Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
General health

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Original poster

Life after Dianette

20 replies

Wuxiapian · 24/03/2007 20:31

Hi, guys.

I've been taking Dianette for 7 months now for acne. My acne has improved somewhat, but I'm just wondering, what happens when you stop taking it? Does the acne return? I hate taking pills at the best of times and would hate to think I've put my body through all this for nothing if my skin deteriorates once I stop.

Hoping someone can shed a little light or offer any advice.
Thanks in advance

OP posts:
DeviousDaffodil · 24/03/2007 20:35

I came off it to get pg and my skin was awful, esp when pg.
Have jusst gone back on it after a year on the Mirena coil as my skni was worse than ever.
Been back on Dianette one month and the change is amazing.
Will be on it for ever I think.....

Loopymumsy · 24/03/2007 20:44

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

LaDiDaDi · 24/03/2007 20:52

I was on it for ages and ages for acne. I came off it to ttc then got pregnant on my second cycle. My skin was ok during pregnancy but was actually at it's best when I was breastfeeding. It's not great at the moment, I'm on cerazette now, but it's not too bad.

expatinscotland · 24/03/2007 20:52

I stopped taking it to conceive DD2.

My skin went to hell.

Now I can no longer take Dianette or any combined pill because of my age (36) and borderline hypertension with my dad's side of the family all dying or ill with hypertension or heart disease.

My skin is still bad, but I manage it with help from tea tree oil (rubbed neat onto the skin), Clearasil and witch hazel.

Original poster
Wuxiapian · 24/03/2007 21:31

Thank you all for taking the time to respond.

Hmmm... So, is there any way of determining the cause of acne? I mean, surely, it's caused by something.

I always had lovely, clear skin, even through puberty. I'll be 29 next month and have suffered with acne for the past 2 years. Nothing had changed lifestyle wise so it's all so frustrating. I can't accept that I'll be on this drug for the next forever!

Thanks again for any replies

OP posts:
expatinscotland · 24/03/2007 21:32

I also had lovely, clear skin till I was about 28. Then it went to HELL.

I mean, HELL, as in permanent scars.

malaleche · 24/03/2007 21:36

if you go and see a nutritionist they'll be able to tell you if something in your diet or candida in the gut is causing it. You say your life-style hasnt changed but there are loads of factors like use of the pill, antibiotics, diet - even when its generally good, that can cause acne.

ArtichokeTagine · 24/03/2007 21:38

I was put on Dianette aged 13 for bad skin. It helped alot. Came off it at 18 and skin was fine for 3 years and then got worse again. I am now 28 and it is not great but not as bad as it was pre dianette. The thing is when I came off Dianette I had awful problems - ovarian cysts, hormone imbalances, panic attacks. It is a very strong version of the pill and I think it really messed with my body (maybe because I was so young).

bran · 24/03/2007 21:46

Has your gp recommended any tests for PCOS? Dianette is a common treatment for PCOS because it balances hormones that are sent all over the place by PCOS. Explaination of PCOS here .

Original poster
Wuxiapian · 25/03/2007 11:38

Expat, it makes you wonder, doesn't it? I never ever thought I'd ever be battling with spots!

Malaleche, that might be worth considering. Would they be able to test for intolerances?

ArtichokeTangine, how's your health now, has everything settled and what type of contraception do you use now, if any?

Bran, my GP sent me for a blood test to check my hormome levels about 7/8 months after the acne persisted. I have always suffered with excess hair growth, but the results showed that my hormones were fine.

OP posts:
whoopsfallenoveragain · 25/03/2007 11:46

I haven't been on Dianette for 6 years now my skin was ok while pg and not too bad when I had mirena but recently has been awful and am going back to the docs in a couple of weeks to go back on Dianette as I need my skin to get sorted out again

mountaingirl · 25/03/2007 17:20

Acne of varying degrees of awfulness struck me from 24 and now I'm 46...went on dianette at 28 worked ok. Went off it a year before ttc as frightened of any side effects, skin mixed in the 7 years i didn't take it then when thyroid finally packed up and exhaustion set in I went back on it as skin (always my chin)went bonkers. I am taking minerva now. Gynae wants me to have coil, there is one without progesterone but hesitant. Still get the odd spot/boil but put that down to moisturisers. Good friend also suffers she stopped for 6 months and was begging the dermo to put her back on pill, he has done. It really is a pain isn't it?!!!

DeviousDaffodil · 25/03/2007 21:24

I know at my age I want to be worrying about wrinkles not spots!
My pals are all buying Clarins. I am buying Clearasil!

Original poster
Wuxiapian · 25/03/2007 21:40

So, is that the only choice we're faced with: take Dianette, have clear skin, or don't take Dianette and suffer?

How depressing.

OP posts:
PanicPants · 25/03/2007 21:46

I took dianette for years for acne, and came off it to ttc. But what I found was that the dianette had been masking my pcos for 10+ years

So I wish I'd never been on it in order to get treatment for pcos earlier and not have such an awful time ttc and fertility treatment.

Anyway - thats not what you're asking.

My skin was ok on it. Awful off it - but after my pg with ds - it has settled and is ok (still get the odd spot/s)

Drs have said the pg threw all my hormones in the air and they sorted themselves out again - improving both skin and regular periods!

Original poster
Wuxiapian · 26/03/2007 14:07

So, PanicPants, was your acne originally a symptom of PCOS? Good to know that your hormones are back in order.

Still thinking it's strange that the blood test I had to check my hormone levels came out fine. Isn't acne related to hormones? Maybe I should ask to have them checked again.

OP posts:
hotandbothered · 26/03/2007 14:12

I took dianette years ago.No spots but I now have ME and have a hunch the Dianette triggered it. My skin is awful awful awful and even worse when pg. I often think my hormones are all over the place but dr has never suggested getting them checked? What do you ask for?

Original poster
Wuxiapian · 26/03/2007 23:37

I took dianette years ago.No spots but I now have ME and have a hunch the Dianette triggered it. My skin is awful awful awful and even worse when pg. I often think my hormones are all over the place but dr has never suggested getting them checked? What do you ask for?

HotandBothered, how long were you taking Dianette and why do you think the ME was caused by it?

I remember reading in the paper that a blood test would show if things were amiss with your hormones so I just asked my GP if there's any chance I could have one. He was reluctant to be honest, but I explaned how desperate I felt about my skin and he kinda gave in. Think he knew I wouldn't relent on it.

How old are you?

OP posts:
hotandbothered · 27/03/2007 15:14

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

PanicPants · 27/03/2007 21:21

Well, doctors said that acne is one of the symptoms of pcos. As it's all linked to hormonal imbalances.

So it's worth bearing in mind. But remember many people have acne without having pcos!

New posts on this thread. Refresh page