit that I noticed, but pretty much the same, I think. Other than that, this brand works for me."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 13, 2019

For Acne "I switched from the IUD to Tri-Sprintec 4 months ago in the hopes of clearing my moderate acne and helping my lower mood. Now I wish I would have stayed on the IUD. I have never in my life had such painful, swollen cystic acne until now. It’s all over my jaw and neck, and that has never happened to me before. At first, I thought it was a reaction from switching methods, but I’ve gone through 4 packs and it keeps getting worse. I plan to stop this today after reading other acne horror stories. I’d rather use condoms than refuse to leave the house because I’m so self-conscious about my skin. I hate this pill."

• LAP...
• December 14, 2014

For Birth Control "I started taking Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo when I was 16 because I had horrible, horrible cramps and heavy bleeding. I've been on it for 13 years now, and I absolutely love it! I'm 5'5" and weigh 115-120, my weight sometimes fluctuates 5 pounds or so, but I never had any major weight gain taking this medicine. I went off of it a year ago for a few months... my skin got soooo mad at me!! I had awful acne on my jawline - my doctor told me it was hormonally related. Once I went back on it, my skin cleared up, my cramps were gone, and my period was light and lasted about 3-4 days. It's been a wonderful solution for issues encountered during my period."

• aga...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 8, 2019

For Birth Control "This drug is a life ruiner. I was on Trinessa for a while and doing fine before I randomly got switched to this for no reason. Since starting this drug, I have become nauseous, lightheaded, depressed, constipated, and extremely fatigued. I can only wear loose, flowy clothing or I will get heat flashes and pass out (I'm only 21). I have headaches regularly. Anxiety tics that I worked hard to get rid of years ago are back. I have painful cystic acne that I never had before, and I've gained weight. Taking this drug almost made me fail a semester of school, and it cost me multiple friendships because I was too fatigued and depressed to leave my room and socialize. My self-confidence is at an all-time low. It is not worth it. This drug is cruel."

• Ang...
• July 17, 2017

For Birth Control "Gives me pretty clear skin, other than a pimple or two on my forehead during my period. Slightly larger breasts, shorter and lighter periods, and I'm not pregnant. Very happy with this pill, and it's my first time on BC, so I suppose I got lucky. This was great for me, but everyone's body is different, so I don't think reviews for birth control pills are super smart in actuality..."

• ABa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 7, 2019

For Acne "This has been the worst birth control pill I have ever been on! Cystic acne all over my cheeks, and my acne wasn’t terrible before starting this medication. Do NOT use this BC pill, it will make your acne worse."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 12, 2022

For Birth Control "Wow! This birth control was a true nightmare for me. By the 3rd week, I was feeling every side effect in the book—from depression to anxiety to being irritable in a quick second, tender breasts, cystic breakouts (mind you, I don’t break out other than a pimple here and there). This was full-on cystic acne around my jaw and mouth. I didn’t want to leave the house for weeks. I felt isolated in my thoughts. I have never felt depression like I did on this pill. I tried to stick with this one because I was told it would “regulate,” but after 2 months and 3 days, I broke down in my bed, shaking from anxiety and crying—I made the decision to quit it."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 12, 2022

For Birth Control "Wow! This birth control was a true nightmare for me. By the 3rd week, I was feeling every side effect in the book—from depression to anxiety to being irritable in a quick second, tender breasts, cystic breakouts (mind you, I don’t break out other than a pimple here and there). This was full-on cystic acne around my jaw and mouth. I didn’t want to leave the house for weeks. I felt isolated in my thoughts. I have never felt depression like I did on this pill. I tried to stick with this one because I was told it would “regulate,” but after 2 months and 3 days, I broke down in my bed, shaking from anxiety and crying—I made the decision to quit it."

• Mar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 1, 2020

For Birth Control "Fortunately, my insurance covers Sprintec! I’ve taken Sprintec for only 2 weeks. It hasn’t caused anything but some mild acne. It’s not bad at all. So far, it hasn’t changed my mood, sex drive, or anything serious. I’ll give another update after 2 months passes."

