Norlyda and Acne: What Users Say

• Ms ...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 27, 2021

For Endometriosis "Nuvaring user aged 19-22, tried again at 29. In 2016, I began having pelvic pain, turned out to be a ruptured cyst. In 2019 and 2020, I underwent testing for endometriosis. In 2021, I had a triple-surgeon operation for endo and was put on Norlyda to keep hormones in balance, at the age of 34. I noticed tiredness with the first packet. I am about to finish my third pack, and my skin itches horribly every day, my vision gets blurry, I'm sweating more, feeling depressed (and coping differently), and have gained 13 lbs!! These are listed side effects for Norlyda, unbeknownst to me. What's not listed is that my nipples look incredibly ugly now, my butt crack hair grows quickly, and I have more acne breakouts. BUT, I am living pain-free and with little effect on my pooping schedule. My periods are sporadic, usually shorter with darker blood. My whole body changed using this birth control. :( Sorry if TMI, but I think it's important to share, and I hope I helped someone with my experience."

• man...
• May 9, 2021

For Endometriosis "I’ve been on Norlyda (norethindrone) for almost 2 months now. My doctor prescribed it to help with my severe periods due to endometriosis, and I was bleeding insanely badly and having severe cramps. Ever since I started this, I have yet to have a period. I take it at the same time every day, the most I’ve gone is 12 minutes past my pill time. The only side effects I've had were some acne for the first couple of weeks, but now my skin has stayed clear, my breasts are slightly smaller, I am slightly more bloated (but I do have IBS and endo), and I had some trouble sleeping for like the first 2 weeks, but nothing crazy-just had a hard time falling asleep. I have depression and anxiety, and this medication has not affected it. I think the key to this pill is taking it at the same time every day. So far, I would rate it 10/10."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 21, 2018

For Birth Control "I've enjoyed the non-estrogen birth control. I'm petite, active, healthy diet, and the only thing I take is this pill and no other medications. I have had a small increase in acne outbreaks and weight gain, but I'm also in nursing school, working, and planning a wedding, so I don't blame my birth control entirely on a little 3 lb weight gain or acne. I take a week off between each pack so my body can be natural and have a period, that is for my own health reasons. I overall am much happier with this BC than any other I have tried, and the risks are far less than the estrogen-based options. Also, it took time, as with all BC, for my body to adjust to new hormones and monthly changes that are from my would-be cycle. I recommend estrogen-free BC to all females due to decreased risks."

• Anonymous
• October 18, 2019

For Birth Control "I've just recently restarted this BC. I took it for years after being switched from Kariva, which gave me migraines 4x a week. With Norlyda, I hardly get any migraines. My periods are few and far between, if any. My skin breaks out here and there, but I feel like Norlyda helps a little. I'm underweight for my height and wish Norlyda would help me gain a little weight, but it hasn't. Overall, good experience on this BC."

• fan...
• January 15, 2019

For Birth Control "I'm 19, and this is my first BC experience. The first three months on this pill kind of sucked, but I expected that. Your body needs time to adjust. I had a lot of spotting and irregular periods (2 in one month, 8 days between cycles, etc.). But these are really the only side effects worth mentioning. I had lost some weight due to lack of appetite right before starting, and I'm since back to my normal weight, so I can't say if this is because of the pill or because I started eating normally. I've always had acne, and it's no better or worse than before. I'm into my 4th pack, and things have gotten much better for now. I haven't had any spotting in a while, and it looks like I'll be getting my period at my normal time this month. You have to take it at the same time every day. Consider your schedule/routine when deciding on a time. The pill is most effective for 20 hours, so also consider when you are most likely to have sex. 12 pm is perfect for me."

• AMM...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 13, 2019

For Birth Control "I usually take Tri-Sprintec, but have had a lot of migraines with my period, so was recommended this, Norlyda. I have gained a little weight, which isn’t a big deal since I’m only 110 to begin with. But I started breaking out. My face mainly, but my chest and back. I’ve been taking the pill for 3 months now. My face is always covered in acne. So frustrating. I make it a habit to wash twice a day, but nothing is helping. Since it’s winter, I don’t care about my chest or back. I also haven’t gotten my period at all. I took a pregnancy test, and it came back negative. I haven’t had any symptoms or signs that I’m pregnant. I took the test just to see since I haven’t gotten my period. I showed a lot of symptoms last time I was pregnant. I have a Dr. appointment in March, which is the soonest I can see my Dr. I want to go back to my old brand."

• rea...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 31, 2021

For Birth Control "The first two months taking Norlyda, I literally had my period twice a month, heavy. After 8 months till now, I haven't had my period since then, I've lost 22 lb, and now I have chest acne. I don't like being on my period, so I don't mind. Losing weight is fine with me because now I'm back to my original weight due to my old BC that made me gain weight. But I like this pill, I just don't like the acne part. Also, I take it every day right on the dot. I felt like the first two months when I was taking it, I wasn't being consistent with taking it on time. So it made me have an irregular period, and usually, my period is regular. Also, my sex drive is high. I'm only 24. Everyone is different, but I hope this helps you."

• Lau...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 10, 2022

For Birth Control "I cannot take estrogen and have a history of not handling hormones well. I can tolerate this birth control for around 6 months consistently, then I have to take a month off to reset, and then I restart. It is not ideal, but it's the best I've gotten so far. I've tried pretty much all birth controls-hormonal and the copper IUD. With this, I have noticed hair growth. Weight gain is something I struggle with, so I'm unsure if it's related. I know it's time to stop when my hair gets really greasy (I usually go 6 days between washes, and it goes down to 1) and my skin breaks out very badly. I take a month off, and when I start back, all is well. The important thing is to know your body and what works for you."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 10, 2017

For Birth Control "I had issues on this medication the first few months like extremely bad headaches almost every day, horrible acne, mood swings, and irregular periods. My migraines have lessened now, however, it is horrible acne that bothers me the most. It took about 6 months for my period to start being regular after being on a combo pill for 9 years."