Dianette : Oral Contraceptive

I've been taking Dianette for two months now and I'm really happy with the results so far. I'm in my early thirties and have had moderate adult acne since around my mid twenties. I mainly suffered from those horrible cystic type lumps on the chin and mouth area, but recently they started spreading to my cheeks and forehead so I thought it was time to try an oral prescription! So far it's working really well. I was down to no spots at all this week for the first time in years! Like other users below, I've found that when I do get a spot brewing, it tends to disappear quick and not manifest itself into a whitehead like before. I'm now just waiting for the marks to fade from my previous spots, but I'm really excited to see my skin without them at all in time! As for side effects, I've not experienced any depression/mood changes; I feel my usual, happy self. My periods are definitely a lot lighter, particularly this month! I've had light nausea, which I'd probably attribute to the Dianette, as it doesn't seem to be triggered by anything else. And the most random thing..... I've gone off tea!! This is a BIG deal for me as I am an avid (even obsessive) tea fan, but since Dianette I can only stomach one cup first thing in the morning. After that, I just ain't interested! Small sacrifice for clear skin though ;)

First went on Dianette when I was 18 as had tried various lotions and antibitoics from doctors since I was 13 and nothing had worked. I went on Dianette and within 2 months my spots had almost completely cleared up. After 6 months my doctor put my on to Cilest but this made my acne come back so I went back on Dianette. Again, my skin cleared up and I stayed on it for the next 4 years. However, within 3 months of coming off the pill my acne came back really badly so I went back on Dianette and was on this again for another 3 years. I came off it a few months ago as I wanted to see what my skin was like without it, and surprise surprise my acne came back to the horrible state it was when I was 14. The doctor wanted to try me on Yasmin but I decided not to take it, and instead have been taking evening primrose oil and using Quinoderm cream, and now its been about 3 weeks since my acne returned, and I have no spots on my face (a few on my neck and back). Basically, I think going on the pill and then coming off it was always going to make my acne come back. It just messes with your hormones and its my hormones that have been giving me acne since I was 13 so I decided the pill isn't for me. I was glad I took it when I was a teenager because I was really self conscious about my acne, and it does work but the massive downside is my acen returned every time I came off it. I would recommend it if nothing else has worked but be aware that your skin may flare up when you come off it. Also, some doctors (clearly not mine) don't like you being on Dianette for long periods of time because of increased risk of blood clots, but as long as you get your blood pressure checked regularly you should be fine.

I have suffered from acne since I was 14, so for 12 years now. It shaped me as a person, and although I didn't let anyone know, it made me feel so self conscious, and if it was really bad, I wouldn't go out. After trying a few things the doctor put me on Dianette, as I had been on it before and knew it worked. I took the drug for a little over a year, and the results were fantastic. I felt relaxed, and cheerful when I woke up, rather than anxiously feeling my skin for new spots. I knew I couldn't stay on long term though, and eventually the docs would take me off. This really scared me, cos when I came off Di before i'm afraid that my acne got much worse. Three weeks ago, cramps started waking me up, and my legs would seize up. I knew that DVT is a serious side affect, so stopped taking the pill immediately. I expressed my anxiety that my acne would come back, and my doctor was really kind. She pointed out that when I came off Dianette last time, I had not taken anything else. This time I have been given the pill Yasmin, and a gel called Duac. I was very sceptical, believing nothing would work like Dianette. BUT touch wood some weeks on, and I haven't had any problems. If anything the Duac is really amazing, and has made my skin even better than when on Di. Also you can take both of these drugs for the foreseeable future. Also neither of the drugs have the potential to damage foetus', so when the day comes for some of us ladies, that is not something to worry about (lots of the acne drugs can be dangerous to unborn babies). I used to read this discussion board when I was on Di, and got so scared as many posts said how acne comes back, sometimes worse when you come off. So don't worry, make sure your doc works with you to find better long term options.

