Hi,

Just some updates ever since coming off the BCP almost two months ago. My post is still on the same page up there..

So I was taking the BCP called Gracial, been off around.. 9 weeks ago. Of course, some bumps and acne. But the tiny spots resided and now it is kind of smooth, with some bumps here and there.

I had my first period almost on the right time - only 2 days late.

HOWEVER (this is my concern now), I was supposed to have my period last Saturday (so it's been almost a week late)... Should I worry about this?

I have been taking a lot of herbs and chinese meds ever since I came off to re balance my hormones... But how come my period isn't coming yet?

How long does it take for the hormones to rebalance? I am kind of scared, especially with my acne problems, so scared that it will flare up again. it is now alright, but I wouldn't say it is a lot better than last month, at least not worst (fingers crossed).

I am having this same issue. I was on BC for 3 years and got off it about 3 or 4 months ago. I have always had acne but the birth control helped immensely and I only had very minor breakouts during my period. But now that I'm off of it my face has gone haywire. I have about 5 cysts and many pustules all around my mouth and lower cheek area. It is driving me crazy! I have avoided my husband today just because I didn't want him to see my ugly face Does anyone know of any hormonal acne treatment alternative to BC? I heard of some woman using progesterone cream to help with hormonal acne. I am willing to try anything! Don't want to resort to using BC again! What I would do to have beautiful skin and not worry about if people are just looking at my pimples!

My progesterone cream should be here tomorrow (Pro-gest by Emerita), I am very helpful that this will help with my hormonal acne flare ups. I have read that it works similar to birth control in healing acne in that it blocks androgens. I will be using it for the 2 weeks before my period every month. I hope this works. I will keep you all updated on how it and if it helps if you are interested!

I stopped taking birth control for a week, but I kept taking my Spironolactone daily. My forehead, which is one area that never breaks out, broke out in tiny whiteheads and red inflamed bumps. Needless to say, I'm going back on the BC. Not sure if I can make the transition yet to where I won't need prescription meds to even out my hormones.

Ok, updates... Ever since my second period came along, my face is broken out... Usually I get acne on my forehead (which I do now), but today I woke up with random tiny red spots (like 5) on my cheeks. This never happens. I am freaked out... My scalp has also gotten more oily and I have these red bumps on my scalp now, all along the hair line. Don't know if it's bc of my shampoo, so I switched today and see how it will go.

I thought once your period comes it should be ok?! Argh i'm so upset, my forehead is like a mine, with scars and red bumps....

I am not going back on the BCP no matter what...

I have been taking EPO as well as zinc and other supplements for the 8,9 weeks i'm off BCP. Does any one know how long it takes the body to adjust back to its normal state? Thanks

I realize I am bumping this quite a ways, but I *had* to chime in. I only joined acne.org because of the - what I now think to be - combination hormonal and liver taxation breakouts I had about 6-7 months after coming off the pill, and two or so months after coming off an antidepressant.

Reading this thread has helped me SO MUCH because I feel what I went through MAKES SENSE now!

Though I had some mild to moderate acne as a teenager, it was never awful. Topicals did a fine job on it. At 18, I went on the pill under the guise of helping my skin (though I actually just wanted the sexual freedom that came with it); took it for almost five years non-stop. Tried a different pill for a minute, but mainly stuck to Ortho Tri Cyclen Lo.

Came off of it in January '11; in June, I started breaking out, and by August, my breakouts were SO SEVERE - enormous nodules that I had NEVER encountered before. Oh man, it was awful.

I had Epiduo, a prescription cream that is a combination of BP/adalpalene (Differin, basically), but it just didn't seem to do anything.

...Which makes sense, if my breakouts were indeed hormonal. Alas, my system just had to get it out of it.

But! There *is* a light at the end of the tunnel! Now, in December, my skin is under control. I'm actually even trying to discontinue use of the Epiduo; I'm not a fan of benzoyl peroxide. If my face gets spotted, I think I'll try Differin again (it worked wonders in College).

Have gone to a naturopath and he is guiding me through a pretty intense detox and cleanse -- though I think the majority of it is over. Boy, now that I know all that the BC pill can cause, I just want to rally against it! What a nightmare!

Keep your head up, do research, and support your system while it undergoes this massive shift. You *will* get through this; it's only a matter of time. I know that's daunting to hear, but I also HIGHLY advise against going back on BC. It's just so awful to mess with your hormones like that.

