Skyla and Acne: What Users Say (Page 3)

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

For Birth Control "Got Skyla in December 2018 and bled for about four months every day. Some days heavy, some lighter. I never got pregnant, but I did gain about 12 pounds and got cystic acne, which I had never had before. Insertion was horrible. I have had Paragard before and actually just switched back to it, and the insertion process is much smoother with Paragard. Watch videos on IUD insertions, you’ll then understand why Skyla hurts more. Overall, wouldn’t recommend. Periods never went away, but did get lighter. For me, the weight gain and acne just wasn’t worth it. Also had severe cramping for about two months. So happy to have it out!"

• Mir...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 10, 2019

For Birth Control "After reading the Skyla reviews before my insertion, I was absolutely petrified as I have a fairly low pain tolerance and never had children. In the end, the Skyla insertion was so much easier and more painless than I’d anticipated! Just strong cramping for like ten seconds. Given, the week afterward I had pretty consistent cramping, but it wasn’t unbearable. My first period afterward was heavier than usual, but now they’re back to normal. Generally, the side effects stopped after about a month. The one thing I didn’t anticipate was how badly I broke out in acne after I went off birth control. It makes sense why, but I think it flared up worse because I’d abruptly ceased oral birth control. However, now my skin’s fine and I mostly don’t even know Skyla’s there!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 3, 2016

For Birth Control "After having the Skyla inserted, I almost passed out. It was very painful, and my clothes were soaked from sweat, but my doctor didn't give me anything to ease the pain. I cramped really bad for two weeks and then was fine. My period after the Skyla was inserted lasted 32 days long, but I haven't had one since (4 months with the Skyla inserted). I'm feeling better than ever. Some acne, but any kind of birth control will cause that. My appetite increased, but I allowed it, so I can't blame it on the Skyla. Hoping for no babies and no periods for the next 3 years."

• cac...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 4, 2016

For Birth Control "I had a pretty easy insertion, experienced a sharp pain for a few seconds, and that was it. I took a Tramadol and was expecting the worst, but it was totally manageable. My first period with it inserted lasted ten days, but most of it was light spotting. I had more cramping and breaking out than normal. Overall, I love having the Skyla. Insurance covered the vast majority of the cost, and it's reliable. My partner doesn't feel the strings. I anticipated more issues after reading reviews for this IUD, but it's working really well for me!"

• Pai...
• October 6, 2018

For Birth Control "I’m 19, and 115 lbs. Got Skyla in February 2018, was super painful getting put in, but the pain lasted only about 30 minutes. Everything was great for the first 4 months, no period cycle, just slight spotting, no pain... starting in June, I began noticing my (almost always perfect) skin start to develop very large bumps. It was cystic acne. It snowballed from there, my skin only got worse. My face was producing an abnormal amount of oil, and the acne never seemed to let up. I tried many different acne solutions and changed my diet to more clean eating, but nothing seemed to help. I just ignored it and thought maybe college is causing stress breakouts and it eventually will go away. I was wrong. In August, I started experiencing severe cramping in my lower stomach. It came about every 5-10 minutes and was nearly every day until I decided to get Skyla taken out, which was on Oct. 5. The cramps immediately stopped. My acne is still bad, considering it’s only been a couple of days."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 5, 2015

For Birth Control "I had the Skyla inserted 4/22/15, so it has been 6 months now. I have a very high tolerance to pain, and the insertion was not the best, but do take ibuprofen beforehand, and you'll be fine. The worst of the pain is right before my period, the cramps from ovulating and right before my cycle starts. I have had my period now for two weeks at a time every two weeks, which is killing my sex life with my boyfriend and my pockets on the amount of tampons I am purchasing. My acne is still the same, I'm always bloated, and I'm shedding so much, and have gained a ton of weight. I wanted to at least try to give it a year to see if things were going to change, but it's just so aggravating. I know some love the Skyla, but it's not for me."

• Anonymous
• October 24, 2018

For Birth Control "I've been on the Skyla for about a year now. Getting it in is a painful experience. After being on it for a few months, I noticed a significant change in my weight, and my pants weren't fitting at all. Fast forward to a year of having it in, I've gained over 20 pounds, and the acne is just horrible. I wish I never went on it. I'm 20 years old, by the way."

• kar...
• April 16, 2016

For Birth Control "I get a feeling like my poor uterus is being stabbed, also horrible back pain, gained so much weight, horrible acne, and even more discharge like white stuff inside my vagina (I never had that in my life). It grosses me out. I want to get it removed as soon as possible."

• 27y...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 9, 2018

For Birth Control "I got Skyla for birth control and also because I was having irregular/long periods (usually 12-14 days of a 28-32 day cycle that varied). In the first months after I got it, I did see an increase in acne (I am already prone to acne, but it did get worse). Throughout, I have had frequent spotting and irregular bleeding. I have had two 'periods' that lasted 23 days with light bleeding/spotting and maybe 1-2 days of heavier bleeding. So basically since I have been on Skyla, more than half of my life I have spotting. It has been very frustrating. I am considering switching to Kyleena or to a different birth control completely because I pretty much always have spotting. I think 8 months is long enough to see that this is not a good fit for me. Has anyone else had similar experiences?"

