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
December 15, 2007
Cons:
none!
definitely works well for clearing up acne...try it!
December 8, 2007
Pros:
much less cramping, clears acne, lighter periods
Cons:
i have had none, and it's my second time using... i used it when i was 17/18 and now i am 25.
Ortho Tri Cyclen works well for clearing up acne... and i noticed that many of the people complaining it didn't use LO... not the same!
that's why it's a different pill called LO!
I have heard many cons about OTC Lo, i would never try it myself.
it helped clear my teenage acne and at my age now, i recently developed a hormonal burst possibly due to excessive stress and age, and after one cycle of being back on orth tri cyclen NOT LO my face is almost completely clear again, and it was bad along my jawline and such!
November 21, 2007
Pros:
Some skin clearing, up a cup size, regular periods, pregnancy protection, lack of weight gain
Cons:
Breaking out at first, bloating and heavy bleeding, cramps
Only birth control i've used but it seems to be good
November 1, 2007
Pros:
helped acne, reliable periods, no cramps!
Cons:
none so far!
this works amazing! it cleared up my skin totally and haven't had any side effects. I guess everyone reacts differently!! Only $1.75/month with insurance!!!
October 21, 2007
Pros:
clear skin, regular periods, lighter periods. Not pregnant.
Cons:
have to remember to take it every day, same time. Lower sex drive (I think). I rather have clear skin. I'm vain.
OTC only works for HORMONAL ACNE! If you break out before your period OTC can help for most women. I would always breakout right before my period, around my mouth and jaw. OTC cleared up the problem. No more breakouts at all. The only thing is you have to keep on taking the pill. Once you stop your hormones will go back to the mess they were before you started the pill.
It's free if you go to a clinic and have no insurance.
I don't think it causes weight gain. Face it, this is America. We eat a lot of junk and we are completely lazy!
October 21, 2007
Pros:
Predictable periods... works
Cons:
none
I noticed no weight gain. Skin cleared up. Shorter lighter periods. Love it!
October 20, 2007
Pros:
Clears acne with little to no side-effects.
Cons:
Is a little pricey, co-pay is $25. Thankfully we can afford to refill every month! Oh, and it did make me a little more emotional.
When I first started out, I broke out a little but nothing out of the ordinary. I actually went into this thinking it wouldn't work because nothing else had before. I started out with almost severe acne, went down to moderate and tried ortho. I'm so thankful my derm. suggested birth control because 6 months later I completely stopped breaking out. I can now say, 10 months after I first started, I no longer worry about waking up to new pimples! So if you're thinking about taking Ortho, or already are on it and are reading reviews for some hope, PLEASE wait it out at least until the 6 month mark. Oh and beware of Ortho LO, for some people it helps with acne, but for most it makes it worse. Best of luck :-)
October 1, 2007
Pros:
lighter periods & I do have clearer skin even though I've never really had acne problems.
Cons:
lower libido .
I'm still using it until I can find something else. The whole libido thing is too much for me. I need my testosterone back.
September 11, 2007
Pros:
Clearer skin, lighter periods, not pregnant...
Cons:
Random breakouts, feel fatter, extremely moody.
When I first started, my skin was amazing and clear and now I am 3 months in and I am PMS'ing. My skin is being INSANE. I hardly want to go outside. But besides this week, I have looked amazing and my periods are unbelievably light.
August 18, 2007
Pros:
NO PREGNANCY
Cons:
LOSS OF APPETITE(MIGHT BE A GOOD THING), MADE ME A LITTLE NAUSEOUS AFTER MY FIRST PILL. I FEEL MORE ANXIOUS.
I HAVE BEEN USING OTC FOR ABOUT A MONTH AND I TAKE IT AT NIGHT IT SEEMS TO HELP OUT THE NAUSEA. IT SEEMS TO MAKE ME SMOKE MORE THAN NORMAL. (I KNOW UR NOT SUPPOSED TO SMOKE). I STILL HAVE PIMPLES HERE AND THERE. BOTTOM LINE ITS PRETTY GOOD.
Pros:
helped to clear up some of my acne