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I am a 29 year old female and I have had very bad cystic acne for about 10 years. Every year it seemed to get worse. I have been to 4 different dermotologists and taken countless prescriptions with no relief. I have seriously tried EVERY THING I could buy OTC and still nothing. So finally I went to see an Endocrinologist (hormone Doc.)
He started me on Spiro. and I have been on it for about 4 months now and finally I am clearing up. I currently have 2 small pimples on my face!!!!! I don't get the cystic, painful pimples at all and I used to have 10 - 15 BIG, painful pimples at once! This is the best thing in the world! I LOVE IT!!!!

It was originally used for high blood pressure, but my derm just prescribed it for me today as my chin and jawline acne is hormone related. I have tried all the products and even a strict diet change, but nothing. The derm said its my ovaries producing hormones. I cant go on the bc pill because I got a blood clot from it last year. Have any women tried Spiro (in Canada)? It's known as Aldactone in the USA. Men cannot use it because its a hormone treatment.

I bought spiro from overseas out of desperation when my derm refused to prescribe over 25 mg of spiro (I know, I know, internet drugs=bad idea.... but it did clear my skin). My derm has never prescribed spiro before so he's not comfortable with the whole thing. I would really prefer to have a local doctor prescribe it to me (someone who is comfortable with 100 mg/day) so I can be monitered and know that I am getting the right drug... Anyone know of one? Please let me know, thanks so much!!!

Hello everyone,

I'm new to this forum. I've had acne for as long as I can remember, and I'm now 23. However, since I went off Yaz last January, it's been getting increasingly worse. At the same time, though, Yaz didn't completely solve the acne problem. It just made it so that I could manage it.

I've been on Spiro for two weeks, beginning November 5th and, true to most claims, it has made my hormonal acne worse so far. But I'm hoping that's just temporary. Before I went on it, I looked up a list of possible side effects, just to know what I was getting into (Yaz messed with my stomach pretty badly), and everything I read was entirely dependent on the person. Very few people had the same side effects, but these are the side effects I've experienced so far:

1). The first week, I was nauseous all the time, despite eating before taking the pill. On the couple days when I took the pill without eating, I vomited so I'll definitely be eating every time before I take it. However, now that I'm going on the third week, I'm not nauseous anymore.

2). Moodiness to the extreme. There are outside factors as to why I would be moody, i.e. sudden changes in my life that aren't particularly good, but I can tell that the Spiro is causing me to slip in and out of moods with the drop of a hat. I'll be really happy, almost manic, one moment, then I'll be in a depressive state for a few hours. It's incredibly frustrating and tiring. But this is something I heard that evens out after a while as my body adjusts to the medication.

3). My breasts are growing. Which is good and bad. They aren't just sore, they're incredibly painful to the touch, but I've noticed they're fuller and rounder. My boyfriend's happy about that.

4). Lack of sex drive. It's more difficult for me to "get in the mood," and I feel like I have to work harder to enjoy myself during sex. Boyfriend's not happy about that =\


That's all I can think of so far, but that's a lot in just two weeks time! I knew Spiro was something a person doesn't take lightly, but man, I've never gone through such a range of changes in such a short time. I just hope this clears my hormonal acne. I've tried so many things over the last 10 years that I've almost given up hope for a solution. I've wondered if I'll ever feel like a normal person. Even if the side effects get worse, and even if it takes three months to take effect, if this works, I'll be happy.

If anyone has anything to share about Spiro, I'd be happy to hear it. This is new to me, and I'd like to know what to expect.

For anyone that has hormonal acne and is treating it with Birth Control, are you also using prescription topicals such as an antibiotic gel or retinoid? Or do you find that the birth control and a simple cleansing regimen keeps you clear?

I am asking because I know I have hormonal acne. I am almost 28 years old. 2 years ago I went off my birth control to try to have a baby and within 3 months my face was full of acne. Mostly on the sides of my face, jawline and chin. I never had the baby and I have since went back on birth control (Ortho Tricyclene) and my face is 90% clear.

I was not on any topicals before going off the birth control, but after my breakout I visited a dermatologist to get some help. But now that I am 90% clear, the topicals I am on, Clindamycin and Retin-A Micro, seem to be very harsh on my sensitive skin and make my face so dry. I can hardly wear makeup because of the peeling skin. I feel the topicals contribute to any breakouts I do have now. Once in a while I get two or three pimples on my chin and some on my forehead, which are the two driest spots on my face.

I am thinking of stopping the topicals and just cleansing with Cetaphil and possibly finding a simple toner.

Any thoughts or similar experiences?

Thanks for reading…

Can a man take spiro? Ive only seen woman taking it.

Also, my main concern is stopping oil production which I heard spiro is great for. Why would you recommend this over accutane?