With regards --

Ok, updates... Ever since my second period came along, my face is broken out... Usually I get acne on my forehead (which I do now), but today I woke up with random tiny red spots (like 5) on my cheeks. This never happens. I am freaked out... My scalp has also gotten more oily and I have these red bumps on my scalp now, all along the hair line. Don't know if it's bc of my shampoo, so I switched today and see how it will go.

I thought once your period comes it should be ok?! Argh i'm so upset, my forehead is like a mine, with scars and red bumps....

I am not going back on the BCP no matter what...

I have been taking EPO as well as zinc and other supplements for the 8,9 weeks i'm off BCP. Does any one know how long it takes the body to adjust back to its normal state? Thanks

 

I think it differs for everybody. I seem to be getting back to normal about a year after quitting - a little under a year, actually - but I also had different circumstances, as my liver was a bit compromised from years of antidepressants (no bueno for poor liver!). It was about four months of really awful symptoms for me, once they set in, but once I could even *see* the light at the end of the tunnel, man, that was a great thing. Keep that chin up!

Hello Ukulala,

Thank you so much for your response. It's good that you're done with the horrible effects after coming off the pill! And thank goodness that this ISN'T going to last forever, because I heard stories that it might! I went to naturopaths as well, took a lot of meds (probaby total of a month of a various herbs) and for some time (like the two months right after I came off the pill), it was good. This month just didn't do so well.

And another thing I realized about my cycle - is that my acne tends to LESSEN before and after my period. Isn't this weird? My face is good now (no active breakouts, or it may be due to I jus went for a peel), but I remembered a month ago my skin was also flawless when I was about to get my period, and afterwards. I was so glad, thinking it was the end! But was I wrong hahaha...

I have been on the pill for one year exact, on this pill called Gracial. I notice that not a lot of people take this pill, and especially on this thread, most people, like you, take Ortho. I hope that since I didn't take the pill for that long, it wont' take my body long to adjust!

By the way, other than topicals, did you happen to do anything to help 'fix' your acne flare during the times when it was unbalanced? Because I'm taking a whole bunch of supplements and herbs (SO MANY) that I don't even know which ones help and which ones don't. But they are mostly vitamins, herbs like olive leaf, burdoch root, blueberries etc etc.

Any how again, so glad that your skin is turning better! I'm so happy for you, and at the same time, I hope that this flare of mine goes away quick quick quick!

I think this is a super common thing. I have always had little breakouts here and there, but overall I felt confident that my skin looked good. I stopped taking the pill after 8 years and I have mild yet persistent acne, for 5 years! It is stubborn and constant and making me crazy!

I have tons of friends who have had this same experience. The pill messes with your hormones big time and unfortunately this leads to acne in so many ladies. Makes me wish I knew what I was getting into. I would have never gone on it.

Hello Ukulala,

Thank you so much for your response. It's good that you're done with the horrible effects after coming off the pill! And thank goodness that this ISN'T going to last forever, because I heard stories that it might! I went to naturopaths as well, took a lot of meds (probaby total of a month of a various herbs) and for some time (like the two months right after I came off the pill), it was good. This month just didn't do so well.

And another thing I realized about my cycle - is that my acne tends to LESSEN before and after my period. Isn't this weird? My face is good now (no active breakouts, or it may be due to I jus went for a peel), but I remembered a month ago my skin was also flawless when I was about to get my period, and afterwards. I was so glad, thinking it was the end! But was I wrong hahaha...

I have been on the pill for one year exact, on this pill called Gracial. I notice that not a lot of people take this pill, and especially on this thread, most people, like you, take Ortho. I hope that since I didn't take the pill for that long, it wont' take my body long to adjust!

By the way, other than topicals, did you happen to do anything to help 'fix' your acne flare during the times when it was unbalanced? Because I'm taking a whole bunch of supplements and herbs (SO MANY) that I don't even know which ones help and which ones don't. But they are mostly vitamins, herbs like olive leaf, burdoch root, blueberries etc etc.

Any how again, so glad that your skin is turning better! I'm so happy for you, and at the same time, I hope that this flare of mine goes away quick quick quick!

 

Hm -- If your acne is *better* during your cycle (or moon, as I like to call it, being all hippiedippie ;] ) - perhaps you should look into what hormones spike during that time and assume that you have a deficiency of that specific hormone ...? That's my first thought, but I am no MD or ND, so, heh.