• Reb...
• September 18, 2016

For Birth Control "I've had Skyla for about 5 months now, and I have to say I don't love it. The insertion process was not as bad as I thought, despite the crazy reviews. Once I got it, however, I had pretty intense cramps, lower back pain, and other period symptoms for at least a month. I am used to very painful cramps, and I can usually handle them, but it was honestly a nightmare. My immediate reaction to this was to get it removed, but I thought I was being a bit rash and I would just leave it in and give it a fair shot. As time went on, the cramps did subside and my body felt better, but still not back to normal. I also noticed I was beginning to break out a lot, and I've had clear skin my entire life. Not only was I breaking out, but it was also painful to have sex."

• Pea...
• April 14, 2018

For Birth Control "Positives: sexual freedom and easy insert. Negatives: HORRIBLE acne, mood swings, periods lasting 10-20 days per cycle and spotting in between periods. I only lasted 6 and a half months on this IUD :( This is just my personal experience with this medication, other people experience it differently. The acne affected my self-esteem, and my mood swings made me feel vulnerable because I would be content one minute and the next minute I would feel sad, irritable, or anxious. I've had the IUD removed for 2 weeks, and my face is already clearing up (no new pimples), and my mood is stable. Thank God! My doctor told me that the symptoms would get better in 6 months, unfortunately, they consistently got worse over the months, and I couldn't put up with it anymore. I hope other women's experiences are better than mine."

• Nan...
• November 30, 2018

For Birth Control "The worst side effect I have had from my Skyla is terrible acne. I am 28 years old with acne like a teenager. I kept thinking it was stress causing my acne. I tried almost everything to get rid of my acne. I tried Proactiv, over-the-counter face washes, Spironolactone, Curology, etc. Nothing cured it. Then I thought it was my diet. I changed my diet. That didn’t work either. Finally, two years after inserting my IUD, I had a hormone test done, and my progesterone levels were high. The doctor told me they were high due to my IUD, and the progesterone caused my acne. Another side effect is my mood swings. They are crazy!! Just like the acne, at the beginning I blamed stress or that I was overwhelmed. But after realizing that in any situation I get continuous mood swings and I’m not PMSing, I knew it had to be my IUD. After much consideration, my husband decided to get a vasectomy so that I could remove my IUD!! The Skyla did its job, I didn’t get pregnant, but the acne alone was not worth it."

• KC1...
• November 17, 2015

For Birth Control "I got my Skyla placed in March 2015 - I'm 21 and never had kids. The insertion was terribly painful, and I stayed in pain for about 3 or 4 days. I've bled/spotted for most days out of the month since I got it put in. I've gained a lot of weight with this IUD, and my acne has gotten a lot worse. I went to my doctor about my bleeding, and after looking at it, he said that everything was fine and there was nothing that he could do to stop the bleeding/spotting, and I would have to deal with it until it went away on its own. I would get this removed early, but because of how painful it was to get it inserted, I'm terrified that it's going to hurt just as bad. As far as keeping me from getting pregnant, it's 100% effective. I wouldn't recommend."

• Cru...
• September 27, 2017

For Birth Control "It’s a love-hate relationship. Effectiveness, I love it. I’m 26, no kids, and I would say it does the job. Like any BC, there are pros and cons. Pros: my periods are super light, cramps are minimal, not pregnant, you don’t have to remember to take a pill, and it was $35 for 3 years. Cons: I got super depressed the first 3 months of being on it, I never had acne until now, and it’s embarrassing, it’s cystic acne, and I have acne scars, and no acne meds help. I have my period on and off for 2 weeks out of the month, I snap a lot at my husband, hair loss the first 4 months on it, and now I have intense back pain to the point I can’t sit or stand. I love it, but I’m really considering taking it out in 2 months."

• Dan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 28, 2019

For Birth Control "Getting this IUD inserted was the worst pain I've ever experienced. I was screaming so loudly at the doctor's office the entire time. I almost threw up from the pain. Three days later, I started bleeding, and it hasn't stopped for 25 days. I'm already anemic, so this is really worrying me. I've been very lightheaded, plus I'm having terrible cramps. I very rarely ever had period cramps before, and now they are unbearable. I have to lean against the wall or sit down, the pain is so bad. Plus, it's making me feel that I'm not in control of my emotions. I've been moody, and my anxiety has gotten worse. Plus, my acne is getting so bad since I got this IUD. My libido has also decreased, and sex is painful. My boyfriend is a doctor, so he assured me it was safe, but he was wrong. I'm so upset I got this instead of continuing to take the pill. I would NOT recommend getting this IUD. I really want it removed. I'd rather have a baby than deal with these symptoms for a full 6 months!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 16, 2020

For Birth Control "I had the Skyla IUD put in because I thought it would keep hormones localized and not through my whole body, and be an easy form of birth control. The insertion was awful, and I had super intense cramps for months afterward, with bleeding randomly at least half the days of the month. I got horrible cystic acne, lost a ton of hair, and lost ten pounds in one month due to nausea. After four months, I had it removed and instantly felt better. Two months later, my hair is growing back and acne is clearing up. The side effects were awful for me, but I have friends who love it. Depends on the person."

