Ethinyl estradiol / norgestrel and Acne: What Users Say (Page 3)

• jus...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• January 16, 2017

Ethinyl estradiol / norgestrel for Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I've been taking Cryselle since I was 15, I am now 21. I needed a medication to lighten my periods because I have severe anemia. Overall, I was satisfied with this birth control. I did have side effects like weight gain. I gained nearly 50 lbs over the last 7 years, which isn't normal since I have a strict diet and work out every single day. My periods were still heavy at first. But during the last year and a half, my periods last 2 days and are very light, like spotting. I am sexually active, so I was worried that I may have been pregnant, but tests say otherwise. I had random acne before my periods on my chin and cheeks. I craved salty foods around the time of my period, so that could be the culprit of my acne. Cramps weren't awful. There would be cramps that stopped me in my tracks, but they lasted a few seconds and I was fine. It's just the normal period symptoms that are normal to have! I am currently switching to Lo Loestrin and have read more bad reviews than good ones, so I'm not sure that I want to go ahead and start the pack after my last dose of Cryselle or not."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 30, 2016

Ethinyl estradiol / norgestrel for Birth Control "This pill is honestly so terrible. The first week I began taking it, I started to break out all over my face with extremely painful cystic acne. It was uncontrollable. As soon as I started to take the inert pills, my face cleared up. Also, this has caused me to form a fibroadenoma in my breast, and I have an extremely extensive family history of breast cancer in young women. I'm only 20 years old, and I have fibrocystic breast disease, and I've been on just about every birth control on the market. If you have this condition as well, STAY AWAY from this drug at all costs."

• Anonymous
• January 4, 2010

Ethinyl estradiol / norgestrel for Birth Control "I've been on this pill for 10 years now, and it's been great up until about a year ago. I'm 33 years old now and have experienced depression and angry mood swings a week prior to my period. One week after my period, I experience increased libido, and two weeks after, I break out, then the cycle repeats all over again. I have never had acne, not even as a teen. I believe that my hormones are just changing due to aging, and I will speak to my doctor about slightly increasing my estrogen level through a different pill."

• Anonymous
• January 4, 2010

Ethinyl estradiol / norgestrel for Birth Control "I've been on this pill for 10 years now, and it's been great up until about a year ago. I'm 33 years old now and have experienced depression and angry mood swings a week prior to my period. One week after my period, I experience increased libido, and two weeks after, I break out, then the cycle repeats all over again. I have never had acne, not even as a teen. I believe that my hormones are just changing due to aging, and I will speak to my doctor about slightly increasing my estrogen level through a different pill."

• Jaa...
• April 26, 2017

Ethinyl estradiol / norgestrel for Birth Control "I've been on the pill for more than a year now, and I love it. I used to get really bad headaches before, horrible cramps, and a heavy period twice a month. The pill changed everything: no more constant headaches, no cramps or any menstrual symptoms, no acne, light flow 3-4 days, and no weight gain. The pill's been great to me!"

• col...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 30, 2016

Ethinyl estradiol / norgestrel for Birth Control "Was on this pill for two years. Gained about 15 pounds, had cystic acne around my periods, and my mood swings were unbelievable. I would find myself getting so angry and irritated at everyone and everything for absolutely no reason. Perks were I didn't get pregnant and my periods were short and light, with no cramping. This was my 6th pill I tried, and after this, I gave up and switched to an IUD. Couldn't be happier."

• Ont...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 7, 2017

Ethinyl estradiol / norgestrel for Birth Control "I've been on it for about 3 years, it works, as I haven't gotten pregnant. My first 3 months were horrible, with nausea and vomiting on the first 2 weeks of the pack. I take my pill at night, so waking up on the first weeks of the pack was horrible. My doctor warned me of feeling 'morning sickness,' but the nausea subsided after the 3 months. I still occasionally get some nausea, but it's only if I missed a dose and had to take 2 on the same day. My periods are about 3 days and light. I always get it by the third day of taking the placebo pills. Some months I get cramps, but they're not painful. I get PMS one week before my period, and I've noticed I get really depressed, emotional, and get chin acne. I've gotten used to it, so I'm okay with it."

• the...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• June 9, 2019

Ethinyl estradiol / norgestrel for Birth Control "I was on this pill from age 21 to age 31. After concerns of hypertension, my doctor inserted an IUD (Liletta). I gave it a go, loved the idea of not having a period or having to take a pill every day. After 5 months of insane mood swings, nipples so sore if I even looked at my breasts, there was a surge in pain, yeast infections, and a 10-pound weight gain with no decrease in blood pressure, I'm very happy to be back on the pill. On the Low-Ogestrel-28 pill, my periods are very regular and predictable. They last about 5 days, only 3 of those with significant flow. I have had no problems losing weight on it, no acne, no mood swings, or headaches. Starting back has been a shock to my body, as I've been on my period for about 12 days now, but that kind of thing is to be expected when you switch birth control methods. Just started placebo week for the first time since the IUD removal, and I honestly feel like a different person. I love this pill, never going back to an IUD."