I wish I had better answers about what helped me when I was at my worst. Honestly, I just had to let it pass -- but ! Now I've learned a LOT more, and I think what i *could* have done to help is taken liver supporting herbs and supplements. Also ones that help regulate hormones -- not like burdock, which introduces estrogen, but like .. I forget the name -- ones that help *your body* balance itself. Look it up; you'll find them.

The liver is a major, major factor in hormone regulation. I read something that said it's like the gas filter in the car -- and the hormones are the gas, I guess. So supporting it and helping it as it undergoes this massive transformation is undeniably a good idea. :}

So -- you're on the pill now and are hoping to transition off? Every body is different, so I would use the naturopaths guidance as to how to support, but mainly... that's what you can do. Support. And know that your body has to regulate again after being dependent on those hormones, even if briefly.

You're going to be fine. If I (and probably all of us here!) can support you in any way, we will

 

Hello Ukulala,

Thank you so much for your response. It's good that you're done with the horrible effects after coming off the pill! And thank goodness that this ISN'T going to last forever, because I heard stories that it might! I went to naturopaths as well, took a lot of meds (probaby total of a month of a various herbs) and for some time (like the two months right after I came off the pill), it was good. This month just didn't do so well.

And another thing I realized about my cycle - is that my acne tends to LESSEN before and after my period. Isn't this weird? My face is good now (no active breakouts, or it may be due to I jus went for a peel), but I remembered a month ago my skin was also flawless when I was about to get my period, and afterwards. I was so glad, thinking it was the end! But was I wrong hahaha...

I have been on the pill for one year exact, on this pill called Gracial. I notice that not a lot of people take this pill, and especially on this thread, most people, like you, take Ortho. I hope that since I didn't take the pill for that long, it wont' take my body long to adjust!

By the way, other than topicals, did you happen to do anything to help 'fix' your acne flare during the times when it was unbalanced? Because I'm taking a whole bunch of supplements and herbs (SO MANY) that I don't even know which ones help and which ones don't. But they are mostly vitamins, herbs like olive leaf, burdoch root, blueberries etc etc.

Any how again, so glad that your skin is turning better! I'm so happy for you, and at the same time, I hope that this flare of mine goes away quick quick quick!

 

Hm -- If your acne is *better* during your cycle (or moon, as I like to call it, being all hippiedippie ;] ) - perhaps you should look into what hormones spike during that time and assume that you have a deficiency of that specific hormone ...? That's my first thought, but I am no MD or ND, so, heh.

I wish I had better answers about what helped me when I was at my worst. Honestly, I just had to let it pass -- but ! Now I've learned a LOT more, and I think what i *could* have done to help is taken liver supporting herbs and supplements. Also ones that help regulate hormones -- not like burdock, which introduces estrogen, but like .. I forget the name -- ones that help *your body* balance itself. Look it up; you'll find them.

The liver is a major, major factor in hormone regulation. I read something that said it's like the gas filter in the car -- and the hormones are the gas, I guess. So supporting it and helping it as it undergoes this massive transformation is undeniably a good idea. :}

So -- you're on the pill now and are hoping to transition off? Every body is different, so I would use the naturopaths guidance as to how to support, but mainly... that's what you can do. Support. And know that your body has to regulate again after being dependent on those hormones, even if briefly.

You're going to be fine. If I (and probably all of us here!) can support you in any way, we will

 

Hey, I've been off the pill for the fourth month (going to the fifth). I got off in August, and as I said before acne just kicked in for the fourth month. It' now subsiding, and it is due very much to my cycle -- my whole face and hair and less oily. I searched up some bits and apparently, estrogen is high during ovulation; so I am presuming it's because of my low estrogen levels. Which is weird, because I usually almost always get breakout before I go on my period - and this time it's the other way around!

I really hope that it's going to get better this time of the cycle..

Burdoch root, dandelion and milk thistle is good for liver detox if you are interested. I usually get bumps around temples (don't know if that's the place you call it, the area where the eyebrow ends?), and after taking them, my spots are gone from that area. Apparently that area means that your liver isn't functioning too well and there are too many toxins within your body.

I have been taking Evening primrose oil, which is said to regulate hormones. It has been helping, usually I get aches etc before my period, but this time around I had none! I'm so surprised (but still pissed off about my face haha).

I'm glad there is someone like you to help me ease some of my anxiety and questions regarding this problem. Fingers crossed!

