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 31, 2007
Cons:
Remembering to take it everyday at the same time.
Tri-Cyclen Lo kept my face clear in the past and I didn't have any side effects from it at all. I haven't been on BC for a a few months and at 25 my acne has been bad over the last two years and getting worse over the last few months for some reason so I have elected to go back on it. My doctor prescribed me Diane 35 which I researched and found horrible possible side effects and horrifying reports from people who have used it. I didn't take the Diane 35 and I am going to back to get Tri-cyclen Lo. I can't say I recommend Tri-cyclen because BC works differently on everybody.
July 26, 2007
Pros:
Makes your periods shorter, less cramping, regulated periods, and got rid of 50% of my acne
Cons:
Brand name is expensive, but a lot of companies offer a generic brand alternative. Health risks are involved with all pills, etc. Some weight gain.
Caused minor weight gain for me though it did miracles for making my periods lighter and shorter and killed most of my awful cramps. It also cleared up 90% of my back acne and about 50% of my face acne (got rid of the bumps on my forehead, cheeks, etc) and prevented approximately half of my cystic acne breakouts. I'd recommend it definitely! I never experienced breakthrough bleeding, though I tried Ortho Tri-Cyclin Lo once and it did cause bleeding around week 2.
July 25, 2007
Pros:
clearer skin! (so happy), normal period.
Cons:
trying to never forget taking it at the same time :S! headaches and spotting first month.
I've been reading all these posts and it literally made me want to try this birthcontrol. Also, because i needed to start on it anytime soon so I decided to pick OTC. I suffered from bad acne and oily skin since age 14. So of course im happy. First month i had spotting since i started the sunday on my period. Now on the second month it stopped and i dont worry about my skin. The only thing I do (in a way) worry about it taking it everytime..at the same time. SAME TIME! Perfect hormones = perfect skin. Well for me :) GOODLUCK to the rest. I didnt gain weight. Everyones different but the normal gaining is 5 pounds or less if you do gain weight. The rest is all in your head. ANd keep positive and dont believe the pills make you moody. Not saying they dont but it does help thinking they dont. Didnt for me because i found that to be bull :P THo, everyones different.
June 21, 2007
Pros:
Shorter periods. Decrease of "time of the month" pimples. Controls and regulates your cycle. Boobs grow a tad, haha.
Cons:
Honestly, to remember taking the pills.
I started taking this about a year ago. My skin looks so much better. It didn't completely clear me up but it totally helped. You have to find a great time for you to REMEMBER taking the pills. Playing catch up sucks big time. I take mine at 10pm at night, right before bed, so I won't get that nauseous feeling. My periods come when I know they will, and stop when you know they'll stop. I love it. Just give it a go. If it makes you a lil dizzy, take it before bed. Its simple. =) Good Luck.
June 20, 2007
Pros:
NO MORE HUGE PAINFUL PMS BREAKOUTS!
Cons:
minor weight gain(i believe it slows down metabolism a bit), increases plaque :(
One recommendation for you all when taking birth control!! INCREASE YOUR ORAL HYGIENE PRACTICES!!
Due to the hormones in the pill, it gives you more plaque... more plaque= more cavities. I learned the hard way. I am 32 and NEVER had a cavity and I never had to floss every day. I had PERFECT teeth until I started the pill. Part of my wisdom tooth fell out and I have 2 other cavities!!! ugg!! BEWARE!
Other than that, when first taking this pill, it will slightly increase your breakouts for the first few months. Don't worry, it will GET MUCH BETTER after 3 or 4 months! Be patient.
January 25, 2007
Pros:
So far is clearing up my skin, no nausea, lighter periods, much less cramping.
Cons:
I get moody like a crazy person.
I am thinking of switching to Ortho Lo to attempt to lessen the mood swings before my boyfriend kicks me to the curb. However, I am just starting my third month and am wondering if perhaps I should wait it out a little bit. Any suggestions? Does Ortho Lo work as well for acne?
January 15, 2007
Pros:
made my periods shorter and less painful, almost no cramps, didn't give me any stomach problems, no nausea, cleared up my acne after 3 months of continued use :0)
Cons:
expensive if you don't have insurance
I take Ortho Lo. I really like it. The Ortho Lo isn't proven to clear up acne, but I think that it has helped my complexion a lot! I started Retin A Micro around the same time as this pill. I noticed that my face was getting really bad. I stopped Retin A Micro after 2 months of using it cuz my face was look'n like totally horrible (really irritated, and red). After 2 weeks of stopping retin A, and continuing to use the Ortho Lo pills my skin has cleared up. I now just apply benzoyl peroxide at night. In the morning I just wash my face and apply my moisturizer and then my makeup and I'm good. I think that Ortho Lo has helped to clear up my face (I have moderate acne, but it got a lot worse while using Retin A).I don't know if these pills will help everyone, but it's worth it to give it a shot.
November 16, 2006
Pros:
cleared up my acne when nothing else would, no side affects with me
Cons:
u have to get blood work done everymonth females must be on birth control and
FOR ALL U PPL OUT THERE WITH BAD ACNE!Im 24 i had horriable acne since i was 13 nothing would help it creams, anitbiotics,nothig.my acne was so bad sometime i would get these cystic pimples that would cause my face to swell up like a chipmunk so finially My dermatologist put me on ACUTANE ask ne one who has used it,it's a miracle drug it starts clearing up in 2 to 3 months by the 6th month ur face will be completely clear i guarentee that. Then after 6 months your face stays clear forever and you stop the medication. i know a few other ppl who also had bad acne and used this medication and they had the same results.the only down side is its a serious drug so u have to do blood work every month to make sure every thing is good and females must be on birth control cause you absolutely cannot get pregnat until u've been off of it for atleast 6 months.but to have a clear face it was definetly worth it.to get it so if nothing has worked for u i promise this will just ask dermatolgist for it
October 24, 2006
Pros:
I am 22 and have moderate acne. I have been using pro-active for about a yr, it has been minimimally effective. I started taking ortho to prevent pregnancy, but by the beginning of the second month I noticed all my acne was completely gone.
Cons:
My acne was a little worse the first couple weeks on birth control and I don't know if it was b/c of the birth control or not. Also, I noticed my eyes have been a lot more dry, which has not been great since I wear contacts.
Try it. It worked perfect for me and I wasn't even taking it for that reason at all. Take it for two months and see if it doesn't work for you too. Hopefully it will work, but if not you should consider acutane. My sister had really severe acne about 5 years ago and when nothing else worked she took acutane. It cleared her skin up completely. I never see her with acne now and it has been five years, but she did say it gets really bad before it starts to clear up, so keep that in mind and don't give up immediately or get too depressed when it gets worse to start off.
October 23, 2006
Pros:
worked perfectly! my skin cleared up completely
Cons:
none
i had moderate acne and had tried everything else. I finally was going to try accutane but before i could do that i had to go on bc. They gave me this contraceptive and it worked 100 %...I didn't even need accutane.
Pros:
Regulated Periods, kept face clear, no side effects.