Sharobel and Acne: What Users Say

• Nan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 8, 2020

For Birth Control "I’ve been on the mini pill for 6 months now. For background, before starting on this birth control, I had a very regular menstrual cycle and always had PMS symptoms a week or two before and leading up to my period. Now my menstrual cycle is still regular, it’s just about every 35ish days instead of every 30. I don’t have such awful symptoms leading up to when I start, and I feel much less irritable overall. My flow is heavier than it used to be but only lasts for 2-4 days instead of 5. I haven’t gained weight or gotten acne. I feel like my acne is the same but not worse or better. I feel much better overall, and I’ll continue taking this because it has worked well for me."

• Yon...
• November 7, 2016

For Birth Control "This has been my 5th contraceptive and I like it the best. When I was on NuvaRing and Cryselle, I developed vulvar vestibulitis (similar, but not vulvodynia). My GYN thought that I had chronic yeast infections for about 2 years, and she finally realized it could be the hormones causing this painful condition. Since Sharobel has no break in the drug (no sugar pill week), my hormone levels off. I am almost cured of the vestibulitis. I have noticed a little weight gain. No hair loss. Some back and facial acne, but NO PMSING! I always had strong mood swings, and because I now rarely get a period, I do not have ANY PMS MOOD SWINGS! I highly recommend it to anyone with terrible mood swings. The only con is I have trouble getting to sleep and waking up."

• Yon...
• November 7, 2016

For Birth Control "This has been my 5th contraceptive and I like it the best. When I was on NuvaRing and Cryselle, I developed vulvar vestibulitis (similar, but not vulvodynia). My GYN thought that I had chronic yeast infections for about 2 years, and she finally realized it could be the hormones causing this painful condition. Since Sharobel has no break in the drug (no sugar pill week), my hormone levels off. I am almost cured of the vestibulitis. I have noticed a little weight gain. No hair loss. Some back and facial acne, but NO PMSING! I always had strong mood swings, and because I now rarely get a period, I do not have ANY PMS MOOD SWINGS! I highly recommend it to anyone with terrible mood swings. The only con is I have trouble getting to sleep and waking up."

• LCa...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 4, 2020

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I was prescribed Sharobel for abnormal bleeding and because I can’t take estrogen due to clotting problems. It started out rough - the cramping was severe and my periods were heavier. I had horrible breast tenderness. There are definitely pros and cons to taking this pill. I’ve been on it for a year and it hasn’t regulated my cycles. I sometimes have two a month, sometimes I’m very late, or sometimes I just have spotting. I’ve gotten some acne and minor hair loss. However, I used to have chronic UTIs and that stopped after starting this pill. My cycles are also now extremely light and here and there, no cramping and really no PMS. I’m staying on it."

• Mar...
• March 17, 2016

For Birth Control "I'd been on the Nor-QD pill for many years without a problem. This year my insurance changed, and the pharmacy issued Sharobel in its place. I thought it'd be fine since it has the exact same amount of NORETHINDRONE. Wow, was I wrong! Luckily, I only got a three-month supply because I am quitting this pill. In two and a half months on this pill, I've had a period or bleeding every 5-7 days. It's not just bleeding; I get the whole deal: cramps, lower back pain, hunger cravings, crankiness, and bloating. My skin has broken out, I've been super irritable/moody, and I don't understand how the side effects can be so extreme for me when I previously was on Nor-QD for so long and experienced none of these things."

• Lor...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 23, 2018

For Birth Control "I was on the Patch for 2 years and had almost no side effects, besides slight weight gain. I had no acne, cramping, mood swings, etc. My periods were super light and only lasted 3-4 days and were extremely regular. I had to switch though, because it didn't stick on very well. I can't take estrogen due to a certain kind of migraines, so my doctor prescribed Sharobel. I was fine the first week or two, no real side effects except that my boobs got huge. But ever since then, I have been bleeding heavily like every other week. I'm moody and breaking out, and the cramps are awful. I've been on it since January, and it has only gotten worse. Hoping that people are right and that my hormones level out and adjust to not having estrogen in another month or two..."

• Iri...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 2, 2022

For Birth Control "I was prescribed Sharobel because I have elevated BP and am a smoker. I'm about halfway through my third week on it, and I really love this BC. My body managed to adjust itself rather quickly, and it shortened my cycle by two days! Main side effects I've noticed are really just a little acne, mild nausea (if I eat something just before taking it, this is avoided), increased appetite (which, thanks to going to the gym, I've managed to combat nicely), and mine and my partner's favorite part, my sex drive is through the roof and my self-lubrication problem is no more! Because my partner and I are both very paranoid about accidental pregnancy, we haven't been brave enough to fully put this pill to the test, but I will certainly post an update if we do. Overall, I love this pill and plan on staying on it as long as I can!"

• Biz...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 31, 2018

For Birth Control "My whole life, I’ve had normal periods, normal skin, etc., and four years ago, I began taking the generic Ortho Tri-Cyclen purely just to prevent pregnancy. After starting OTC, I experienced significant weight gain and swelling, acne on my face and scalp, and total loss of libido. My doctor switched me to Sharobel, and I was on it for about a year. The acne subsided, and I felt a little bit more like myself, but after about 3 months, my periods went haywire. Sometimes it would be more than two months between them, and other times they’d come back to back. I’ve also experienced significant hair loss and thinning. My gyno is at a loss for recommending alternatives. My PCP suggested I go back on OTC to regulate my periods. Three weeks ago, I switched back to Ortho Tri-Cyclen, and already I’ve had several huge pimples break out on my face, and my feet and ankles swelled up. My libido is totally gone, and I don’t know what else to try."

• Kan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 20, 2018

For Birth Control "This is my first time on BC and specifically this one because I cannot take a combined pill due to clotting issues. This pill has been great! No prolonged bleeding, normal periods for the last four months. This is my fifth month on it and I am only spotting, which I am happy about. No weight gain, no acne, nothing. I’m extremely active (workout 5-6 times a week) and I haven’t noticed any weight gain, in fact, I’ve lost weight. No increased hunger. This pill has worked great for me. Don’t blame pre-existing conditions on this pill. It’s a safe alternative."

• 30s...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 15, 2022

For Birth Control "I switched off of Nikki (drospirenone and ethinyl estradiol) for Sharobel, which I primarily use to treat PMDD. I have new acne (never had before) and PMDD symptoms while taking Sharobel, and a lot of full-blown, breakthrough periods, so I do not recommend it for PMDD. I’m switching back to Nikki."

• Pis...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 4, 2016

For Birth Control "I've had extreme hair loss. To the point of where I'm crying with this medicine, weight gain, and my face has broken out like it has never in my life. Over this and will never be taking again!"