I am coming back in desperation....

At this moment I do'nt know what else to do. I have tried taking all these supplements but my skin has just been NOT getting any better. I'm so upset right now and I don't even look at myself in the mirror.

When will this get better? will it ever???? I really need some direction right now because I don't know if I can stand it anymore.

What's weird with my acne is that it appears at very different places at one time. And for goodness sake I'm so sure it's because of hormones!!!

At times its on the forehead, then it's completely gone. Then it appears with small bumps on the sides of the cheek, then it's gone. WTF???

I have been take dr perricone's skin clear supplements - no help.

I have been taking EPO - no help.

Olive leaf - no help.

What I did notice is that my acne gets A LOT better while I get my period. Does anyone know what kind of hormones play role during this part? Usually (before i went on i usually get them before my period; now I get massive outbreaks before and after my period).

AHHhhhh 🙁

pls help....................

I am coming back in desperation....

 

At this moment I do'nt know what else to do. I have tried taking all these supplements but my skin has just been NOT getting any better. I'm so upset right now and I don't even look at myself in the mirror.

 

When will this get better? will it ever???? I really need some direction right now because I don't know if I can stand it anymore.

 

What's weird with my acne is that it appears at very different places at one time. And for goodness sake I'm so sure it's because of hormones!!!

At times its on the forehead, then it's completely gone. Then it appears with small bumps on the sides of the cheek, then it's gone. WTF???

 

I have been take dr perricone's skin clear supplements - no help.

I have been taking EPO - no help.

Olive leaf - no help.

 

What I did notice is that my acne gets A LOT better while I get my period. Does anyone know what kind of hormones play role during this part? Usually (before i went on i usually get them before my period; now I get massive outbreaks before and after my period).

 

AHHhhhh

 

pls help....................

 

Have you tried Saw Palmetto? They lower your androgen levels. I use them and they help. If you wanted to try them, make sure to get STANDARDISED capsules... at least 320mg twice a day. I use ones by GNC as I read a good review of them. But I guess other decent quality brands would be just as good.

You could also try natural progesterone cream. I have used it and its pretty good at getting your cycle and any PMS symptoms 'normal'... If you have been on birth control sometimes you can become deficient in progesterone - which helps regulate your other hormones. So if there is an imbalance it might well help I used Emerita as it was recommended in a number of books about hormones. You can buy it on Amazon.

Hope thats helpful. Hormonal acne sucks!

On 1/29/2012 at 8:16 PM, blissful828 said:

I am coming back in desperation....

At this moment I do'nt know what else to do. I have tried taking all these supplements but my skin has just been NOT getting any better. I'm so upset right now and I don't even look at myself in the mirror.

When will this get better? will it ever???? I really need some direction right now because I don't know if I can stand it anymore.

What's weird with my acne is that it appears at very different places at one time. And for goodness sake I'm so sure it's because of hormones!!!

At times its on the forehead, then it's completely gone. Then it appears with small bumps on the sides of the cheek, then it's gone. WTF???

I have been take dr perricone's skin clear supplements - no help.

I have been taking EPO - no help.

Olive leaf - no help.

What I did notice is that my acne gets A LOT better while I get my period. Does anyone know what kind of hormones play role during this part? Usually (before i went on i usually get them before my period; now I get massive outbreaks before and after my period).

AHHhhhh

pls help....................

I have been using this chart: [Edited link out] It is to help with fertility (lol) but it shows the whole ovulation/hormone process which might help you pinpoint what hormones should be activated during different points along your cycle. Hope that helps!

Man man man. I am so glad this thread is popping. Please, if anyone is looking at taking BCP look the other way. It is not a long-term solution, and the pill may even make your skin worse like it did mine! I thought I could handle any breakout that came once I stopped the pill, but I am seriously thinking about Accutane. It is like an oil factory in my body that is continuously pumping oil out of my pores. I just look so greasy. It's so embarrassing. I promise that if I find something that works months from now, I will come back and give some young lady hope. Because I read through this whole thread and apparently the breakout is inevitable and there is no OTC or supplement that's guaranteed to calm it down.

Hey guys, guess i'm coming back again and a little updates for my skin...

I have been off for about 8 months now. This month my acne is a little better than before (fingers crossed!) - though my forehead is still unbearable... i occasionally get huge bumps on my forehead. And sometimes around my chin, but this issue has subsided for the past 3 weeks. My acne comes and goes in various places - sometimes on the chin, sometimes on my face... etc, which obviously shows that it is due to hormonal imbalance.

