Combined pill and acne
How our community feel the combined pill has affected their skin
Data is taken from self reported Lowdown user reviews
No change
10%
Don't know
3%
Out of the 2610 reviews for the combined pill, 118 people (5%) reported acne.
Reviewers that reported acne as a side effect
Data is taken from self reported Lowdown user reviews
Used for 1 - 3 mo
30 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
As soon as I started taking it, my first period whist on this pill came after a week and it was the most horrible period I’ve had in my entire life (it was a longer period then I ever had before (with really heavy cramps constantly) that was the first step in the negative journey. After that, I continued taking it and my acne got worse especially on my back. I had thought it would improve but was much worse event at month two. After two months of taking this pill, I’ve also gained weight which I noticed straight away but had put down to temporary water retention but seems to not budge and have had extreme weight fluctuations like never before and been feeling very off and not myself ever since taking it/depressed, also have lost all sex drive. I am at the point where it’s either stick it out for another month to see if symptoms ease up or stop and cut my losses. I’ve decided to stop.
Very negative mood
3 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
28 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3 weeks ago
My period was ok on it. My acne was very bad cystic nothing would get rid of it. Changed to Yasmin and I haven’t had cystic acne my skin is clearing. Hair thinned on top of my head too. This pill can cause high androgens which can cause bad hormonal acne and hair loss
Somewhat negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 5 yr
30 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 22nd May 25
I thought i had gotten on well with Gedarel, didn’t have side effects really and took it continuously to not have periods which only about every 6mnths got beeak-through bleeding, the periods during a pill break were getting heavier each time though. only after coming off it and changing to the mini pill did I realise my sez drive was affected by it as it came back to my normal and my mood felt more stable generally also? The reason for switching was because I had one really bad migrane (and no history of it)
Somewhat positive mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Combined pill common side effects
Data is taken from self reported Lowdown user reviews
53% of the combined pill reviewers reported tender breasts
48% of the combined pill reviewers reported breast enlargement
46% of the combined pill reviewers reported vaginal discharge
43% of the combined pill reviewers reported period like cramps
38% of the combined pill reviewers reported vaginal dryness