Camila and Acne: What Users Say

• fig...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 13, 2020

For Birth Control "Please keep in mind that everyone reacts differently to hormones and what I experienced may not be what you experience. I am writing this so the people that do experience these side effects do not feel like they are crazy. I started this birth control because I was no longer allowed to be on a combined pill. I took it for about four months and couldn’t take it anymore. My boobs hurt so bad I could barely put a bra on, my periods never regulated the way they were supposed to, I broke out like crazy and it made me so nauseous. Every month I was taking a pregnancy test because all the symptoms I was experiencing were the same as if I was pregnant, the late or non-existent period didn’t help either. I hope someone finds this useful."

• Jaz...
• October 1, 2019

For Birth Control "I love this pill. I was on Sprintec before this, and that one was terrible! This pill has been good for me. I’ve lost around 10 pounds. I was 124 when I started it, and 7 months later, I am now at 116. I have no acne (only on my period), and my skin and hair look the same. My cramps aren’t as bad, and I only get my period once a month between day 27-31, and it only lasts for exactly 5 days. At first, I had irregular periods for about 3 months, and now it’s getting on a schedule. I don’t feel depressed or sad or annoyed. I actually have PMDD, and this hasn’t made it worse, it’s helped, if anything. I do get massive migraines, but that's nothing medicine can’t fix or a nap. I do get tired a lot, and I haven’t been eating as much as I used to. Overall, it’s a great pill choice, and I recommend it for anyone whose body can’t take estrogen like mine."

• ju1...
• May 9, 2015

For Birth Control "Started taking this pill in December 2014 and been on it since. I am not happy with it at all. I used to have regular periods, but Camila made it very irregular. I hate not knowing if I will have a period or not. My mentality changed as well; usually, I'm a very happy girl, but the pill made me into a raging mean lunatic. It gave me extreme mood swings, frequent migraines, problems with my vision, depression, hair loss, extreme bloating, no sex drive at all, vaginal dryness, increased acne on my chin, numbness in my feet, and lack of sleep. I am stopping this immediately. I do not recommend this. This pill is evil."

• ABC...
• June 12, 2019

For Birth Control "I started taking Camila six months ago, after having a medical abortion. Somehow in my late 30s, I have become quite fertile, and I was afraid to get pregnant again, so I went on birth control for the first time since high school. They would not prescribe me anything with estrogen because of past migraines, so I went on Camila despite reading all the reviews. I have not had any issues with mood swings. I did not get acne like some have warned. I still have a healthy sex drive. I always shed, so I don't think this birth control has made that any worse. I have definitely gained weight, but I could blame that on late-night munchies as well. The periods were all over the place. Sometimes I would get my period twice in a month. Then last month, I didn't get it at all. In fact, I got PREGNANT using this birth control perfectly! Every day! At the same every day! This was not supposed to happen. This birth control failed me. Approx 13/100 women will get pregnant on this pill. BEWARE!"

• Nat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 9, 2019

For Birth Control "After trying to go on a combo pill (Apri) and getting horrible nausea, random acne, migraines, and a skin rash, my doctor switched me to Camila. I'm nearly done with the first pack, and so far, so good. I used to have a lot of emotional ups and downs and almost too much of a sex drive. This has calmed down my emotions and also my sex drive, but not in a bad way. I have had zero spotting or bleeding between periods. My skin, which was fine but had slight hormonal acne before periods, has been totally clear. The only downside I have noticed is my boobs swelling/tenderness. Will update after more time, but wanted to put out a hopeful review after so many negative ones."

• Cas...
• May 24, 2019

For Birth Control "I have been taking Camila birth control pill for about two and a half years. Here are the things I have experienced since being on Camila: 1. When I first started on Camila, I noticed I was breaking out a lot on my face and back. I was 30 when I started taking Camila and had never broken out like this before. My doctor gave me spironolactone for the acne, and we increased the dose three times, but it didn't work. Now I use tretinoin on my face, and it helps, but I can't go in the sun, and it doesn't help with the body acne. 2. I was previously on one of those amazing pills where you only got your period every 3-4 months for about 4 days. *Sigh* Now I get my period just about every 2 weeks. One is short (like 6 days...), the next one is about 10-12 days, and they just keep coming. 3. Non-existent sex drive, like not even a little. 4. Recently, I have noticed a huge shift in my mood-I am irritable, moody, lacking a sense of satisfaction or joy."

• hal...
• November 4, 2016

For Birth Control "Long but important! Don't take this! I absolutely hate this birth control! It makes me so rotten! Horrible mood swings to the point where I am snapping at people at work. I have gained 100 pounds being on birth control overall... that's right, 100 pounds. But this one keeps tipping the scale! My acne is terrible, I have absolutely no sex drive, and my periods are so irregular. My ankles swell to the point where I can't feel my toes, my hair is falling out in clumps, and I am absolutely miserable. Please don't waste your time on Camila like I did. I don't want anyone to ever experience what I am right now. I am getting it switched today. Good luck, ladies!"