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 5, 2019

Ethinyl estradiol / norgestrel for Birth Control "Comments from people with positive reviews assuming things like, “Women who rated this pill poorly just didn’t give their bodies time to adjust,” are so disheartening to see. This pill gave me crazy back acne, headaches so bad I couldn’t get up, and awful anxiety for months on end. I assure you that I gave it plenty of time to see if I would “adjust” to this pill, and I had had enough of feeling like I was going insane waiting for that to happen. If this pill worked for you, that’s great. But there’s a large number of us it didn’t work for, and that’s okay. Birth control is completely dependent on body chemistry, and while some people have done great on this pill, people who have gone through horrible things because of it are completely valid in their reviews as well. Be careful and watch your emotions and mental health when being on Cryselle."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 22, 2015

Ethinyl estradiol / norgestrel for Birth Control "I've been on Cryselle for 3 months now. The first month, I was an emotional wreck, crying over nothing and just super bothered by anyone and everyone! It's gotten better now, but the week of my sugar pills, I'm still on an emotional rollercoaster. My periods shortened from 7 days to about 3-4, which is nice. My face breaks out during my period and is blotchy, but I can't completely blame it all on the pill since it happened before. This pill didn't make me gain any weight, I actually lost about 10 lbs during the first two months. Overall, this pill has been alright. At the very least, it's been effective, but I am considering switching it up."

• Geo...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 30, 2019

Ethinyl estradiol / norgestrel for Birth Control "I was on Cryselle for a year and one month. I had noticed some random anxiety here and there (never have had anxiety), but it always went away quickly, and I didn’t think anything of it. However, my parents noted how I was more apathetic, withdrawn, and disinterested as time passed. I was put on an equivalent (generic) of this drug at my annual, and things quickly went off a cliff. Weight gain, acne, irrational anxiety and depression, no sex drive at all with my fiancé, and mental fog all the time. I would say that it all depends on individual body chemistry, but this pill was awful for me, maybe due to being higher in estrogen than my previous pill. I am now off this and doing so much better. Do not recommend."

• She...
• April 22, 2019

Ethinyl estradiol / norgestrel for Birth Control "I have been using Cryselle for almost 2 years now. ACNE: The first couple of months... my acne got pretty awful. Eventually, I started to see my acne dramatically getting better. I had severe acne before starting the pill, and now I only have a couple of pimples at a time. WEIGHT: For the first 5 months, I stayed the same weight, and my breasts didn’t grow at all (so if you are looking for a pill to make your breasts bigger, I would not recommend this pill). By the 7th month, I gained 15 pounds without changing anything in my diet or exercise. Now I fluctuate up and down quite a lot in weight without changing anything. MOOD: my mood has pretty much stayed the same from what I have noticed. The only thing that has changed since taking the pill is that my irritability has increased quite a bit. This could just be non-related to the pill, but I’m not exactly sure. Do realize not everyone reacts to medication the same, so my experience may differ from yours!"

• Mot...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 5, 2018

Ethinyl estradiol / norgestrel for Birth Control "After dealing with breakthrough bleeding from other pills, my doctor switched me to this. I gave it 3 months, and I'm having the worst acne of my life, even as a teenager, my face was not this bad. I look like a drug addict, and I'm embarrassed, and I'm getting off of this immediately."

• Jam...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 21, 2021

Ethinyl estradiol / norgestrel for Birth Control "I love this birth control. I'm paralyzed from the waist down. I have decreased sensation, but I was getting horrible, horrible cramps before this medication. I take it straight with no placebos and let myself have a period every 3 to 4 months. This pill was an absolute lifesaver. No mood swings or acne, just positive results. My cramps have been gone since I started taking it. 10 out of 10 for me."

• Kel...
• August 18, 2015

Ethinyl estradiol / norgestrel for Birth Control "Was not on BC for many years till my dr recommended birth control in order to help with my endometriosis. I've been on this for a month and a half and no progress in period or cramps, and I've never had worse acne than I do right now. I hardly wear any makeup and rarely ever get pimples, and what started as a dry, scaly rash-type thing on my chin and jawline has one week later turned into burning red acne all over my face. I've also noticed how severely depressed I have become. Although I have struggled with depression throughout the past 8 years, I have never ever felt this depressed or uninterested in anybody and everything. Everything and everyone irritates me. Once I looked up others' reviews, I decided I will not take this again."

• Wen...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 7, 2016

Ethinyl estradiol / norgestrel for Birth Control "Severe constipation started within 2 days after I started this pill (had been on Low-Ovral for years prior, but currently unavailable), acne followed, and now 5 lb weight gain in the past 3 weeks. The stomach cramps are so painful (constipation-related) that I am completely distracted throughout the day, every day now. I cannot wait to finish the cycle and move on to another pill. I've taken many different types of pills in the past 20 years...never had a single issue of any sort until this one."

• nbb...
• July 29, 2015

Ethinyl estradiol / norgestrel for Birth Control "I was put on Cryselle to help regulate my cycle and clear up what was left of my acne, and I have to tell you this is the worst experience of my life. I went from my skin being almost clear to having cystic acne covering my entire face and chest, which was also very heartbreaking for me because my cheeks were the only place where I would break out. I've also become very moody and more depressed. I really do encourage you to steer away from this pill. It has honestly been the worst decision I've made in a really long time. Save yourself the pain and money. I'm looking to switch ASAP!!"

