I have been on ortho since 2001 and it hasn't done a damn thing for me but make me sick. I went on ortho to regualte my hormones since Depo really screwed me up.

Sooo, Ortho is useless and Depo (the shot) is seriously evil.
The shot made me grow hair on my chin, gave me bad cystic acne , and caused me to gain 30 pounds. And this wasn't WHILE I was on the shot, this happened the month after I quit the shot. I've had hormonal issues since 2000.

I read Elizabeth's comment & I must agree. I have had acne since I was in the 6th grade... I am currently a senior in high school, been on Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo for a year I must admit I have seen some improvement in my skin but I still break out (enough for people to notice). I have made an appt to ask for a change in my prescription to regular Tri-Cyclen because I heard it is more effective.

Another note, Proactive causes many nodules & cystic acne around the chin and forehead, at least for me. Those who have that type of sever acne know the pain, along with the low self-esteem.

ZOVIA works wonders!! I was having humongous, cystic acne, so much so that I started to call in sick to work..went on this and saw massive improvement after the first month. Get Zovia, it comes in a cheesy pink 1970s-looking package, but it's great.

I've been using tri-cyclen for almost a year now, I'm sixteen, and I'm very happy with the results. My skin has changed; Not only has my face cleared, but my skin isn't oily. It's nice to know when I will have my periods too. I occasionally have problems with nausea at the beginning of the month, but it may be because I have a very sensitive stomach. As well, I do still get the occasional break out, but nothing major. When I do get a blemish, it doesn't last very long and it's not very noticeable. Before I had big pimples on my face and my back but now I only get little bumps on my face from time to time and my back is a lot clearer. I would recommend to try this pill if you have tried other medications that proved to be ineffective. Give it time though, a few months at least for it to work.

I was on Tri-Cylen for many years, about 6, before I switched to the Nuva Ring on the advice of my gyno who said it was great. Although I liked the easiness of the ring, and not having to remember to take a pill each day, I gradually started to break out worse and worse during a 9 month period. At first, I wasn't sure why my skin had gone so out of control, and my back was the worst it had been in years. I eventually figured out it must have been the ring and have since switched back to Tri-Cyclen. Its only been about 3 weeks, but I am already noticing a slightly less upset skin. Hopefully in time, it will totally recover.

As for breast size, I am a humble A and never EVER experienced any weight gain or breast enlargement with either birth control. Also, as a form of birth control, both have worked very well.

Tri-Cyclen is more affordable in Canada than the Nuva ring is.

I agree the key is to find what works for you, from trial and error.

Tri-Nessa, which was recently pull and I just found out yesterday, worked wonderful for me. Many may have opposite results, but I have less acne, I've actually lost 10 pounds, I have the same sex drive, but I noticed a little bit more moodiness, not terribly so but still noticable.

girls, girls,.... ACCUTANE is the best for acne...don't worry about using birth control IF YOU DON'T NEED TO... yes, i used ortho tricyclen lo and it worked...didnt notice zits much... but birth control has all these other side effects i've experienced! weight gain, moodiness, lower libido, although it does put your period into a nice predictable schedule and make them shorter/lighter..but ACCUTANE REALLY WORKS...I had acne all over my face, chest, back, upper arms, for about 5 years-since puberty--my face was the worst with all kinds of pimples (using MANY MANY different medications...antibiotics, topical creams, prescriptions and OTC..nothing worked...some parts would clear up then come back) ACCUTANE gets rid of the zits and keeps them away! and it works for the skin on your entire body cuz it works from the inside out, and i only had to take it for about 6 months!and i've had clear skin since, 7 years later THANK GOD...make sure you get a dermatologist who knows how to prescribe it tho (for how long, and according to your weight, etc) and it worked for others i've known as well...hope this helps...good luck...

I'm on OTC lo, and love it. I've never had skin like this...i think this answered my prayers. Only time i break out is when I've been extremely stressed or if I eat seafood. Weird, huh? Other than that, it's a God-send. I think the lo is the best!

EVERYONE NOTE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ORTHO TRICYCLEN AND ORTHO TRICYLCLEN LO!! While ortho tricyclen is one of two birth control pills approved by the FDA to help acne, ortho tricyclen LO has been reported to cause acne (it says this as one of its listed "possible side effects" on the pill info sheet). My doctor prescribed me ortho tricyclen LO and it definitely made my acne noticeably (though not severely) worse.

I haven't had any other side effects accept that it's made my acne way worse, which is so annoying because the doctor said this would help. I didn't know if I was the only but I see now that other people have similar stories. Does anyone know why it would make acne worse when they say it is supposed to make it better?