• Lc1...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 16, 2016

For Acne "I'm finishing my first pack of Ortho currently. I'm pretty disappointed so far. I'm breaking out worse, my acne is more inflamed, and my skin is looking more rough overall. Before starting this medication, my acne was mainly inflamed pustules with a pus-filled head covering my cheeks. Now I'm getting minor 'cysts' that are completely under the skin and very red and really hurt. My acne has never hurt before, and now it is, so that's a change. Also, I have more general whiteheads than before. I've also noticed my acne is increasing in my chin/jawline area, and beforehand, my acne was mainly concentrated in my cheeks. I'm disappointed so far and wondering if I should even continue."

• Lc1...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 16, 2016

For Acne "I'm finishing my first pack of Ortho currently. I'm pretty disappointed so far. I'm breaking out worse, my acne is more inflamed, and my skin is looking more rough overall. Before starting this medication, my acne was mainly inflamed pustules with a pus-filled head covering my cheeks. Now I'm getting minor 'cysts' that are completely under the skin and very red and really hurt. My acne has never hurt before, and now it is, so that's a change. Also, I have more general whiteheads than before. I've also noticed my acne is increasing in my chin/jawline area, and beforehand, my acne was mainly concentrated in my cheeks. I'm disappointed so far and wondering if I should even continue."

• Liz...
• April 9, 2019

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I got on this pill because I had non-stop bleeding, and of course, before taking this, I read every single review, and almost every single review was bad. But I had no choice, I had to get on it because I was on the verge of becoming anemic. I also have acne, mild acne, but I wasn’t taking it to help my acne, if it would help, it would be a plus. So I’ve been on Sprintec for 4 weeks, and honestly, I have nothing bad to say. The only thing is that the first 2 weeks my skin did get really bad, but 1 week later my skin cleared up beautifully. Usually, my skin stays clear for like 3 days, then I’d start breaking out again, but my skin has been clear for like two weeks. I have no other side effects at all. For the purpose of it to help regulate my period, I stopped bleeding for a while, but I’m bleeding again, but the nurse said it might take a while to regulate, so I’m waiting on that."

• Liz...
• April 9, 2019

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I got on this pill because I had non-stop bleeding, and of course, before taking this, I read every single review, and almost every single review was bad. But I had no choice, I had to get on it because I was on the verge of becoming anemic. I also have acne, mild acne, but I wasn’t taking it to help my acne, if it would help, it would be a plus. So I’ve been on Sprintec for 4 weeks, and honestly, I have nothing bad to say. The only thing is that the first 2 weeks my skin did get really bad, but 1 week later my skin cleared up beautifully. Usually, my skin stays clear for like 3 days, then I’d start breaking out again, but my skin has been clear for like two weeks. I have no other side effects at all. For the purpose of it to help regulate my period, I stopped bleeding for a while, but I’m bleeding again, but the nurse said it might take a while to regulate, so I’m waiting on that."

• sch...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 17, 2014

For Birth Control "I had a baby girl 6 months ago, and I started this about 2 months ago. At first, I was doing great with it, but then, after about 2 weeks of taking it, I have really noticed some not-so-great changes in me. My chin is constantly breaking out, so it did not help clear up the acne. I have really had some bad mood swings of just feeling really sad, and my anxiety has been pretty bad. It has really messed with my sleeping patterns. I also gained about 16 lbs from the time I started taking this pill until now. I wear contacts, and it really seems to dry my eyes out and make my vision a little blurry, which I haven't really had much trouble with before. I am seeing my doctor soon, and we are planning on switching me to another birth control pill."

• Lan...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 18, 2019

For Birth Control "This BC is great! I had previously taken Alesse and only took it for two months, as I got crazy anxiety from it. A few years later, I decided to try Tricira Lo (generic of Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo). I had pretty bad acne before starting it, and this pill cleared it up almost completely! I love it, and for this reason, I'm planning to stay on it for a looooooooong time. The only side effects were that my boobs grew a little bit, and I gained about 5-10 pounds the first three months, but after 5-6 months, both stabilized. I've been on it for about two years now, and my acne hasn't returned. If you want a low-dose BC and have moderate/severe acne, this pill is worth a try!"