• Mad...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 22, 2019

Ethinyl estradiol / norgestrel for Birth Control "Awful. Noticed after a month an increase of painful acne only on my chin, the most hormonal spot. Made me depressed, and I questioned my self-worth every day, which made me feel awful. My anxiety wasn’t bad before the BC but is terrible now. I would not recommend this to anyone."

• AZ ...
• August 27, 2013

For Birth Control "In my 20s, I used several kinds of birth control, and this had the least side effects, so I stayed on it for about 5 years, then went off birth control and became pregnant. After pregnancy, my OBGYN put me back on this birth control (9 years ago, age 28; used various brands based on insurance), and overall, I didn't experience any negative side effects. It keeps my period regular (as long as I am consistent with taking my prescription on time each day), and I don't have acne issues. I did gain a few pounds when I went back on it, but that is typical with any birth control. The only thing I have noticed in the last year (age 37 now) is some heavier periods and some cramps I didn't have before, but that may be due to my age. Hope this is useful."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 19, 2015

Ethinyl estradiol / norgestrel for Birth Control "I had very irregular periods, so my doctor put me on this pill to help regulate them. My periods come like clockwork now, which is very nice considering I've never had that. They haven't become lighter or shorter in length, which I was hoping for. They are still 6-7 days with heavy flow and lots of cramping. My acne has also increased a lot. I had some acne before taking the pill, but this is the deep kind that can take weeks to heal, which I rarely got before. I also have been pretty emotional since starting it, but I won't entirely place blame on this pill, as I stay pretty stressed regardless, but I think it could be related. I'm going to switch soon, most likely."

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 24, 2018

Ethinyl estradiol / norgestrel for Birth Control "This was the first pill I have ever been on. It is horrible! It made my acne so bad, I never have had a bad outbreak in my life. My skin used to be super clear. I have had the same breakout for 2 months now, and it has not gone away. I have bought better face skin products, was attempting to help it, and still, it hasn’t done anything for my skin. I wash twice a day, and my acne is still there. I also never experienced cramps before taking Cryselle, and this pill gave me cramps, which is actually horrible. I wouldn’t suggest this pill to anyone! It made me get super emotional and sad, and I would find myself crying over super dumb things or sometimes even over nothing. I once cried because my boyfriend didn’t text me back. Honestly, worst pill ever. I have 2 and a half weeks left of this pill until I can switch, and I haven’t been happier. Thank goodness! I do not suggest using this pill."

• Meg...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• January 22, 2020

Ethinyl estradiol / norgestrel for Birth Control "I have been taking Low-Ogestrel for about 8 or more years. It has helped my periods significantly. I used to have long periods and horrible cramps, but now they are light, and very rarely do I get bad or painful periods. I did not have weight gain from this, I had some acne the first month or so, but that’s normal with any birth control."

• Vic...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• March 23, 2023

Ethinyl estradiol / norgestrel for Birth Control "I went on Cryselle when I was 18. I noticed that it completely changed my personality pretty immediately. I became very emotional and would cry at the drop of a hat. It also made me gain weight, +60 lbs. However, with diet and exercise, I kept the majority of the weight off. I stuck with this medication for years. After turning 25, I’m not sure if there was a shift in my natural hormones (people's hormones change in their mid-twenties) or my body was tired of the Cryselle as (it's high in progesterone/androgens) things started to change. I suddenly developed horrible acne, hair thinning of my head/eyebrows, facial hair growth, and would have hot flashes at night during my withdrawal bleeding. In addition, a decrease in sex drive and vaginal dryness during sex. I also now have stubborn weight that won’t come off even with diet/exercise. I have switched to Syeda, I have been on it for 4 months. So far, my sex drive is back, less dryness, way less acne, and no hot flashes. Hoping my hair grows back."

• Sky...
• August 18, 2015

Ethinyl estradiol / norgestrel for Birth Control "This birth control isn't bad, definitely not the best but not the worst. Before Cryselle, I had almost perfect skin with occasional breakouts here and there, but I break out on my chin often now. It's not bad, and it goes away in a couple of days or so, but before the pill, that almost never happened. It made my period a little shorter by a day or so. I do have very bad mood swings, but I've always been kind of a moody person, so it might just be me. But other than that, this pill is good, I haven't gained any weight, I don't spot, I occasionally get mild headaches... but nothing an Advil couldn't fix."

• Jst...
• June 15, 2015

Ethinyl estradiol / norgestrel for Birth Control "I've been on this medication for about two months, and I really like it! I prefer my Loestrin 24, like most people that were on it did, and when I was switched to Minastrin, it sucked big time! Was depressed all the time, had terrible cystic acne, and had the worst migraine headaches ever imaginable! Since being switched, I haven't had any of those side effects, the only thing that recently happened was my skin became really sensitive to the sun, and I broke out in a rash from it. So now I just load up on sunscreen. Overall, I'm really happy with this birth control."