• 22y...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 24, 2020

For Birth Control "I'm 22 and don't have any children. I got the IUD inserted in April of 2019. The insertion was very painful, I had to rest the whole day because of bad cramping. The cramping lasted about a week or so, but after that, it was fine. My periods have been normal and monthly ever since. My cycle is pretty much the same, just worse cramping, but it's not a problem. I have remained the same weight since I got it, which makes me happy. I haven't gotten any acne. After trying so many birth control methods, I think I finally found the one for me! I recommend this."

• Soc...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 7, 2017

For Birth Control "Again, this is not for everyone. I had it in for about 11 months. For the first 5 months, I bled constantly, after that, it was spotting. However, annoying nonetheless. Insertion was a little painful, but tolerable. The last 4-5 months, that's when everything started to get worse. It was constant spotting, my acne got worse, I gained like 15 pounds, headaches, and fatigue. I am 20, with no kids. I switched to the pill, but I just read reviews on it, and it has really bad reviews, but I'm trying it out."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 13, 2016

For Birth Control "I had Skyla 'installed' 3 years ago and had switched out for a new one yesterday. The first time I cramped and spotted for weeks, but it slowly faded. The removal and new insertion were rather unpleasant, but not as bad as having it placed the first time. I took one dose of Advil yesterday, but that's it. The pain today was minimal, a few twinges here and there, but nothing that required medication. Overall, I am pleased with it. I got it originally because my cramps were so bad they sidelined me for days. Now, I barely notice them, and my flow drastically reduced. No weight gain to speak of and no additional acne. My migraines have increased, but they had been over the last several years, so I'm not sure it's connected."

• 18 ...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 20, 2016

For Birth Control "Update 3: So I've had Skyla for about 3-4 months now, and I HATE IT!! After about the first month, I loved it! But now I am having bad cystic acne, I've gained 12 pounds since being on it, and bad itchy bacterial infections 'down there.' I want to get this out so bad!!!"

• Sti...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 6, 2016

For Birth Control "I've had Skyla for 8 months. Insertion was what I expected. Hurt, but right after I went to the grocery store. Next day I hurt, but took it easy around the house. I was 25 when I got it. 26 now, I was on Lo Lo Estrin before this. For the last 5 years. With that, I had no periods and no cramps ever! I had to switch because I couldn't afford the $120 price tag. I'm on month 8. I've had nine periods. Most range 7-9 days and they come every 2 weeks. With horrible cramping 2-3 days. I break out now with bad acne. I've never had bad skin. So to me, sure, I haven't gotten pregnant, but I'm miserable about 50% of the time."

• CLH...
• November 17, 2016

For Birth Control "I was on Skyla for 8-9 months. Insertion was painful, but the cramping subsided within a day or so. Skyla is advertised to reduce the frequency of your periods, but mine actually became more frequent (every 3 weeks) and lasted longer (8-9 days) than when I was on the pill (3-5 days). Also, it caused my skin to become very oily, and I developed cystic acne. I never had an issue with acne until I started Skyla. The only benefit I saw was not having to take a pill every day. After having Skyla removed and going back to my BC pill, my skin and periods went back to normal within 4-6 weeks. Removal wasn't nearly as painful as insertion. I'm very bummed Skyla didn't work for me--I was so ready to be done taking a pill every day."

• suc...
• January 19, 2017

For Birth Control "23 y.o. - Gave me cystic acne down my spine (that I never had) that took 6-7 months to resolve, horrible cramps, a cyst on my right ovary, and made sex painful. The insertion felt horrible, and having to check my strings monthly was pretty annoying. This is the most abnormal response to any birth control (pill or ring) I have personally experienced."

• Jra...
• September 25, 2016

For Birth Control "I have had Skyla for over a year. The insertion was not as bad as I was expecting, however, I had a child a month prior. The only complaints that I have are the terrible acne and the difficulty I have had losing weight. I have not gained any weight, however, I have had a hard time losing the weight that I wanted to (only about 10 lbs). Overall, the reason that this is available is for birth control. It has been extremely effective for what it was meant for."

• ANi...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 26, 2018

For Birth Control "I got my first Skyla (my first ever BC) a little over 3 years ago. Took some Advil before insertion to help with pain, and yes, it was painful, but nothing like the debilitating cramps I’d get with my heavy periods every month. I spotted every day for the first 30 days. My periods got lighter right away, and the pain was minimal. Even though they were still consistent (I’ve always been consistent), my periods now lasted 3-5 days longer! That was weird. That lasted throughout my entire 3 years. I got my new one inserted this past summer, and now my periods are even lighter and shorter. Must just take me a long time to adjust. I haven’t noticed any weight gain or mood swings directly related to Skyla; it actually helped clear up my acne on my chest and shoulders (but that has since had a resurgence for some unknown reason). It used to be way worse without Skyla. Overall, I highly recommend it, but of course, talk to your doctor and decide what’s best for you."