I was put on Dianette when I was 14 or 15, and regretted it for the next 2 years of my life. Although it did clear my skin, I lost my confidence in so many different ways. I literally gained more than 1 stone and it made me really really unhappy. I also found that when I leant on one leg it would really hurt my joints, and that stopped as soon as I came off this pill. I'm on Microgynon now for contraceptive reasons (as its not particularly affective for acne I don't think) and I haven't gained any weight at all. I don't know whether Dianette affective me because I was so young (I'm now 21) and still had puppy fat or whatever, but even though my skin is bad these days I would NEVER result to going back on that pill. Ever.

im about to start my 4th month on this product and my skin has completely cleared up. (although I should add that it's been clear since month 2) I occasionally get one of those nasty bumps that are almost pimples..... but they never pop up!!! idk what it is but every time I get a bump or anything on my face it tends to disappear really quickly. very pleased with the results and my now clear skin :) also it's made my period lighter and easier to deal with which is a very pleasant side effect

I suffered with acne from 8 years old until I was 18. I tried everything and nothing ever worked to cure it. It was on my face, chest, shoulders and back. When I went to the doctor to go on the pill, he suggested Dianette. Within months, my acne had completely gone and I felt confident about my appearance for the first time. I continued on Dianette for about 7 years until I changed doctors and my new one suggested I come off it. I wasn't happy so did some research and insisted that he switch me to Yasmin instead. He agreed and I stayed spot free for a further 5 years. Last June I came off the pill as I'm now ready to start a family. I reasoned that since I'm now 30 I couldn't possibly still have acne. Wrong! They're back though not as bad as when I was younger. I feel a bit ridiculous with them as I teach teenagers. Am looking forward to going back on the pill after having a baby as I know that nothing else works.

I have been on dianette for 3 months now and my skin is looking better everyday, but this has only happened recently. The first few months were awfull. I was counting around 6 new spots a day and was on the verge of quiting. I am so glad i didn't. Give it a chance, it takes time but does work.

I've been using dianette on and off for 10 years. As a teenager i suffered from severe acne and tryed most thing out there that i could buy over the counter and could get off the doctor. After i had my eldest child now 10 i went to the doctor for my 6 week check up, while there the doctor noticed the acne on my back and adivsed me to go onto dianette instead of the pill i had been on. I noticed my acne clearing up within a few months of being on it. over the next 5 year i did put on weight about 1 stone but i also wasn't watching what i ate, when i did start to diet still taking dianette i lost 2 stone. I then came off it while i had another child. By now i had changed doctor and this doctor advised me to go on a different pill which i did and took it for about 2 years. I wasn't happy my acne came back so i asked my doctor to put me back on dianette which he has ive been on it for 2 months now and my acne is clearing up again plus i am watching what i eat again and have lost 4lb with week and my confidence is going again.

I am 29. This is my second time on Dianette. The first time, 4 years ago, I went on Dianette for a year. My skin was amazing, my boobs got bigger, I hardly gained weight. But I noticed it made me slightly depressed after about 6 months on it, and this got worse. So I switched to Yasmine which kept my skin under control after Dianette had kick started my clear skin. Yasmine didn't effect my mood, so I stayed on Yasmine for 2.5 years. (Note: I did not go from Dianette to NO PILL at all, which I believe can lead to acne returning v severely. Instead I transitioned to Yasmine, which kept my acne under control) Then, about 8 months ago while still on Yasmine my acne came back. I recognized the signs, lumps appearing, so switched from Yasmine straight back to Dianette. I have been on Dianette now for 8 months, and my skin is amazing. My boobs went up a size. I gained 3-4 lbs in first 2 months but I now I am back to normal weight, possibly skinnier. (And for me clear skin more important than gaining a few lbs anyway.) My MOOD has been completely normal this time round. I feel great. But I watch myself closely. My doc says 6 months on Dianette would be enough to give me good skin for a year or more anyway, but am in no rush to come off it now. SEX DRIVE- no change. If anything, it's increased. I was once on Microgynon which left me with no sex drive at all, and also made me depressed, so I know the signs. If you have Acne I feel there is no better treatment. Good luck.

I started using dianette after years of trying to control my stubborn acne with antibiotics and topical medications. Eventually everything I tried stopped working and my acne got worse and worse. I was absolutley fed up and saw my only option as roaccutane which I felt was very drastic and carried too many side effects. The doctor recommended dianette and I was a bit worried about messing with hormones so I stalled the decision a bit. In the end we decided to give it a try and I've never looked back! Within 2-3 months my skin was completely clear (first time in years!) My periods were much lighter and shorter and I suffer much less from mood swings. I feel more positive and energetic (probably from having more confidence) I've read plenty of scare stories about this pill. and I am well aware of the risks of dianette. I have my blood pressure checked regularly and keep an eye on any warning symptoms. Takign dianette is not a decision anyone should take lightly and it should definately be discussed well with a doctor but in my experience there's no need be overly scared. I do wish I didn't have to resort to taking synthetic hormones but that's the way it is. I am very pleased with the results dianette has given me.At the end of the day, you do have to remember that it is a medication and like any medication there can be side effects. It may not be for everyone but it certainly has worked for me and I would recommend giving it a try at least.