I ask this because i'm a male using it. My face is usually pretty oily. I started getting acne right at puberty. Aren't these 2 major hints of hormonal acne? I've been on spiro for about a month. I know it takes a while to kick in, but I won't really know because i'm also on an antibiotic. I'm very aware of all the side effects. If there are any more of you male spiro users, i would appreciate some input.

i thought that spiro made you not retain water??

Just been diagnosed with hypothyroidism. Endocrinologist prescribed me with Synthroid (50 mcg). I'm very nervous to begin the medication, as some report acne worsens (mine has been improving greatly with a 100 mg dosage of Spironolactone). Anyone out there taking Synthroid? What were your side effects?

Took my very first spiro pill today!!! i am on 25 mg a day and am hoping this will do the trick for me. I am 23 years old with hormonal acne...i would say my breakouts are mild now but only because i have controlled it with BCP, Antibiotics etc...over the last few years and i still get those awful cysts before my period sometimes. So today i am starting a brand new regimen of RAM 0.04, removing dairy and taking anti inflamitories like fish and borrage oil and zinc as well as 1-2g of b5 a day. Also trying to eat less meat and way less sugar, i definitely feel strongly about the diet acne connection - yogurt and banana have always been the two worst offenders for me! anyways, i love reading everyones logs, they are so helpful and encouraging, i thought some people might be curious about a low dose spiro treatment, i am hoping the low dose will work for me as my skin isn't too oily, more "combination-oily" i guess. Good luck everyone, i'll let you know how it goes!!!! -S

Hello,

I've been on Diane-35 for years, it's been lovely, but now I need a more reliable birth control pill, so I'm looking to switch from Diane-35 to something else. I've taken Yaz before, nightmare, terrible breakouts. I've read more negative reviews for Loestrin-24 than positive ones. Anyone have recommendations for a pill that may work after having success on Diane-35? I've also tried Ortho-lo before, without great results. I was thinking regular Ortho-tri-cyclen? The only thing that makes me hesitant is that I would end up with the same results as I had with Yaz because both pills have similar ingredients. And I feel like there aren't many more options anyway! Words of advice would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

Is it more effective than a bcp and if so why? Can you take it long term?

Thanks

Hi,

I have been taking Spironolactone for more than five months now and it definitely helped clear up a lot of my acne. However, I still get moderate breakouts. My skin is extremely sensitive, very oily, and can get really dry when I put on too many topical treatments.

Does anyone know what a good cleanser would be that would help with acne while not drying out my skin - all while I am on Spironolactone?

Thank you so much, everyone. I'm having such a hard time.

--Doe

I've been hesitating on switching my birth control pill for months now. I'm currently taking ortho tri cyclen (not the lo version) and I've been on it for exactly 3 years. The last 2.5 years have been wonderful, no complaints. But back in April 2009 my face started breaking out, moods changed, and I felt as though I was going crazy. I think a lot of my symptoms were because I was so worried and confused over what had happened to my skin (went from flawless to tons n tons of flaws - deeeeepressing).

I saw my Dr. and was prescribed Yasmin but decided not to tak it until I tried to map out my acne breakouts to see if I found a pattern or not. I noticed that my skin is at it's BEST when I'm on my period....it seriously looks pretty good. Because OTC is tri-phasic, the progestin of each week for 3 weeks increases in milligrams. Week 1 tends to be okay for me, week 2 I start getting a few spots, and on week 3 around thursday (I start a new week each Sunday) my skin FREAKS OUT over night - literally.........I get bumps and zits around my chin, cheeks, jawline - lower half of the face. As soon as my period comes, it gets better.

Has anyone been on Yasmin and if so do you think this might fix my problem? Or should I just get off BCPs in general and see what happens as I am the best when I am off and on my period? Would I be a good candidate for spiro? Tons of questions and a long post I know - this is just uber frustrating as I'm sure you all know too well

Jessica

like Accutane or is it pretty easy?

for those of you that had an initital breakout on spiro and are now clearing up how long did the IB last and when did you start clearing up? of course most people that are clear dont have a reason to visit this site anymore!..

Does spironolactone only work on cystic acne, or all types? Is your acne only considered hormonal if its cystic and you get it on chin/jawline? I do not have cystic acne and I get it randomly in all areas of my face, does that mean spiro will not work for me? If spiro worked for you please reply with what kind of acne you have.

So I have one more month of accutane. I'm doing rally good with it. My o ly concern is that the hormonal acne will come back. My derm said to see him 2 months after accutane to reevaluate. I just wanna get on it asap because I don't wanna wait until a few months down the road when I start breaking out. I just wanna get on it once I'm done while the accutane results are still lasting.

Good idea?

Comments?

Can anyone give me the name of a NYC dermatologist who will prescribe spironolactone? I have had great results from Dr. Redmond's medical regimen but he does not accept insurance and I can no longer afford to go to him.

since getting on spiro and yasmin i have been a little dizzy....almoist like my head feels a bit foggy or heavy?? anyone else? is this part of adjusting or is it bad news?