• Jun...
• August 29, 2018

For Birth Control "This bc almost ruined my life and destroyed my last relationship. I was on and off Camila for the past 3 years that I was with my ex-boyfriend because I get migraines and couldn't take the combo pill. This bc gave me awful, painful acne that wrecked my self-esteem and made me never want to go outside. My hair started falling out in clumps (I lost probably one-third of the total volume), and I became an angry, mean person. I experienced severe depression and anxiety on this pill, and I had a hair-trigger temper, which I never did before. I almost didn't graduate college because of how difficult it became to just get out of bed in the morning. Some days all I could do was cry. I barely recognized myself. I also would bleed randomly during the month and ruined a lot of underwear this way. Being on this pill was honestly a nightmare for me. I switched to a low-dosage IUD (Skyla) a couple of years ago, and my life (and skin) have been so much better since. My moods are much more stable, plus my hair even grew back!"

• Hmm...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 17, 2014

For Birth Control "I've been on birth control for 10 years and had to switch to a progestin version due to high blood pressure. I had no problems with my previous birth control, however, with Camila, I have not stopped spotting since I started it a month and a half ago. I've had headaches almost every day, and hormonal acne has increased (chin and forehead). Also, my hair has been falling out in clumps! I've never heard of this before, and I'm so frustrated. You have to take it at the same time every day too. I'm stopping it today."

• Suz...
• November 3, 2016

For Endometriosis "I just started taking this pill for heavy, very crampy monthly periods. I am on my second pack, and I've had my period for 12 days, but no cramping, which is great. It has made the bleeding a lot less but longer. Some days all I need is a panty liner, which I could never do before this pill. Other than that, I have had no headache, acne, or weight gain."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 16, 2013

"I started this medication because my Dr. said my body is sensitive to estrogen. The first month was okay; I had some dryness around my mouth and the corners of my mouth were cracked. I then continued, and my whole mentality changed. My boyfriend noticed a huge difference. I am normally a very upbeat, laid-back girlfriend who turned into a clingy, confrontational friend (we went on a break because he couldn't handle it). I originally took it for PMS symptoms and to regulate my bleeding. I didn't take it for birth control, so I don't know how effective that was. I was on it for a total of 6 months, and I stopped it before but wanted to give it time to regulate. Cons: acne, PMS all the time, dry mouth. Pros: weight loss, regular period."

• SPQ...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 15, 2019

For Birth Control "I just stopped taking the Camila birth control pill after 5 months. Initially, I did not have a period at all—this lasted approximately 3 months. Once I did get my period, I broke out in cystic acne all over my chin. There would be (on average) 5 large and deep pimples around my chin. No matter what I tried, these pimples would not go away. In addition, I gained 12 pounds in about 6 weeks. I run, bike, go to yoga, and eat the same foods consistently. I finally decided to stop taking the pill two weeks ago and switch to NuvaRing. My skin has already cleared up (I have one small zit now, and it’s almost gone), and my bloating is decreasing. Although this pill did prevent pregnancies, it was not worth the side effects."

• Geo...
• January 19, 2020

For Birth Control "I was prescribed the pill after having frequent migraines with auras using my last birth control. Initially, the pill was okay, I didn’t get frequent periods, which was a plus, but my breasts were always sore and I gained weight. Gradually, the frequency of my periods began to increase. A year into taking the pill, my period comes monthly, lasting about 14 days, headaches are frequent, acne awful, I’m overweight, low sex drive, and breasts are always sore, and I am an emotional wreck. Each month I say I’ll stop after I finish this pack. Due to my blood pressure, this is my last option for pills, and I’m nervous about other birth control methods."

• Jen...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 18, 2016

For Birth Control "I was put on this med back in 2013 as a trial and error. (I have a kidney disease and high blood pressure) - I was also suffering from heavy periods/ovulation pain. So I went on it and then stopped because it caused my BP to raise after 3 months. I then tried again in 2016 because I was already on a beta blocker. I have bad breakouts, low sex drive, bloating, periods are spotty, and went from every 28 days to 22 days. I'm very moody and emotional."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 2, 2018

For Birth Control "I had to change from a combo pill to Camila because I get migraines and the combo pill increased the risk of stroke. My face broke out worse than it ever has before. I never had acne issues, just an occasional blemish. Now I have acne on top of acne. I stopped Camila three weeks ago, and my face has not cleared up at all. I am forty years old and feel like a disgusting, oily teenager. I’m so upset."

• tee...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 14, 2018

For Birth Control "I have high blood pressure, migraines, and my insurance wouldn't cover an IUD, so I was put on this. I do notice my boobs are much more heavy, swollen, and sore when PMSing, and the irregular periods are inconvenient and nerve-wracking. However, now that I've been on this pill for over a year, they have become a lot more regular (will still randomly show up when it's not supposed to, but maybe only once every few months now rather than all the time - the periods I get are no lighter or heavier than what I'm used to). I had way worse issues with my weight, acne, bloating, sex drive, cramps, etc. on other hormonal BC than I do on these. These reviews make it sound like this is the worst BC in the world, but personally, I'm not that bothered by it. It's worth it to not have migraines and a stroke risk anymore. It's not a bad option if it's your only option."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 29, 2020

For Birth Control "I’ve been on this pill since January (4 months) and still haven’t had a period. I am not sexually active, which not having a period is kinda great for me at the moment, but not for later on. I’m 18 and in college, and I have bad migraines all the time, so I had to switch from Sprintec to Camila so I did not have estrogen so I could have injections for my migraines. I’ve been bloated and gained 10 lbs, which I’m not happy about. I broke out on my face, mostly forehead, a lot when I used to have clear skin. I have mood swings, usually sad."