I went to the doctor, finally. He prescribed this solution (smells kind of like alcohol, but it works pretty well into drying up your spots and leaves the skin less oily) as well as epiduo. For the past week, I have flaked, but now it seems ok. I would say my forehead is a less bumpy than before and full blown acne goes away faster than before.

Now I have a lot of scars, which really annoys me. But, fingers crossed, it DOES definitely look better than when the acne first kicked in. I guess my body is adjusting - but slowly. My face (cheeks) is also a lot less oily. I'm waiting for this 8th month to pass, and hopefully my period will come a little more in time this time around. Basially I think if my period is regulated (no later than 4 days), I think my hormones are balanced... just waiting for that day!!!

Man man man. I am so glad this thread is popping. Please, if anyone is looking at taking BCP look the other way. It is not a long-term solution, and the pill may even make your skin worse like it did mine! I thought I could handle any breakout that came once I stopped the pill, but I am seriously thinking about Accutane. It is like an oil factory in my body that is continuously pumping oil out of my pores. I just look so greasy. It's so embarrassing. I promise that if I find something that works months from now, I will come back and give some young lady hope. Because I read through this whole thread and apparently the breakout is inevitable and there is no OTC or supplement that's guaranteed to calm it down.

 

I would really not suggest going on any type of medication... unless your acne is REALLY that terrible. Because accutance actually makes your body weaker, and when you do get off it, your acne gets worse... The doctor also wanted to prescribe me some antibiotic, but I refused. It was meds in the first place that got me into this shitty suitation. I resisted, and hoping that it will get better. I am seeing some light already - hang in there!

My acne has been acting up since I stopped the BCP 8 months ago. No success with anything topical.

I have been taking saw palmetto (whole herb) and was wondering why standardised is considered better? I'm also taking EPO and zinc. I think (may be premature assessment since its only been two weeks) that my acne is calming down. A week ago, I had a lighter period with very minimal cramps and virtually no PMS after just one week of EPO, Saw Palmetto and zinc. My skin is less oily, pores are smaller but on the flip side, my lips are chapped all the time.

I take one other supplement but I doubt this does anything at all - its called Neem.

I'm not looking for a miracle cure, just something to bring my acne under control. I can totally deal with the ocassioanl zit, just not a face full of 'em.

I've been using retinol and I think it is making my lips chap constantly. Drives me crazy because I put balms, etc on them and they just stay chapped. If you find a solution to that, I'd be interested! lol I don't particularly want to stop the retinol, though I have cut back the frequency.

My acne has been acting up since I stopped the BCP 8 months ago. No success with anything topical.

 

I have been taking saw palmetto (whole herb) and was wondering why standardised is considered better? I'm also taking EPO and zinc. I think (may be premature assessment since its only been two weeks) that my acne is calming down. A week ago, I had a lighter period with very minimal cramps and virtually no PMS after just one week of EPO, Saw Palmetto and zinc. My skin is less oily, pores are smaller but on the flip side, my lips are chapped all the time.

I take one other supplement but I doubt this does anything at all - its called Neem.

 

I'm not looking for a miracle cure, just something to bring my acne under control. I can totally deal with the ocassioanl zit, just not a face full of 'em.

 

Saw palmetto? isn't that for men??

I've been using retinol and I think it is making my lips chap constantly. Drives me crazy because I put balms, etc on them and they just stay chapped. If you find a solution to that, I'd be interested! lol I don't particularly want to stop the retinol, though I have cut back the frequency.

 

Try doing this:

Put on a thick layer of pure vaseline, then seal it with some gladwrap for 15 minutes ish. Then use some lip blam and see if it's better

 

Try doing this:

 

Put on a thick layer of pure vaseline, then seal it with some gladwrap for 15 minutes ish. Then use some lip blam and see if it's better

 

Thanks so much! I will try it out. Hope it works!!

I'm here to post an update. I know I posted somewhere in this thread a while back but can't seem to find it. Anyway, I am completely off the BCP now. I weaned off - 3/4 pill for two months, 1/2 for a few, 1/4 for a couple more. Whole process took about 8 months and I did not have the nightmare breakout experience I had been so dreading. Don't get me wrong, I still have acne, but my face did not go crazy. What did happen: my period is still not back to normal. I have chest and back acne. My hair and skin did get greasier (I kind of liked this though as my skin is on the dry side generally). I find that I am getting a bit of cystic acne around 1.5 weeks before I get my period. What I think helped, regimen-wise: I stopped washing my face and using any acne lotions, really. Instead I cleansed with apple cider vinegar on a cotton ball, then moisturzed with a bit of coconut oil mixed with a bit of tea tree oil.

