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
February 10, 2009
Cons:
breakouts during period, low sex drive during adjustment months, feelings of depression during adjustment months, up and down emotionally when forgetting to take the pill a few days in a row, breakthru bleeding during adjustment months.
Good pill. It's my first time on the pill overall and I really like it. I feel more womanly and happier with myself. My skin gets a little break out-ish when I stop taking the hormone pills and begin the placebo pills, but it has to be from the dramatic drop in hormones that messes around with my skin causing it to break out. Remember to take it on time or you'll get break through bleeding after missing it 2 days in a row. My period is sometimes delayed and I won't get my period into sometimes my 4th day on my placebo pills.
February 4, 2009
Pros:
get my period on time,prevents babies, very small to take, bigger boobs, makes men happy when your own it, short period,
Cons:
weight gain big time,very emotional when i forget to take,hevey flow on first day,taken it the same time every day, bad cramps on first day
i have been on it for 3 years and i have gained weight and has been very emotional to every body i have been around but it has saved me from getting prego and it always gives me my period for the month overall it not bad it gives me what my period and no baby.
February 2, 2009
Pros:
No weight gain, no acne.
Cons:
Really the only con for me is that I have to remember to take it.
My period is late...is that normal??? I have been taking this for a month and I'm on the period ones, I haven't started my period and I hope it's normal because if not, I'm pregnant and I just had a baby. I can say one thing for sure, if I am pregnant I will never recommend this to anyone.
February 1, 2009
Pros:
-skin was crystal clear
- regular periods
- prevented pregnancy
Cons:
- Made breasts larger ( i was already a d cup, i didnt want them any bigger!!)
- weight gain and bloated feeling
- caused skin condition of painful lumps in legs, known as erythema nodosum
worked with out problems for about 3-4 months then i started getting the painful lumps in my legs, which were attributed to birth control but they went away with medication
My skin was literally glowing when i was on this medication, I would just warn those who may have had past inflammatory problems with their skin/body in general. it was ortho tri cyclen lo actually)
January 31, 2009
Pros:
prevention of pregnany
Cons:
terrible bouts of nausea, highly emotional
i've been taking this pill for a few days now, and i've had terrible bouts of nausea. i talked to my cousin, and she said she was the same way, and it soon goes away. luckily, when i took my pill today, i didn't have my usual nausea. but i have been extremely emotional, and i'm unsure if it's because started taking it a week before my period was supposed to start, or if it's the pill in general.
January 26, 2009
Pros:
None I can think of.
Cons:
Weight gain, increase in acne, bloating, moodswings.
I've weighed the same amount for most of my high school to adult life, and never have I gained so much or felt so bloated. I'm depressed and tired and my acne is getting SO much worse. I'm staying on for two months to see what happens.
January 22, 2009
Pros:
Have not been on it long enough to determine
Cons:
First day very very nausea. Did not throw up but if I could I would have. Make sure you eat heavy before taking.
Cant say too much because I just started taking it.
January 21, 2009
Pros:
-My skin stayed the same (it wasn't really broken out to begin with)
-No noticeable weight gain
Cons:
-MAKES ME CRY! every little thing makes me cry!
-Nausea! Big time.
For me & my body, i like it & it works well. The only thing is I hate how I get angry or sad & cry really easily now. Honestly, an Adam Sandler movie made me tear up! Oh well though, i'm happy i didn't gain weight! Oh & when you first use it, your period is kinda messed up & if you forget to take it, you may spot.
January 19, 2009
Pros:
cleared acne, very few cramps, smaller mood swings, regular period
Cons:
gained 11 pounds
so i gained 11 pounds. big deal! i gained it in a years time and thats all i gained over the 3 years i have been on it....now that im off i lost the weight and my acne returned and have an irregular period again. I DONT LIKE BEING OFF IT. on bc my face was very clear. i had cramps that i could live with, unlink when i was off it. i would be able to control my mood swings better, instead of being a mess when i was close to my period. and i had a regular period...instead of one week on one week off. then start over again (if u didnt get that...2 PERIODS A MONTH!)
January 16, 2009
Pros:
Cleared acne, little to no mood swings, controlled period flow.
Cons:
Initial weight gain.
I'd been on Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo for 4 years when my insurance provider switched, causing the price to rocket to about $65 a month. I switched to Trivora and have had a horrible time with it (acne, weight gain, mid-cycle cramps, fatigue, migraines). I'm switching back to Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo next month, as I've never had a bad experience with it. Although I'm not a doctor, I'd highly recommend it to women who don't do well on high dosages of hormones since this is a very low hormone birth control. I've been on about 3 others kinds since switching and Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo is the best from my personal experience.
Pros:
glowing smooth skin all over until my period, controlled hunger, prevents pregnancy, larger breasts, my hair was shinier and grew faster, eyelashes became thicker and longer, happier mentally, a feeling of mental balance. No nausea.