• Ath...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 22, 2019

For Acne "I decided to try Tri-Sprintec after a friend recommended it to me, she said it cleared her acne up miraculously. I started this pill a month ago, and I have always had moderate-severe acne (it used to be worse but gradually got better, never fully went away). This pill made me have acne as bad as I had freshman year. It was so bad back then, and I have been absolutely miserable the entire time on this pill. Not only have my emotions been on overdrive, but I never want to leave my house. The pimples are large and everywhere on my face, even in places I rarely break out. Please do not try this pill, there are so many others you could take."

• asm...
• March 31, 2016

For Birth Control "I have been on and off different birth controls for the past 6 years, including the Mirena IUD, NuvaRing, and other pills. The Mirena made me lose weight and have bigger boobs, but it also made me crazy. Like a psychotic to my husband, and my acne was horrible. The NuvaRing cleared up my face amazingly well, but made me gain weight like crazy, which in turn made me depressed. Some other pills I tried (can't remember names because there were probably 3 different kinds) worsened my acne or made me have crazy mood swings. A year after having a baby, my doctor put me on Mononessa, and it's the first time I have been happy with my birth control ever! My face is normally clear, weight is normal, mood swings low, periods normal to light."

• Lyn...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 6, 2018

For Acne "First off, I can’t believe how relatable these comments are. I took this for my acne, it did half of the job, however, I still get cystic acne and always blamed it on what I ate! Second, the biggest issue is my sex drive. It is completely gone. I thought it was me. I thought there was something seriously wrong with me. I lost my sex drive months ago, and my boyfriend thought it was him! But I would try to explain to him it’s not, it’s me! There’s something wrong with me because I lost it out of nowhere, but meanwhile, I lost it about a month or two after being on this medicine, and it progressively got worse. Third is my depression-I’ve become so down and introverted these last few months, it’s like I’m a different person. I never want to speak to anyone, and I always feel like my life is pointless-I was never like that before I started taking these pills. I’m ending my package and never taking them again. I hope it doesn’t affect me long term."

• Mon...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 24, 2015

For Ovarian Cysts "This medicine has worked pretty well for me. After having constant health problems such as weight gain, bad acne, and not having a period but once a year for 3 years and being told that it was 'okay', I finally went to the OB/GYN for another opinion. I found out that I had PCOS and was placed on Ortho Cyclen. This medicine started to clear my acne after 3 weeks of taking it, and I started losing weight while on it. I lost a total of 6 pounds the first month and 8 the second month. The only drawback was that my period lasted for an entire 31 days the first month but was told beforehand that it could last that long because of the time I went without a period."

• Jai...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 25, 2015

For Birth Control "Best birth control!!! I have been on it for about a year and a half, if not longer. I have no complaints. I got on this because the Depo shot was definitely not working for me. Definitely glad I switched over - no random mood swings, cleared all acne within a month, no weight gain, overall it's the best birth control I've been on."

• Ash...
• September 10, 2013

For Birth Control "I LOVE Sprintec! This is my 5th month being on it now. At first, I was a bit moody and went back and forth from having a large to nearly no appetite. My breasts were also more tender, but that has passed. My sex drive also had its 'mood swings' as well, and that went away as well. The only thing that has continued is mild acne. I haven't gained any weight since on this (which was my main concern), but everyone will be different. My best friend is also on Sprintec, and she gained 20 pounds, so it really is a case-by-case thing. Also, I have had migraines my whole life, and they are GONE. I have tried everything, and this has truly saved my life! So if this is an issue, consider it!"

• Anonymous
• November 18, 2011

For Acne "I didn't care for this at all. It didn't control my periods at all, I still had my 7-day-long periods when other birth controls I have taken controlled it by the most 5 days, and I feel like my mood swings were severe where I was scared of myself, not normal. My acne seemed to be worse than usual. I stuck with it for a year to see if any changes would happen, and nothing changed, so I swapped birth control."