As I said, though, I'm getting concerned about the cystic breakouts. My next mission is to tackle the inside. I just started Evening Primrose Oil on the weekend. I also want to start on a probiotic and cut out sugar.

I loathe acne with every fibre of my being and would not wish it on anyone. It has caused me to miss out on so much in life. I hope this helps, fellow sufferers.

Hey guys, guess i'm coming back again and a little updates for my skin...

I have been off for about 8 months now. This month my acne is a little better than before (fingers crossed!) - though my forehead is still unbearable... i occasionally get huge bumps on my forehead. And sometimes around my chin, but this issue has subsided for the past 3 weeks. My acne comes and goes in various places - sometimes on the chin, sometimes on my face... etc, which obviously shows that it is due to hormonal imbalance.

 

I went to the doctor, finally. He prescribed this solution (smells kind of like alcohol, but it works pretty well into drying up your spots and leaves the skin less oily) as well as epiduo. For the past week, I have flaked, but now it seems ok. I would say my forehead is a less bumpy than before and full blown acne goes away faster than before.

 

Now I have a lot of scars, which really annoys me. But, fingers crossed, it DOES definitely look better than when the acne first kicked in. I guess my body is adjusting - but slowly. My face (cheeks) is also a lot less oily. I'm waiting for this 8th month to pass, and hopefully my period will come a little more in time this time around. Basially I think if my period is regulated (no later than 4 days), I think my hormones are balanced... just waiting for that day!!!

 

 

 

Man man man. I am so glad this thread is popping. Please, if anyone is looking at taking BCP look the other way. It is not a long-term solution, and the pill may even make your skin worse like it did mine! I thought I could handle any breakout that came once I stopped the pill, but I am seriously thinking about Accutane. It is like an oil factory in my body that is continuously pumping oil out of my pores. I just look so greasy. It's so embarrassing. I promise that if I find something that works months from now, I will come back and give some young lady hope. Because I read through this whole thread and apparently the breakout is inevitable and there is no OTC or supplement that's guaranteed to calm it down.

 

 

I would really not suggest going on any type of medication... unless your acne is REALLY that terrible. Because accutance actually makes your body weaker, and when you do get off it, your acne gets worse... The doctor also wanted to prescribe me some antibiotic, but I refused. It was meds in the first place that got me into this shitty suitation. I resisted, and hoping that it will get better. I am seeing some light already - hang in there!

 

You are so right. Pills really mess you up once you stop. I am trying to hang in there. Acne is like the worst I've ever had, and I am not trying to scare anyone. I remember reading this thread when I was still on the pill and hesitant to stop. I do not regret getting off those pills; I just regret having bad genetics lol. I try to preserve what little beauty I have left by smiling daily. I have a beautiful smile that not even acne can ruin Still looking for a cure, and I will definitely let the board knows if something works.

Mmhm. I finally broke down and went to the derm, about 10 months after my skin began going, "aaah!!" ... which was about 7 months after coming off the pill.

I believe that this will pass, for sure, and work its way out of my system. I also really want to look in herbal approaches when I have a minute, but as I'm doing a lot of traveling and bopping around right now, I'm just using the magical potions she prescribed me.

Got some Tretinoin, Sulfur face wash, and clindamyacin gel. Here's keeping the chin up and hoping it goes well!!!

Cheers to all. You can do it, keep pushing! This WILL pass. <3

it's so sad to see so many women going through the same problem as me.

My story:

I was on the Nuvaring for 2 years before deciding to stop due to the side effects I was experiencing (Jan 2011). After about two months my period stopped. I got a very light period in July 2011, but right before I had severe pain in my lower abdominals (my gyno said I was probably ovulating). It wasn't until August 2011 that my body started to experience the physical affects of my hormonal imbalance. I experienced many symptoms of PCOS. I had a very noticeable increase in hair growth on my face and stomach (so embarrassing!), Hair LOSS on my scalp (not permanent, but it looked soooo thin), and of course awful acne. I had acne in high school on my face and shoulders, but nothing to freak out about. This was nothing compared to that. My upper back was covered in painful cystic acne and my jawline as well. I experienced eczema on my scalp as well. On top of this I developed anorexia and bulimia and lost nearly 25 pounds (my lowest weight was 108), I was emotionally unstable and I completely lost my sex drive. .....

