30 replies to this topic

[Sheriko]

Day 1 of my third pack of Marvelon and here I sit holding a hot green tea bag to my new massive cyst forming on my chin. I am so depressed by it. It hasn't turned red yet, but for the hell of it, i measured it and it is about 1cm across. It is beginning to hurt a little. I took 200mg of ibuprofen and soon I will put some steroid lotion on it and antibiotic topicals. I don't think the topicals do anything, but the steroid should reduce surface inflammation. (Anyone who does this should be careful. Steroids should not be used for a long time. Especially on the face) Ice seems to do nothing for me, but i have an ice gel pillow that i will use on it later.

Anyway, other than the cyst, the only other new thing to report is that my menstruation lasts 2 days now, down from 5. Still have an oily face and under the skin bumps.

Maybe I will take another ibuprofen and lay down.

[Sheriko]

Well I am into the 6th day of my third pack. Things to report:

1) I woke up this morning and ran my nail down the side of my nose and it was covered in oil. I mean I could probably fill a teaspoon with the oil on my face. Gross. I hate it.

2) I have many under the skin bumps still. I am using a combination of treatments. In the morning I use 2% Nizoral cream (in case it is a fungus). At night I use a special antibiotic cream (in case it is acne). So far it hasn't changed much. I will do this combo for a month.

3) I got a monster zit on the inside of my left nostril. It hurts like you wouldn't believe. Makes me a little sad cause it is the only inflammed acne I have and it makes me look like Rudolph.

4) I am considering beginning saw palmetto to see if that will control my oil flow. I want to give the BC a chance though, however if I see no changes after 3 packs, I am going to buy some SP.

5) I hate my skin and want my flawless skin back from a few years ago.

6) The massive cyst I had disappeared nicely thanks to my usual treatment. After one day it decreased in size by half. After 2 days it was almost gone. And after 3 days it was gone. Believe it or not, I can't even tell where it had been.

[Sheriko]

Well I finished my third pack of Marvelon and I have 3 more days to go until I start my 4th pack.

Unfortunately, I have 2 cysts developing. One cyst on the left side by my nose and one on my chin. (left side). It is the exact same spots as last time. It is driving my crazy having these recurring cysts. I think it is because I am now on my menstrual cycle.

Also my face is still super oily.

When will this stop? I am going crazy.

I hope that during pack 4 I will see a decrease in oil. If not, I am going to start using saw palmetto and zinc.

[o0karmao0]

Okay so what I've always been under the impression of is that it's after a 6 month period that you will start to notice a difference in your skin when taking the pill for acne.
I was taking tricycline for like 2 years and it cleared my skin up completely. I'd have the occasional zit and such but my skin was horrible prior. I got off the pill in the summer and now am struggling with acne once again. I just started on Marvelone which the doc told me is one of the better pills for acne.......but after reading all these replies I'm starting to doubt.
I do believe that you have to keep taking the pill though no matter what and slowly BUT surely you will see a difference. So this is what I'm going to do and in the meantime keep reapplying BP and covering the shit up with foundation.

[silverlake]

I'm on Yasmin now 3rd month and finally things are clearing up. Much much faster than when I was on Marvelon (6 months), which didn't really appear to make a big difference to me. But everyone's different so I agree, you should give it more time.

[Sheriko]

Sorry I haven't posted for awhile. I am on my 6th pack of Marvelon and my skin is back to the way it use to be so long ago. My skin is fantastic. I agree that you should wait and give it a chance. I now get NO cysts. I don't even get the monthly breakout. My skin is no longer oily and I couldn't be happier.

Silverlake, great news on the new BC. I am very happy for you. Good luck in the future.

[hadituptohere]

Hi! I'm really glad someone started this thread - I just stumbled on it. I've been taking Marvelon for about 8 months now and it's really done nothing for my skin in the long run. I had initial break outs and my skin appeared to improve slightly for perhaps 2 months but now it's back to normal - covered in whiteheads. Lately, I'm getting cysts and papules, too, which isn't really the norm for me. I'm considering switching to a generic birth control because I only used this more expensive one in the hopes that it would help my skin but it hasn't done jack.

Negative side effects: I'm pretty sure Marvelon is responsible for the decrease in my sex drive. Although I guess it's hard to gauge - I was a virgin until 8 months ago but I really don't know if I should have lost my sex drive so quickly after starting! (I started taking Marvelon maybe 1 month after I became active). Also, I think I'm a little moodier. I've noticed some spotting in this particular pack, which worries me a bit.

Positive side effects: I gained a few pounds (which I needed), I know EXACTLY when my period is going to start, my periods are MUCH lighter and my boobs are AMAZING.

[o0karmao0]

Hey hadituptohere

If you do end up changing birth control. Try either tricycline or Diane 35. But for some reason I found the doctors didn't really want to prescribe Diane 35 so easily. I don't know why though.

[TheBlessedOne]

Hi,

I'm also on Marvelon (11 weeks, 4th pack) and i'm slowly seeing improvements. Although, recently i had 2 cysts formed on my cheek (after a 1 week break) I'm confused. In general, my skin has improved, and became less oily, but pimples develop occasionally. I guess i just need to give it some time, from 3 to 6 month. I think that Marvelon is helping me as my sex drive has decreased which means that androgenic hormones generation which are a cause of my acne has decreased. I never had mood swings with Marvelon. Just a little nausea after taking it, but even it has gone now. Oh and one more thing i know don't have to wash my hair so often as it's doesn't get greasy so quickly as it used to before

[Sheriko]

It has been awhile since I have posted anything. Well to update everyone on my progress...

In December 2007 I began getting a bunch of cysts while taking Marvelon. It was very distressing and continued up until February. Thats when I decided enough of the birth control. I stopped taking it and have been off of it now for almost 3 months. I am waiting for the dreaded 3 month return to bad skin.

So far it hasn't happened. My skin actually has improved since December and January. I am just a little concerned about what will happen in the future.

Since coming off Marvelon, my sex drive has increased dramatically. I haven't noticed an increase in oil yet, but I am waiting.

I have noticed that my chest is getting small bumps though which is worrying. The Marvelon had cleared up my body acne wonderfully.

I will try to keep those of you interested updated about my progress in stopping Marvelon. Good luck to all those who are trying it.

[SweetAmber]

How are you doing lately? And how is your skin?