I never had much acne throughout my teen years, just the normal pimples around my period. However, I am now 22 and have been dealing with very embarrassing acne that is ruining my life. I used to feel pretty and confident about my appearance and now my self esteem is very low because of my acne, which is the worst it's ever been in my life. I have tried every topical medication out there, and some have worked for a little while but then stop. I should mention that the acne is not covering my face, but over the past 9 months, I have what you may call permanent pimples, or cysts, that NEVER GO AWAY. Any cream I put on them usually aggravates them and they have become impetigo many times.

I have somewhat high testosterone levels and because I have not responded to any topicals and have very irregular periods, doctors all tell me that it is hormonal and that birth control will fix my acne. I'm praying this is the case! I have suffered such embarrasment from this and it is ruining a time in my life where I should be enjoying life and beng very social; but much of the time, my acne just makes me want to hide. Anyway I just started Ortho-tri cyclen (regular) and have taken 12 pills..so far my acne seems to be worse and I have a rashy look on my cheeks from it, but I am hoping this will go away and it is just my body adusting to the pill because I have such sensitive skin. I just feel that my acne healing is futile, but I am hoping this birth control will finally straighten out my periods and clear up my skin once and for all. ( I should mention that last year, for five months, my periods were very regular and my skin was great, so I know for me, there is a direct correlation there). I'm not expecting flawless skin ( as much as I would like it) but I would like to see a very big improvement, especially with the cysts in my chin. Thanks for listening! How long, realistically do you think I can see results? Some people say one month, but some doctors say about 3. I'm hoping it's sooner rather than later but I'm going to stick it out the best I can and try to be patient.

Worst product for me. I had a baby 10 months ago and wnated to insure that I would not have another in near present. My doctor recommended OTC because I had problems with acne when I was pregnant. This is my second time on OTC.

I took this 12 years ago and only now realize what it did to me. I had the occasional hard, no head pimples, the headaches, weight gain, and a weird pigmnet problem on my shoulders.

All these symptoms have returned 12 years later, when surprise, surprise, I just started taking OTC again. Another one too. I have had light bleeding for 1 month now.

So, now I have to deal with these sore, hard, ugly pimples. I would rather use condoms for the rest of my life.

Done my rant

I'm 17 and went on Ortho Tri Cyclen in March and started seeing results in my skin right away. It took a while for the ones that were already forming to go away, but no new blemishes erupted at the start of the BC. I did notice, however, that my boobs got really really big (D cups and i'm a pretty skinny girl) and I am terribly moody now. I did gain a little weight but that might be from my athletics and not necessarily the BC pills. My sex drive also shot through the roof, which is really bothersome for someone who is not sexually active! I decided to take OTC after reading this board and i'm glad I did.

I was on OTC reg when I was in my teens and I loved it. It definetly helped my facial acne. I stopped taking it though cuz I couldn't afford it. I just started taking Ortho Tri-cyclen Lo about 2 weeks ago and while my face hasn't broken out completely, I am developing the worst backne I have ever had. I had backne in my teens that started clearing up about year and a half ago (I'm 22). And in just two weeks it has quickly reappeared, wrose than ever! I didn't realize OTC Lo had such differnt effects than OTC regular, is it OK for me to just stop taking it cold-turket or will it mess up my system? I want the acne to stop

I am 17 years old and started taking ortho tricyclen lo when I was 15. I am using it for birth control purposes but was hoping that it would also clear my skin. My acne is moderate but I want it to be flawless. I have not had any side effects what so ever but am a bit saddened by the fact that my acne has not gotten better. Any suggestions on whether or not I should switch to the regular ortho tricylen?

I started taking OTC Lo when I was a junior in college. I never had perfect skin before that, but it was just moderate acne that most teenagers have. I went to the dermatologist in high school and used differin gel. That seemed to work all right. I also used Proactive and it really did help, but I would still get breakouts. At first OTC Lo seemed to help my face be less shiney and help areas like my nose and chin stop breaking out. Well, I stopped taking birth control about a month after I graduated from college. My face was all right for a few weeks and now all of a sudden i have these cyst-like under the skin bumps on the sides of my cheeks. it is really hideous and embarassing. I can't help but think its from not taking the BC. I have talked about this with some of my friends and they said they have heard other girls complain about their skin getting worse after stopping BC. I would ask your doctor about this. I just started back on BC about a week ago. I'm praying my skin gets better.

I started taking ortho when i was 18. my skin was already flawless before taking it, i was only using it as a bc. After taking it for 3 years I gained 10-15 lbs and gave me really bad mood swings. I would snap at people and my temper was very short, so I decided to stop.

After a few months I started breaking out. I thought it was going to go away but it got even worse. It started to spread everywhere around my cheeks, forehead, and chin. I tried persa-gel but it doesn't make everything go away. It got so bad to the point where I had tons of acne scars. My perfect complexion was gone. I decided to go back on it. I used the ortho-lo but it wasn't helping my skin that much so I switched to ortho regualr, now i'm 15 lbs heavier and my skin started getting better after 4 months. It took a while but it's worth it.

I figure, it's hard to get rid of acne and easier to lose the weight. But that's not how it works. I would go to the gym everyday but I still get cravings and have to control my eating habits. I eat more than usual and crave for everything all the time. I got rid of 5 lbs. 10 more lbs to go! but it seems so hard to do.

I'm thinking of taking another prescription for my skin that works exactly like the ortho but without the weight gain. still researching...

i am starting my 3rd month of bc. i started w/ the generic brand of ortho (tri-sprintec) and it was horrible. it made my back even break out more and my face was horrible! i switched to ortho and i am starting my second month of that. my back has completely cleared up..but my face is still pretty bad. i have little tiny bumps all over my face and my dr. told me its not acne. i have had them before bc...but i think that the tri sprintec made them worse. i hope that the ortho can help a little better on my face. i am going to stick it out through a couple more months.

i also started taking doxycycline for these little bumps. has anyone ever taken it?? has anyone ever experienced little tiny bumps that sort of look like pimples..but never form? if so...let me know!

i was on yasmin for about 2 years and it definitely helped out with my skin, although it did give me mild mood swings. so i switched to YAZ (lower estrogen level). IT'S TERRIBLE! i've never had a panic attack in my entire life until i started taking YAZ and i've only been on it for about 2 months now. not to mention, my skin is breaking out like crazy. goodluck to everyone.

I know a few of you have written things like this but I wanted to let you know that you aren't alone. I went on Tri-nessa a month and a half ago to help regulate my period and cramps. I have been experiencing nausea, mood changes (I seriously feel really depressed for a few days and then I'm perfectly happy the next), and severe acne breakouts. I have experienced what I would consider very mild acne throughout my life but now it got HORRIBLE the second week of my first cycle on the pill. I also have dropped a lot of weight since going on the pill because eating has been so hard. I saw my old chart at the doctor and I was over 120 lbs and now i'm below 110. I'm giving it through the end of the third cycle because that's how long they say it takes your body to adjust but if it doesn't get better I'm not going to put up w/ it anymore. I just wanted a few of you to know that you are not alone and I completely know how you feel and it sucks. Just hang in there. I've been praying like crazy and I will for you all as well. Ugghh this was supposed to uncomplicate my life and it has made it so much worse!!!!!!