• Car...
• December 8, 2019

For Birth Control "I’ve been on Camila birth control pill for a year after switching from combo to minipill due to migraine auras. Since switching, my periods went back to the length and flow pre-BC (8 days & medium flow). My cramps came back too. Something new was that I would get emotional a day before my period. Full-on crying. My acne stayed the same when I switched. My libido stayed very high. My cycle was starting to become regular (few days early/late), until a few months ago. I haven’t changed anything, but my cycle is extremely irregular now (last period was late by a week, haven’t had a period since and it’s been over a month - took several pregnancy tests and all negative), I lost my libido & skin is breaking out a lot. My hormones are out of whack. Not sure what is causing it or if the side effects just took a year to kick in, but I wish I could switch back to combo pills since there are diff ones to try. I don’t plan on getting off of this BC, but I’m also not loving it. I will be talking to my gyno about other options."

• Car...
• December 8, 2019

For Birth Control "I’ve been on Camila birth control pill for a year after switching from combo to minipill due to migraine auras. Since switching, my periods went back to the length and flow pre-BC (8 days & medium flow). My cramps came back too. Something new was that I would get emotional a day before my period. Full-on crying. My acne stayed the same when I switched. My libido stayed very high. My cycle was starting to become regular (few days early/late), until a few months ago. I haven’t changed anything, but my cycle is extremely irregular now (last period was late by a week, haven’t had a period since and it’s been over a month - took several pregnancy tests and all negative), I lost my libido & skin is breaking out a lot. My hormones are out of whack. Not sure what is causing it or if the side effects just took a year to kick in, but I wish I could switch back to combo pills since there are diff ones to try. I don’t plan on getting off of this BC, but I’m also not loving it. I will be talking to my gyno about other options."

• jem...
• September 22, 2017

For Birth Control "There's a lot of bad reviews on here, so I thought I'd offer my experience to balance it out. Camila has been fine for me. Switching from estrogen-based birth control to progestin-only, I have noticed a few negative side effects. I have slightly more acne/greasier skin. I also have a lot more breast pain/tenderness when I PMS than I did before. I hate having to remember it every day, and given the side effects, I would go back on estrogen in a heartbeat. Since that's not an option, this has worked out fine for me. I haven't noticed any weight gain or moodiness."

• Sha...
• March 18, 2019

For Birth Control "I have been on and off with the mini pill, switching between pills to see what works best. I haven’t been consistent until just now, starting in January. I constantly bleed. Either it's every other week or every other two weeks. My period comes every 28 days, but I always spot in between, and it’s bothersome when you think you’re done bleeding for the month and then out of nowhere start bleeding again. When my period is about to come, my breasts hurt super bad, and I get real nauseous. It made me think I was pregnant, until the test was negative and my period came on the 28th day. I get terrible cramps when I’m spotting and also when I’m on my period. It protects you for sure, but it’s a hassle to deal with constant bleeding. I also break out when I’m on my period, and my face does clear up though after my period ends. I crave things sometimes and mood swings. I get irritated more quickly, and I’m super tired most days."

• Dyl...
• May 9, 2017

For Birth Control "This is the absolute worst pill on the market. My periods used to be fine before this pill. Now my cramps are so horrible that I actually pass out from the pain and puke until the point where I would rather die. My face has broken out, and I have gained almost 20 pounds. If I could give this pill a negative review, I would."

• Ash...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 10, 2017

For Birth Control "Was on the combined pills before that made me crazy. But this pill actually doesn't do any of that for me. Sure, I've gained like 20 pounds in the few months I have been taking it. I have a few more cramps than usual. No abnormal bleeding. I got a little bit more acne than usual. But this pill does the trick for me."

• GG3...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 26, 2017

For Birth Control "Can I give this pill a zero rating?! I started this pill back in July because I was having migraines with auras, and my doctor thought this would help. NO. This pill is awful. I had no migraines, but what I experienced was worse: acne breakouts all over my body, which I have never experienced before this pill, frequent spotting but no actual period, bloating and cramping all of the time, drastic weight gain, zero sex drive, foggy brain, and worst of all, it made me so moody. I'm an extremely bubbly person, and this pill made me mean and grumpy. I had zero tolerance and frequently snapped at people. I was tired all the time and depressed. I quit this pill a week ago, and I feel so much better already. I am my old self again."

• Fal...
• April 19, 2017

For Birth Control "Awful pill. I threw away this month's pack, and I am only on week 2. My face broke out like crazy, and I became so irritable I wanted to put my fist through the wall constantly. I started having really bad depressive thoughts, and I gained weight as well. Oh yeah, and I have no sex drive at all. Don't take this pill. I'm getting an IUD."