Cryselle and Acne: What Users Say

• Mon...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 21, 2019

For Birth Control "I have been on this medication for years and I am switching to a new one to have a period every 3 months. I googled the new one and got freaked out because of all the negative reviews, so I thought I would google the one I am on now. I have had no issues with it at all. No moodiness, no anxiety, no acne, no weight gain. It works like a dream. My periods were awful before Cryselle and this helped it so much. So this is for all those out there looking up google reviews and freaking out like I did. Trust your doctor, give it a try, if you notice bad symptoms talk to them. You should never stay on a medication for close to a year if it is no good. It does not take your body that long to regulate. I hope this post is helpful."

• buc...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 28, 2020

For Birth Control "When I first started this birth control, I was extremely skeptical considering all of the reviews seemed to be negative. Prior to trying Cryselle, I was on 5 other birth control pills but had bad reactions to all of them. Severe acne, anxiety, depression, and non-stop spotting were some of the side effects I had on other pills. When I tried Cryselle, I had the best results yet. Light, little to no periods, no weight gain, no acne, no changes in mood. The first few weeks, I felt a little fatigued, but it went away after a month or two. If you are skeptical about going on this birth control, I recommend giving it a go. It was definitely worth it, and it's been the best birth control I've ever been on, with no noticeable side effects."

• ccf...
• November 18, 2013

For Birth Control "I am 25 and began taking Cryselle for birth control. I've had oily skin and moderate acne since puberty. I've been using topical medicines to treat my acne for two years. The first month taking Cryselle, I broke out horribly the week of my period. We're talking the worst pimples I've ever had-the kind that throb when you bend over. The second month, I had no breakout. I have not had a single blemish in the past 4 months of taking Cryselle. Mood swings are mild to unnoticeable. Even though there may be lots of ladies with bad experiences with this birth control, don't be afraid to try it. Cryselle has turned out to be very good for me and cleared my skin. Just be patient, give it at least 2 months before quitting."

• AVB...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 11, 2013

For Birth Control "I absolutely love this birth control pill, worked great for me. I had no weight gain, I had a regular/short period with no cramps! It also helped a lot with my acne, while on the pill, I had no acne and very clear skin, but now that I'm off, I wish I was still on the pill just for that reason."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 4, 2013

For Birth Control "I recently just switched to this pill because I kept spotting and having heavy periods on the estrogen pills, but I have to say this pill is working great for me so far. I have little to no periods, the only place I gained weight was in my breasts, so that's cool, and my mood has been so stable I barely PMS anymore. The only negative is that I sometimes break out on my face a little bit before my period, but a few pimples over heavy bleeding and spotting in the past is no problem! Great pill, highly recommend it if you have heavy periods and want a lighter one."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 4, 2013

For Birth Control "I recently just switched to this pill because I kept spotting and having heavy periods on the estrogen pills, but I have to say this pill is working great for me so far. I have little to no periods, the only place I gained weight was in my breasts, so that's cool, and my mood has been so stable I barely PMS anymore. The only negative is that I sometimes break out on my face a little bit before my period, but a few pimples over heavy bleeding and spotting in the past is no problem! Great pill, highly recommend it if you have heavy periods and want a lighter one."

• Han...
• February 24, 2020

For Birth Control "I’ve been using this medicine, Cryselle, for almost two months. I cry or I am mad 24/7. I’m also having really severe cramping, which didn’t start till around my 2nd or 3rd week of taking them. If I don’t eat, I get nauseous but don’t throw up. Also, my skin is breaking out like it’s never have before. It’s making me think I’m pregnant, which is making everything worse, but I’ve gotten my period, so I think I’m fine."

• Sar...
• July 20, 2016

For Birth Control "Most of these reviews aren't so good, and most of the reviewers aren't giving their body enough time to adjust to the hormones. Your body is trying to get used to the pill, so that's why, during the first month, you may get some unpleasant side effects like mood swings and acne. I had nightmares for the first 3 weeks, sore breasts after that, and acne breakouts. My first period on Cryselle was horrible, the cramps were awful, but everyone's different. I'm still going to give my body the opportunity to adjust to Cryselle. If you're having some unpleasant side effects while on Cryselle, talk to your doctor, especially if it's something serious. But don't be quick to give up the pill because of things like acne and sore breasts. Things can improve!"