I understood that this was all hormonal and I had MANY tests done, hoping to solve it as soon as I could. Probably the most important thing I did learn was about my own genetics. Not to get into it, I'll just say I don't detox as easily as I'd like. BC puts a burden on your liver and your digestive system (which is your immune system) after BC I developed food intolerances because of this connection.

I've gone through several detox programs because for someone like me, it is crucial. Basically how well you detox is going to determine how fast your hormones balance and how fast your skin clears up. No matter what, some sort of detox program is essential. But it's not about the time it takes, as awful as acne is, it's about how healthy you are in the end!

It wasn't until exactly a year after stopping that I had my first totally regular period (And with every new period I experience less PMS as well). This was the beginning of my skin starting to slowly get better. It's still not great, and of course I have scarring (which makes it looks worse than it is) but it's improving. Just VERY slowly. I'm starting to notice some patterns as well (it's better when I'm ovulating, worse right after my period). My skin doesn't look as inflamed now and I have WAY less cystic acne, but it still has a ways to go. I'm so grateful I made the decision to go off birth control at a younger age (22) so I won't have to deal with these issues when I want to have kids. I can't recommend a specific thing for everyone to do who is suffering from this problem, but you have to realize it takes time. You need to have a plan for yourself and then move on with your life. It's not all about the way you look and it WILL clear up eventually. You just need to take care of yourself and be tranquil. Keep calm and carry on certainly applies to our situation.

My story is probably one of the most extreme on here, but every day I wake up happy and smiling. Maybe because my emotions are in balance because of the work I've done, I don't know. But I'm a happy person now, truly. I feel like myself FINALLY and I have a deeper respect and understanding for my body. That is when healing begins. I'm not worrying about how long I'll be suffering from acne, because I know the body wants to heal. That's it's goal, that's what it wants. Your skin will clear up and someday you won't even remember what it was like to have acne.

I went on birth control at a really early age...basically when I was 12! My mom wanted to spare me from experiencing horrible acne. I suffered with minor acne in jr high and high-school. Nothing major but it still affect my self esteem. Against my mother's warnings, when I was 18 I went off of birth control (Ortho-trycyclen). Within 6 months I was experiencing these dark deep purple "zits" which were very painful and didn't go away. I was horrified and bought all kinds of makeup to cover them. It was everywhere- jawline, temples, cheeks, etc. After 13 months of being off the pill, I went on 3 months off accutane and back on a generic birth control. My acne cleared up great, but it still came back.

In September 2010 I switched from the generic birth control to another form...and my skin FREAKED OUT again....except this time it seemed MUCH worse. I went back on ortho-tryclen in Feb 2011 and slowly my skin began to calm down. My GI tract is all messed up (who knows from BC or accutane) but now I have a dairy free, caffeine free, gluten free diet and I have really really good skin now.

I am worried like every other woman about what will happen when I go off the pill to have a family. I believe I will just taper off birth control. I read on here somewhere that a woman did that for a year...gradually just took less and less doses, cutting the pills in half. I think I will definitely talk to my doc (whoever they will be) before I go off and express my concerns to him/her.

Who knows...maybe I would have had horrible cystic acne all along but birth control truly prevented it. If this is the case, then I don't regret taking birth control. However, if it just created a dependency on the hormones, then I hope to be wise in the future when I stop taking it...I don't want to stop cold turkey and have my body freak out!

I am starting to get zits in weird places now like my neck, stomach, chest, back, and parts I'm embarrassed to mention . One good thing is that I've been able to get my chin acne in better control. Instead of taking atralin at night and acanya during the day, I just take the atralin twice a day. What a drastic improvement that has been. I also use witch hazel after I wash my face and drink spearmint tea twice daily. I started to drink the spearmint tea because it has really helped keep my cycle regular. I'm thinking about trying a mild salicylic acid wash for my neck and jaw area. I don't really feel like tackling the body acne. I honestly think I'd be a good candidate for accutane at this point, but my health insurance is about to be expired and I have a bad feeling about what accutane would do to me considering the vision loss I suffered from bcp. It is so frustrating to have to think about this condition all the time. I have so many other things to stress about in life.