Diane-35 : Oral Contraceptive

I started my first phase of Diane-35 around February, 2012. I had severe acne which wasn't limited to my face- shoulders, back, and scalp were also badly affected. I started seeing results after 5 months, when big, and horrific acne were less recurring. By the start of spring 2013 I had clear skin, and great hair. Since my doctor prescribed me the medicine for 1.5 years, I decided to complete my course and then went off it around February, 2014. The real problem started after I stopped Diane. My acne came back worse than ever, and I had added depression. When I was on Diane I was very normal, even cheerful because it really helped to stabilise my hormones. I guess it must be some sort of withdrawal symptoms, that I had severe depression. I went back on Diane during July, 2014 for a 8 month course, so I was done by February,2015. So far, it has worked wonderfully to stabilise my hormones, and get rid of acne and depression. I'm still carefully monitoring my skin to spot recurrences, and so far all is well. I still get a few bumps and stuff, but it isn't as horrifying, because mind you, mine was acne vulgaris of the nasty type. The mild acne disappears within a few days. One thing my doctor (endocrinologist) repeatedly told me was not to depend too much on Diane to regulate my hormones. I was strictly told to workout and stay active everyday, so that I don't become too dependent on medicines. And believe me, it works. Diane will work differently for everyone, because we are dealing with hormones after all, but don't be disheartened if its not effective after 3 or 5 months. Be patient. And if you do get depressed, remember that its only the medicine, not you. There is hope. Good luck!

I'm 17 and I started getting acne about a year and a half ago, and I've been on multiple medications prescribed by both my doctor and dermatologist, to help treat it. Every single medication has failed me, including this one. I have been on this for about 6 months now, and I have not seen any difference. I feel as though this medication actually makes my acne worse, and when im on my period, my face clears up. I tried convincing my doctor to let me try another brand, but he told me to stay on it longer. I was using this medication alone for about 4 months, and then i was prescribed 2 other medications to take with it, but it still has not cleared up my acne. Diane-35 did not make me nauseous at all, and It's an extremely easy medication to take, since it's so small.. But overall, i wouldnt recommend it to anyone with somewhat severe acne because it will most likely make it worse.

controlled my acne within fifth-sixth month on treatment. but the bottom line is it may control your acne but the side effects outweighs it a lot. i have to leave diane-35 after taking it for about 16 months because it was causing terrible dryness and mood swings which were not worth. once you leave diane-35 the story doesn't end here..for about three-four months my skin was clear but after the fifth month it started to get worse day by day...and now the condition is i suffer from pigmentation which is caused by birth control pills....skin started to break out again... "NEVER EVER CONSIDER TAKING DIANE-35 EVEN HOW WORSE YOUR ACNE IS"

Please don't take this pill. All hormonal birth control is bad, but this is the absolute worst. Thinned my hair to the point that you can see scalp, and 1 year after stopping, it is still falling out. Yes it made my skin mildly better...but if I could go back in time I would shake myself and scream 'clean up your diet, read The Period Repair Manual, practice good skincare and get off the pill!!' Having clear skin for a short period of time and then paying the consequences forever couldn't be less worth it. Besides my skin is better now than anytime I was on the pill. I just cut out dairy and sugar. Other Diane side effects included: insomnia, migraines, muscle cramps, anxiety, skin pigmentation, rosacea and depression. All of these went away when I stopped taking Diane. Unfortunately my hair is still dead. Please girls, don't do it.