• Sar...
• July 20, 2016

For Birth Control "Most of these reviews aren't so good, and most of the reviewers aren't giving their body enough time to adjust to the hormones. Your body is trying to get used to the pill, so that's why, during the first month, you may get some unpleasant side effects like mood swings and acne. I had nightmares for the first 3 weeks, sore breasts after that, and acne breakouts. My first period on Cryselle was horrible, the cramps were awful, but everyone's different. I'm still going to give my body the opportunity to adjust to Cryselle. If you're having some unpleasant side effects while on Cryselle, talk to your doctor, especially if it's something serious. But don't be quick to give up the pill because of things like acne and sore breasts. Things can improve!"

• Len...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 19, 2021

For Birth Control "I’ve been taking this birth control for a year now. It is so not for me. My hair is falling out in clumps, my anxiety is terrible, I sometimes get 2-3 periods a month, and I’m getting acne in places I’ve never had acne. Not to mention I don’t usually gain so much weight, but I’ve gained more in this year than I ever have. 1/10 for effort, but if your doctor recommends this, RUN!"

• Emm...
• February 2, 2014

For Endometriosis "I started taking Cryselle almost 9 months ago to treat my endometriosis as well as to act as birth control. My OB-GYN instructed me to skip the placebos, and as a result, I have had virtually no cramping or breakthrough bleeding (common on my last pill). However, as she warned, I developed severe acne. The acne I could deal with, but the emotional side effects I cannot. I have become increasingly moody the longer I have been on Cryselle, especially around the time of my 'period.' I have also developed strong feelings of anxiety and depression. I had hoped when these symptoms began that they would lessen over time, but they have just increased in severity."

• Anonymous
• June 13, 2019

For Birth Control "This pill Cryselle is downright terrible. I could not give a more honest opinion. Yes, it does its job of protecting you from pregnancy, but the side effects are NOT worth it. I’ve been taking it a year and a half now, and not once in my life have I ever had acne until this pill. My face feels like a gravel road because my skin is so haggard. So that right there has ruined my self-confidence, and on top of that, I’m more depressed than I’ve ever felt in my whole life. Constant mood swings. I feel fat, pimple-ridden, moody, and all around awful. But hey, at least I’m not pregnant. Totally not worth it, ladies."

• Lau...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 17, 2019

For Birth Control "Overall, Cryselle is a good birth control. Periods are light and last only a few days at the same time each month. Hasn’t helped with my acne, but that’s okay. My cramps have been worse, but not sure if that’s linked to the pill."

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 20, 2019

For Birth Control "(18F) Before starting this Cryselle, I had 7-8 day-long periods with awful cramps (to the point of passing out). To make a future point, I also had zero acne and no family history of acne. About a month in, my acne got so bad I never considered the cause was Cryselle (Norgestrel 0.3 mg, ethinyl estradiol 0.30 mg). My periods were so light and only lasted 2 days. Never had any cramps, and I felt like I could live my life. But my acne was all over my body, and it hurt to even put glasses on. After a year on antibiotics for the acne (which helped a lot), the acne came back when my only medication was this birth control. Finally, after 1.5 years, I switched to Sprintec (Norgestimate 0.25 mg, ethinyl estradiol 0.035 mg) instead, it has a different type of progestin and slightly more estradiol. Now, my acne is completely gone. When I read reviews saying the medication has no effect on acne, don’t always trust them. Was even told this by my doctor. Make sure to pay close attention to changes in your body. Also gained 35 pounds very quickly."

• sam...
• October 30, 2015

For Endometriosis "I was diagnosed with stage 4 endometriosis and had a chocolate cyst that was removed 6 months ago. However, excruciating pain and cramps persisted. I was so drained all the time and attributed it to my busy schedule. A month ago, I went to the OB-GYN because my cramps became daily. They found a lemon-sized cyst on the right ovary and told me to go on Cryselle for 4 months to shrivel it. Before I could start taking it, I had a horrible bout of pain, fever, nausea, and dizziness that felt like my endo symptoms. I think my cyst burst because the persistent pain was gone. Doc said to take Cryselle anyway. The first week, I got a few big pimples and expected to gain weight and be moody. It did the opposite, felt like my old self, energetic and happy!!"

• Anonymous
• August 20, 2015

For Birth Control "The only benefit to the birth control is that it prevents pregnancy. It has caused me major mood swings (anger and sadness), pain in my breasts, and acne breakouts. I have never had issues with acne, even as a teen. It's not worth it."

• Deb...
• July 8, 2016

For Birth Control "I've been on Cryselle for 2.5 months now. I've had acne all my life and had finally gotten it under control before starting Cryselle. It's out of control again. Additionally, I've had some serious anxiety, depression, mood swings. I cry all the time and have irrational obsessive, anxious thoughts. The benefits definitely did not outweigh the costs. My GYN is switching my prescription."

