Hello all...

I have come off of this pill in the past, and broke out BADLY...however at the time I was also managing my acne with the combination of Diane and antibiotics. My skin was never clear without the combination of the two, (i.e. so if I went off the antibiotics, my skin would break out) so although I did eventually wean myself off of antibiotics and broke out a little bit, my skin cleared up again. I now only use Diane 35 for both acne (or so I did in the past) and birth control. I've changed my diet drastically over the past year or so and I have really clear skin... but am wondering if I have the clear skin just because of the BCP. What do you all think? What are the odds that I will break out again if I come off of the pill in time?

Also, I am curious if any of you have been on Diane-35 for a period of time and then went off of it, and had any trouble (or lack thereof) with acne/breaking out? I am wondering what is going to happen when I eventually come off of my BCP (Diane), as I do intend on having kids in the future. And for those of you who came off of BC, and broke out, what did you do (besides going back on the pill) to make your acne go away?

I was on diane for 2 1/2 years. I went on it for birth control and pms acne (mild but persistent). It stopped my breakouts wonderfully, but eventually gave me bad mood swings. I have been off for a month and feel a lot less anxious and much calmer. I noticed increased hair shedding after about 2 weeks, but it seems to be slowing down and wasn't too bad. I broke out a tiny bit after the first week but my skin is clear again. I also got my period right on time, and the cramping was worse than normal but nothing major. SO far so good- I am hoping that the acne doesn't start again, as I have read that some people break out a few months later. Hopefully my period will stay regular, which should help. I am also eating very well (not too much sugar or junk food- lots of fresh stuff), and taking hempseed oil and essiac (an immune booster and detoxifier). I also use jojoba oil regularly, and nothing else - no soap or cleansers, except for a scrub once in a long while. I really think that, for me at least, the less I do to my skin the better.
HTH!

Spironolactone is a non-pill way to lower testosterone so I'm sure you could use that. You just have to try to avoid getting pregnant on it because there is a theoretical risk of birth defects. But nothing like with Accutane.

Thanks for the replies. I, too, eat much better than I did the first time I went off the pill and broke out horribly...so I am hoping that might help me NOT break out when the time comes to go off of the pill. I think that maybe my skin IS better all-around, with or without the Diane, because the first time I went off of it, I was also taking Diane WITH an antibiotic to combat acne. If I went off the antibiotics, even if on the Diane, I broke out. But now I am off the antibiotics (have been for a few years) and my skin is clear without the combo (just using the Diane-35 alone).

As for the second person that responded, I know there are other hormonal treatments out there for acne, if I find I do break out after going off Diane (which I hope doesn't happen). However, the reason I'd go off of the pill in the first place is to get off hormones, period..and have children. So taking some other hormonal treatment would definitely not be an option.

Thanks for your help!

PS-Juliagirl...keep me posted as to how your skin reacts over the next few months. I would like to know if you stay fairly clear. Thanks!

please let us know how coming off the birth control has gone for you. i too have had my share of acne problems over the years...many different antibotics, topicals, even accutane. the thing that worked for me was spironolactone and orthotricylcen. i have weaned myself off the spiro for about a year now with no problems. i currently use differen gel and orthotricyclen to manage my acne. however my husband and i want to start a family in a year or two. i am nervous that i will totally break out once i come off orthtricylcen. i would also have to stop using differen during pregnancy too.

if anyone has any experience like this, please post.