Jencycla and Acne: What Users Say

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 11, 2023

For Birth Control "This is awful. I am 25 years old, and this pill has made me gain over 20 pounds in half a year. I bleed every other week heavily, and it's never red anymore, it's always dark brown. I have terrible and extreme cramps, worse than I've ever had too! My acne is next-level bad, and a rash started appearing on my shoulders, chest, neck, and back. My skin is super dry and weird too. I had to go on this birth control because of my migraines, but I absolutely hate it. I have never had issues like I've had on this pill before. I will be trying to get on something else soon."

• ABC...
• January 12, 2016

For Birth Control "I decided to post a review to hopefully help anyone out there who's looking for info. Me: I'm 39, no kids, no other medications, alcohol only a few times per year. My results: The first two months I had irregular spotting and two periods a month lasting 4 to 5 days each (the periods were 2 weeks apart, so 4 in 2 months). After that, the next 6 months I have been very consistent, one period per month starting on the same day each month and only lasting about 5 days and no spotting in between. Breakouts have been more common in these 6 months just before my period starts, frustrating but controllable with sleep, a multivitamin, and an acne cream to help. I have not gained weight, but struggle losing it. No harsh or scary side effects so far."

• Ani...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 22, 2020

For Birth Control "I've been taking Jencycla for 6 weeks, and oh my, it is the worst thing ever. I have broken out in these little bumps all over my body, especially on my neck, and they itch really bad. I haven't had a period, but according to the test I took, I'm not pregnant. It makes me kind of nauseous and made my skin break out. I read online that this is just when you first start taking it. I can't do this anymore, I am not going to wait around for it to stop doing this. I'm too itchy and miserable, and I'm just going to stop taking it."

• Mrs...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 11, 2015

For Birth Control "I was on this for 10-11 months. Worked great at preventing pregnancy, but caused acne, severe anxiety, chest pain, tiredness, bloating, and just an overall blah feeling. The chest pain and anxiety were enough for me. I couldn't take it anymore. My doctor switched me to this pill because of high blood pressure, but I think this pill made it worse than the combined pill. I am done with birth control and it taking over my body!"

• Aly...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 5, 2021

For Birth Control "My experience with Jencycla was absolutely horrendous. The first month wasn’t horrible, but then I started to notice weight gain and insane acne in the 2nd month. Then, at the 3-month mark, the mood swings, irritability (everything irritated me to no end, I wanted to hide in a hole alone), and depression hit, and I became suicidal."

• Ker...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 2, 2022

For Birth Control "I started taking Tricyclen-Lo at 17 years old due to heavy, irregular bleeding. That pill worked perfectly for me for ten years. I had zero issues, and my period was like clockwork while on it. However, I noticed the last couple of years while on it that I would randomly get migraines with aura a few times a year, so I told my doctor. She said my options were the mini pill or the IUD. I absolutely am not okay with the idea of a device being stuck in me for years, so I opted for the mini pill (Jencycla). The first 1.5 years on this pill were horrible. I bled for almost the entire month straight when I first switched. I developed cystic acne (never had acne in my life before), and I was constantly paranoid about my period because it would come multiple times a month as it pleased. It's almost been 4 years now since I started Jencycla, and the last two years roughly have been pretty good. My body finally regulated my cycle, give or take a few days, but I no longer worry about getting my period randomly."

• Lau...
• November 25, 2020

For Birth Control "I started taking Jencycla in late June or early July 2020. I took it for 3 months, when I went to get more filled, my prescription suddenly changed to Movisse without doctor or pharmacist telling me, which I found weird. Both brands, though, have made my skin absolutely terrible. I have breakouts all the time when I usually have pretty clear skin. My periods have been incredibly inconsistent. I used to take Alesse but had to get changed to a BC pill with no estrogen as I was getting blood clots in my leg! I used to have my period at the same time for 3 days, ish, when I was on Alesse. Since taking the estrogen-free pills, I've skipped my period altogether 2 or 3 times, if I do get it, it lasts for 7 or 8 days, which is incredibly annoying. Getting an IUD insertion in the next few weeks, hoping for some positive changes after that procedure."

• Kkb...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 4, 2020

For Birth Control "This birth control, Jencycla, is the only kind that has helped with my acne. If the pharmacy fills it with any other generic version, I break out again. I’ve been told they are no longer making it, though. Is that correct?! Help!!!"

• Dra...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 29, 2021

For Birth Control "I've been on Jencycla for 4 months now, and I am having a positive experience with it overall. My body had to adjust to it in the first month, but after that, it's been great. I have the Factor V Leiden mutation, which affects blood clotting, so I needed to take a non-estrogen pill. In the first month: 1. I became more prone to acne and had a major breakout. 2. My period was 3 days instead of 6. After that first month: 1. My acne cleared; I also started paying more attention to my skincare, so I have no idea if the acne cleared because my body adjusted to the pill or if it was the skincare routine or both. 2. My period is back to 6 days. 3. I now have little to no PMS/PMDD symptoms; this is wonderful. I used to get so depressed, irritable, moody, bloated, extreme hunger, and sore boobs before my period, but now at the most, I might just be more sensitive and a little sad. And still no sign of pregnancy! I would recommend this; please note everyone reacts differently."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 2, 2021

For Birth Control "This is by far the worst birth control I have tried! My face was as clear as a baby’s bottom my entire life. I switched to Jencycla and started breaking out horribly. I am now on month 4 of the pills and have the worst acne all over my forehead, cheeks, and chin. This was my last month on this pill. Please do not take this medication. Do your research before!"