45 replies to this topic

[monicapmm]

lindsayb1, thank you so much for posting about this - it made me feel the slightest glimmer of hope that I too can get off bc pills! I've been on them for 11 years, am 29 now and still get acne! I don't know why I'm taking it if it's not even keeping me clear, and the side effects that come along with it are horrible. Please keep us updated with your progress!

Hi! I´m new here, I actually created an account just so I could give my possible explanation to your problem. I´ve read so much about acne and all of its possible causes and one of them is a candida overgrowth, which is majorly triggered by the use of bc. So I don´t know, maybe you should do some research about it and see if it might be your case and try weaning off bc. Hope I was helpful...good luck!

[HollyMarie]

I've been on the pill pretty regularly for the last 7 years or so. I was first on Ortho Cyclen for about 4 years, stopped for about a year with no major side effects. Went on Yaz for 2 years, stopped back in November (7 months ago). Horrible, HORRIBLE side effects. Gained about 20 pounds and developed all kinds of acne. Chest, neck, back. Cysts on jawline. Pimples on cheeks. Whiteheads on forehead. I actually had to cut my bangs to hide my forehead, and began going crazy with working out, eating healthy, drinking water, and nothing seemed to work!

I finally went back on the pill 4 months ago, and am on Avienne. Since my skin or body did not improve, I at least know that this pill is a low dose of hormone, and if someday I stop using it, it won't be as catastrophic. I went on spironolactone a month ago and am seeing some improvement.

[jvan85]

Hey just joined today,
I know this topic is old, but I want to help other people with this issue as well
I think the more info on this topic the better.
Ive been on the pill for 13 years and want off, with no side effects, as my friends have had and millions others of getting off the pill.
I found this topic talked to my doctor and started to cut my pills.
my doctor said she didnt see why it couldnt help.
so Ill update on how it goes....

(my bio>>> started with alesse, went to orthotrycyclen lo, went to orthotrycyclen, went to avri (huge mistake worst acne ever!) been on yaz now since august 2011, before started pill at age 14 had a few zits here n there never had full out acne besides when on avri pill, get the occasionall cyst pimple, rarely break out.)
currently on 1st of 6 packs started cutting 1/4s off so far so good... will keep updating.
this forum and topic may save my skin from disaster

[JuBu]

Hi,

I was wondering if anyone has tried this method to transition themselves ONTO bcp's.
I've tried numerous times and with many types of pills to go onto birth control pills, but I always end up quitting them within the first 3-4 months because I just can't handle the break-outs and other side effects.
I am wondering if I could try the next time by slowly adjusting my body to them...starting off by taking a quarter of a pill daily for a month or 2, then half a pill for 2 months, then 3/4s, and then finally the whole thing. Something along those lines.
I understand it would take months before I were on the full dose, but I'd much prefer that than having to deal with sudden assault of hormones and the acne that comes with them. I'd of course have to use a secondary method of birth control, and realize that spotting is likely.

Please share your thoughts and/or experiences on trying this.

Thanks,

Julia

[agirlnamedcrow]

hello!

lindsayb: you probably don't even check this anymore (& i'm hoping it's because you are still pimple-free, out & about w/ perfect skin!) but i'm wondering about the condition of your skin now and if you're still BCP-free. i'm 24 and my skin exploded w/ hormonal acne so i started taking beyaz (never took BCP in my life)... 4 months in and i want out because it's making me bloat/gain weight and i'm not comfortable with that. my skin became PERFECT almost immediately after i started taking beyaz but the weight gain is not worth it :/ i can never win when it comes to acne!! i'm doing 3/4 pill for 1 month, then 1/2 pill the 2nd month, 1/4 pill the 3rd month, and then back to nothing. hoping to god my skin won't explode again and my weight will stabilize during the process... i haven't had a pimple in 4 months but i'm already getting a little zit on my right cheek and i'm only on my 3rd day of weaning.

[Jojo86]

I had terrible acne as a teenager and started taking birth control to treat it. It is now 11 years later.

 

I've tried to get off of birth control a few times and each time it would end up in the same result super oily skin and an acne breakout 1-2 months after stopping the pill.

 

This time I tried weaning off the pill as some online threads are describing. It took me 6 months to wean off the pill and taking smaller cut doses each month. My last month on the pill was January and my skin was doing quite well until this month (April). 

 

My face is breaking out into small pimples, which I am hoping to control with the tretinion gel I asked from my doctor. However, my chest and back are starting to break out too. I've been watching my diet, exercising, taking a showers immediately after my workouts, using Neutrogena grapefruit body wash and drinking water like a fish. I've even decreased by caffeine intake to 2-3 times a week.

 

Oh and the last time I got my period was in Feb. I read that it was normal to go months without getting your period after getting off the pill.. so I'm not worried and I know I'm not pregnant. However, what I do worry about is.. what on earth is going to happen to my skin when I finally do get regular periods again if I'm already starting to break out!?

 

I just want to live a normal acne free life.