Rarely had a pimple during my teens...had combination skin and suffered from mild eczema. Fast forward to early adulthood. Suddenly (and I mean suddenly) saw whiteheads all cross my face mainly in the cheek and chin area. I would classify it as mild/moderate acne. It really distressed me at the time and affected my self confidence. Spoke to my GP and after failing to see any noticeable results using prescription creams (Differin, Duac) she prescribed Diane-35. I used the generic brand (Brenda-35 and Estelle-35) ever since. Changes I noticed: acne got worse for the first few weeks. Boobs got bigger. Gained a teensy bit of weight. In a few months my acne cleared up completely. No matter what I ate or how little or much I exercised my skin was acne free. I would get maybe one pimple every now and then but it was definitely bearable. Late last year (August) I decided that I wanted to stop using the pill. My skin was clear but a) I did not wish to be so reliant on the pill and b) I experienced vaginal thrush which did not go away despite using prescription and over the counter meds. I had not experienced this during my first 4 years on the pill but I think my body was telling me it had enough. My decision was a hard one because A LOT of people on the site have claimed that going off the pill ruined their skin. I was initially torn because on one hand I know how hard it was for me to live with acne but I also know my body wasn't coping with having the pill in my system. So what I decided to do was go off the pill, but ease my body into the hormonal changes that will happen as soon as I go off it. In August I began to eat healthier by cutting down my consumption of diary and sugar. In September I cut it down even further and introduced my body to daily doses of zinc and evening primrose oil. In October I got off the pill and continued my diet/supplement regime. I didn't get any pimples until November. A lot of people say they break out like crazy but in my experience I have only ever experienced three whiteheads in my chin area on any given day. Most days it is clear or I have one small whitehead. My chin area is a bit sensitive and bumpy but by no means would I classify it as breaking out. After going off the pill I also noticed that my hair got oilier and my thrush problem disappeared. I've been pill free for a few months now and so far I'm happy with the results. I am eating dairy and sugar occasionally but I consume it in small portions. I still take my supplements religiously as I believe my acne is hormonal and the supplements help balance my hormones. I think if I did not put in these measures my post-pill breakout would be much worse. Diane-35 is a crutch. That is the honest truth. If you wish to use it make sure you know what you are getting yourself into.

Hi!!!! i started using diane a month ago and i discontinued after about two weeks. then again i started using the pill this month when i got a week early period (12th september) again i discontinued due to the severe migraine and headaches. and m bleeding since. (not heavily) please advise. thanks in advance, lauren

It's worth a try if you can can control your hunger. Because honestly, this pill opens up your hunger which is the reason why I personnally gained weight. However, it does the job. I start to see significant results in 3 months and it takes me 6 months to have a clear face. Now, it's been 2-3 months that i am finshed with the treatment and i did not have any new breakouts or whatsoever. Of course, I still have occasionallly a pimple or two due to my periods, but nothing dramatic.

I was on Diane-35 for at least 6 yrs straight. I was on it for my post-op endometriosis. All was good, as in skin was better and no more growths and no more migraines but i decided to stop it last year ( its been a yr since i've stopped ) because i wanna try to conceive. And the acne that i have now is just so unbelievably huge and painful and terrible and so many!!! I'm going nuts and trying ways and means to cure or at least control them! Now i really wished that I hadn't gone on the pill. Not only did i wasted my money buying them, but I've also put my body in danger! Had I known other ways to control my endometriosis, I would've choosen it. And intercourse was troublesome because I would bleed slight stains. But after I stopped it, the good thing is hair on my head has grown more, because before they were falling. Thats the good part bout stopping. And I hope that i can eventually conceive. Without having any more endometriosis that is...I would strongly advice to anyone reading this to not start this pill although they would give you perfect flawless skin! Ive stopped a year ago. I went back on it once, for a month, but i discontinued again because i really wanna have a baby and get a normal system back. Now I really wish that all my acne will clear off too! I never had acne as bad as this before in my entire life until I've stopped Diane-35. Now I have to find a perfect solution how to cure my acne. Please, dont start on this pill!!

I have been on this pill for a week, so obviously i cant give a full review, but since i started diane i have noticed both pros and cons. i am now getting cystic acne, which I hear is normal at first. my acne almost looks rash like. im hoping it all clears up. so far, i find it worth it after reading these reviews. my side affects havent been so bad for the first week, and as long as my acne clears up eventually, its worth it. im a little worried about it getting worse, i am starting to notice more new blemishes. I am also on stieva-a and minocycline. i will give a better review in a few months. if anyone has any advice, greatly appreciated!

i have been on diane for the past two months and there are slight improvements in acne. however, it is to be noted that one needs to make lifestyle changes too to overcome acne fully. drinking plenty of water, controlling ur diet (less spicy, oily food), eating more fruits, exercising, being less stressed, keeping your body and face well moisturized are very important. i have also been using sebamed products on the advise of my doc.