Oral Contraceptive
Efficacy
63%
Based on All Available Studies
Strength of Evidence
Note: Improvement significantly increases after 24 weeks.
Oral Contraceptive
Acne.org’s Real World Take
All oral contraceptives appear to clear the skin about the same amount. Some people report cessation of acne symptoms and others see partial relief. However, messing with hormones is messing with hormones and it’s best to proceed with caution. But if you’re looking to take the birth control pill anyway, one of the benefits is clearer skin.
Oral Contraceptive
How to Get It
Have a dermatologist? Make an appointment to get this medication. Don't have a dermatologist? See The American Academy of Dermatology Physician Database to find one.
Used Norgestimate (Ortho Tri-Cyclen®)? Rate It:
Choose from 1 to 5 stars
July 10, 2007
i took otc-lo for 5 months and it made me break out really bad! before that i would get the occasional pimple and needed protection so i figured otc-lo would help with both. it made me feel super sick the first week and i would get thesr horrible depression swings. wORST part of it all is that itmade me break out (cyst like nodules) and its been over 4 months (since i got off the pill) and i havent stopped breaking out. i dunno what to do...
July 6, 2007
Cons:
acne worse than ever, gained 2 lbs eating 500 cals a day, start spotting on the dark blue (3rd week pills). Didn't get my period as soon as I started the green pills but on the FIFTH day of them.
Ortho Tri Cyclen (regular, not low) can cause all the side effects that low can. I've also had panic attacks, depression, and stomach sickness. I'm starting my second month on it now and thinking about just giving up.
May 24, 2007
Pros:
No sexual or other side effects.
Cons:
WORST ACNE OF MY WHOLE LIFE! Very expensive, insurance doesn't cover.
I am on Ortho Tri-cyclen Lo. I started taking it to help with acne that developed after stopping birth control. I went from having some problems with breakouts to HORRIBLE cystic acne along my jawline that is now spreading to my cheeks. Now I have tons of tiny bumps all over my chin, and cysts, and red inflamed bumps that won't go away. And I will have scars from this. I have done a lot of research and attribute it to this pill. I just finished my 2nd pack and am stopping it and going back to a different kind of BC pill. I am now trying to get my acne under control with Benzamycin and a retinoid. I am done with this pill. Worst thing I ever did for my complexion. Too bad because it was great otherwise.
May 17, 2007
Pros:
Breast growth.
Cons:
Weight gain,cramps, its made me break out more only there small and i dont get large ones anymore.
If you want to have larger breasts go for it. But my face has not improved its gotten worse and if my face does not improve by this month (currently on second month) I am going to stop taking them. Plus i went from a size 0-1 to sizes FROM 3-5. i am 15 years of age and i am in highschool.
May 16, 2007
I never had acne until my freshman year of college. It was horrible...large cysts, painful, couldn't really cover them with make-up without it looking cakey. I've been on birth control for about 6 years, so I thought it was the new environment, stress from classes, etc. Anyways, I used to take Ortho Tri Cyclen Lo and it cleared up the acne somewhat but I still got break outs, especially one week before my period. I recently switched to regular OTC because I read it's been clinically proven to clear up mild to moderate acne. I've only been taking it for about 7 days, and I've noticed more, smaller breakouts on my cheeks and hairline. I would usually just break out on my chin. I also have broken out on my back and chest...which never happened before! I read this site and am now verrrrrry scared. Should I stop taking this pill??? Please give me some advice!
April 22, 2007
Pros:
Provided birth control with only moderate weight gain
Cons:
made my acne spread like wildfire. WORST ACNE OF MY WHOLE LIFE!!
I first tried regular OTC in hopes that it would work for my moderate acne like the commercials proclaimed. Before I realized it, I had zits in places that I didn't know you could get them!!! and we aren't talking just whiteheads. I am talking serious, pussy cysts. So of course after those 3 months of hell, I switched, and this time gave OTC low a try. Now I don't have cysts, but I have horrible acne on my back that I never used to have!!! No matter what medicine I try to get rid of the zits, nothing worked. So I decided to go off of OTC low and what do you know? NO ZITS. Now I am looking for a brand of birth control that doesn't cause this kind of side effect.
April 17, 2007
Pros:
no babies
Cons:
weight gain, awful acne, spot bleeding
My acne went from being mild to severe within the first month of taking OTC Lo. Very frustrating.
February 22, 2007
Pros:
Regulated my period, made is shorter and lighter.
Cons:
Terrible acne!!
I've always had pimples here and there... but once I started taking Ortho-Low I constantly have huge zits around my jaw line! I definitely need to find something new. Plus it's expensive!
February 11, 2007
Pros:
very effective as birth control
Cons:
made my acne worse, weight gain, mood changes
When I started on OTC I had very mild acne and it immediately got much worse. I went to my doctor and she told me sometimes it can make acne worse before it gets better. Tried it for a few more months but my skin continued to get worse, so she switched me off of it. I also gained weight and had mood changes.
So OTC didn't work for me at all. But that being said both my sisters and many of my friends are on it and love it. For most of them it cleared up there skin.
December 10, 2006
Pros:
none
Cons:
i didnt have acne when i staretd using this so i dont know why my doctorprescribed it but now i have mild acne taht will nto go away!
it is horrible and gave me acne!
Pros:
I can't think of any