I've started taking yasmin for my supposedly hormonal acne. I am going into my second pack on thursday (currently on seven day break) and my acne is worse than ever! My skin has become smoother in some places i.e. my forehead and sides of my face and nose but my cheeks and chin have erupted. They are red and horrible, much more aggressive than they were before I started yasmin!

I would like to know whether yasmin or any birth control pills make acne worse before they help it?
How many months on average did your face take to clear up??
I am going into my second month...should I give it another two months?? Please help, I'm very sad at the moment

Hello! I am in great need of some of your experiences on the birth control pill Zovia 1/35. I have been on Yasmin for years now and it seemed at one time to be helping the acne, but now it just doesn't do the trick. A lot of the others pills out there have broken me out because I am EXTREMELY sensitive to androgens. If you have taken Zovia or know anything about it, please let me know. I need your help!!
Thanks,
Jen

If you don't mind telling, I am interested in knowing how the spiro dosage people are prescribed relates to their body weight. My doc will only prescribe me 75 mg and I weigh almost 135 pounds. I was originally on 50 mg and after 2 months asked to be bumped up to 100 mg because that seems like what most people are prescribed who get successful results. She said she will never prescribe me 100 mg because I don't weigh enough and it would make me dizzy, pass out, etc. What she didn't know is I had already tried taking 100 mg for a week or two and I was fine. She didn't ask me my body weight though so maybe she is just assuming I weigh less than I really do. Could you please tell me your weight and what your spiro dosage is? I am coming up on 3 months of taking the medication in a few weeks and if it is not working by then maybe I will have to see another dermatologist to prescribe me a higher dosage. (I have previously taken Bactrim, Doxycyline and Solodyn and the only thing that worked at keeping me 100% clear was the Bactrim which I took for about 3 years).

I've seen all these commercials on tv for Yaz, but they're so annoying that it never hit me that its a 24 day active cycle, so a 4 day period. I'm on Yasmin and I break out pretty bad during my period. It makes sense that if I only had a 4 day period, id break out less, right? Has anyone tried Yaz? I know it has drsp. Is it supposed to be the same anti-acne drug as Yasmin?

I know that for those of you who have PCOS and take spiro some have mentioned it is helpful for hair loss caused by PCOS.

I don't have PCOS, but I've been taking spiro for almost 9 months now. I had just started growing my hair out when I started spiro. It was about chin length and now is just brushing my shoulders. It's always been so super thick that blow drying took forever and my hairdresser always commented about how I had "so much hair."

At about two months into taking spiro I noticed around my hairline I had what looked like new hair growth, just some 2 inch strands that were baby fine and curled up unless I used gel to smooth them down.

That stopped eventually, and I started to notice when I washed my hair tons of strands seemed to be coming out. I wasn't used to it because I'd kept my hair super short for many years, so I thought I'd just forgotten how annoying it is when long hair sheds. But at my last hair appointment my hairdresser asked me if I'd noticed my hair seems thinner on top, and now that it's long enough to pull back in a tiny ponytail, when I pull it tight on the sides sometimes I can sometimes see my scalp in some spots.

I've read it's normal to lose 50 to 100 strands a day. I have no idea how many I'm losing, but I'm finding strands everywhere, and every single time I gently run my hand through my hair I come away with at least a strand or two. Now my hair seems to be dramatically thinner, and I am getting nervous that it's not going to stop falling out and that it can't be reversed.

About four months into taking spiro I added Orthotricyclen at my doc's insistence. (I'd previoulsy been on it for over ten years with no hair loss or thinning). Once the hair started thinning I initially blamed the pill. I was only on the Ortho for 4 months, and I got off it less than a month ago, so I'm still not sure if it played any part. Am I going to have to stop taking spiro too?

so after about a month of spiro and yasmin i am starting to really worry that its hurting my hair!! i am pulling out alot of strands, not a terrifying amount but enough to make me wonder if its the medication and if its going to get worse! any advice?? will this normalize or will it continue to get worse? im really quite freaked out! why does this stuff make your hair fall out, i dont understand it??

does anyone know if YAZ birth control helps control hormonal acne?

I've been on Diane 35 for a year and a couple of months. The past two months I've noticed I'm breaking out more, and it's not clearing. I also use topical clindamycin. Would it be the diane 35 becoming less effective or the clindamycin?

Hey! I was just wondering, for those who have taken Spiro how many of you experienced an initial breakout?! I know some people may have experienced it but I think some people might have not as well. So I am trying to see on a scale those who have had initial breakout on spiro, and those who have not.

If you have, post! - How long did your IB last? :\
If you haven't, post!

It would mean a lot to me

Also, how did Spiro effect your hair? I hear it can be very drying and my hair is pretty try. =( Did anyone experience HAIR LOSS? =(
thanks!