• Mar...
• October 14, 2014

For Birth Control "I have tried a few pills before, and this one was the worst. I would sweat constantly during the day and even wake up sweating. The acne I got was pretty bad as well. I was taken off the medicine when I reported to my doctor horrible headaches and seeing auras, which is a really bad sign of serious problems to come. All bad side effects aside, I did not get pregnant while on Cryselle, however, this pill was not right for me."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 7, 2013

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "So I've been taking this pill for two months, and right off, I got some bad side effects. I'm always tired and moody. I lose my appetite, or I'm just too nauseous to eat. I even have more freckles and got acne, which I didn't have before. The only good that came out of this pill is I get my period, and I lost weight."

• CHe...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 29, 2015

For Birth Control "I began taking this pill 4 months ago to help with my PMD. The 2-3 weeks following my period, I had extreme irritability/anxiety. My periods were also very heavy and accompanied by severe cramps, extreme fatigue, and headaches. My doctor recommended this pill to level out hormones and help with cramps. This pill has been amazing. My periods are 3-4 days long and very light. I have NO cramps. My face has cleared up except for a couple of breakouts on my chin the last day or so of my period, but they are gone in a couple of days. I feel so much better on this pill. Incredibly lower levels of irritability/anxiety."

• Ano...
• January 23, 2020

For Birth Control "I had been on Low Ogestrel since I was 18, but never really got the hang of the hormones in the BC. I told my doctor and was switched to something else, and unfortunately that didn’t work out, it was absolutely terrible. When I asked to be switched back to Lo Ogestrel, they gave me Cryselle because they said it was basically the same. WRONG. Not only did I have more extreme mood swings, but it did not work with my body the way LO did. And the cherry on top? I broke out like crazy! It didn’t work for me, but that’s been my personal experience."

• Mag...
• May 8, 2017

For Birth Control "I've been on this birth control for about 8 years, so I feel I can write a fair review. I started taking birth control in high school because my cycle was so painful and heavy. I had to miss school because of cramps. As soon as I started taking this (the generic version was called something else back then), my symptoms went away. I went from a 7-day heavy, painful period to a 3-4 day light period. I've always had acne, and I can't say this helped tremendously when I was in high school and college, now that I'm in my mid-20s, my acne is gone. I haven't noticed anything related to hormones on this pill. Yes, when my period is about to come, sometimes I'll get a little more emotional than I would during other parts of the month, but that would happen even if you weren't on the pill. The only thing I've noticed is that my libido is higher during the placebo week. I think birth control might kill libido a bit. Overall, if you have terrible period pains, I would recommend this pill. It really saves me every month."

• tgk...
• May 17, 2017

For Birth Control "I really love this birth control, but as someone else stated, I think it might be affecting my libido. I haven't noticed any weight gain at all since I've been using this. I have been on it for over two years and really have no true complaints. My skin is completely clear during my placebo week and relatively clear the rest of the time. But I still have some random nasty breakouts. This could just be my skin type though, and might not have anything to do with the birth control. I was on a high estrogen birth control before this, which negatively affected my mood, but I feel great on this one. I don't ever find myself feeling super moody, just my usual self. My period usually lasts 4 days, nothing bad at all. Overall, I recommend it."

• Ann...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 24, 2017

For Birth Control "I'm 18 and have been on Cryselle for around 3 years. I have 3-4 day periods that are generally pretty light and manageable. No weight gain or mood swings, but I've suffered from acne since I hit puberty and recently realized that my skin completely clears up during my placebo pill week. I really think that the hormones in Cryselle are what's been giving me such bad skin. Although I really like everything else about this pill, I'm switching to another next week that will hopefully improve my skin."

• Nik...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 3, 2018

For Birth Control "I started Cryselle as my first birth control drug. When I started, I bled on and off for about a month. After that, everything was great. Very regular periods lasting about 5 days with only 1-2 “heavy” days. Just experienced the normal teenage acne problems, nothing out of the ordinary. No cramps. Some weight gain but was also a part of growing out of adolescence. I’m 20 now and had to switch pills because over the past year, periods have gone down to about 3 days with very light cycles and have had pre-hypertension for about 2 years. Now my blood pressure qualifies for hypertension, so I switched in hopes it would come down. Also experienced breakthrough bleeding of brown discharge for two weeks straight. Assuming it was a lot of old blood that had accumulated. After switching, my body has finally let go of all that old blood (there was a lot), so just be mindful of that. Was on this pill for about 4 years and it was a good run."