Combined pill and acne

How our community feel the combined pill has affected their skin

Data is taken from self reported Lowdown user reviews

Improved skin

14%

No change

10%

Don't know

3%

Out of the 2632 reviews for the combined pill, 121 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
17 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  5 days ago

I started this pill to help with my hormonal acne that had come on when i was on a different pill so decided i needed a change. Everything was fine for the first week or so, I went abroad and accidentally missed a pill due to different timezones. I bled consistently for 3 weeks after missing one pill. My anxiety has been increased and i am extremely fatigued all the time. I have painful sex, due to hormonal changes and vaginal dryness. I am now coming off this pill for a week to bleed and then i am going back on the pill i was on previously.

Read more

Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 3 - 6 mo
25 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  3 weeks ago

I decided to try Eloine due to negative experiences with other combined pills and the low-dose appealed to me. Unfortunately this turned out to be the worst decision I've ever made. In the first month I felt fine but soon after I began experiencing cramps, headaches and significant mood swings. After 4 months, I was suffering from daily severe headaches and migraines with aura. These migraines were consistent, occurring at the same time each week and lasting nearly two hours (something I had never dealt with before). I often had to take afternoons off work and isolated myself in a dark, quiet room until my vision returned and the dizziness subsided. The only times these migraines didn’t occur was the week I had off for my period. I also started experiencing regular spotting. Alongside the physical symptoms, my mood deteriorated. I became easily irritable, leading to frequent arguments with my partner… something that was rare for us before. This change in my behavior left me feeling down and my anxiety gradually worsened. My sex drive plummeted and eventually vanished altogether. The only positives from this pill was my heavy periods and awful period pain decreased and I lost weight. After discussing my symptoms with a doctor, I was advised to stop taking Eloine immediately. Since stopping, my headaches and migraines have ceased (I haven't had a migraine since) and I began feeling like my old self again within 6 months. The impact of this pill extended beyond my health; it affected my relationship as well. This experience has left me wary of contraceptive pills, making me hesitant to try another option.


Very negative mood

3 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 3 - 5 yr
31 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  28th Jul 25

Amazing contraceptive method except for the pigmentation


Worse skin

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill common side effects

Data is taken from self reported Lowdown user reviews

52% 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


Possible the combined pill side effects

Data is taken from self reported Lowdown user reviews

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